Like many travellers, we\u2019d long had our eye on the classic loop through Norway, Sweden and Finland with a return via the Baltic states. Summer 2024 finally felt right, so we set off on an unforgettable adventure \u2014 and of course brought our dog Iba along.<\/p>\n\n
This itinerary follows our real journey and is written so you can use it as inspiration or as a ready\u2011made road trip plan. Each day is a short story in itself \u2014 we clearly distinguish what we actually did and what other options each place naturally offers.<\/p>\n\n
We\u2019ve covered many of the places mentioned in separate, in\u2011depth articles. You\u2019ll find links to them throughout the itinerary.<\/p>\n\n
Shortly after lunch we leave Bratislava for a long push across the Czech Republic and Poland to the port town of \u015awinouj\u015bcie on the Baltic Sea. Thanks to Poland\u2019s excellent motorways we cover most of the distance smoothly, with minimal delays. In the evening we board the overnight ferry<\/a> to Trelleborg, Sweden, and watch the mainland slip away.<\/p>\n\n We arrive in Trelleborg in the morning and start the day with a quick breakfast in Malm\u00f6. Then we head to the \u00d8resund Bridge (\u00d8resundsbron), which links Malm\u00f6 with Copenhagen, and admire this regional landmark \u2014 a monumental line that disappears elegantly on the horizon between sea and sky. Later we stretch our legs on Tyl\u00f6sand\u2019s sandy beach, steeped in that distinct Nordic seaside vibe. By afternoon we slip inland to the quieter countryside around Bor\u00e5s, where we finally catch up on the sleep we missed on the ferry.<\/p>\n\n We continue northwest to Sm\u00f6gen, a photogenic Swedish fishing village known for its wooden Sm\u00f6genbryggan boardwalk and bright cabins. A stroll along the water sets the summer coastal mood. Then we cross into Norway, ferry across the Oslofjord and head inland to the Gautefall area in southern Norway.<\/p>\n\n After a few intense driving days, we finally slow down. We settle into the Setesdalsheiene mountains by Lake Birtevatn. The place grabs us straight away \u2014 silence, mountains, forest and water: exactly the Norway we came for. We take short walks, explore the surroundings and camp under the northern sky.<\/p>\n\n We hike up Kviptefjell<\/a> (903 m) \u2014 not difficult, very rewarding \u2014 and look out over a mosaic of lakes and waterways rippling across Setesdalsheiene like a natural map of southern Norway. Back at the car we pack up and drive toward the Lysefjord. We find a cabin through inatur.no \u2014 Norway\u2019s hut system proves simple and reliable once again.<\/p>\n\n At first light we roll into Lysebotn, a tiny village at the very end of the fjord, reached by an iconic hairpin road. From here we set out on one of Norway\u2019s most famous hikes \u2014 to Kjeragbolten<\/a>, the legendary boulder wedged high above Lysefjord, an icon of the fjords and a dream for many travellers. The views are every bit as dramatic as we imagined. Afterwards we take the ferry from Lysebotn toward Lauvvik, gliding past Fl\u00f8rli and its famous ,444 steps, and in the evening we move on to the Tau area near Stavanger.<\/p>\n\n From Tau we head north and take the silent, modern electric ferry between Hjelmeland and Nesvik \u2014 a crossing that feels almost futuristic. We stop at Bl\u00e5sj\u00f8, Norway\u2019s largest artificial lake, sprawled across a stark high\u2011mountain plateau and more like an inland northern sea than a classic reservoir. In the afternoon we visit the Stegastein viewpoint above Aurland and then drive through the L\u00e6rdal Tunnel (24.5 km), the longest road tunnel in the world \u2014 an experience that lasts longer than you expect.<\/p>\n\n We cross the Sognefjellet pass on Road 55 and enter Jotunheimen, Norway\u2019s highest mountains. We base ourselves by the Leirvassbu hut in the Leira valley. It\u2019s rugged and majestic country; while there are plenty of tough routes, we keep a sensible pace and opt for a relatively easier goal \u2014 Kyrkja<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n We stay inland and mix rest with a resupply run. Along the way we make a detour to Lake Aursj\u00f8en in Dovrefjell\u2013Sunndalsfjella National Park. Set at 856 m and ringed by mountains, the lake has a dramatic, austere feel.<\/p>\n\n We drive to \u00c5ndalsnes, gateway to the popular Romsdalseggen ridge<\/a>, one of Norway\u2019s most photogenic and sought\u2011after panoramas. We take the Romsdalen Gondola and continue along the ridge toward Mj\u00f8lvafjellet (1,216 m). Views over the Romsdalen valley, the Rauma river and surrounding glaciers are among the best on the route.<\/p>\n\n After a long sleep we continue to \u00c5lesund<\/a>, famed for its Art Nouveau architecture and the viewpoint on Mount Aksla. Then we follow Road 659 across a string of islands<\/a>, where sleek bridges and tunnels meet the traditional fishing world of Norway\u2019s coast. We find quiet beaches, small harbours and an authentic shoreline far from the main tourist flow.<\/p>\n\n On Har\u00f8ya we climb Har\u00f8yburet<\/a> (156 m) for open\u2011sea views. A ferry takes us back to the mainland and we continue to the Atlantic Ocean Road<\/a> with its iconic Storseisundbrua bridge. We end the day in Kristiansund.<\/p>\n\n A long driving day takes us through Trondheim and further north toward Harran. We mainly cover distance and rest \u2014 there are remoter goals still ahead.<\/p>\n\n In the morning we catch the ferry to the island of Leka<\/a>. Its geology is striking \u2014 slices of oceanic crust pushed to the surface give the landscape a completely different character. After a few hours of exploring we continue north to Mo i Rana.<\/p>\n\n We drive on to Bod\u00f8 with two standout stops. First, the Marble Castle<\/a> (Marmorslottet) on the Glom\u00e5ga river, where water has sculpted fantastical marble formations. Then we cross the Arctic Circle at the Arctic Circle Centre. In the evening we board the ferry from Bod\u00f8 to the island of V\u00e6r\u00f8y.<\/p>\n\n On V\u00e6r\u00f8y we roam the island\u2019s northern side \u2014 dramatic cliffs, empty beaches \u2014 and climb H\u00e5en<\/a> (438 m). The island feels wild yet peaceful. In the evening a ferry carries us to Lofoten, landing at Moskenes.<\/p>\n\n After arriving on Moskenes\u00f8y at night, we find a camping spot near Reine. Later we hike Ryten<\/a> (543 m), one of Lofoten\u2019s classic viewpoints, where the famous view opens over Kvalvika Beach. We wind down the evening in Stamsund.<\/p>\n\n We continue along the E10 toward Svolv\u00e6r. There\u2019s a stop in Henningsv\u00e6r to see perhaps the world\u2019s most iconic football pitch, then another at V\u00e5gan Church (the Lofoten Cathedral). We take a ferry to the island of Skrova<\/a> to explore its beaches and the Skrova fyr lighthouse. The day ends with a drive to Narvik across the H\u00e5logaland Bridge.<\/p>\n\n We begin the return leg. Following the E10 we leave Norway for Sweden, pause at Masugnsbyns naturreservat<\/a>, and cross the Arctic Circle again near Juoksengi. Evening finds us by the Torne river at Svansteins Beach.<\/p>\n\n We enter Finland and aim for Rovaniemi, visit Santa Claus Village right on the Arctic Circle, then continue south toward Vaasa.<\/p>\n\nDay 2<\/h2>\n\n
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