Exploring the Beauty of Norway.
Imagine getting a text from your daughter asking if you want to go to Norway next week! That is exactly what happened to me in June 2022, and it was the start of an unforgettable adventure.
I took charge of planning our road trip to Norway when my daughter couldn’t. I went through a few travel blogs and put together an itinerary that took us through the most beautiful parts of Norway. Our top priorities were to see what makes Norway famous: fjords, glaciers, and
charming villages. If we had time, we also wanted to do a bit of hiking.
The best time to visit Norway depends on what you want to do. If you want to hike and bike, the summer months (June-August) are the best time to go. If you want to see the Northern Lights, you will need to visit in the winter (September-March)
Our trip started in Bergen, Norway, which was the perfect jumping-off point to reach our first destination: Flam. Flam is a tiny village, but it is huge with tourists because of the Sognefjord, which is the longest fjord in Norway. The drive there is beautiful. We rounded corner after corner
and discovered more and more waterfalls tumbling down the mountainsides. The whole drive was like a waterfall wonderland. It was two and a half hours well spent.
The village of Aurland, where we rented an Airbnb, is located right on the beautiful Aurlandsfjord. It’s a smaller arm of the Sognefjord and overlooks the village. We made our way to the Flam station after getting settled into our Airbnb. We booked a trip on the famous Flamsbana Railway which was described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the
world. The round trip runs from Flam to Myrdal and back. The 20-kilometer-long journey offers some of the most dramatic scenery in Norway. The high mountain station of Myrdal is 866 meters above sea level. It was truly amazing.
I’m not sure there are words to describe the beauty and magic of Kjosfossen Falls. At 669 meters tall, it’s impossible to capture the scale of the thing. It’s also impossible to get close to the bottom without getting drenched. The spray from the waterfall drifted like fine gossamer and
covered everything, including us.But the best part was when a blonde-haired figure in a flowing red dress emerged from the top of the falls, leaping and twirling and disappearing out of sight
before popping up again.
It was Huldra, a seductive forest creature from Scandinavian folklore.As it turned out, Huldra was a ballet student. She and her classmates were dancing by the waterfall to highlight its massive size. It was a tourism stunt, but it was also one of the most magical things I’ve ever
seen.
In the morning we embarked on a fantastic cruise of the Naeroyfjord, the most beautiful and wildest arm of the Sognefjord. The Naeroyfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was voted the best unspoiled destination in the world. It’s not hard to see why! The views include sheer, snow-topped mountains, waterfalls and idyllic farms clinging to the mountainsides. It was an unforgettable experience and worth every penny.
Next up, we headed to the UNESCO listed Geirangerfjord, which is considered one of the most stunning fjords in Norway. The drive took us through the Lærdal tunnel, which is the world’s longest road tunnel at almost 25 kilometers.
We also drove through the Jostedalsbreen National Park, seeing the Briksdalsbreen glacier, which was stunning. It is an easy walk to the glacier from the parking lot, and I highly recommend taking the time to see it. The cruise between Hellesylt and Geiranger left us breathless. Geiranger is a village at the head of the Geirangerfjord, which is the innermost branch of Storfjorden. There were so many waterfalls on the fjord, including the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters, and the mountains were
so stunning it was like something out of a fairytale.
Afterwards, we drove through the hairpin curves of the Eagle Road. The Eagle Road is part of the Norwegian Scenic Route between Trollstigen and Geiranger. It led us to the Ornesvingen viewing point, and the views from there were breathtaking. The fjord below was like nothing we
had ever seen before. From Geiranger we drove to the beautiful small town of Alesund. The town was rebuilt in art nouveau architectural style after a fire in 1904. We spent two nights here and I wish we had a
couple of more days to enjoy it. I fell in love with this town, and I would recommend it to anyone.
Next, we started our trip back to our starting point, Bergen, where we visited glacial lakes and waterfalls. As a UNESCO World Heritage City and a European City of Culture, Bergen has the perfect blend of nature, culture, and exciting urban life all year around. Although Bergen is
Norway's second-largest city, it has small-town charm, making it a great place to visit. Bergen is a city with a rich history and culture that visitors can enjoy. With attractions like Bryggen, a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, and the Floyen summit, there are plenty of
things to check out. If you are interested in history or art, then Bergen has a ton of museums as well. There are also many great shops and restaurants, so you can bring home souvenirs and enjoy local cuisine.
I am so glad I went on this road trip – driving through Norway wove a tapestry of memories that will last a lifetime. The bond with my daughter deepened with every shared mile and breathtaking vista.
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