Norway – In the footsteps of the Vikings
The Kingdom of Norway is known as a land of mountains and fjords and boasts spectacular natural scenery. Covering an area of 385,207 km², Norway is one of the largest countries in Europe. The mainland of Norway also includes the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, including the bear island of Bjørnøya and the island of Jan Mayen. The country borders Sweden to the south and Finland and Russia to the east. At approximately 1,730 km, it is very long, but quite narrow. Its maximum width is 430 kilometers just north of Bergen, and its narrowest point is just 250 meters wide. With a population of just under 5.6 million, Norway is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe. Norway is divided into several climate zones: in the northeast, the average temperature is just 3° Celsius, and winters in this subpolar zone are long, cold, and snowy. The west coast has a much milder climate, averaging 17°C in summer. The best time to visit the south is May to July, and the north is from mid-June to mid-August.
Oslo
The capital of Norway is Oslo, located on the south coast at the end of a long fjord – the Oslofjord. The city was founded around the year 1000 and was called Christiania between 1624 and 1924, after the Danish King Christian IV, as Norway was part of Denmark at the time. In 1924, the city was renamed Oslo and is now by far the largest city in the country. The vibrant capital, Oslo, with its famous culinary scene and cultural diversity, including the impressive Opera House, Vigeland Park with its bronze and stone cultures, the Viking Ship Museum, and the picturesque Oslofjord, offers a perfect starting point for a campervan tour.
Hardangervidda Plateau
There are several campervan routes from Oslo to Bergen. The drive across the Hardangervidda Plateau is a beautiful start to enjoying the first impressions of Norway's landscape. The Hardangervidda is located in southwestern Norway and, with an area of approximately 8,000 km², is the largest plateau in Europe. The drive offers charming landscapes with large plateaus, high mountains, fertile valleys, blue-green fjords, and waterfalls. Enjoy Norway's most famous waterfall, the Vøringsfossen. The next highlight is the drive over the Hardanger Bridge. At 1,380 meters long, it is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.
The Atlantic Road
The Atlantic Road, also called the "Road of the Seas," lies between Molde and Kristiansund and was named Norway's Construction of the Century! With a length of 8,274 meters and eight bridges, this is one of the most beautiful panoramic routes in the world. At 23 meters high and 260 meters long, the Storseisund Bridge is the largest and most impressive bridge on this panoramic route. Scenes from the James Bond film "No Time to Die" were also filmed here.
Varanger Scenic Route
The northernmost of all Norwegian scenic routes is a 160-kilometer route and runs between Varangerbotn and Hamningberg at the northernmost tip of Norway. With seemingly endless views of the sea, this road trip will make you feel like you're driving to the end of the world. The journey takes you past rugged cliffs, birch forests, and moorland landscapes. The Varanger Scenic Route is one of Norway's 18 national tourist routes and definitely one of the most special. The best way to explore Varanger is by camper van.