For most of our three-week journey around Norway, John and I wore the look of the stunned, partly due to the cost of travelling there but mostly because the country is just off the charts in the natural beauty stakes. We were already doing overtime on the superlatives.
So when we set off on what was supposed to be a simple, point-to-point, three-and-a-half-hour drive from the small fjord-side town of Sogndal to another fjord-side town called Geiranger, both in the country’s west, we expected some pretty scenery. What we got left us speechless.
Nearly six hours after leaving Sogndal, having pulled over at least three-hundred-and-thirty-two times to gape at the views and take photos from every possible angle, we finally rolled in to Geiranger.
We were convinced we’d just experienced The Most Spectacular Drive In The World. It’s a big call, I know. So we’ll let our photos of this incredible journey do the talking instead on why this drive in Norway should be on every road tripper’s bucket list.
Good to know
The Route: The Most Spectacular Drive In The World starts in the Norwegian town of Sogndal and follows the Rv5, E39, Rv15 and Rv63 roads all the way to Geiranger.
Getting to Sogndal: The relative remoteness of this region is a big part of the appeal. It takes around five hours to drive to Sogndal from Oslo and four hours from Bergen. The Sogndal – Geiranger route (and vice versa) would make a spectacular leg of a loop drive from Bergen or from Oslo via Bergen. We did the drive as part of a three week road trip around the country.
How long does it take? From A to B, the drive from Sogndal to Geiranger takes around 3.5 hours over 215 kilometres. But this road trip is scenery on steroids; stopping every ten metres to proclaim your wonder is unavoidable. It took us close to six hours in the end. Make a day of it!
Road safety and trip planning: Norway is one of the world’s safest countries to drive in and road rules are strictly enforced. Weather can make all the difference however, especially in the mountains where some roads will close in heavy snow and wind. If you’re planning a road trip, keep an eye on road conditions. Check out Norway’s tourism site for more information.
Happy road tripping in Norway! If you’ve got a question or comment, drop us a message below! Check out some of our other posts on Norway here.
Hi there! Thank you for the inspiration! We are travelling to Norway in a few days and will do the same route, and we have been really wondering whether we can make it even further to Ålesund as we cannot find any place to stay the night (for a reasonable price). We would even love to drive the Old Strynefjell Mountain Road (I can see that you skipped it and drove the shorter 15 instead). The Old Strynefjell Mountain Road (258) will take over one hour more. And then we will need to take the ferry from Geiranger to Hellesylt and then drive 2,5 hours more to Ålesund. Do you think it is even possible?
Another question: Did you do the Flåmsbanan train and the Flåm zipline? Are they worth?
Thank you in advance for your time!
Best, Hong
Hi Hong, thanks so much for your message – we’ve sent you an email! Cheers and happy travels, Danielle & John
hello, breathtaking pictures and post!!
which one is considered the Geiranger Route?
i am heading to Norway in 5 days and i want to see all the places and photos you have mentioned in this post… Please help!
Hi Kalpa, thanks for your message! We’re so excited you’re heading to Norway – it’s spectacular! On our trip, we mapped our own route north from Sogndal to Geiranger via Rv5, E39, Fv60, Rv15 and Rv63. From Geiranger we travelled north-west to Alesund. Not sure what the ‘Geiranger Route’ is specifically but it may refer to the famous Geiranger – Trollstigen National Tourist Route, which heads north out of Geiranger on road 63. There’s some good info about it on the Fjord Norway website. Wherever you go, you won’t be disappointed, the scenery is epic. Happy travels! Danielle & John
If I didn’t know there was scenes like that I’d say ‘unreal’ but what I really love is that you’re like a couple of kids at the seaside for the first time. Brilliant. Keep on keeping on.
Thanks Mik,
Norway did indeed reduce us to jabbering, excited little kids that were constantly amazed at what the world has to offer.
We love that kind of travel when you are constantly blown away and in awe of your surroundings.
Those are the experiences and places worth seeking out that’s for sure.
Looks amazing guys 🙂
Thanks Micko! Loved it! 🙂