Day 1
Transfer from airport, handover of motorcycles, followed by tour briefing. No riding scheduled for arrival day.
Days 2, 3 & 4
Oslo to Nordkapp. Our route takes us across Sweden to the Gulf of Bothnia and north into Finand / Lapland and across the Arctic Circle. Our itinerary is startegically designed to get us to the north of Lapland / Norkapp in a fairly swift manner without being too arduous which will allow us to travel south along the Norwegian Coast at a more leisurely pace.
Day 5 & 6
See’s us ride to Europe’s most northerly point at a very remote Nordkapp. Staying nearby we have the option to visit the Nordkapp visitor centre in the afternoon and / or again later in the hope of catching a glimpse of the midnight sun. Leaving Nordkapp we find the E6 road south which will be our companion on and off all the way south.
Days 7, 8 & 9
Still well inside the Arctic Circle we travel further south and out onto the spectacular Lofoten Islands with landscapes which look as if they could only have been created by the most imaginative of game designers. Stark and steep mountain peaks back the glacial waters of the fjords which are so clear they reflect the blue of the sky and the colorful, painted fishing huts which line their shores. We take an afternoon sailing on day 9 back to the mainland.
Days 10, 11 & 12
Our route takes us along some very quiet roads, arguablly the best of the trip, hugging the Atlantic Coast as we travel ever south and back across the Arctic Circle (after almost a week). Then it’s on to Trondheim, the most populous town /city we will stay in on tour before detouring out onto the famous and frequently photographed “Atlantic Road” that no doubt everyone has seen a picture of. Though relativey short at only 8km it’s a truly spectacular sight and an engineering marvel.
Day 13
Strategically located amoungst some of Norway’s most beautiful fjords it’s time for a rest day – though there is always optional rideouts and boat trips between fjords.
Days 14 & 15
It’s all about the highlands and never ending tunnels as we make our way back to Oslo.
Highlights
Nordkapp
Imagine a place in the far north, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Arctic Ocean and their frigid waters mix. That place is Nordkapp – the North Cape – in Western Finnmark, Northern Norway. Here, the only dry land between you and the North Pole is the Svalbard archipelago, and the summer sun doesn’t set between the middle of May and the end of July. Many visitors enjoy watching the midnight sun or the sunset over the Barents Sea from the North Cape Plateau. Nowhere else in the world is the North Pole as close to the mainland as at the North Cape. The areas bordering Sweden, Finland and Russia are still a natural and unspoiled paradise, and the breathtaking combination of sea and mountains you find in Lofoten, Vesterålen and the Lyngsalpene peaks is unparalleled in Europe. The people of Northern Norway enjoy freedom and living their lives to the rhythm of nature. The Sami, Norway’s indigenous people, have lived at one with nature and developed the Sami culture since settling in the Arctic areas of Norway more than 2,500 years ago.
Lofoten Islands
Regardless of the time of year, Lofoten provides a journey amid breathtaking natural surroundings. The landscape is both beautiful and stark. However there are sheltered, protected stretches that can provide some relief from the raw, exposed areas that show their harshness when the wind is blowing hard. The combination of the untamed ocean and stormy seas, jagged alpine mountains plunging into the water, tiny sheltered fishing villages and white beaches with crystal clear waters will never cease to enchant us. Then it’s good to know that you can seek out little, secluded corners and fine detours along the route. There are also many tourists who have discovered that winter can be just as beautiful as summer. The Arctic winter is the perfect time to see the northern lights, an overwhelming play of light and colour. You are guaranteed a unique experience with fewer people to share it with. No matter what time of year you decide to visit Lofoten, you will experience its distinctive qualities, and for many people Lofoten leaves lasting memories.
Norways Fjordland
The fjord landscape was formed thousands of years ago during Norway’s many Ice Ages by meltwater and ice gouging outdeep valleys that the sea then filled up. Thousands of lakes and waterfalls were also created, and, more than 9,000 years ago, farmers and fishermen settled in this magnificent landscape. Today Norway enjoys a high standard of living, and Norwegians no longer need to struggle with the forces of nature to survive. Many people like to spend their free time exploring nature on foot, on skis, by bike, canoe, kayak or sailing boat. There is also still a strong tradition of harvesting nature’s bounty, both by hunting and fishing, but also by picking berries and mushrooms.
Norway cannot boast that it is a cheap country to holiday in, but we can offer some fantastic experiences in amazing scenery – free for everyone to enjoy. You can challenge it, live off it and in it, enjoy it slowly while travelling in comfort on sea or land, or feel close to it in one of our small, pleasant towns and cities, while you explore everything else Norway has to offer.
Atlanterhavsvegen
Nothing is as mighty as the ocean – our most important transport route for centuries, a source of income and the starting point for innumerable recreational options. Few places bring you closer to the ocean and let you feel part of it in the same way as Atlanterhavsvegen. Here you will feel the effects of winter storms and enjoy days of sunshine in the summer. The road is a visual delight as it curves elegantly from islet to islet over its seven bridges. The natural surroundings and feats of modern engineering combine to create a unique driving experience. The trip takes you from the fertile cultural landscape of the coast across moorland to bare crags along the weather-beaten, open bay of Hustadvika. Take time to watch the sundisappearing below the horizon from here. Atlanterhavsvegen has been described as the world’s most beautiful car drive. It is an intense experience that will give you an insight into a harsh world where you must withstand a gust of wind
Geiranger – Trollstigen
The drive along Trollstigen is undoubtedly more dramatic than most people are used to, but what is special about driving in Norway is that in fact people live just about everywhere. Even on the narrowest mountain ledge or small crag there will be a house. We are bound to the landscape and the natural surroundings through settlements that have offered us a livelihood throughout history. Geiranger-Trollstigen offers numerous highlights, and the eleven hairpin bends of Trollstigen as well as the view from Ørnesvingen down to the Geirangerfjord may set your pulse racing. Lush valleys, sheltered strawberry-growing areas, precipitous mountains and vantage points guaranteed to make you dizzy offer some of Norway’s most scenic views. Allow plenty of time for the trip stops are welcome whether you want the challenge of a hike to a lofty summit or just to enjoy the view.
