There are eighteen National Tourist Routes in Norway. Ten of the roads are located in Western Norway, in the fjords.

Common to them all is that the roads are going through some of the wildest and most beautiful scenery that Norway has to offer. Here is a brief overview of the National Tourist Routes in the fjords.

Roads - Season and Safety

Many of the activities and attractions mentioned on this website are open only in summer and are closed in winter. This also applies to many of the roads and accommodations mentioned. Season and opening time will vary. It depends on where it is and what activity, attraction, road and accommodation it is, it usually 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. Hikes mentioned in this website have different seasons. See links to the various hikes to read more about the hikes and season. Read more about season, important safety information and your own responsibility…

Important information about roads in western Norway: Many roads in western Norway are prone to landslides and avalanches, especially in rainy and snowy weather. There might also be a chance that some of the roads are closed in short periods, especially during winter, due to weather and danger of rock- and snow avalanches and other dangerous conditions. Winter tires are required in winter. Read more about Tyre Requirements in Norway...

Many of the roads in western Norway are closed during winter! These roads usually opens early summer and close in autumn, depending on the amount of snow and the risk of landslides and avalanche in the surrounding mountains. This also applies to many of the National Tourist Routes and the Road Trips described in this website.

There are restrictions on the length of vehicles on many of the National Tourist Roads and on other roads in Norway. This also applies to many of the roads and road trips described on this website.

This website is not a guide or a travel planner, and the information on the pages should not be used accordingly. Marked and mentioned routes and maps are not accurate and will also often change for various reasons, always look for updated information.

Season: Summer. This also depends on whether the roads closed in winter are open.

Below you can read more about what to see and do along the roads. There are great opportunities to not only see the area from the car, but also be active in the surrounding nature. Like hiking, cycling, skiing, glacier hiking or to join a fjord cruise. The pictures below show you some of the things you can do along the routes.

Fasten your seat belts and have a fabulous trip with beautiful scenery along the roads in the fjords.

The Atlantic Road

The Atlantic Road zigzags across low bridges that jut out over the Atlantic Ocean, linking the islands between Molde (famous for its annual jazz festival in July) and Kristiansund in the western fjords. The road is eight kilometer long and is voted as the construction of the century in Norway.

Geiranger – Trollstigen

Experience the UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord and the Trollstigen Mountain Road, two of Norways most dramatic and most visited attractions. Stay at the Juvet Landscape Hotel that use the surrounding nature as part of the hotel. The National Tourist Route is 106 kilometer long and is closed during winter.

The Old Strynefjellet Mountain Road

Completed in 1894, the Old Strynefjell Mountain Road in Nordfjord was a masterpiece of road-building and engineering. This was the only way of passage between Skjåk and Stryn during most of the last century. Stryn Summer Ski Centre is situated in the middle of this road. Hjelle by Lake Oppstrynsvatnet is a beautiful village, just a short detour from the western part of the road. The 27-kilometer long road is closed during winter.

The Gaularfjellet Mountain Road

The road over Gaularfjellet takes the traveller into the waterfalls in the mighty Sognefjord area, which is Norway’s longest and deepest fjord. The 130 kilometer long drive is exciting and varied, and is closed during winter. The new viewpoint at Utsikten at the top of Gaularfjellet is one of many great viewpoints along this road which goes between Balestrand in Sogn and Moskog and Sande in Sunnfjord..

The Sognefjellet Mountain Road

High in the Jotunheimen mountains, the Sognefjellet Mountain Road runs between the Lustrafjord and the Gudbrandsdalen Valley. The Sognefjellet National Tourist Route is the highest mountain pass in Northern Europe with its 1434 meters. The 106 kilometer long road is closed during winter.

The Aurlandsfjellet Mountain Road

The road across Aurlandsfjellet is a journey across a mountain landscape of snow and rocks with the occasional sprig of grass. Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route is a 47-kilometer-long stretch of road between Aurland in the Aurlandsfjord area and Lærdal by the Sognefjord. Aurlandsfjellet Mountain Road is the starting point for many hikes in the area.

Stegastein Viewpoint is part of the road, 650 meters above Aurland and the Aurlandsfjord. Great view from the viewpoint towards the Aurlandsfjord and the surrounding mountains. The road up to Stegastein is open all year, but during winter the road is closed just above Stegastein Viewpoint.

Hardanger National Tourist Route

The 158-kilometer-long Hardanger National Tourist Route passes through the scenic Hardangerfjord area, where for more than a century travellers have come to experience mountains, fjords, waterfalls and glaciers. Two great hikes in the area are the hike to Trolltunga and HM Queen Sonja´s Panoramic Trail. The area offers many opportunities for hiking, outdoor adventure and culture experiences.

Hardangervidda National Tourist Route

The 67-kilometer-long road passes through the Hardangervidda National Park and Northern Europe’s largest mountain plateau. The Måbødalen valley and Vøringsfossen Waterfall are two tourist attractions you can see from the road. There might be a chance that the road is closed in short periods during winter.

Ryfylke National Tourist Route

At Ryfylke, idyllic green skerries and cultural landscapes are suddenly replaced by rockslides, polished cliffs, mountains and fjords. Along the 183-kilometer long Ryfylke National Tourist Route you pass villages, towns and cultural attractions. What about a hike to Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock) with panoramic view towards the Lysefjord? The drive is also a trip through the Norwegian industrial history. Parts of the Ryfylke National Tourist Route is closed during winter.

Jæren National Tourist Route

Jæren – with open skies, wide horizons and endless ocean. Mile upon mile of sandy beaches and sand dunes. Jæren National Tourist Route is a 41-kilometer-long stretch of road in Norway’s food basket with intensive agriculture in a flat, vast and well-kept cultural landscape.

NATIONAL TOURIST ROUTES IN THE FJORDS