Off via Hook of Holland on May 28. I have the luxury of not being in a hurry. So through Sweden up the E4 to Tornio. Then I thought I'd stay on the E8/E75 to Inari then, just north of Inari, there is a a route 92 which will take me back to the E6 which will take me up to Honningsvag. Anybody used that route and will the roads, especially the 92, be open and rideable in the first week of June? Thanks for any help.
Nordkapp route advice please - esp the Finnish bit!
- Thread starter walrus
- Start date
Hello Walrus
I will be taking the same route in late July. I think you'll be Ok for snow but can't say for sure.
I will be taking the same route in late July. I think you'll be Ok for snow but can't say for sure.
I cannot vouch for the weather or whether the roads will be open. But we went up to the Nordcap last year and were severely underwhelmed by the whole place. We would definately go back to the Norwegian Lofoten Islands and the Norwegian Fjords in general. But Nordcap is a bloody long way to go, when you are so disappointed when you get there.
But it is an itch that needs itching for many.
And at least you no longer have to pay for the tunnel onto the Nordcap anymore. That is free now. But the visitor place at the actual site is very expensive!!
So, my advice is that you should allow plenty of tiime to "do" the Lofoten Islands.
Enjoy
But it is an itch that needs itching for many.
And at least you no longer have to pay for the tunnel onto the Nordcap anymore. That is free now. But the visitor place at the actual site is very expensive!!
So, my advice is that you should allow plenty of tiime to "do" the Lofoten Islands.
Enjoy
Thanks Paul. It's an itch that I have to scratch as no doubt you did. However, I have allowed three weeks for the return trip through Norway including the Lofoten islands. And that could be longer if I am enjoying myself. The return ferry is an open booking.
Thanks Grizzly. The 92 looks like an important route so I am hoping it is kept reasonably clear.
Thanks Grizzly. The 92 looks like an important route so I am hoping it is kept reasonably clear.
Coastal Norway and the Lofoten Islands are not to be missed. You will enjoy it, I am sure.
Yeah, like you, Nordcap was an itch that needed to be itched for us too!!
We did a big loop and our general conclusions were:
* liked Denmark & Copenhagen
* Liked central & southern Sweden
* Stockholm was a fantastic place (but it helped as the sun was shining brighly when we were there)
* Avoid (at all costs) the ferry from Stockholm to Turkku (Finland) on a Friday night, as that crossing is a "booze/party" cruise for the Swedes. Hard to sleep when there are drunken swedes (young & old) wandering around & partying all night!
* Very disappointed with Helsinki (grey, drab & soviet-like, in my opinion) and with Finland in general (how many trees and lakes do you really need to see?)
* Nordcap - underwhelmed
*Northwestern coast and Lofoten Islands of Norway - fantastic
So, we concluded that we we would definately return to Stockholm, Norway (in General) and Copenhagen.
Enjoy the trip
Yeah, like you, Nordcap was an itch that needed to be itched for us too!!
We did a big loop and our general conclusions were:
* liked Denmark & Copenhagen
* Liked central & southern Sweden
* Stockholm was a fantastic place (but it helped as the sun was shining brighly when we were there)
* Avoid (at all costs) the ferry from Stockholm to Turkku (Finland) on a Friday night, as that crossing is a "booze/party" cruise for the Swedes. Hard to sleep when there are drunken swedes (young & old) wandering around & partying all night!
* Very disappointed with Helsinki (grey, drab & soviet-like, in my opinion) and with Finland in general (how many trees and lakes do you really need to see?)
* Nordcap - underwhelmed
*Northwestern coast and Lofoten Islands of Norway - fantastic
So, we concluded that we we would definately return to Stockholm, Norway (in General) and Copenhagen.
Enjoy the trip
AberdeenAngus
Registered user
The Laerdaal tunnel is the longest road tunnel in the world.
Ignore it...its a tunnel. But the road it replaced is superb and, now, ....empty.
Would also highly recommend the fjord area around Bergan....just awesome.
Never been to Nordkapp but know loads that have. None want to go back. Make of that what you will.
Ignore it...its a tunnel. But the road it replaced is superb and, now, ....empty.
Would also highly recommend the fjord area around Bergan....just awesome.
Never been to Nordkapp but know loads that have. None want to go back. Make of that what you will.
From Google camera looks like the E4 has a mix of dual carriageway/single carriageway.
So if you want to get through Sweden quickly (as the roads are so straight!) looks good.
When coming back down from Nordkapp (admittedly via Kirkenes and the Russian border) I chose the E45.
Sort of Karasjok (in Norway) then Gallivare down to Ostersund - the 'middle' of Sweden thinking it would be more scenic.
If you are into tall trees stuck close to each other with the odd bend in the road - this is the route for you.
Advice? IMHO, get Sweden over with asap and save your days for Norway.
BTW Finland IS a lot of lakes and yep, more trees.........
Cost to 'enter' the Nordkapp centre was about £25 in 2011.
So save up for that too!!
If you've gone that far....it's only equivalent night's camping or so
I think the Nordkapp pass is valid for 48hrs (citation needed)
So you could camp out and get that iconic picture of the midnight sun and the globe.
Then enjoy Norway's fabulous west coast!!!!!!
Challenge: keep off the E6 as much as possible!
So if you want to get through Sweden quickly (as the roads are so straight!) looks good.
When coming back down from Nordkapp (admittedly via Kirkenes and the Russian border) I chose the E45.
Sort of Karasjok (in Norway) then Gallivare down to Ostersund - the 'middle' of Sweden thinking it would be more scenic.
If you are into tall trees stuck close to each other with the odd bend in the road - this is the route for you.
Advice? IMHO, get Sweden over with asap and save your days for Norway.
BTW Finland IS a lot of lakes and yep, more trees.........
Cost to 'enter' the Nordkapp centre was about £25 in 2011.
So save up for that too!!
If you've gone that far....it's only equivalent night's camping or so
I think the Nordkapp pass is valid for 48hrs (citation needed)
So you could camp out and get that iconic picture of the midnight sun and the globe.
Then enjoy Norway's fabulous west coast!!!!!!
Challenge: keep off the E6 as much as possible!
Thanks for the comments. I do understand that Sweden is what it is and Finland is lakes and trees but my view is that I'm travelling to see countries I haven't seen. The beauty of being retired is that I don't feel that I am using up precious leave time if the day isn't fabulous so I can take a bit of monotony if there is a beer at the and of the day. It's all about the journey not the destination.
That said, I have a room booked in Honningsvag seven days after leaving Harwich and I am spending two nights in Inari so I can take in the Sami museum so I can't hang about too much! The return trip is still in draft but it gets better and longer everyday!
That said, I have a room booked in Honningsvag seven days after leaving Harwich and I am spending two nights in Inari so I can take in the Sami museum so I can't hang about too much! The return trip is still in draft but it gets better and longer everyday!
Bury_Dave
Registered user
I'm off up to Nordkapp myself on June 2nd. Going Hook , via Copenhagen, then Halmsted and heading up to the E45, cutting across Finland up the top to approach Nordkapp from the SSE. The E4 looked to much like a motorway for the most part. I reckon the more minor roads will be just as quick as they will be generally quiet. Also better for the wild camping I intend to do.
Hook to Nordkapp in 5 days. Then 10 days for the return through Norway and the ferry to Denmark and on to the Hook.
I too have heard so many say that Nordkapp isn't worth the journey. However, had I not done the things that people told me not to do , my life would be the poorer for it ! Need to do things for myself.
The journey up isn't much other than riding hard and long. There are many websites for Norway though - including the excellent one on the scenic routes - and so selecting one route was impossible. I've gone for several sections and will link those as I go along.
Can't wait !
I have heard from my Finnish and Swedish mates that they too had a long winter and that there will be banks of snow in the north. However, apart from snow which can happen at any time, the roads should be clear. If they aren't, I'll cut across into Norway further south and have longer to linger in that fair country. You roll with it and adapt as you go along. That's part of the fun
Anyway, enjoy your ride and mind the bears
Hook to Nordkapp in 5 days. Then 10 days for the return through Norway and the ferry to Denmark and on to the Hook.
I too have heard so many say that Nordkapp isn't worth the journey. However, had I not done the things that people told me not to do , my life would be the poorer for it ! Need to do things for myself.
The journey up isn't much other than riding hard and long. There are many websites for Norway though - including the excellent one on the scenic routes - and so selecting one route was impossible. I've gone for several sections and will link those as I go along.
Can't wait !
I have heard from my Finnish and Swedish mates that they too had a long winter and that there will be banks of snow in the north. However, apart from snow which can happen at any time, the roads should be clear. If they aren't, I'll cut across into Norway further south and have longer to linger in that fair country. You roll with it and adapt as you go along. That's part of the fun
Anyway, enjoy your ride and mind the bears
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