Here is a description of spectacular roads and tourist attractions in Western Norway. The roads and places are presented in northbound order. If you wish, you can use this as a continuous travel itinerary. The route takes about a week, but it is easy to spend more time if you want.
There are also links to Google Maps and GPX files at the end of the article.
The article is divided into two parts. Read about Southern Western Norway here:Road Trip Through Southern Western Norway
You can also extend the trip by driving around Southern Norway: Road Trip Through Southern and Western Norway
And you can continue north to Nordmøre. Kristiansund, the Atlantic Ocean Road, Smøla: Kristiansund and Smøla
Photo: Elin and Otto unless otherwise stated.
Lærdal – Stryn
Road 53 to Øvre Årdal, then the Tindevegen mountain road to Turtagrø. Road 55 to Sogndalsfjøra, then Road 5 to Skei, Byrkjelo and Bøyabreen. County Road 60 to Utvik, and onward to Loen. We pass Jostedalsbreen along the way.
Google Maps:https://maps.app.goo.gl/ViAdWK8CcVSnNTzR
Tindeveien
Tindeveien begins in Øvre Årdal and can be reached either via Route 53 along the fjord or from Tyin on the Hardangervidda plateau. The narrow road winds its way up the mountain in hairpin bends, where magnificent scenery and sweeping views await you. From the road, you will have splendid views towards Jotunheimen and the Sognefjord.
The road ends at Turtagrø, where you join the Sognefjellsveien road, Route 55.
If you follow the Sognefjell Road down towards Skjolden by the Sognefjord, you will once again enjoy magnificent views down towards the fjord.
Urnes Stave Church
Urnes Stave Church is the oldest and most richly decorated stave church in Norway. Well worth a visit, but a little tricky to get to. Via Tindeveien, you can take County Road 331 from Skjolden along the fjord to Ornes. Once you have seen the church, you can take the ferry across to Solvorn. Alternatively, you can drive Route 55, leave your car in Solvorn and take the ferry there and back. The ferry does not run often, so check the timetable.
See:https://www.stavechurch.com/urnes-stavkirke
Image by Helge Leirdal from Pixabay
Jostedalen and Jostedalsbreen
After Tindeveien, you will reach Route 55, which runs along Lustrafjorden. If you want to see Jostedalsbreen, Europe’s largest glacier, you can turn off and drive up Jostedalen. There is a campsite at Gjerde and a glacier centre further up the valley.
A little above the Breheimsenteret glacier centre, you can park and take a boat across Lake Nigardsbrevatnet, then hike up to Nigardsbreen Glacier. You can also sign up for glacier tours, complete with crampons and all the gear.
See:https://www.visitnorway.no/
Bøyabreen and wild camping
If you continue along National Road 5 towards Stryn, you will pass Bøyabreen, an arm of the Jostedalsbreen glacier that lies close to the road. There is ample parking, and after a short walk you will reach Brevatnet, where you can see how the glacier plunges down the mountainside.
A little further on, there is a great wild camping area along the Stardalselva River between Klakegg and Byrkjelo.
Stryn – Lake Loen
Lake Loen is said to be one of Norway’s most Instagrammable places—and for good reason. The water is turquoise-green from glacier meltwater. Small waterfalls plunge down the steep mountainsides surrounding the lake, and at the end of the valley, you can glimpse Kjenndalsbreen, another arm of the Jostedalsbreen glacier.
You can drive all the way into the valley to the glacier and walk 15 minutes up to it.
For camping, Sande and Helset Camping are recommended. They are right by the water and very popular, so booking a spot is recommended.
See:https://www.visitnorway.no/
Stryn – Åndalsnes
Stryn, the old Strynefjell road to Grotli. Then take Route 15 to Langvannet, followed by Route 63 to Geiranger, Ørnesvingen and Eidsdal. Trollstigen to Åndalsnes, if it is open.
Google Maps:https://maps.app.goo.gl/R2MZndquerw4F5pp9
Old Strynefjell Road
A magnificent mountain road through strikingly beautiful scenery. Turn off at Videseter and follow Route 258 over the mountains to Grotli. Then take Routes 15 and 63 down through the valley to Geilo. The entire route is spectacular!
See:https://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no
Geiranger
Geiranger is one of Western Norway’s best-known tourist destinations. And you can tell if you drive through in the summer. It’s teeming with tourists, and you can forget about finding a parking space.
If you are lucky enough to find somewhere to park your car, it is possible to take a cruise out onto the Geirangerfjord.
See https://www.geirangerfjord.no/
Trollstigen
Trollstigen is perhaps Norway’s most famous stretch of road. The road winds its way through hairpin bends down towards Åndalsnes in the Rauma Valley. It offers spectacular views of jagged mountain peaks.
Unfortunately, the road was closed due to a landslide when we drove here in 2024. Check the link below to see if the road is open.
An alternative route is Road 650 – E39. A pleasant little shortcut runs from Vaksvika to Tresfjord.
See https://www.fjordnorway.com
Image by Plutozoom from Pixabay
Åndalsnes
Åndalsnes is a small town located at the bottom of the Rauma Valley, surrounded by high mountains. It is a starting point for mountain hikes. The Norwegian Mountaineering Centre is located here, as well as a via ferrata. Or how about climbing 550 vertical metres of steps up to Rampestreken?
See:https://www.visitnorway.no
Raumadalen
If you choose to end your Western Norway tour here, you can drive up the beautiful Rauma Valley to Dovrefjell. As you drive up the valley, you follow the Rauma River as it rushes through wild rapids, surrounded by mountain peaks.
Rauma Line
Or you can take the train up the valley. In 2022, Lonely Planet named the Rauma Line Europe’s most beautiful train journey.
See:https://www.sj.no/strekning/raumabanen
Åndalsnes – Sunndalsøra
The Aursjø Road from Eresdal, Osen and Stranda, along the eastern side of Lake Eikesdalsvatnet, Finnsetlia, Aurstaupet, the Aursjø Dam, and on to Sunndalsøra.
Google Maps:https://maps.app.goo.gl/jXapESyBBun4XiC67
Aursjøveien
This is a 100 km long road that runs from Sunndalsøra to Eresfjord. It takes you through exceptionally beautiful scenery, from the fjord and up into the mountains. Along the way, there are many opportunities for hiking and wild camping. Caravans are not recommended.
See:https://www.visitnorway.no
Atlantic Ocean Road – Kristiansund – Smøla
If you want to continue north, you can read about it here: Kristiansund and Smøla
All about Norway: Norway
Download GPX files:
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