Somerset, UK to Nordkapp, Norway - June/July 2016
 

I am planning a little trip - some 5200 miles - from Somerset, UK to Nordkapp, Norway in June/July 2016.

My basic plan is 18 to 20 days total.

Get to Hirtshals at the end of day 2 and either cross on the

Hirtshals/Langesund ferry on day 2 or first thing day 3 - approx. 500 miles/day.

Slow ride up the west coast on Norway - averaging probably 250 miles/day.

Slightly faster run back down through Finland to (probably) Turku then take the overnight ferry to Stockholm.

Stockholm to Somerset in 3 days - approx 500 miles/day.

As and when I feel like it I'm thinking about a day off or just touring the immediate area.

My initial idea is camping but using cheap accommodation if the weather is particularly bad or when I get fed up being under canvas.


The benefit of your experience would be much appreciated.

touring Norway
 

Hi RachelAnne, everything you need to know is on the Hubb.
Maybe there is even a direct ferry next year.
Please don't be too ambitious about mileage on driving days - we don't have many motorways, and there are ferries, slow traffic and bends everywhere. It really takes time, and then there are the speed limits. It takes some bad luck to be caught and fined, but it does happen.
The good news is the scenary and the driving experience. If you can make time for using the older roads, often privatly run toll-roads now, that will add a lot of spice to your trip.
Velkommen

Peter, in Oslo

Thanks for the advice Peter, especially about the toll roads. Is there any way I can find which are toll roads and which aren't prior to my trip and how many NOK can I expect to pay for the tolls?

As Peter said, you won't manage high daily mileages through Norway, particularly the south, if you want to enjoy the ride. I 'did' North Cape last year in 4 weeks from the UK but felt I had 'flown' through too much of the country so I went back again this year for a second look around the south west corner ! I've still not done the Lofoten Islands so will be heading back that way next year.

Don't get to hung up on the private toll roads - they are not that expensive (many are free for motorbikes) and the main motorway/bridge tolls seem to be free for bikes as well.

Photos from my trips :

https://www.facebook.com/owen.lewis....5482819&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/owen.lewis....5482819&type=3

I've only glanced through them but those photo's are great.

The provisional route I've got at the moment completely ignores the South West corner (rightly or wrongly). It's very obvious that I can't see the whole of the country in the 10ish days I will have in Norway. My goal is to reach Nordkapp but get a feel for the country en-route.

The camping lodges in your photo's - I've seen them on video's of Norway. What is the typical cost per night for them?

touring Norway
 

Hi RachelAnne, up late.
Toll roads are marked on good smaller scale maps with a thin line across the road. The Norwegian Automobil Assoc (NAF) roadbook has them. Usually you can see the new road with tunnels and ringroads around towns and villages with a higher rating as a highway. The old road (gamleveien) follows the topography and winds its way out of the valley and over a mountain pass, and down into the next valley. There are usually more pleasant places for wild camping along the old roads, but there are more sheep and cattle along the old road, as well as tractors and local "rally drivers" practising their four wheel drifts. Often there are long sections of gravel, which can be very slippery wet.
Cost - usually between Nkr 30 to 100 depending on the distance, and sometimes there are controlpoints, especially on weekends. Some are coins in an envolope, some take bankcards or you have to ring a number which charges your phonebill. As a tourist you have some leeway - and the last two systems do have problems, not your fault!
I forgot to mention the comprehensive guide to touring Norway by Indu, look him up on the Hubb.

Safe travels, and I hope this wasn't too offputting.

Peter

two trips
 

Hi RachelAnne - had a long drive to Sweden and back in monsoon rain - glad I was not on the bike.
I'm thinking you need to plan two trips. One powerdrive to Nordkapp and back, don't look at anything except the oval 100 meters in front of you. Tick that one off....been there, done that.

The other trip is the laidback one, doing all the silly roads, trek to features like Preikestolen, Besseggen and Kjerag Bolten. Fish for your supper, free of charge from saltwater, costs in lakes and rivers. Lofoten Islands and Fjordcountry. Go to a local dance and see if you are offered real moonshine. They mix it with coffee, and it's lethal. Actually, that is probably not a good idea. Drop that.

Please ask if you need any info.

Peter, in Oslo

Hi Peter,

I'll certainly give the coffee-laced moonshine a miss I think. I'm getting to old to enjoy the hangover :thumbdown:

I have looked at bits and pieces and at the moment this is my route north. I feel that 1750 mile and a suggested 45 hours should be achievable in 10 days and if I can up my daily mileage a little it gives me a day or two to have a 'rest day' and look around the local area I'm in at the time. Basically, I'm not really going to be looking around every fjord and minor road but I don't want to be riding the main arteries of Norway either.

I don't know if you've seen them but there were a bunch of lads went to Norway from the UK last month, who's progress I am following on YouTube who have made reasonable progress.

I'm expecting my south bound route through Finland to be on main arteries and to take me 3 to 4 days.

Hi RachelAnne, check out my page for Norway specific info - Ride Norway | All you need to know for your motorcycle trip to Norway - which I hope may be helpful. Thanks for the mention - again, GSPeter! :)

Nordkapp
 

Hi again RachelAnne,
Your trip is doable, no doubts, even though I'm sceptical. Just go for it.
I'm enjoying Mr Vida and his mates, group travel is often slower, and six people ....
The hangover from moonshine is bad, but it was what was available, and affordable. Nowadays it's a redneck culture thing.
What bike will you be riding? There can be diversions onto gravel because of blocked roads or accidents, your choice of tyre is important. Also it's a good idea to have some means of preventing your sidestand from sinking into the ground. I have a plate screwed on, easier than throwing planks about.

Safe travels

Peter, in Oslo

Hi Peter, I think there are good and bad points about solo and group riding.

Group riding you have company, you can get a group view on detours, stopping points etc. and you have help in the event of a breakdown (or God forbid) an accident. You also cannot please all people at all times, you have to ride at the pace of the slowest and you can only travel as far as the least distance-capable rider/bike.

Solo riding is pretty much the opposite really - it can be lonely, you make a decision based on one persons view and if something goes wrong you're on your own until/unless you can find a helpful local, but the positive is you do what you want, when you want.

When you say my route is 'doable' it makes it sound it is a bit of a stretch. Would you consider that to be the case having viewed my route and knowing the country?

I ride a 1300 Pan European so there is no doubt about it's distance capability but if I'm down to gravel roads that would slow me very considerably and it would possibly be worth stopping short of a daily target rather than take to gravel.

Hi RachelAnne, I'm no use to you, information-wise, but I'm very interested in this thread, as Roynie and I are coming to the end of our current Russian adventure, and have already started thinking about the next one. I'll be keeping an eye out for useful nuggets of information, if you don't mind.

On the subject of road surface/bike/tyre choice, I'm getting the impression that the more remote areas of Norway/Scandinavia may be very like Russia in some respects. Here, unless you are literally travelling from St. Petersburg to Moscow on the main road, you need to be capable of some off-road riding. Road construction is done on an industrial scale here and often both lanes, for several km in a construction zone, will be unsurfaced, muddy, sandy or strewn with loose gravel of varying grades and depth - all of which can be lethal in the wet on the wrong tyres. Russian riders don't bat an eyelid at these conditions because they've been brought up with them, but it can be disconcerting for us Brits, unused to riding anything other than tarmac.

I do not think you need to worry too much about road quality in Norway. I know the Swedes sometimes apply pretty coarse gravel as foundation when they refurbish their roads, and let traffic onto the work in progress. I haven't met that problem myself while riding around in Norway. Your Pan should be more than capable in case of any roadworks/detours - I wouldn't worry at all. It's not going to be like - you know - Dakar rally stuff or anything.

touring Norway
 

Hi again RachelAnne, you understood my reservations about daily distance, but riding a Pan European sort of smoothes out the road. I hear that it is very comfortable ride, and as it is probably a good idea to keep it on asfalt, no problems. Barring roadworks, diversions and local roads to campings and such there is good asfalt all the way.
The weather might be more of a problem (I watched the Vida films you linked), and June/July is a good time to make your tour. Seldom is the weather stable or predictable, you just have to deal with it. Weather forecasts here are a bit of a gamble because we have continents south and east, polar area north and Atlantic Ocean, bisected by the Gulf Stream. The dominant weather pattern is from the south-west and wet. If you have the gear to keep you dry and warm, no problem.
Other perils are animals, domestic and wild, on the road, just drive accordingly. Worse are the mosquitoes, they will drive you mad, but they don't carry any dangerous diseases. Use whatever repellants you can find, buy a veil and a broad brim hat for those unbearable times when nothing stops them, and have a strict routine with tent openings and windows.
Opening times for shops are more liberal now, but there are restictions on alcohol salestimes, and booze is heavily taxed. Prices are generally high, there are no cheap eating places, even though the kroner has dropped in relation to sterling, but this could change by next year.
There are competant mechanics in most big towns, but parts supply can be a problem. Your insurance company will have an agreement with a Norwegian company for assistance, get that straightened out before you leave.
You will need a Green Card, proving you have valid insurance, nobody asks for it until you have an accident, but it is mandatory, and free.
ATM's evrywhere, but have some cash because a lot of small businesses, like camping ground and handicrafts, prefer cash. Petrol stations take debit cards, most will do credit cards too. Shops take cards, no problems.
If you read previous posts about travelling in Scandinavia you will be well prepared, compared to most other places it is easy here, people speak English and are friendly too. Not much crime, but usual precautions.
We have an extensive network of Youth Hostels (Vandrehjem) which are usually a good deal if you need a roof, and the camping cabins too, hotels are pricy, and there arn't many B & B's, but they are usually good value too.

Safe travels

Peter,in Oslo

Hi RachelAnne, I did a solo trip around the south west/fjord region last year. I was camping and using the huts/hytte. The huts were never too expensive - about £30-£35 was the most I paid. They had heating, electricity, hot plate, bunk beds. Those with better facilities cost more.

I was pushing it to do 200 miles per day. I stopped at places to see the sights , ferry crossings etc. but often felt as though I was passing through places fairly quickly. Perhaps your route will be faster and allow more progress. Don't underestimate how many times you will want to stop to photos - it is a stunningly beautiful place.

The roads are fine. I did some gravel but sought it out specially. Only ever saw one police car and no speed traps but others have had different experiences.

Hope you have a good trip. There is a slight possibility of a new ferry between UK and Norway next year. If it happens I will be on it

Hi RachelAnne
 

I made a similar trip 3 years ago, Dieppe / Nederland / Germany / Danemark /
Sweden / Finland(Lapland) / Russian border / Norway (Nordkapp, Lofoten , Atlantic road) / S / DK / D / NL / F . (7500 miles 3 weeks R1200GSA)
All you need is:
A good bike (got it) , petrol was about the same price as France, maybe a bit dearer and petrol stations are nearly every 200 km as max ( never use my extra 3l can) . Fit new tires before leaving,roads are a bit more abrasive than UK ones.
Worm underwear combine (can be use for sleeping when camping). The temperature can drop very low even in june and some place still have snow on the side of the road (this year winter was late and very snowy)but road are clean and dry (sometimes yes sometimes no).Summer gloves and silk undergloves are usefull (i even took my winter ones so you have allways dry gloves). A very good rainproof suit ( and boots) , in Norway you will not have rain allday (well..) but every day you will have a shower (or 2) . On my way up in Sweden and Finland ,i had sometime 23/24° (c) but in Norway the average was 12/13°(c) during the day .
Food is easy to find ,every village have a small COOP .(If you like fish you can bring a small fishing gear (only in sea water)) . Take a thermos bottle with you.
Cabins are comfortable ,but don't arrive too late at the camp site or you won't get one (or only the more expensive ones will be avaliable).
To prepare my trip i went on "nasjonaleturistveger.no" and download maps and details of the site to visit, very useful .Be ready to take sometime up to 7 ferries in a day with different duration of crossings (10mn to 3 hrs) not too expensive.
I'm sure you'll have a wonderfull trip because it's very very wonderful country .
Ride safe and cool.
Roger

Many thanks for your replies. They are all very useful and informative.

Since starting this thread I have found that the 2018 Pan Gathering is to be held in Norway. While I expect it to be held more in the southern half of Norway - perhaps to include a ride out to the Arctic Circle, but I wouldn't expect anything further North - I have decided that I will ride Norway in 2018, combining it with the Pan Gathering and extend my visit either arriving in the country early or leaving it late and I will ride to Nordkapp during that visit.

In the mean time I have booked up for the 2016 Pan Gathering in Leon, Spain and I am planning a scenic route - taking in the Millau Viaduct - en-route to Leon.

Norway 2018
 

Hi RachelAnne,

This must be a classic case of "two stones with one bird", anytime you are welcome.
Wishing you weatherluck.

Safe travels,

Peter, in Oslo

It is rather, Peter. I'd been keeping an eye on the Pan Gathering as a back-up plan :D

I too am trying to plan a trip to NordKapp around the same time as you... I will however be taking the overnight freight ferry from Immingham to Brevik and cut out the ride through Denmark and Netherlands...
Perhaps our paths will cross???

Just read your last post so maybe our paths will not cross ;-)

You never know what the future brings - if things were to go really well I could still be there next year as well as doing the Pan Gathering bier

RachelAnne (and Zedos too if you find it helpful), I've done almost exactly the same trip last year in 20 days starting from Dublin though which doesn't add much to the journey.

It was more than do-able, in fact in Norway I've really enjoyed the ride without being too much in a hurry. Yes the way back was just clocking the miles but it was more about Norway, not the way back.

I took Dublin>Holyhead>Harwich>Hook of Holland>Hirtshals>Kristiansund>(western fjords)>Trondheim>Bodo>Narvik>Alta>Nordkapp>Kirken es>(via Finland to Helsinki)>Stockholm>Malmo>Hamburg>Brussel>Cherbour g where I took a ferry back to Ireland.

If you do decide to do the trip next year will be happy to answer any questions - you're also free to check my blog at rideinwild.com as I described this journey there too!

It is starting to look like I may well be undertaking my Nordkapp trip this year after all.

My plan involves setting out from home on the 1st July and hopefully being back home on the 18th July - certainly by the 20th July (as I'll be back at work on the 21st July. Obviously a trip of some 5000 miles in 18 to 20 days is going to involve a high daily mileage rather than pottering around taking in all the culture, but that is what I like to do.

Anyway, from those 18 days I anticipate landing in Langesund, Norway on the 3rd and taking an overnight ferry from either Turku or Helsinki, Finland to leave me the last 3 days to ride home from Stockholm.

That leaves me 12 days to have a relatively slow ride up through Norway on this (initial) route and back down through Finland on this (initial) route.

I don't want to 'race' the Finland leg so I am thinking 4 days to do that, which leaves me 8 days to do the Norway leg (which is what my trip is all about).

That obviously works out as an average of just over 200 miles/day in Norway.

Is this a reasonably achievable target as I've described it and if I were to choose to have a day (or a couple of half days) off, would it still be achievable?

As I say, I know it's covering a lot of ground, but that is what I like to do.

Yes, no problem.

Hi RachelAnne
 

In June 2013 i made a similar trip from Dieppe (F) via NL D DK S FIN N up to Nordkapp and down along the atlantic road via Lofotens , 1 week up to Nordkapp and 2 weeks back down to Dieppe 11000 km. it's easily achievable, the only problem is now i want to do 3 journeys of 3 weeks each minimum in Norway Sweden and Finland. Have a nice trip in fantastic Scandinavia.
Roger

Thanks Roger, how about doing the route in reverse if you want similar journeys? :D

I'm lucky because I work a 4 on, 4 off shift so I can have 2 shifts (8 days) off and it gives me 20 clear days bier

I've now got some route plans and would appreciate it if somebody could tell me if this is still a viable plan please. I am looking at doing the 1745 miles from Langesund to Nordkapp in 7 day (having arrived at Langesund on the 13:30 ferry from Hirtshals.

Day 1 (3rd July)
Day 2 (4th July)
Day 3 (5th July)
Day 4 (6th July)
Day 5 (7th July)
Day 6 (8th July)
Day 7 (9th July)

I am thinking that if this is viable I could reward myself by 2 nights in a hotel at Nordkapp, instead of the camping and cabins of the rest of my trip :)

Hi RachelAnne,

I'm also planning on riding up through Norway in the latter part of May/June timeframe. I'm an American living in Panama and have ridden Argentina to Alaska, and last year eastern Europe. I left my bike in Frankfurt, and will be leaving from there in the middle of May. I'm not in too much of a rush and like flexibility. I've found that some of my best travels have been to places I never even heard of a few days before.

I generally ride solo, but also enjoy riding with others for some stretches. I think the most important thing in riding with someone else is to be honest about your riding and traveling styles and not be offended if they aren't compatible. If it works... great. If you're too different... have a beer and part friends.

That being said, if you would like to try to meet up along the route (I'll be heading north in Norway, then back south through Finland) let me know and we can see about arranging it.

Hi Steve, obviously you're going up through Norway a few weeks ahead of me but because I'm looking at travelling fairly quick up through the country our paths may well cross (or even on the return leg through Finland). It would be great to meet up and ride together if mutually convenient bier

Keep in touch. Dress warm

RachelAnne:

Are you familiar with day to day costs of travelling in Norway?

2 years ago, I ventured into Norway for a week, and I was quite surprised at how expensive things were, especially hotel accommodation. I'm used to riding around in Switzerland, and used to Swiss prices, and I never expected that I would find a country that was significantly more expensive than Switzerland to visit... but, Norway qualified for that.

Norway is a pleasant country, and it is especially attractive up north (I used to visit Bodø regularly for business purposes, but I always flew in). But, holy crow, it is one heck of an expensive country to ride in, and I can only guess that as you get farther up north, prices likely increase due to the added transportation costs of getting everything there.

If you have not done so already, do suss out what hotel, fuel, and food costs will be for your expected trip, this to avoid an unpleasant surprise once you get there.

Michael

Whilst there is little doubt that Norway can be expensive, it can also be surprisingly affordable if you think ahead. Fuel costs will depend upon your mileage, but, last year, fuel was a similar price to the UK at the time (about £1.20 per litre).

Accomodation costs can vary significantly - sleeping in a decent hotel, eating out and having a few beers in a city centre will cost a small fortune and will rapidly destroy your holiday budget. Two years ago I paid nearly £90 for 1 night in a single room in Kristiansand and a small beer was nearly £10.

At the other extreme, wild camping, shopping in supermarkets, cooking your own meals and giving up booze will mean you can eat and sleep for about £15 per day or less.

And if you don't want to rough it by wild camping you can always use a campsite - either in a tent (about £10 per night) or a Hytte or Hut - think of a large wooden shed, with lighting, heating, insulation basic cooking facilities and (typically) 4 bunk beds (you will need your own sleeping bag) for about £30 per night for up to 4 people.

So you don't need t be scared off Norway by the cost of being there - it can be expensive, or it can be cheap ! You just need to plan ahead and go in with your eyes open !

When I went to Norway last summer I was on a budget - I could have afforded to spend 5 or 6 nights in hotels, or, as I did in the end, I had 21 nights in a mix of wild camping, Hytte, and campsites.

Hi Steve,

Like Rachel I'm also heading for the north cape a few weeks after you, but I want to go up through Finland and down through Norway.

Although I'm living in Heidelberg, I'll start from Frankfurt like you. I'm quite often I Frankfurt (family & friends), so if you want we could grab a beer when you there.

Cheers Daniel

Hi there RachelAnne

I am a norwegian and have done a good bit of riding in Norway. I would say your plan is totally doable. In fact it could be done easily in 3 days. But you will have plenty of time to stop for photos and coffee. And hopefully to admire the scenery too.
I would have considered an alternative route in the northern parts - Route 17 from above Trondheim, ferry from Bodø to Lofoten, ride through the Lofoten islands and the Vesterålen ditto and then a ferry from the northern tip of Vesterålen called Andenes to Gryllefjord on the Senja island. And ride over the Senja island and another ferry to Kvaløya and then to Tromsø - the biggest town on northern Norway.
You will see the nice coast of Helgeland (the lower part of northern Norway, the magnificent islands of Lofoten and Vesterålen, the Senja island (Norways biggest island) and the charmibg town of Tromsø - the biggest in northern Norway.

The E6 route north of Trondheim is rather boring up until maybe around Bjerkvik.

Anyhow - have a nice trip and enjoy!

Hi RachelAnne,

Feel free to race the Finland leg. :) Finland is mostly straight, flat, empty, fast, and boring. When I went to Nordkapp, I had an easy three-day ride up there - Helsinki to Oulu, Oulu to Muonio, Muonio via Alta to Honningsvag. That was without long-distance experience (my first solo season), on a naked bike, with comfy early stops. Going via the eastern route back down took longer, but four days for Finland down the west route on a Pan European? You'll be bored.

Leave yourself more time for Norway, and try to stay off the E6 as much as you can - it's narrow and congested. No point going all that way just to dodge lorries.

I strongly suggest you go via Hellesylt and take the car ferry from there to Geiranger, which is one of the most beautiful fjord views in Norway... then go north from there via the Eagle's Road. You can also skip Hellesylt, but the southern stretch of Rv63 going down to Geiranger was quite bad - very twisty and potholed (and I was stuck behind a caravan, in the driving rain!).

Then you get to go down the rest of Rv63 via Andalsnes, and do the Trollstigen. You'll be doing it the wrong way around, because the southern approach is very gradual, and you'll be going down the switchback rather than up it, but it's still worth it.

The Atlantic Road is cool, but the tunnel from the end of it to Kristiansund was the only place in Norway where they actually forced me to pay the road toll. :P And Kristiansund itself is a fairly miserable town.

If you go via Bodo, then you can catch a fast ferry from there to the south tip of Lofoten, which would be a tragedy to miss. It depends on your endurance, but this summer I did Narvik via Harstadt, up to Andenes at the north tip, and down to Kabelvag - all in half a day. Harstadt looked absolutely lovely by the way, and Andenes was also a nice place to aim for, with a view of catching the early ferry to Senja island, and ultimately to Tromso.

I wouldn't bother. ;) Honningsvag, the village with the nice hotels closest to Nordkapp, is kind of abysmal. It's an industrial fishing hub. The Nordkapp complex itself is a destination - take your picture next to the globe... the road from Honningsvag to Nordkapp is very, very good, but unless you're going on a puffin safari it's not really worth hanging around. Better to give yourself more time for the ride up through Norway and staying off the E6.

Oh yes, and if you haven't seen the movie "Börning", I strongly suggest it. It will inspire you even more to ride through Norway. :)

Oh yes, and if anyone is going through Estonia on their way to/from Nordkapp, let me know. ;)

I'll be heading down through Estonia after Norway and Finland. I would love to meet up.

Hi RachelAnne,

I made Nordkapp twice (2009 solo and 2013 with my wife). Your plan is similar to mine. If you are interested I can send you (or any other else) my track log file starting in Hamburg (I got there by DB Autozug) and then rode Danmark to Hirtshals and took ferry to Kristiansand.

Best
Paul

That would be great, thank you Paul. I've PM'd my email address :)

Rachel

No e_mail adress found...

What month are you planning on going? My wife and I are heading from the north of Scotland to the Nordkapp in June. We intend to arrive there for the summer solstice, 0034hrs on the 21st June. We then plan to return through Finland, Estonia, Lativia, Lithuania, Poland Gernamy and the Netherlands!

I'm leaving Somerset on the 1st July, Norway at lunch time on the 3rd July and overnight at Nordkapp on the 9th & 10th July, so I'm a few weeks after you.

I did briefly think about being at Nordkapp for the 21st June but my opposite number at work is having holiday at the start of June so I can't take time off as well. Also, going a few weeks later gives a little more melt time for the snow :clap:

i took a trip up north last year (well actually i went everywhere) and i blasted through the northern part of sweden/finland in a few hours, i had my throttle wide open in finland, 1 hour i cut through from Karesuando to the norway border near troms.... it was straight and trees and boring if i recall....
but yeah, sometimes in norway you can get caught up because of the crazy weather, i was stuck riding 20kmh over hardangervidda this summer because of INTENSE fog, like i could see maybe 2m at most.... then there comes all the ferries, it can take considerably longer than you think, or than your satnav says....
but to give an idea, i rode from bergen to kristiansand in around 10 hours, but maps says its 5 hours. (although that was with a leaky fuel tank!)
just send a PM if anyone has any questions, i know the area around bergen quite well, and im free most of the time as i sort of only work for myself.

The problem with pinning the throttle out there is that there can always be reindeer on the road. Reindeer don't give a damn, they will just stand there in the middle of the tarmac over a crest, hanging out.

yeah, in the north its reindeer, in the south and west its sheep, my bike tops out at maybe 120kmh, so its not as fast as it sounds....

Ah, okay. :) I was definitely doing more than that on those roads... started in Rovaniemi around 8am, got through half of Finland and all of Sweden sideways, was at the Polar Park north of Narvik by ~2pm. (Including time change.) Was a boring ride until the mountains around Riksgrensen.

im heading that way....would love to know more and maybe do a few miles together.....

The plan is totally doable and its not too much riding so you'll actually enjoy it! :) Be sure to camp in Norway if that's your thing, if weather is good its the best!

Skip through Finland, the forests are only interesting for the first hour, nothing exciting apart from dodging reindeers on the road (and the revenge comes at the next petrol station in the form of reindeer burger).

Why go to Finland and Ride back through Sweeden. That seems like it'll eat away loads of time you could be spending taking it a little easier in Norway.

higher speed limits and better roads, here in norway its all winding crazy mountain roads think of it like taking the A1 from london to cambridge vs taking some tiny little backroads.... well norway has ocean, but my analagy still stands....

I'll be heading up to the Nordkapp going the other way starting on the 8th of July, Oslo then up through Sweden and Finland before coming back down through Norway.

I wanted to get the big miles in early on so I would know how much time i had to ride down the Norwegian coast.

I'm shipping my Triumph Explorer to Oslo from Aberdeen as I don't have time to ride round due to a 3-3 offshore, then flying over and meeting it.

I bought my heated gear recently having how warm it's not going to be...

weather update for you from near bergen...
it snowed 2 days ago, its rained non stop since last week, that stupid drizzle that gets you soaked but you cannot see it.....

Hi RachelAnne :)

Sorry if I repeat what's already been said, but wanted to share some hints and tips from our trip last year :)

I think I noted someone else recommending hyttes - they are BRILLIANT! Clean, comfortable, often with amenities :) I was a bit paranoid and pre-booked as they do book out quite quickly through Summer, and some of the receptions close really early. We only had 14 days total for our trip so we were on a high milage schedule, but if you are on less of a mission then you could probably happily wing it.

I'd recommend carrying picnic type food - a lot of places don't have late opening shops cafes or restaurants.

We did Hull-Zeebrugge ferry/ Zeebrugge - Travemunde road/ Travemunde - Helsinki ferry. Finland is the lowlands and the riding is easy, but it's mostly forest so watch out for the suicidal reindeer! We crossed into Norway right in the North, and as soon as we did the great biking roads began!

Cutting to the chase, the best tip I can give you is to travel to Havoysund - either on your way to or from Nordkapp. Nordkapp was an anti-climax for me - a HUGE car park and literally BUSLOADS of tourists! I'm still glad we did it, but we had ridden to Havoysund the day before on a complete whim, and for me that was the definite highlight of the trip :) Take a trip out to the Arctic View cafe - it's about 5km of dirt road to the end of the island, but it's a good track with good visibility. At the end is a rock car park which is pretty safe, but have a puck handy in case. The food we ate at the cafe was lovely, and I cannot recommend this place enough. That place to me truly felt like the end of the earth, and I am so pleased we stumbled across it :)

If you're coming back through Norway then the Lofoten islands are recommended, but again book the Bodo ferry in advance as it books up for Summer. Everyone raves about the Trollstigen. I am not such a fan - mountain hairpins and hundreds of coaches wasn't my idea of fun, but the roads around the area of the Trollstigen were the most immense :)

We encountered a closed road due to a landslide whilst we were there - the detour was about 100 miles long and involved a ferry!! Very pretty though :) We did a few detours along the way, what we thought might take us an hour was usually more like 4 ;)

Finally, we came back from Oslo-Hirtshals ferry, then had to hoof 1000km in 10 hours. It was a slog, but we made our ferry with a couple of minutes to spare ;) Oh - that is a tip too - Zeebrugge ferry port is like nothing I've ever seen before!! You have to ride for about 50kms from the first port before you get to the passenger terminus!! That was a shocker!!

Anyways... if I haven't bored you - some photos of our trip are here :) HAVE FUN!!! bier

Thanks for your comments Diablo, especially the recommendation of Havoysund, I'll have a look at including that on the way up through Norway bier.

I've got everything booked now - hyttes, (major) ferries and Le Shuttle.

I am doing it at a flying pace because I'm riding alone and for me it's all about the travel rather than stopping to find the history of various towns etc.

My itinerary in brief is:

1st July: Leave Somerset crossing on Le Shuttle and head to Hirtshals
3rd July: AM Ferry from Hirtshals to Langesund followed by about 150 miles in Norway
4th to 9th July: Make my way to Nordkapp where I'm booked into a hotel for two nights
11th to 13th July: Run down through Finland (probably diverting at the end of the 11th to see the Finnish/Russian border), picking up the overnight ferry from Turku to Stockholm on the 13th.
14th to 16th July: Stockholm to Calais
17th July: Calais to Somerset.

As with you, that is quite a pace at nearly 310 miles/day average and a maximum daily mileage of about 550 but the point of my trip is Norway, where I reduce my mileage to an average of (only) 250 miles/day - still a lot for many people I know but I do like being on the move.

Maybe in my case it was because I was there in late June, which is before most of the tourists, but I've found that the fast ferry from Moskenes had room for any bikes that arrived... I got to the port with everyone already lined up, just rode to the front of the line to join the other bikes, bought a ticket from the lady walking around the staging area, and got on. The way the deck is laid out, there's plenty of room for bikes in a corner that would not fit a truck or car. I can definitely imagine it being sold out for cars, though.

Just a thought, if you want to see the Russian border, it might be more interesting to go in the very far north, the Kirkenes-Murmansk road.

Border control between Russia and Finland
 

In case you are planning on doing a little side trip into Russia, it looks like the two border crossings between Lapland and Russia are closed to all but Finnish or Russian citizens (avoiding refugees). The Kirkeness crossing (Norway) is open, and so are the southern crossings into Finland. Of course, this may change on a daily basis so be sure to check.

I'm hoping to go to Murmansk, then south and back into Finland just north of St. Petersburg. Anyone have any experience with this part of Russia?

Hello
I'm living in Moscow. I went to Murmansk in 2013 as part of my trip to Norway. In that part of Russia there is one good road and plenty of less good roads. The good road called Kola (E105). It connects Murmansk and Petrozavodsk. It's in good condition and possible to ride even on HD. The only issue is petrol stations, you will not meet it very often. I drove Honda XL600 Transalp and fill the tank (from south to north) in Kem' town then in Louhi village then Apatiti town and finally in Murmansk. To south from Petrozavodsk there is no issues with roads and petrol.

There are also few gravel roads along Russia-Finland border which may be funny but I didn't ride there and can't comment its.

Hope it was useful.

Hi Chainflinger. Thank you for the information... it is very useful.

I'm also planning on coming to Moscow at the end of July or beginning of August. I'll probably be entering Russia from Latvia. It would be great to meet up and share a few beers (vodka?). Let me know how to contact you.

touring Norway
 

Hi RachelAnne, and others, they are getting your road ready for you.


I couldn't resist this clip

.Se den spektakul�re br�ytevideoen - NRK M�re og Romsdal - Lokale nyheter, TV og radio

The article doesn't autotranslate, but I think you understand.

Safe travels to all, hope you have weatherluck.

Peter in Oslo

Hi all. Any one got any updates on the current state of the roads north from Helsinki to Nordkapp. I'm currently in Hungary and weather permitting hope to get to Finland in about a week's time then head straight north. Am I being practical?

Sent from my TECNO H6 using Tapatalk

Nordkapp
 

Hi Navalarchitect, you are an early runner.

http://www.vegvesen.no/en/Home
Nothing spectacular on the Norwegian Road Authority website.

Low nighttime temps could be a problem for ice on shady areas and northfacing slopes from melting snow, as well as local flooding or avalanches.

Visit North Cape

might be interesting to you and others

Safe travels

Peter, in Oslo

Peter, thanks for the quick reply. Early running is forced by circumstance, have to be in UK by middle June. Based on what you've said I'll take a punt - so Poland here I come today.

Sent from my SM-P350 using Tapatalk

Just stumbled on this and joined the Hub

Planning similar trip N.Ireland to Nordkapp, leaving 6th July.

I have got three weeks, starting to wonder is this enough time. The plan is land in ijmuiden and leg it to Nordkapp, fastest route. Up the E4 , Sweden and across the corner of Finland. 5 days to get there

Then a more leisurely pace back down the coast of Norway. (15 days)

Interesting thread, hopefully meet a few travellers on the way.

Yesterday we booked our ferry Travemünde – Helsinki :)
We will arrive in Helsinki on the 4th of July and want to get to the North Cape in 4-5 days. Than we have about two weeks to explore Norway on the way south.

Nice to see that there will be quite some people on their way, hope to meet some of you.

Cheers Daniel

Everybody travelling Norway/Finland seems to going anti-clockwise and then there's me travelling clockwise, going North in Norway and South in Finland :oops2:

Still, even if we don't ride together perhaps we can chat in passing at stop points bier

Great blog dude!!