Late Sept - Norway - advice please!

[Obadiah]

I'm hoping to do the arctic circle in the last two weeks of September. Travelling Newcastle to Norway. Going two up and looking at camping / camping hut accomodation. From what I've read, the weather could be iffy - and I understand the West coast is the wetter area.

So - can anyone give us some idea of weather, temperatures, camping site availabilty etc for the end of the month? I've found out we can light a fire after mid September, (Is that telling me something?) and that some camp sites close down early Sept. I know about the camping laws that allow reasonably easy camping but I can't find answers to such questions as:-

1 - Is there likely to be any sleet / snow around?
2 - Are we talking near zero temperatures?
3 - Are there likely to many camp sites still open?
4 - Is there better weather further east, in Sweden for example? Would it be better to plan heading north through there?
5 - Any recommendations for Stavanger or Bergen - easiest to get out of, good first night accomodation (B+B or similar) available etc?

At the moment, we need to decide if these dates mean an ordeal or not. We're not into proving anything, (Got plenty of T shirts ) so if the weathers likely to be grim, we may yet plan for a more southerly trip to the Pyrenees or similar. Any help, comments, advice most welcome!

 

[Hamarpanzer]

You can get it all...

To predict weather in Norway in the end of september is not easy. It can be all from sunny warm weather to cold, wet storms, also depending of where you're going. It's a long country... It's already been roads closed becouse of snow, but it can still be a month until next time.

My advise, if you want a pleasant ride without to many route changes and other surprises, is to wait until next year.

 

[harry]

Where's Lil these days?

 

[harry]

Ooops..meant Liv

 

[Gav]

1 - Is there likely to be any sleet / snow around?

I would say the answer is probably yes but it will depend which route you're using- maybe best to avoid some of the mountain roads.

3 - Are there likely to many camp sites still open?

I doubt it. Try looking at Norwegian tourist sites which should advise you but I think most will be closing by this time.

5 - Any recommendations for Stavanger or Bergen - easiest to get out of, good first night accomodation (B+B or similar) available etc?

I recently stayed at the Mosvangen hostel in Stavanger. It did the job and it’s very close to the E39. I would be tempted to agree with Hamarpanzer, though about going at a better time of year, especially as you mention going to the Arctic. It depends how desperate you are to go to Norway this year.

Gav

 

[Obadiah]

ah well......

Thanks for the replies guys. Since posting, I had the luck to speak to someone who did it this time last year.
His views do agree with yours. He said he wouldn't do it again unless he could hit it earlier. He dropped the bike once on an ice patch and said his main recollection is cloudy, wet and cold!

Seems we'll wait till next year to do that one. So France and/or Spain again it seems - which is never too bad.