Taking a road trip is undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience Norway. Driving through the landscape you really start to appreciate how much this country has to offer – from powerful waterfalls and canyons to snow covered mountains and crystal-clear lakes.
Living in Gothenburg, on the West Coast of Sweden, we are lucky enough to be able to make semi-regular trips to Norway and this summer actually took this 4 day road trip and a longer 10 day trip through West Norway! While we drove from Gothenburg, I have kept this guide as a Norway itinerary and thus the journey starts in Oslo. On our trip, we were very much focused on seeing as much nature as we could so we didn’t spend any time in Bergen as we had all been before. If you do want to visit Bergen (which I can recommend) I would suggest adding an extra day and making this a 5-day road trip itinerary.
What was great about this road trip is that most of the places we stopped at were along the driving route, so it didn’t require too many detours or extra planning. It’s not often you find so many incredible places just off one of the main roads. We did a similar autumn road trip from Oslo to Bergen a few years ago, taking a slightly different route on the way back and hiking Trolltunga on one of the days. I think what makes this road trip perfect for summer is that there are a lot of hikes and swimming spots along the way that are better enjoyed at this time of the year rather than in the autumn.
Spending more time in Norway? You might enjoy these posts:
- The Best 10 Day West Norway Itinerary
- Innerdalen: Norway’s Most Beautiful Mountain Valley
- Winter in the Lofoten Islands: 5 Day Itinerary
- Autumn Road Trip from Oslo to Bergen
- 2 Day Oslo Itinerary
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4 Day Norway Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Oslo to Odda
This road trip itinerary focuses very much of visiting spots on the West of Norway (near Bergen) so both the first and last days include quite a lot of driving. We wanted to be able to spend as much time we could in the area around Bergen so wanted to drive as far as we thought reasonable on day 1. So, this meant driving from Oslo to Odda.
The drive is a total of 350km and according to google maps takes 5 hours and 20 minutes. I would recommend leaving a bit of extra time for the drive – I can’t remember exactly but I would say it took us around 6 hours 30 minutes not including the stops. I recommend leaving quite early in the morning so you can break up the trip with stops. We left at around 2pm and ended up getting to the accommodation a lot later than we had wished.
Day 1: Road Trip Stops Along the Route
Heddal Stave Church
Heddal Stave Church is one of the 28 traditional stave churches in Norway – an impressive wooden building dating back to the 13th century. The church itself is beautiful, looking like something out of a fairytale film. During the summer months, the church is open for visitors. If you visit outside of opening hours you can still wander around the grounds and take in the beautiful details of the church from the outside. You can find the opening hours on this page.
Opposite Heddal Stave Church you will see the Heddal Open-air Museum, an outdoor museum with lots of different traditional buildings that you can wander around. Combined, I recommend leaving around an hour to visit both Heddal Stave Church and the Ope-air Museum – especially if you visit at a time when both attractions are open.
Mjonøy Bakery
Possibly Norway’s cosiest bakery – Mjonøy Bakery is a very small scale bakery in a secluded camping ground along the road from Oslo to Odda. The bakery is self-service, meaning you go in, take your pastries and pay all by yourself. Its open from easter to mid-autumn and is a must for a fika or breakfast stop on any Oslo to Bergen road trip! If you are not sure about whether they will be open, the best place to check for updates is their facebook page.
Note: They only accept cash or Vipps (a Scandinavian Money Transfer Service) so if you plan on visiting remember to bring a bit of cash with you! The majority of buns cost around 45kr but it is always good to have a little extra.
Turistveg: Den Gamle Haukelivegen (Scenic Road)
Driving the Tourist Road: Den Gamle Haukelivegen is one of the reasons that taking a road trip between Oslo and Bergen is so magical. Even in the middle of June, this windy road leads you through snow covered mountains, past crystal clear blue lakes and cosy little wooden cabins. The scenic road covers a total distance of 27km and every part of it is as stunning as the last.
There are plenty of rest stops and viewpoints along the route and I recommend stopping at as many of them as you can! If you want to prepare some stops in advance, we saved Haukeliseter fjellstue (map), Rasteplass Vestland Viewpoint (map), Parkeringsplass (map), and Votna lake view (map).
Røldal Waterfall
Røldal Waterfall is one of the most famous waterfalls between Oslo and Bergen – famous for the classic style stone bridge that crosses over the waterfall as it runs down the side of the valley. Driving to the waterfall, the road is reminiscent of a narrow canyon, with a rock wall on one side and a river on the other. When you arrive, you will likely drive over the bridge past the waterfall before finding the parking – around 15 spots on the side of the road opposite. When we arrived here it was around lunch time so the waterfall was very busy with people but it calmed down as we stayed and picnicked by the river.
While Røldal Waterfall is beautiful, you don’t need to allot too much time for a stop here. 10 to 15 minutes to see the waterfall, use the bathroom, and perhaps browse the souvenir shop will probably be enough.
Note: This area can get quite busy and the parking is limited so you may need to drive around a bit before being lucky enough to get a spot.
Turistveg: Røldalsfjellet (Scenic road)
The last road trip “attraction” of the day is driving the tourist road Røldalsfjellet. This is actually a road we stumbled upon by accident, the main road closed for road works at the time we were driving past. However, I am very grateful for this as the views as we drove through the area were phenomenal – snow capped mountains, windy roads, and crystal blue lakes.
If you have time, I recommend driving this route. It does, however, add 20 minutes to the journey, and the roads are quite windy.
Day 1: Where to stay: Odda
I recommend spending the first night around Odda! There are lots of different accomodation options here – whether you want to stay in a hotel, little cabin, guest house, or camp! We stayed in one of the beautiful apartments at Vikinghaug, on the edge of the town. This beautiful building has 4 different apartments – all of different sizes so perfect whichever group size you are travelling in! Book it here!
For something a little more budget you can stay at Røldal Hyttegrend & Camping, a camping ground with cosy cottages just outside of Odda. While simple, the cottages have everything you need at a very good price! Find out more and book it here!
Lastly, for something really dreamy, this four bedroom apartment at Fjordhytta 5 right on the lake is perfect for a bigger group! The cabin looks like something out of a story book – a little red house sitting on a crystal blue river, the interior with wooden walls and checkered red table cloths. This too is just outside Odda, but in a great location to give yourself time to do a few different hikes on day 2. Book it here!
Find all your Odda accomodation options here!
Note: It is quite common in Norway to need to bring your own linen and towels, especially when you hire camping huts or stay in Airbnb’s. You can usually also pay extra to rent them, but it can be good to keep in mind if you have the possibility to bring your own to pack them just in case.
Tours and Activities
Day 2: Odda to Bergen
On day 2, we continued driving in the direction of Bergen, stopping at some of my favourite stops on the trip! While I say Odda to Bergen, we didn’t actually time to stop in Bergen itself as we prioritised the nature experiences. If you want to spend time in Bergen, it is definitely possible – especially if you stay inner city instead of on the outskirts. Alternatively, you can add another day on to this road trip or swap it out for other activities later on such as the Voss Gondola on Day 3 which took up almost a whole day!
Day 2 Road Trip Stops
Bondhusvatnet
Bondhusvatnet is renowned for being one of the most beautiful lakes in Southern Norway – famous for its crystal blue waters overlayed with reflections of the surrounding mountains. In the distance, on the opposite side of the picturesque wooden bridge, you can see Bondhusbreen Glacier descending into the lake. Unfortunately on the day we visit the water was no optimal, however, we still chose to do the hike and I would say it was worth it for the views, even though they were perhaps not the best they could have been!
To get to the lake, there is a relatively easy 2 hours round trip hike down the river. The hike begins in the Bondhusdalen Car Park (map) where you will need to pay 100kr for a parking ticket prior to beginning the walk. You could pay this with card so there is no need to bring cash.
The hike is graded green (easy) and is, for the most part, a wide gravel road. To get to the lake, and the most iconic viewpoint of Bondhusvatnet, it is around a 2.5km walk which takes around 2 hours return. If you want, you can continue the walk around the lake, adding an extra 1 hour!
Steindalsfossen
Of all the waterfalls we visit on this trip, this was probably my favourite. Here, you have the opportunity to walk along the rocks cliff under the waterfall and see it right up close. Steindalsfossen is located in the town of Norheimsund, a very picturesque and colourful place, making the view from the waterfall lookout all the more inspiring.
The walk up to Steindalsfossen is short and quite easy. It is a flat, accessible path that turns into a boardwalk as you approach the waterfall, with a big viewing deck at the top. The waterfall itself is open all day round and is free to visit, however, I can recommend stopping here in the late afternoon/ evening as there are far less people at this time of day. At the base of the waterfall you have a souvenir shop and small cafe.
Where to stay: Fjellhagen Guesthouse
This was my favourite accommodation on the trip – so much so that I would love to return and say here for several days to a week and just explore the area. The Fjellhagen guesthouse is located on the hill overlooking Samnangerfjorden. From the terrace garden there are amazing views over the landscape and in the evening, you can even open up the jacuzzi for a dip.
The rooms here are quite simple but have everything you need, including a kitchenette with an oven and a stove. The bathrooms are shared but very fresh and clean and overall the place was great. We were three people so hired two rooms – one with a double bed and one with bunk beds. I can recommend booking the double room with sea view if its available – it was definitely our favourite. You can find out more and book Fjellhagen here!
Tours and activities
Day 3: Bergen to Hardanger Fjord
On day 3 of our Oslo to Bergen return road trip we began driving back towards Oslo via Hardanger Fjord. This day included much less driving and we ended up spending most of the afternoon hiking around the summit of Mount Hanguren, at the top of the Voss Gondola.
Day 3: Road Trip Stops
Bordalsgjelet Gorge
Starting the day off we drove from Fjellhagen towards Bordalsgjelet. This is a beautiful, almost tropical gorge located just outside of the city of Voss. Following the main path from the carpark, you decent down into the gorge and can follow along the rocky walls right to the end where there’s a beautiful view of the waterfall cascading down the gorge. The bright green ferns covering the walls reminded me more of the Grand Canyon Walk in Australia than any of the other places we saw in Norway and Sweden this summer!
To get to Bordalsgjelet you can either drive and park in the nearby carpark (map), or follow the 5km trail from Voss city centre. This takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you can I recommend driving and spending the majority of the day hiking around Mount Hanguaren! I recommend giving yourself around 45 minutes to an hour to explore the area itself, so you may have time to do both if you start the day early!
As well as the main trail, there are two shorter walks that take you to different parts of the gorge. The first begins at the gate by the bridge just behind the carpark. If you follow this trail you are taken to the other side of the gorge, under the bridge, where there is a small picnic area! The other trail begins a little further down the road (map). This is quite a steep trail that takes you down to the bottom of the gorge, where the crystal blue river runs away from the gorge itself.
Voss Gondola
Heading back into Voss from Bordalsgjelet Gorge, we decided to be spontaneous and took the Voss Gondola up to the top of Mount Hangmen. Unfortunately, we weren’t so lucky with the weather an dit was quite misty when we got up there, i’d still say it was worth it! There are loads of different hiking trails at the top, all with different levels of difficulty so there is something for everyone! To buy tickets to the gondola, there are machines at the entrance to the building. This isn’t something you have to do in advance, however, there might be queues if you are there on a busy day.
The Voss Gondola takes you up over 800m in less that 9 minutes, giving amazing views over the city of Voss as you rise up the mountain. The Gondola consists of quite large glass pods that fit 35 passengers and are reasonably stable – even the members of our group who are scared of heights found this trip to be ok. Visiting in June, the gondola cost us 360kr person return. If you are feeling up to it, there are several hikes you can do that takes you back to Voss city centre meaning you only need to buy a single ticket (280kr).
There are a total of 12 hikes that begin at the top of the Voss Gondola. Four of these take you to the base of the mountain, while those around the summit are all classified as “easy”. We started off on the brown trail (#3) around Røda Kors Hytta and then followed the pink trail (#2) back to the gondola. If you are feeling brave, you can even swim in the small lake by Røda Kors Hytta, with views over the mountains behind. In total, this walk took around 2 hours and was a nice, relatively easy walk for our group. I would have loved to have done of the longer hikes but as I said before, the weather wasn’t perfect. You can find the hiking map on this page.
Dinner at Tre Brør Kaffi & Vin
Heading back into Voss, we stopped for dinner at Tre Brør Kaffi & Vin, a very cosy cafe and restaurant in the centre of town. The restaurant is split into the cafe and bar, both with different entrances and opening times. We ate in the cafe area and had nice fresh, light salads, soups, and sandwiches. It was quite an ok price and the food was all delicious!
Skjervsfossen
The last stop of the day on our way to Hargander Fjord was Skjervsfossen, an impressive 150m tall waterfall. From the lower path, you can get right up close to the water and feel the full effect of its power.
Skjervsfossen is around 15km from Voss (15 minute drive) so there is no rush to finish dinner early to make it – especially if you are visiting in the spring and summer when the days are so long. When you reach the waterfall, there are two different parking areas. The first is the main parking at the top of the waterfall. Here there are toilets and a short board walk, as well as a trail that takes you down to the base of the waterfall. This trail looked quite rocky and difficult so if you re worried, i recommend instead driving to the bridge below the waterfall and parking here (map). There are only a few spots and it is important to keep the road clear, but it is a much more accessible way to get up close to the falls.
Where to stay: Hardanger Panorama Lodge
We spent our last night in the town of Ulvik, just by the edge of Hardanger Fjord. The accomodation for this evening was definitely bucket list quality – a beautiful guest house overlooking the mountains, with panoramic windows in the bedrooms. The house is quite a lot bigger and more expensive than the other places we stayed – but definitely worth it! Find out more and book it here.
Tours and activities
Day 4: Hardanger Fjord to Oslo
The last day was again, quite a lot of driving, so be prepared. However, it is also the day we visit Vøringfossen, an amazing waterfall and canyon, as well as driving along the Hardangervidda Scenic Route!
Day 4: Road Trip Stops
Vik Bakeri
First destination for the day was Vik Bakeri for breakfast pastries. The bakery is located in the cosy little town of Vik, a popular destination for cruise ships that still manages to keep its charm. The bakery itself is in an old, white, terrace house, so has a unique charm worth visiting – even without the world class pastries. With such a big choice – we ended up choosing 5 different pastries to share. I have to say, the cardamon bun and Weiner bread were definitely my favourites!
Vøringfossen
While I think I have said similar things previously in this post – this stop was by far my favourite. If you come away from reading this Oslo Bergen road trip guide with just one note, it should be to add Vøringfossen to your itinerary! I don’t think I will be able to put into worlds how otherworldly this place is – but I will try!
Vøringfossen is referred to as the most famous waterfall in Norway – a scene reminiscent of Lord of the Rings with a 182m high waterfall plunging into the canyon below. On a sunny day, the water spray creates a rainbow that rises out of the canyon, with the river flowing into the horizon.
Visiting Vøringfossen is easy, with several easily accessible view points that cover all angles. The best place to park is by Fossli Hotel (map). There is a big car park, gift shop, and cafe, and from here you can access all the different view points. While we were there, they were building a second car park on the other side of the waterfall which could be good to also visit if you are scared of heights and don’t want to walk across the 47m long bridge over the gushing falls.
Hiking near Vøringfossen
If you are feeling adventurous you can also do the hike around Vøringfossen which takes you into the valley itself. You can choose to walk to Fossetromma (3.7km on way) or Storegjel (1.7km one way). Had we had the time I would have loved to do this walk and really get o experience as much of the valley as we could. Unfortunately, we had to be back in Sweden by the evening so couldn’t stay as long as I would have liked!
Note: This is a popular stop of tour buses is at times it can be incredibly busy! If you notice there are 4 or 5 buses there, you can always take a cake or a coffee in the cafe and wait for them to pass. They don’t usually stay too long, and the area is much more enjoyable when there are fewer people!
Hardangervidda Scenic Route
The last scenic route of this trip is Hardangervidda Scenic Route – a beautiful mountain road with blue lakes and snow. This is the least dramatic scenic road of all we did on this trip, but still beautiful in it’s own right!
Where to stay: Att Kvadraturen, Oslo
If you are spending the last night back in Oslo then I can whole heartedly recommend Att Kvadraturen. This is a beautiful hotel located in the centre of the city, walking distance from the fjord and the opera house. It is the perfect place to base yourself if you want to explore Oslo! The hotel has two restaurants and is “self-service” style meaning you can check in whenever you arrive in Oslo with no stress to end the road trip early. Find out more and book it here!
We stayed at Att Kvadraturen when we spent two days in Oslo last winter. If it is your first time in the city, make sure to read my itinerary for the best things to see and do! Read it here.
Tours and activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 4 days enough for Norway?
While you won’t be able to see all of Norway in 4 days, you can definitely fit in a lot! A road trip between Oslo and Bergen is a great place to start – with waterfalls, mountain roads, a stave church, and hiking opportunities along the way!
How many days do you need for a road trip in Norway?
There are so many different adventures you can take in Norway, how many days you need for a road trip really depends on which are you want to see and how much time you have. A 4 day road trip is definitely a starting point, but I can recommend taking at least 14 to 20 days if you can. Something to note is that you should not try to fit too much in – the beauty of Norway is all the unexpected stops you will see along the way.
If you want to add some days to this 4 day road trip, I can recommend spending 10 days in West Norway and Lovatnet or heading north to the Lofoten islands!
Is Norway good for a road trip?
Norway is a great destination for a road trip – in fact I think that you can’t really see the magic of Norway without doing a road trip. This is the best way to get off the main tourist path and discover all the hidden gems and beautiful nature that the country has to offer.
What is the best month to go to Norway?
I can recommend visiting Norway during the summer months – so May to August. At this time of year, the snow has started melting making most mountain roads and hiking trails accessible. Additionally, the weather at this time of year is a bit warmer. However, if you want to visit at other times of the year, there is always something to see. I can recommend an Oslo Bergen road trip during autumn, a trip to Lofoten or Oslo in winter!
4 Day Norway Road Trip: Where to next?
This Oslo to Bergen road trip takes you to so many beautiful spots. We took this trip at the beginning of June and found the weather to be relatively warm – even on the rainier days. If you are spending more time in Norway, make sure to check out these guides:
- 10 Day West Norway Itinerary
- Innerdalen – Norway’s Most Beautiful Mountain Valley
- The Best Itinerary for 2 Days in Oslo
- Guide to visiting Oslo in Winter
- Oslo’s Best Christmas Markets
- The Perfect Autumn Road Trip through Norway
- The Perfect 10 Day Scandinavia Itinerary through Norway, Sweden and Denmark
- Hiking The Besseggen Ridge
- Visiting The Lofoten Islands in Winter
