At a glance
- Where
- Norway
- Length
- 4+ Days
- Trip style
- Road trip & Via Ferrata
- Covers
- Day 1 to Day 4
By Flink Travel · Last updated
How we label links: the handshake after a link means we earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. All other links earn us nothing. Hover over or tap the icon by a link to see this.
If your idea of a perfect summer vacation involves scaling massive vertical rock faces, driving through dramatic glacial valleys, and exploring the high Arctic, this is the itinerary for you. We are skipping the typical cruise-ship stops and diving headfirst into an action-packed road trip through Norway's most spectacular and cinematic landscapes.
In Part 1, we start in the capital before heading deep into the heart of Romsdalen, chasing adrenaline and Hollywood stunt locations.
Day 1
From Oslo to the Mighty Trollveggen
Arrive in Oslo (opens in a new tab), grab your rental car (opens in a new tab), and immediately hit the road heading northwest towards Åndalsnes (opens in a new tab), the mountaineering capital of Norway. The drive takes about 5.5 to 6 hours, winding through incredibly scenic valleys.
Where to Eat on the Way
- Aungs Thai Restaurant (opens in a new tab) – Lillehammer: A great stop for a proper meal roughly halfway into your drive. Highly rated and a welcome break from the road.
Where to Stay
Check into your cabin at Trollveggen Camping (opens in a new tab). You will literally be sleeping in the shadow of the Troll Wall (Trollveggen), Europe's highest vertical rock face. After a long day of driving, grab dinner and simply relax in awe of this imposing sight.
If you prefer hotel amenities over a cabin, Hotel Aak (opens in a new tab) in nearby Åndalsnes offers warmly furnished rooms, excellent dining, and its own fantastic mountain views.
Another great option in Åndalsnes is the Grand Hotel (opens in a new tab), a modest but comfortable choice right in the town center, perfect for walking to local restaurants.
Day 2
Pancakes, Panoramic Hikes, and Trollstigen
Wake up early and fuel up for your first day of adventure.
The Breakfast of Champions
Head to Vollan Cafe (opens in a new tab) before heading out. You must try a Norwegian classic: Pancakes with Brunost (Brown Cheese).
The Morning Hike
Head into Åndalsnes to hike Rampestreken (opens in a new tab). This is a steep, demanding trail, but the reward is a spectacular 537-meter-high viewing platform that juts out over the town and the Romsdalsfjord.
Rampestreken (map, opens in a new tab)
Lunch at Eggen Restaurant
After conquering the hike, head to Eggen Restaurant (opens in a new tab) for a well-deserved lunch. Perched at the end of the uphill trail, this charming spot is the perfect place to refuel with a delicious meal, enjoy a fresh coffee, or indulge in a slice of their famous cheese cake. The views and the food make it an ideal reward after your morning exertion.
Eggen Restaurant (map, opens in a new tab)
Afternoon & Evening
Stop by the Norsk Tindesenter (opens in a new tab) (Norwegian Mountaineering Centre) right by the harbor. This is where you need to check in and confirm your booking for tomorrow's Via Ferrata tour! Finish the day with a stunning evening drive up the famous hairpin turns of Trollstigen (opens in a new tab), just a short distance from your cabin.
Day 3
Scaling the Wall and Cinematic History
Fuel up again, because today is all about vertical elevation.
The Climb: Via Ferrata Åndalsnes
Head back to the Norsk Tindesenter (opens in a new tab) to meet your guide. Depending on your fitness level, you will tackle either the Intro Wall or the West Wall. A Via Ferrata (Iron Path) allows you to safely scale massive cliffs by clipping into a continuous steel cable, using iron rungs and bridges. The West Wall offers breathtaking, exposed views of the Romsdalen valley that you have to earn through sweat and vertical climbing.
Via Ferrata Åndalsnes (map, opens in a new tab)
Lunch at Sødahlhuset
After an intense morning of climbing, head to Sødahlhuset (opens in a new tab) for a well-deserved lunch. This charming restaurant offers delicious local cuisine in a cozy atmosphere — the perfect place to refuel and rest your muscles after conquering the Via Ferrata.
Sødahlhuset (map, opens in a new tab)
Mission Impossible History
After the climb, your arms will be burning, so take a relaxed stroll over to the Rauma Railway's Åndalsnes Train Station (opens in a new tab).
Day 4
Heading South to Loen (and More Tom Cruise)
Check out of your cabin and begin the incredibly scenic drive south towards Loen.
The Route & Ferry Reality
The Hellesylt Detour
Make sure your route takes you through Hellesylt (opens in a new tab) (you will likely take the ferry from Stranda or Geiranger).
Hellesylt (map, opens in a new tab)
Arriving in Loen: The Ascent Choice
Once you arrive in the village of Loen, you have a massive choice to make to reach the top of Mt. Hoven:
- The SkyLift (opens in a new tab): Pay the premium price and ride one of the steepest cable cars in the world, going from the fjord to 1,011 meters in just 5 minutes.
- Ferrata Loen (opens in a new tab): If yesterday didn't break you, strap your harness back on. This is a bucket-list 5 to 6-hour climb featuring the Gjølmunne suspension bridge, the longest Via Ferrata bridge in Europe, suspended 160 meters over a massive gorge. The views of the fjord below as you climb are spectacular, but it requires serious stamina.
Onward to Sogndal
After descending from Loen, hop back in the car for a short drive to Sogndal (opens in a new tab). This picturesque town on the Sognefjord is the perfect, convenient stopover to rest up before we tackle the blue ice of the Nigardsbreen (opens in a new tab) glacier tomorrow.
Sogndal (map, opens in a new tab)
Nigardsbreen Glacier (map, opens in a new tab)
Where to Stay in Sogndal
For a classic, relaxing stay right on the water's edge, book a room at the Hofslund Fjord Hotel (opens in a new tab). It offers incredible views across the Sognefjord and a cozy, traditional atmosphere, making it a great place to unwind before your glacier hike.
If you prefer a self-catered experience with space to cook your own meals, this highly-rated Central Apartment (opens in a new tab) on Airbnb is a fantastic, modern basecamp right in the heart of town.
Bonus Options
Extending Your Trip South
Because you are already in the Sognefjord region near Sogndal, you have the perfect opportunity to extend this trip by 1 or 2 days by driving slightly further south toward the Aurlandsfjord.
Option 1: The Stegastein Viewpoint & Hike
Drive down to the Aurlandsfjord to experience the breathtaking Stegastein viewpoint (opens in a new tab). This wooden architectural marvel juts 30 meters out from the mountainside, 650 meters above the fjord. For those who want more than just a photo op, there are several incredible, less-crowded hiking trails starting near the viewpoint that take you further up into the high mountain plateau.
Stegastein Viewpoint (map, opens in a new tab)
Option 2: The Flåm Adrenaline Package
Drive to the famous village of Flåm (opens in a new tab). From here, you can string together an incredible multi-sport day:
- Take the Flåmsbana (Flåm Railway) (opens in a new tab) up the steep valley — often named one of the most beautiful train rides in the world.
- Get off the train at the roaring Kjosfossen waterfall.
- Instead of riding the train back down, take the Flåm Zipline (the longest zipline in Scandinavia at 1,381 meters) to fly down into the valley.
- At the bottom of the zipline, rent a mountain bike and ride the rest of the way down the famous Rallarvegen trail back to your car in Flåm.
Ready to go?
Build your personalised itinerary!
Tell us your dates and we'll craft a fully customized day-by-day plan, just like this one.
Plan my trip