norway trip anyone ????

[JasonT]

Norway's big and beautiful ...

I know I've been twice... and I still haven't made it to the Lofoten Islands or up to Nordcapp I'll just have to plan another trip or two

My advice? Go to Norway(*), direct by ferry and have two or three weeks exploring anywhere and everywhere within a triangle Stavanger, Trondheim and Alesund. There's plenty to do and some fantastic roads and passes.

2nd trip concentrate on the area Steinkjer, Lofoten & Bodo with maybe a side trip into Sweden.

3rd trip go North of Bodo up to Nordcapp.

Of course, if you just want to get there and back, you can, but it's real shame as it really is stunning.

J

(*) I have nothing personally against Denmark or Sweden. It's just a shame to have to ride through these to get to the best bits.

 

[Stujw70]

Norway via Denmark

Understand the reasons behind sticking to a rough area to explore.

As i don't get away for that many trips abroad i wished to take in Denmark even just briefly to act as a recce for the future. I don't mind ferries, in fact they add to the feeling of travelling for me. The mileage to Newcastle from home is the same as taking in the Home- Harwich & Denmark legs approx 450kms.

If i camp or hostel i can be as fluid as i like once in Norway. So as you say Nordcap is a hell of a hike away, i can play it by ear!

Stu

 

[LivNorway]

Hmmm...
I have lived all my life in Norway, I have been around here in many holidays - in a car with family & a tent when I was a kid, and on a motorbike (as a pillon and riding my bike) for some holidays.
I have been to some meetings here, with a tent and inside abuilding (hytte/B&B/hotel).
I have been to the east part of the top of Norway; Finnmark (Kirkenes, Vadsø, Varangerbotn, Tana) - I went up there by plane and car for some holidays.
And:
I have been to Sweden and Denmark, Germany and the Italian Alps, on a bike.
I have been to UK (Mallaig, Fort William, Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne, Matlock, Andover/Hograost, Dolgellau and York) on my bike.
I have been to Mallorca, Rhodos and Crete by plane.

-So where would I go for the next holiday?
Well, I think you know I'll be in Flåm for two nights in July, and I picked that area (Sognefjorden, Gudvangen, Geiranger) because I love that part of Norway!
I have never been to Nordkapp and that is because there are so much I want to see&do in the south part of Norway before I go up there!

There are 3 areas I want to see more of;
The Alps, UK, and the south/west part of Norway.
The Alps are not my number one on this list because they are so far avay, and I do not speak German or any language they are speaking in that area.
So UK and Flåm are on the top of my list!

-Did this help?
Sweden and Denmark are not simular to Norway when it comes to fun roads and mountains.
If you are asking me to make you a route I'll say;
the south part of Norway, and pick the tiny road if there are any option in the direction you want to ride!
Esbjerg-Norway are not the best if you love areas like Geiranger and Sognefjellet.
Newcastle-Stavanger/Bergen = the one I would pick for you, even if you are living in Cardiff!
And if you love ferries; there are many crossing the fjords!

Time:
One week in the south part is OK, two weeks or more for going to Nordkapp if you like to see the nice areas whilst you are going up&down.

Lindesnes-Nordkapp = 2518 kilometres - that is how long this country are. And it takes some time to get around in Norway because of the roads out&in fjords, mountains&ferries. And max speed in most of the ''fast'' roads are 80km/h. 60mph = 97km/h and there are not many roads here I recommand you to ride that fast. The speedcameraes do not take a picture of motorbikes, but that does not mean it's safe to ride fast.

-Why do I write so much about Norway in this forum?
Because I want you to enjoy this corner of the Globe!

Liv.

 

[Mzokk]

Some day I'm going to ride this road. Lysebotn. Some day.

Give us a shout when you do. This was the view from the top the time I was up it!!

View from the top

Bottom

Nippy in places!!

Grounds of Preikestolen Hytter

Goats eating the grass on the roof of the resturant at Eidfjiord

 

[LivNorway]

I guess you know where this are, Mzokk!
The Queen of the Roads! ...well, for a minute I was... ...before I went up those hairpins; that was the first time I was riding the Scarver up roads like that! I did not feel like a Queen for some minutes, but at the top I was reeeeeeally feeling great!
Oh, I was happy my first time was not going DOWN!

Yes, I had been on simular roads before, but not riding myselfes, and that does NOT feel the same!

Liv.

 

[Mzokk]

Yes a bit scary those hairpins Liv....especially the three in the tunnel. Lovely country though I'm looking forward to getting back there!

 

[Schwarz Baron]

Give us a shout when you do. This was the view from the top the time I was up it!

It's part of my retirement plan in a few years

 

[pegasus]

Preikestolen...

Park up here then its a 2 hour walk up to the rock, you need to be fairly fit as its a slog. Well worth it though..

 

[Mzokk]

It's part of my retirement plan in a few years

Easiest place in the world to get to. Because of the ferry timings leave Belfast one morning wake up in Kristiansand the next. Then straigt ou into sublime countryside. Pegasus stayed at the Preikestolen Hytter with the intention of taking the walk before heading to Eidfjord. Was advised not to the rock is 2000ft and the cloud base that morning was about 1500. Not the place to be when its foggy apparently!

 

[LivNorway]

Easiest place in the world to get to. Because of the ferry timings leave Belfast one morning wake up in Kristiansand the next. Then straigt ou into sublime countryside. Pegasus stayed at the Preikestolen Hytter with the intention of taking the walk before heading to Eidfjord. Was advised not to the rock is 2000ft and the cloud base that morning was about 1500. Not the place to be when its foggy apparently!

If you can sail from somewhere in UK to Kristiansand, PLEASE tell me more!
DFDS does not sail Newcastle-Kristiansand anymore; they sail Newcastle-Stavanger/Haugesund/Bergen and Harwich-Esbjerg.
...I hope all of you know this before you make your rutes.

Liv.

 

[Mzokk]

If you can sail from somewhere in UK to Kristiansand, PLEASE tell me more!
DFDS does not sail Newcastle-Kristiansand anymore; they sail Newcastle-Stavanger/Haugesund/Bergen and Harwich-Esbjerg.
...I hope all of you know this before you make your rutes.

Liv.

Thats a shame the E134-41 route down to Kristiansand from Rjukan is a lovely and traffic free route.

 

[Peter Pan]

looking to go to norway this year, amongst other places, and wondered if anyones going or planning to !!!

If you've got a Garmin GPS I can PM you the route a friend and I took at the end of May 2006 including hotels ..... you'll LOVE it!

Unfortunately because of the file size restrictions to upload, I can't attach it here

 

[Peter Pan]

A few more photo's ........

 

[OllieT]

Anyone keen on a trip to the far North of Norway??

I'm off in the middle of July to Hammerfest/Nordkapp. Leaving Newcastle and taking the ferry to Bergen. Trouble is that so far I'm doing this on my own (wife not too keen on the pillion trip, but meeting her in Hammerfest).

Anyone keen to join me? Road and Ringes. Surely indicative of Heaven.

Oliver

 

[Stujw70]

Norway

Won't see you in July mate, I'm heading over to Stavanger on 8th June.

Plan is to aim for the Lofotan islands for a spot of Whale watching and return on the 25th June. With no particular plan or route yet.

My Girlfriend says she cannot manage the trip on the back so i'm on my own

Have fun

Stu

 

[LivNorway]

If you see a blue Scarver and a black K100RS at Flåm or in the area Gudvangen-Sognefjellet, that'll be me and Knut!
We are hoping to meet ukgs-tossers so if you are in that area 24-25 July, read my thread here in the travel section!
...but we are not going up to Nordkapp; we love the Flåm-area too much.

Liv.

 

[OllieT]

Off to the Lofoten on my way back too. Have decided to camp as much as possible. Side of a fjord or just off the beaten path.

Was in and around Flam on my way from Bergen to Oslo for the May 17th celebrations two years ago. Loved it. This time the North is calling me (relatives-in-law live and work there). Maybe on my way back though.

 

[Stujw70]

Norway

Off to the Lofoten on my way back too. Have decided to camp as much as possible. Side of a fjord or just off the beaten path.

Was in and around Flam on my way from Bergen to Oslo for the May 17th celebrations two years ago. Loved it. This time the North is calling me (relatives-in-law live and work there). Maybe on my way back though.

Sounds good mate, first time in country for me. Have my tent and belong to YHA so camping, Huts or YHA for me. Should leave some pennied for the finer things then.

 

[OllieT]

You will love it. First time I was there I was stopping my bike almost every 400 yds to take in the scenery. Simply incredible. And the roads are sweet as a nut. Have a great time.

Oll

 

[LivNorway]

You will love it. First time I was there I was stopping my bike almost every 400 yds to take in the scenery. Simply incredible. And the roads are sweet as a nut. Have a great time.

Oll

That, Ollie, is a message to all the tourists!
To ride fast on the fun roads in the fjord/mountain area and enjoy the view at the same time; not possible.

...-and is'nt life stressful most of the time? Relax, take a deep breath and look at the view, drink water from a brook, pick a straw and draw the horisont on the ground, study an insect walking on your leg... mmmm!
As we say in Norway; the best in life are free!
And; there are no bad weather, only bad clothes.
Liv.