SUMITH RAJ
NORWAY ADVENTURES | SCANDINAVIAN DIARIES |NARVIK EXCURSIONS
7-Day Norway Road
Trip Itinerary
exploring hidden gems in the nordic
7 days
Norway
~3000€
As someone who loves mountains and hiking, I’ve had my fair share of hiking in the mountains of Norway. But I was wanting to visit Norway again, but my tight work schedule has been forcing me to put it off for another day.
Until that day arrived, when my three friends and I embarked on a 7-day road trip through the landscapes and mountains of Norway. This time, I did even more planning than I had before.
Thus, there was nothing I couldn’t have prepared for, yet I have to say, Norway has enough to surprise me. No matter how much we prepare, there will always be things, sights, and experiences that make you feel unprepared. Believe me, such was my 7-day road trip to Norway.
The first thing I always do before a trip is prep my gear: jackets, GPS, tripods, spare batteries, drones, and my photography kit I’ve collected over the years. These are my lifelines on any trip.
If you don’t take a moment to capture the beautiful places and things you see and freeze them digitally, did you even travel at all?
I have to admit, there’s something magical about the way light splashes and dances across the Nordic landscapes. As a photographer, I’ve always been drawn to the mischievous interplay of light and shadows. Mastering it is a hard quest, and Norway was my playground as I clicked away—one frame at a time.
It’s a thing of beauty that makes you feel one with nature. There was something about the elements here that made me yearn for experiences yet to be lived. Our dependable 4×4, a metal cocoon on wheels, helped us set out to capture the essence of this beautiful country.
Essential information to plan your ultimate 7-day Norway road trip itinerary
Best Time to Visit:
- Norway summer travel (June-August) offers long days, mild weather, and is ideal for hiking in Norway and other outdoor activities. This is the best time to explore the Norwegian fjords and enjoy scenic drives like the Atlantic Ocean Road and Trollstigen.
- To witness the beautiful Northern Lights in Norway, plan your visit between September and March. Winter also offers prime opportunities for skiing in places like Hemsedal and exploring Norway’s snowy landscapes.
How to Reach Tromsø from Frankfurt
The easiest way to travel from Frankfurt to Tromso is via flight. Some airlines offer direct flights from Frankfurt (FRA) to Tromsø (TOS). The flight takes approximately three and half hours. Some connection flights are also available.
But if you prefer adventure right from Frankfurt, you can use driving as an option, though it takes much longer:
- The total driving distance is approximately 1,910 miles.
- The available scenic routes from Frankfurt are Atlantic Ocean Road (Atlanterhavsvegen), Trollstigen (Troll’s Path), E4 Highway (Sweden), and E6 Highway (Norway).
- The journey takes around 37 hours of pure driving time, not including stops
Preparations for Norway road trip:
- Waterproof clothing: Norway’s weather can be unpredictable, especially in the mountains and fjords.
- Hiking boots: Essential for tackling popular trails like Åndalsnes hiking and exploring scenic routes.
- Camera gear, chargers, and spare batteries: Capture the beauty of places like the Geirangerfjord and Lovatnet lake.
- GPS device: Norway’s remote roads and mountain areas can make navigation tricky.
- Snacks and water for hikes: Necessary for long drives and hikes, especially along the Atlantic Ocean Road and Trollstigen.
- Rental car: A 4×4 is recommended for navigating mountain roads and rural areas.
- Accommodation in Norway: Book ahead, especially in summer when Lofoten islands accommodation and other tourist spots fill up quickly.
- Car rental details: Ensure your rental covers unlimited mileage and is equipped for Norway’s mountainous terrain.
And we began our Norway road trip:
Day 1: Sommarøy – A Hidden Gem Near Tromsø
Just like a dream, Sommarøy was so peaceful and calm that day. After enjoying a filling Nordic-style breakfast, we started our expedition. Sommarøy is a beautiful place filled with beaches and turquoise waters. It is a little over an hour from Tromsø and located about 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Tromsø.
It is the best place for beachcombing opportunities, so I dressed appropriately for the brisk Arctic wind. And when the light was just right, it was the perfect moment to take some pictures. Sommarøy experiences the Midnight Sun during summer, so you might get up to 24 hours of daylight. For photographers and hikers, this offers plenty of time to explore and capture stunning images and adventurous hiking time.
I must admit, Sommarøy is one of the beautiful yet hidden gems and with your own vehicle, you can explore in and out of this place till your heart’s content. We had fun all day outdoors under the sun, surrounded by the beautiful mountains and fjords, and just like that, our first day of the Norway road trip passed in a happy blur.
Day 2 : Senja – Exploring Hiking Trails and Coastal Views
On our second day, we found ourselves in Senja, a breathtaking place known for the tough yet rewarding Segla hiking trail. The hike to Senja was one of the major attractions of this trip for me.
The Segla hike is a 3.5 km trail with a 640-meter elevation gain. The to and fro hiking trip might take around 3-4 hours, depending on your fitness level. The hike offers stunning views of Øyfjorden and the surrounding peaks from the summit.
When you’re hiking, you’re limited to the essentials, so we ensured everyone was well-prepared. So we made sure we were packed with enough snacks, water, and appropriate clothing, as weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains.
The breathtaking view from the top justified our hard climb. To be honest, I was mesmerized. The climb to the hills was exhausting, yet a hot shower revived me and prepared me for sleep. But little had I prepared for it. Because Senja had other plans and offered me only a sleepless night, but for all the right reasons—the northern lights. I’m blessed.
Day 3: Northern lights – Chasing the Aurora Borealis
The night before gave me more incentive to chase the beautiful northern lights for our day four adventure. So in the daytime, we explored the Tungeneset and Ersfjordstranda beaches and visited local villages and mountains and waited for the sun to set. At night we prepared our photography gear and planned our night to chase the elusive Aurora Borealis in its full glory.
We took some beautiful pictures of the Northern Lights and had a great time viewing the colorful night sky.
Best Time and Locations to Experience the Northern Lights
The best time to view Northern lights is from September through March and the lights can appear anytime between 6 PM and 6 AM.
The best viewing spots for northern lights are away from city lights. Some ideal locations to view Northern lights include places such as Senja, Tromsø, or the Lofoten Islands. These places provide clear skies and they are locations far from the city, ensuring skies without light pollution, offering the best chances for viewing.
You can also take advantage of several applications, like “My Aurora Forecast,” that can help track solar activity and improve your chances of spotting the lights.
For first-time viewers, a key tip is to view the northern lights is to move from one location to other. If possible, rent a car and drive to different spots to maximize your chances of witnessing the Northern Lights. You can consult locals who might guide you to places less known to others.
It’s always advisable to move further away from city lights to enhance your Northern Lights experience. City lights can cause light pollution, which can diminish your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis.
Day 4: Narvik – Indulge in History and Greenery
We woke up late because we were on all night to view the Northern lights and it was an amazing experience. So after breakfast, we hurried to Narvik to stay on our schedule.
We visited the Lofotr Viking Museum, a place to travel back in time and gain fascinating insights into the region’s history. Then we spent our day in the greens of Narvik. At noon, we enjoyed fresh seafood at Fiskekrogen, a local favorite. I have to say, it didn’t disappoint.
Day 5: Henningsvær – Hiking, and Photography
The Henningsvær welcomed us with stunning landscapes and fjords. Kayaking is the main highlight here, but I had other plans.
The wind was apologetic that day. So I took my drone out for a spin and captured the aerial views of the island. One of the highlights for me was visiting Henningsvær, a fishing village in the Lofoten Islands.
In this beautiful village there is a football stadium called Svolvær Football Ground, which is also known as Henningsvær Stadion. It was built by leveling the bedrock on the southern part of Hellandsøya island. I spend my time shooting the Svolvær Football Ground from the air with my drone. This football ground is situated among the towering mountain peaks and offers striking contrast to the natural scenery and showcases the beauty and coexistence of nature and man made structure.
Apart from shooting photos and videos, we combined our outdoor adventure, by adding some little hiking to the mountains.
Day 6: Hamnøy – A Beautiful Hamlet
Hamnøy is a small hamlet nestled at the southern tip of the Lofoten archipelago. Hamnøy is one of the most western villages in the islands, and it marks the end of the E10 road.
From there we visited Å which is known for its traditional red fishermen’s cabins (rorbu) and the Norwegian Stockfish Museum. This place is a photographer’s paradise, I would say. I clicked many pictures and videos of this beautiful little village.
If you want to explore the traditional and simple way of life of Norway, this is a place you must visit. When you’re there, you must try the local favorite cuisine, the Stockfish, which is dried cod and has been a staple in the region for centuries.
Day 7: Tromsø – Gateway to the Arctic
We concluded our road trip in Tromsø, also known as the gateway to the Arctic, where fresh snow blanketed the mountain peaks and the cold wind whispered for exploration.
Tromsø is also considered as one of the best locations for seeing the Northern Lights due to its location in the heart of the auroral zone. The city is 350 km north of the Arctic Circle, making it ideal for winter adventures and exploring the midnight sun during summer. After day time exploration, we walked through the city center in the evening and enjoyed a hot dinner followed by a generous amount of beer until the night fell.
When I prepared for departure the next day, I knew that despite the many times I’ve been to the mountains and hills of Norway, this was just a prelude to the great Nordic and Scandinavian adventures that awaited me.
Now, after countless expeditions across Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, I’ve journeyed to the hidden gems of what Scandinavia has to offer, yet I want more.
Looking back now, I can see why.
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