Here you will find a list of 20 great and easily accessible viewpoints in the fjords. What they all have in common is that you can drive almost all the way to the viewpoint. From where you park the car it is only a short distance to some of Norway’s most wonderful views. There are two Gondolas added in the list.
NOTE! Many of the roads and viewpoints opens in the summer and closes in the autumn, depending on i.a. the amount of snow and the risk of avalanches in the area. Season and opening time will vary. It depends on where it is and if the roads are open, some of the roads and some of the viewpoints are closed in winter.
Read also: Great viewpoints in the fjords…
THE ATLANTIC ROAD AND THE ATLANTIC COAST
The eight kilometer long Atlantic Road is part of the 36 kilometer long Atlanterhavsvegen National Tourist Route that runs from Kårvåg at Nordmøre to Bud in Romsdal. The Atlantic Road is voted as the construction of the century in Norway, and is one of ten National Tourist Routes in Western Norway.
There is a parking lot by Eldhuset Café/Service Building at Eldhusøya Island close to Storseisundbrua Bridge. The Service Building and Café is open during the summer season, the toilet is open all year round. An elevated trail takes you around the island, from the trail there is great view to the Atlantic Road, to Storseisundbrua Bridge and towards the Atlantic Ocean. There you can see and explore what the Atlantic Coast have to offer in all four seasons.
SEASON – The road is open all year, see link for more information about opening hours for the Café and Service Building.
WINTER – Winter tires are required in winter. The road conditions are often poor, and the roads are often covered with snow and ice during winter. There can be periods when there is no plowed parking space by the viewpoints in winter, so it may not be possible to park there in these periods.
THE MOLDE PANORAMA AT VARDEN
Molde by the outer part of the Romsdalsfjord is the second largest city in Møre og Romsdal. Molde is known as the town of roses, for Molde international Jazz Festival and for the Molde Panorama.
Drive to the viewpoint Varden and Vardestua Café, 407 masl, and take in the spectacular Molde Panoramic View towards the Romsdalsfjord and the 222 snowcapped mountains which encircles the fjord.
SEASON – Vardestua Café is open in Summer, see link for more information about when it is open.
WINTER – The road to Varden and Vardestua is closed during winter.
THE ROMSDAL GONDOLA
From fjord to mountain in four and a half minutes. From Eggen Restaurant at the top of Mt Nesaksla you have a fantastic view down to Åndalsnes and the Romsdalsfjord.
The gondola goes from the fjord station at the center of Åndalsnes to the mountain station at Mt Nesaksla, 694 maf (meters above the fjord).
On the way up to the mountain station you have a fantastic view inwards to Isfjorden and the mountains behind, down to Åndalsnes and to the Romsdalsfjord. The mountain station is a great starting point for adventures in beautiful and wild nature.
SEASON – Season and opening hours; see Romsdalsgondolen Website.
TROLLSTIGEN IN ROMSDAL
Trollstigen is one of our Tourist Icons. It is part of the Geiranger-Trollstigen National Tourist Route, 18 kilometer from Åndalsnes. The Mountain Road with it´s 11 hairpin turns is closed during winter, it usually opens late May.
From the Trollstigen Mountain Platou there is a short walk to the two new Viewpoints which is great for taking pictures. Five to ten minutes walk from the parking.
NOTE! Trollstigen Mountain Road has restrictions on the length of vehicles.
SEASON – Trollstigen and the Trollstigen Road is open in Summer, see link for more information about when it is open.
WINTER – The Trollstigen Road is closed during winter.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TROLLSTIGEN MOUNTAIN ROAD
Trollstigen Mountain Road is closed in winter. Many of the roads in Western Norway are prone to rockfalls, landslides and avalanches, especially in rainy and snowy weather. Trollstigen Mountain Road is one of these roads and may therefore be closed during periods where the risk of rockfalls is high. See Vegvesen.no for information on whether Trollstigen Mountain Road is open or closed (in Norwegian only).
NOTE – TROLLSTIGEN MOUNTAIN ROAD CLOSED THROUGHOUT 2024
On 20 June 2024, it was decided that the Trollstigen Mountain Road will be closed for the whole of 2024 due to the high risk of rockfalls. The road at the back of Trollstigen, between Valldal and the Trollstigen Plateau, is open during the summer season.
TROLLVEGGEN (THE TROLL WALL) AND TROLLTINDENE IN ROMSDALEN
From Åndalsnes, drive eight kilometers up the Romsdalen Valley to the base of Mt Trollveggen and Mt Romsdalshorn. From there, there are great views to the surrounding mountains, like Trolltindene, Trollveggen and Romsdalshorn and to the Romsdalen Valley and Rauma River.
Trollveggen is the tallest vertical Rock Face in Europe (more than 1000 meters vertical cliff and 50 meters overhang). The highest peaks at Trollveggen rage almost 1800 meters above the Romsdalen Valley. Trollveggen can be seen from Trollveggen Visitor Centre down in the Romsdalen Valley.
SEASON – The visitor centre is open in Summer, see link for more information about when it is open.
WINTER – The parking lot beside Trollveggen Visitor Centre is, under normal conditions, plowed during winter. There can be periods when there is no plowed parking space, so it may not be possible to park there in these periods. The road in the Romsdalen Valley is narrow, steep and winding, and winter tires are required in winter. The road conditions are often poor, and the roads are often covered with snow and ice during winter.
AKSLA VIEWPOINT AND FJELLSTUA RESTAURANT – ÅLESUND
Mt Aksla is the town-mountain in Ålesund. From the viewpoint there is a fantasic view over Ålesund and the Atlantic Ocean with all the surrounding islands and skerries.
You can walk the 418 steps from the city to Aksla, or you can go there by car. At the top (189 masl) you have Fjellstua, a café and a panoramic viewpoint.
SEASON – Open all year, see link for more information about opening hours for the Café and Viewing Platform.
WINTER – The road to Aksla Viewpoint is narrow, steep and winding, and winter tires are required in winter. The road conditions are often poor, and the roads are often covered with snow and ice during winter.
ØRNESVINGEN / THE EAGLE ROAD – GEIRANGER
Ørnesvingen (The Eagle Turn) is a viewpoint at the upper part of the Eagle Road in Geiranger. The Eagle Road is part of the 104 kilometer long Geiranger-Trollstigen National Tourist Route.
From Ørnesvingen there is a great view towards the UNESCO-Protected Geirangerfjord and to the small town of Geiranger.
NOTE! The car park at Ørnesvingen is small and narrow, and the car park can sometimes be full. It can be a challenge to park there, and there is a lot of traffic going straight past. You have to be careful and aware of many people and a lot of traffic in terms of parking.
SEASON – Summer. See link for more information about Ørnesvingen.
WINTER – There is no plowed parking space at the viewpoint, so it is not possible to park there in winter. The road to Ørnesvingen is narrow, steep and winding, and winter tires are required in winter. The road conditions are often poor, and the roads are often covered with snow and ice during winter. There might be a chance that the road to Ørnesvingen is closed in periods, especially during winter, due to weather and danger of rock- and snow avalanches and other dangerous conditions. The Trollstigen Mountain Road and the road between Grotli and Geiranger are also closed during winter.
FLYDALSJUVET VIEWPOINT – GEIRANGER
Drive to the viewpoint at Flydalsjuvet and see the iconic view towards Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord with the surrounding mountains and waterfalls.
Flydalsjuvet is located four kilometer uphill from the center of Geiranger. It is possible to park the car there, but it might be busy during the high season during the summer.
SEASON – Summer. See link for more information about Flydalsjuvet.
WINTER – The road to Flydalsjuvet is narrow, steep and winding, and winter tires are required in winter. The road conditions are often poor, and the roads are often covered with snow and ice during winter.
There can be periods when there is no plowed parking space by the viewpoint in winter, so it may not be possible to park there in these periods.
There might also be a chance that the road to Flydalsjuvet is closed in periods, especially during winter, due to weather and danger of rock- and snow avalanches and other dangerous conditions. The Trollstigen Mountain Road and the road between Grotli and Geiranger are also closed during winter.
GEIRANGER SKYWALK DALSNIBBA – GEIRANGER
From Flydalsjuvet you can continue 17 kilometers uphill to Geiranger Skywalk Dalsnibba (tollroad) from where you can see Geiranger, the Geirangerfjord and the surrounding mountains. Tremendous view. Video by Geiranger Skywalk Dalsnibba.
SEASON – Open in Summer, see link for more information about when it is open.
WINTER – The road to Dalsnibba is closed during winter. The Trollstigen Mountain Road and the road between Grotli and Geiranger are also closed during winter.
Below you can see a 360 panorama from Dalsnibba. At the bottom of the panorama, you will find navigation buttons that allow you to “travel” around and focus on places you want to take a closer look at. Some panoramas allow you to “jump” to other locations. The 360 panoramic pictures are provided by 360 Aircam by Arild Solberg.
LOEN SKYLIFT IN LOEN, NORDFJORD
Loen Skylift to Mt Hoven (1011 masl) in Nordfjord is a gondola that goes from fjord to mountain in five minutes. There is a short walking distance between the parking lot and the Gondola.
From Mt Hoven it is great view to the inner part of Nordfjord; Loen and Lodalen Valley with Lake Lovatnet, and Olden, Oldedalen Valley and Lake Oldevatnet. Hoven Restaurant at Mt Hoven with fantastic view over the Nordfjord Panorama.
This is a popular goal for hikers, skiers and people that want to see some of the finest scenery Norway has to offer.
We recommend you to stay at Hotel Alexandra, down by the fjord.
SEASON – See Loen Skylift website for more information about when Loen Skylift is open.
HODDEVIK – SURFERS PARADISE
The stunning beach in Hoddevik at Stad on the west coast of Nordfjord is a popular goal for surfers. Hoddevik is considered one of Norway’s best surf spots.
Stad Surfing and Lapoint Surf Camp will assist you with boards, wet suits and instructions. There is a great view towards Hoddevik and the beach from the top of the hairpin-road, see picture below.
SEASON – The road is open all year, see link for more information about opening time and opening hours for Lapoint Surf Camp and Stad Surfing.
WINTER – The road to Hoddevik is narrow, steep and winding, and winter tires are required in winter. The road conditions are often poor, and the roads are often covered with snow and ice during winter. There can be periods when there is no plowed parking space at the viewpoint at the top of the hairpin-road in winter, so it may not be possible to park there in these periods.
VESTKAPP (WEST CAPE) AT STADLANDET
Vestkapp (West Cape) at 497 masl is the westernmost part of mainland Norway. The view is epic. On a clear day you can see from the Sunnmøre Alps in the north to Ålfotbreen Glacier towards south east and Bremangerlandet in the south direction.
The Vestkapp Cliff is quite flat, but do not walk too close to the edge due to the steep cliffs that ends straight into to the Atlantic Ocean 497 meters below you. Vestkapp Restaurant is located on the mountain plateau.
SEASON – Summer. See link for more information about when the restaurant at Vestkapp is open.
WINTER – The road to Vestkapp is closed during winter.
KANNESTEINEN AT VÅGSØY
Kannesteinen is a three meter high mushroom-shaped rock that has been formed by ice and the waves from the ocean during thousands of years.
The rock is situated at Oppedal in the western part of Vågsøy, northwest of Måløy. There is a trail down to the beach where the Kannesteinen rock is located.
SEASON – All Year.
WINTER – The road to Oppedal and Kannesteinen is narrow and winding, and winter tires are required in winter. The road conditions are often poor, and the roads are often covered with snow and ice during winter. There can be periods when there is no plowed parking space by the viewpoint in winter, so it may not be possible to park there in these periods.
UTSIKTEN VIEWPOINT AND GAULARFJELLET MOUNTAIN ROAD
The 130 kilometer long drive across Gaularfjellet National Tourist Route is exciting and varied, and is closed during winter.
Flatheim at Viksdalen by the the road, close to Likholefossen Waterfall, is a farm yard where you can live close to nature together with the animals on the farm.
The new viewpoint at Utsikten at the top of Gaularfjellet is one of many great viewpoints along this road which goes between Balestrand by the Sognefjord and Moskog and Sande in Sunnfjord.
SEASON – Open in Summer, see link for more information about when it is open.
WINTER – Utsikten and the Gaularfjellet Mountain Road are closed during winter.
STEGASTEIN VIEWPOINT IN AURLAND
Stegastein is part of the Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route, 650 meters above Aurland and the Aurlandsfjord. Great view towards the Aurlandsfjord and the surrounding mountains.
NOTE! The Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route has restrictions on the length of vehicles. Motorhomes are encouraged to park in the center of Flåm or Aurland and use the shuttle bus service to and from Stegastein. Experiences shows that motorhomes often create problems with the traffic flow and sometimes lead to dangerous situations on the road to Stegastein and in the car park at the top of Stegastein.
NOTE! The car park at Stegastein is small and can sometimes be full. You have to be careful and aware of many people and a lot of traffic in terms of parking.
SEASON – The road up to Stegastein is open all year, but during winter the road is closed just above Stegastein.
WINTER – The road is closed just above Stegastein. The road to Stegastein is narrow, steep and winding, and winter tires are required in winter. The road conditions are often poor, and the roads are often covered with snow and ice during winter.
FLØIBANEN FUNICULAR AND MT FLØYEN IN BERGEN
If you visit Bergen, you should take the Fløibanen Funicular to Mt Fløyen. Both Fløibanen and Fløyen are great experiences, with the best view over Bergen city, Vågen Harbour and Byfjorden (the Cityfjord).
At Mt Fløyen you have Fløirestauranten and Fløien Shop and Café. Mt Fløyen is a great startingpoint for hiking in the surrounding mountains. And there are also many activities for children, like the Troll Forest and the best playground in Bergen.
SEASON – See Fløibanen website for more information about Season and Opening Hours.
LÅTEFOSS WATERFALL – ODDA IN HARDANGER
Låtefoss is a 165 meter high waterfall cascading into the Oddadalen Valley, 16 kilometer south of Odda. The Oddadalen Valley is 10 kilometers long, there are many waterfalls ending into the valley.
Låtefoss is the most famous one, and it is funneling under the rustic six-arched bridge along Riksvei 13 (Route 13). Parking place beside the waterfall.
NOTE! The car park at Låtefoss is small and narrow, and the car park can sometimes be full. It can be a challenge to park there, and there is a lot of traffic going straight past at high speed. You have to be careful and aware of many people and a lot of traffic in terms of parking.
SEASON – Best time to visit is Early Summer.
WINTER – The road conditions are often poor, and the roads are often covered with snow and ice during winter. Winter tires are required in winter. There can be periods when there is no plowed parking space by the viewpoint in winter, so it may not be possible to park there in these periods.
KJEÅSEN MOUNTAIN FARM AND SIMADALSFJORDEN
Eidfjord in the eastern part of the Hardangerfjord is a great base for nature experiences and activities.
You can drive to Kjeåsen Mountain Farm above Simadalen by Eidfjord and enjoy the great view down to Simadalsfjorden and to Eidfjord in the innermost part of the Hardangerfjord.
NOTE! It is not allowed to enter the private properties at Kjeåsen. Respect privacy.
NOTE! You need to drive on a steep and narrow road and through a 2.6 kilometer long tunnel up to Kjeåsen. The tunnel is also steep and narrow. Due to this, traffic to and from Kjeåsen is regulated so only one direction can be driven at a time. There may be some waiting time because of this. You need to have this in mind when planning the drive in both directions. It is forbidden to walk or bike through the tunnel.
SEASON – Summer, see Visit Hardangerfjord website.
WINTER – The road up to Kjeåsen is closed during winter.
VØRINGSFOSSEN WATERFALL
You can drive to the parking lot by the view points and see the Vøringsfossen Waterfall from above. Park the car at the parking lot on the south side of Fossli Hotel.
A new viewing platform and a viewing bridge above the Vøringsfossen Waterfall has been constructed in conjunction with the Hardangervidda National Tourist Route. There is a short walk to both of those viewpoints from the parking lot.
SEASON – Summer.
WINTER – Closed in Winter. There is no plowed parking space at the viewpoint, so it is not possible to park there in winter.
NOTE! You should never walk on the viewing platforms and the viewing bridge in winter and if there are snow and ice on it, this is not safe! Read more about Vøringsfossen Viewpoint here…
SWORDS IN ROCK IN HAFRSFJORD
The “Swords in Rock” monument in Hafrsfjord, five kilometer south-east of the center of Stavanger in Rogaland.
This is the place where the battle of Hafrsfjord took place in year 872, when the Viking King Harald Fairhair gathered all of Norway under one crown.
The Viking swords are modelled on swords found in various parts of Norway. They represents peace, unity and freedom since the swords are planted into solid rock, whence they may never be removed.
The monument is situated close to the road, short walk from the parking place.
SEASON – All Year.
