Best month to do Nordkapp?

Ropey

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http://www.climatetemp.info/graph/oslo_files/image001.gif

I robbed this chart from an earlier thread.... in the planning stages for a solo three week trip to Nordkapp and back via Oulu,FI.

I realize Norway will get rain at most times, but, what would be the best month to tackle Norway??

I was thinking July but climate chart seems to push me towards early May.

Anyone have any experience of May/July split weather split..?

Ta,
Jr
 
I asked a Norwegian friend the same question, he said the first week of August.

Not sure if this is correct perhaps Liv or another of the locals can comment.
 
I too am planning a solo trip to the Nordkapp area in June 2012.

I think that the very end of May is about the earliest I would consider, as some of the higher passes and hairpin bend roads may not be open earlier. It will also be cool in May in the far north.

The earlier you go, from end May, I guess will be the cheapest (ferry from Denmark to Norway and of course from the UK). Not sure if some Hytte and Camp sites would still be closed before May, but from 1st June there is unlikely to be a problem. We did have a problem finding a camp site near Larvik on the south coast on 4 September this year, as about 95% of the camp sites had already closed at the end of August. But these seem to be occupied mainly by Norwegians with static caravans and not your average tourist.

I think you could get foggy weather at the Nordkapp at any time of year and obviously, you would want to have a view and the midnight sun, etc.

I think Norwegian school holidays start circa 14 June, but many Norwegians head south, not north, for their hols.

Mid July to mid August I would expect to encounter mosquitoes. But I am told the Nordkapp is relatively free of mosquitoes because there are very few trees there. But expect plenty in northern Sweden & Finland.

I was in Norway this year with SWMBO, dog and a motor home. Only went as far North as Alesund and encountered very few mosquitoes, but it was pretty wet (19 August - 4 September).

Oh yes, remember that that climate chart is for Oslo, so you will have to allow for it being quite a bit colder at the Nordkapp whenever you go. Cold isn't really the problem. Rain makes everything miserable, so I would try for the driest month.

Grey Beard
 
71 degrees 10' 21''N

Been up to the Nordkapp twice.......!:blast

1st June 2003 and 25th May 2007......Both times I'd timed it to arrive for midnight at the Nordkapp Hall and we were very lucky with the weather when we got there.

It was very early in the season to go to the Nordkapp and we had a few problems with the weather getting there(snow in the south and on the way to Kirkenes near the Russian border)

It's a long road up and down the E6 'Arctic highway' but I enjoyed the scenery. Each time we arrived at the Nordkapp on the fourth night from either Haugesund or Stavanger after crossing the Arctic circle at lunchtime on the third day.

The best thing about arriving so early in the season was that the road was quiet although the Hytter sites were just opening in the north. We did however have the Nordkapp all to ourselves at one point which was nice!

FP. :thumb

FP.
 
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Been up to Nordkapp a few times over the years. I would say the best time to visit is late June. Never really had bad weather plus if you are going back around Finland the mossies will only be bad not really bad: they can be a real problem later in the summer :D
 
Grey Beard said:
Oh yes, remember that that climate chart is for Oslo, so you will have to allow for it being quite a bit colder at the Nordkapp whenever you go.
Click to expand...

Oslo - Nordkapp: 2140 km
Oslo - Venize, Italy: 2110 km

But why the feck anyone wants to go all the way up there just to get robbed and see a foggy cliff, is beyond me. I'd be riding all the cool roads on the southwest coast.:blast
 
Devon said:
I expect he means the price of a coffee and parking. If that is what he means, I would agree. There is feck all at Nordkapp.
Click to expand...

You even can get a certificate and can post your postcards with special Nordkapp stamps:thumb

I'm sure you have to pay 'both ways' to get onto the 'island' where the Nordkapp is and it's a bit like John O'Groats in that the furthest north bit is actually somewhere else.

They did show a 'fantastic' film in the Nordkapphall or maybe it was crap and we were just kanckered and euphoric at the same time after such a long 80/90kph ride.......!

FP.:thumb
 
I didn`t realise exactly how much distance is involved reaching Nordcapp (and kirkenes) from the UK until recently when I spent a few nights mapping all the routes & side trips from the John douglas book into mapsource.
All I can say its a very, very long way just to stand on an island that turns out isn`t the furthest north in Europe :eek
The idea of doing the ride up there still has its appeal, however its going to need more of my vacation time to take it all in, than I was orginally prepared to give it.
 
Farmer Palmer said:
You even can get a certificate and can post your postcards with special Nordkapp stamps:thumb

I'm sure you have to pay 'both ways' to get onto the 'island' where the Nordkapp is and it's a bit like John O'Groats in that the furthest north bit is actually somewhere else.

They did show a 'fantastic' film in the Nordkapphall or maybe it was crap and we were just kanckered and euphoric at the same time after such a long 80/90kph ride.......!

FP.:thumb
Click to expand...

I understand you have to pay both ways just to get onto Mageroya Island (I think that is about NOK 70 for a bike including driver and a pillion would be extra. Fees for motor homes are rather more expensive!!)

Then if you want to go to the tourist centre at the officially designated Nordkapp, then you need to fork out something of the order of another €30/head for the toll road, for a stay of up to 48hours. That is a complete rip off and pisses people off, especially the Norwegians who feel it should be free, given their constitutional 'Right to Roam'. I guess that is what ThorH is alluding to.

When I go, I will be walking to the more northerly point and leaving the bike at the small car park about 6km south of where the rip off toll road starts. It is about 5-6 hours round trip walk, but at least it will not be packed with tourists.

Grey Beard
 
Grey Beard said:
I understand you have to pay both ways just to get onto Mageroya Island (I think that is about NOK 70 for a bike including driver and a pillion would be extra. Fees for motor homes are rather more expensive!!)

Then if you want to go to the tourist centre at the officially designated Nordkapp, then you need to fork out something of the order of another €30/head for the toll road, for a stay of up to 48hours. That is a complete rip off and pisses people off, especially the Norwegians who feel it should be free, given their constitutional 'Right to Roam'. I guess that is what ThorH is alluding to.

When I go, I will be walking to the more northerly point and leaving the bike at the small car park about 6km south of where the rip off toll road starts. It is about 5-6 hours round trip walk, but at least it will not be packed with tourists.

Grey Beard
Click to expand...

I'd like to go back aswell and make it a hatrick.......I should have joined the 'Polar Bear' club last time or whatever it's called then you can get into the Nordkapphallen for free.....!

£400 for fuel though and all those pylsur.......:blast and you never get into sixth gear at 90kph max. I'd probably take the 'Pine Fresh Flash' route up Swedens Inlandsbahn and do the last part up the E6 this time!

FP.:thumb
 
Farmer Palmer said:
I'd like to go back aswell and make it a hatrick.......I should have joined the 'Polar Bear' club last time or whatever it's called then you can get into the Nordkapphallen for free.....!

£400 for fuel though and all those pylsur.......:blast and you never get into sixth gear at 90kph max. I'd probably take the 'Pine Fresh Flash' route up Swedens Inlandsbahn and do the last part up the E6 this time!

FP.:thumb
Click to expand...

It's a long way and I think the official speed limit was reduced from 90 to 80km/h this year or late last year.

What does the 'Polar Bear' club cost? Guess you'd have to be a semi regular visitor to make it worth while?

Grey Beard
 
I went in 1984 (BMW R100RT), and in 1990 (Harley FXRT), and it was noticeably more 'touristy' the second time... not sure I'd go again.

I would however explore the Lofoten Islands again, which were a real treat, or head into Finland...

Both times I was there in July & August, it rained in the west (particularly around Bergen), and some areas had bad Mosquito problems.
 
Alot of food for thought guys... thanks for all the info.
Will do a bit more thinking on this, Nordkapp sounds
like a long slog up/back in 3weeks...:confused:
 
Nordkapp

Cruiser said:
http://www.climatetemp.info/graph/oslo_files/image001.gif

I robbed this chart from an earlier thread.... in the planning stages for a solo three week trip to Nordkapp and back via Oulu,FI.

I realize Norway will get rain at most times, but, what would be the best month to tackle Norway??

I was thinking July but climate chart seems to push me towards early May.

Anyone have any experience of May/July split weather split..?

Ta,
Jr
Click to expand...

We reached Nordkapp (3 bikes) on the 13th of June 2008, what a great experience, yes it is a long way. You are riding your bike, day after day, now, that has to be fun. The weather was great, yes it was cold in the north, it was snowing when we got to Nordkapp. Norway is a worderfull country, expensive - yes. It costs money when you get to Nordkapp, so what!! ok, it should be free, buuuuuut it is not. Life is for living, go and enjoy Norway, wild camp when you can, save your pennies for Norkapp entry fee!! I will never forget the thrill of reaching the top of Europe. This is your chance of ADVENTURE, it is not that far to get to the south of Norway, from here the fun starts. Take as much food with you, save money again. NZ South Island was fantastic for me last year on a hired BMW 800gs, 13 day hire - £1,550. NOW THAT IS EXPENSIVE. NZ - great country, long long way to get there!!!!
Go to Norway, you will love it, I love looking at my pics from time to time, brings a smile every time. All the best Westride
 
westride said:
We reached Nordkapp (3 bikes) on the 13th of June 2008, what a great experience, yes it is a long way. You are riding your bike, day after day, now, that has to be fun. The weather was great, yes it was cold in the north, it was snowing when we got to Nordkapp. Norway is a worderfull country, expensive - yes. It costs money when you get to Nordkapp, so what!! ok, it should be free, buuuuuut it is not. Life is for living, go and enjoy Norway, wild camp when you can, save your pennies for Norkapp entry fee!! I will never forget the thrill of reaching the top of Europe. This is your chance of ADVENTURE, it is not that far to get to the south of Norway, from here the fun starts. Take as much food with you, save money again. NZ South Island was fantastic for me last year on a hired BMW 800gs, 13 day hire - £1,550. NOW THAT IS EXPENSIVE. NZ - great country, long long way to get there!!!!
Go to Norway, you will love it, I love looking at my pics from time to time, brings a smile every time. All the best Westride
Click to expand...

Right - just to put a different slant on all of this, having just walloped me wad on a Ural outfit :D I'd quite like to have a solo run up to the Nordkapp before the rest of civilisation. Would this be quite achievable in late March or April?

The adventure aspect of a sidecar trip up there really appeals, and the weather chart shows it's probably no worse than a UK winter...or am I missing something? :nenau
 
The Reverend said:
Right - just to put a different slant on all of this, having just walloped me wad on a Ural outfit :D I'd quite like to have a solo run up to the Nordkapp before the rest of civilisation. Would this be quite achievable in late March or April?

The adventure aspect of a sidecar trip up there really appeals, and the weather chart shows it's probably no worse than a UK winter...or am I missing something? :nenau
Click to expand...

Where are Liv or ThorH when you need them :D ?

Yes, I think you may be missing something!

The chart by the OP was for Oslo, not the Nordkapp, which is 2140km further north. As ThorH has pointed out earlier, Oslo is nearer to Venice than to the Nordkapp, so just think of the temperature differences.

Some of the blurb on the PrimusTreffet and Krystall-Rally in Norway in February, suggest temperatures could be as low as -20/-25 Deg C in February and these meets are not that far north.

If you have to go over mountain passes, it will be a lot colder, though I am guessing the Arctic Highway E6 follows close to the coast and is near to sea level, so not so cold. Many of the more 'interesting' mountain passes will be closed during the winter months.

Depending on when you go, daylight hours will be in short supply, but I suppose there is then a better chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights.

You would have to plan on getting snow early in the season and the Nordkapp Centre, I think, doesn't actually open until about 20th May or so. The upside is probably that the toll road to the Nordkapp Halle may be free, but you will still have to pay the 2 way toll onto and back off Magaroya Island. Many if not all the Hyttes and camp sites will be closed early in the season but of course you can wild camp. But if you get cold and wet, you will probably be looking for some nice warm dry accommodation.

Quite doable with the right (masochistic) mindset and heated gear/good quality down sleeping bag, etc. If you are taking a side car, then you should have plenty of capacity for the warm clothing and winter gear.

Grey Beard
 
Cheers for that. There could be a big difference between the months, and I'm aware that so far it's been the warmest winter on record for Lapland, but I'm not after Scott of the Antarctic stuff, just busy in May/June hence the April aim.

Google is my friend now..;)
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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