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.

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?

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

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

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, 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

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.

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

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 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.

__________________
Steve Barnett
Panama City, Panama

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