Norway’s fjords: Bergen to the Atlantic Road

Route description

From Bergen, with its wooden Bryggen wharf, the E16 heads east past lakes and waterfalls via Voss to Flåm, at the head of the Aurlandsfjord. From here the Flåm Railway climbs to the mountains and boats sail through the narrow Nærøyfjord.

The drive north to Geiranger crosses the Sognefjord region and several mountain roads, with at least one short car ferry on most route options. Geiranger lies at the end of the Geirangerfjord, and the Ørnesvingen viewpoint, on the Eagle Road hairpins above the village, looks straight down the fjord to the Seven Sisters waterfall. A fjord campsite in Geiranger is a convenient base for the evening light.

North of Geiranger, the road reaches a short ferry across the Norddalsfjord and then climbs to Trollstigen, where eleven hairpin bends drop down a sheer mountainside, with a viewing platform at the top. The road is usually open from late May to October and is not permitted for very long vehicles, so check the limit if you tow or drive a large motorhome. At the bottom lies Åndalsnes, in the green Romsdal valley.

From Åndalsnes, coastal roads with another short ferry lead to the Atlanterhavsveien, about 8 km of road hopping across islets on eight bridges, most dramatic in stormy weather. Overnight at a motorhome stopover on Averøy, following local signs and the right-to-roam rules, before continuing via Kristiansund and the E39 to Trondheim. Most Norwegian tolls are charged automatically by number plate, and summer ferries can have queues, so leave margin in your schedule.