Norwegian Highlights

Along the Golden Route

The Golden Route is a famous tourist attraction in Norway, and not without reason. Here you may encounter the most spectacular sights and the most outstanding contrasts in Norway. It will take you from Otta to Åndalsnes.

The best known attractions along this route are Geiranger - the most photographed place in Norway, and the famous Trolls Path (Trollstigen) - a mountain pass where the road ascends in many sharp curves like a giant snake. I would strongly recommend driving in the opposite direction, though. The view is definitely best this way, because the scenery will grow more and more spectacular with the most outstanding attractions at the end of your journey.

The best season is early in June, when the mountain passes have been opened after the winter and when the weather is stable. I have travelled this route at least four times now, and I must say that this fourth time was a great revelation as my first visit here.

My suggestion: from Oslo, take E6 up to Dombås, continue on E136 to Åndalsnes (no. 9 on older maps). Take the road marked Trollstigen (no. 63) to the Trolls Path. Note that this road is only open during the summer, from end of May to end of October. This will take you over to Valldal and Linge. Take the ferry over to Eidsdal and continue on road (no. 63) to Geiranger. Park the car in Geiranger and take a roundtrip by the ferry, lasting approx two and a half hours. When in Geiranger, take your time, there are at least two spectacular sights that are easily accessible: Flydalsjuvet, and Storseterfossen (only by foot).

Continue on 63 in direction Otta (mountain pass only open in summer). I recommend a detour up to the summit of Dalsnibba, one of the mountains surrounding Geiranger, you can go by car to the top. Continue on 63 a couple of miles until you reach road no. 15. Continue on 15 in direction Otta where you proceed on E6 to Oslo. This will easily fill two days, although there are many other places that you might like to see when in Norway. Follow the marked roundtrip on this road map, counterclockwise.

The pictures I present here are from my personal album, taken on a weekend in June (14-15th) 1997. I have reduced the size and quality for more easy access over the net.

Trollveggen - Troll Wall

Geiranger and Flydalsjuvet, notice the man on the cliff

Trollstigen - Trolls Path

Let me see more

Coming up:
Trollveggen | Trollstigen | Geiranger | Geiranger fjord | Geiranger highlights