Motorhome trip in Norway: 3 road trip routes for 2–3 weeks
JuliaUpdated at: 09/30/2026
Reading time: 11 minutes
Deep fjords, enormous waterfalls, mountain roads and campsites surrounded by nature: Norway is one of Europe's dream destinations for a motorhome road trip. And waking up with a view of a fjord isn't just something you see in travel brochures here – with a motorhome, it can genuinely be your morning view. But with so much ground to cover, planning a road trip in Norway can be tricky. We've put together three routes for two to three weeks: a classic road trip through South Norway, a journey through the fjords of western Norway and an adventure around the Lofoten Islands. Whichever Norway road trip itinerary you choose, don't rush it. Distances can be deceptive, mountain roads take time and you'll want to stop far more often than you expect.
1. Road trip in South Norway: the classic route
Kristiansand → Oslo → Jotunheimen National Park → Geirangerfjord → Bergen → Trolltunga → Preikestolen → Kjeragbolten → Stavanger → Kristiansand (Approx. 2,000 km, 2–3 weeks)
If it's your first motorhome trip in Norway, this route is hard to beat. It includes many of the country's classics: Oslo, Jotunheimen, Geirangerfjord, Bergen and three of Norway's most famous hikes.
Starting your road trip in Kristiansand
For UK travellers, there are several ways to start your trip. You can fly to Norway and hire a motorhome locally or bring your own motorhome across to mainland Europe and continue north through Denmark.
For this particular road trip in South Norway, Kristiansand makes a convenient starting point thanks to its ferry connections with Denmark.
Kristiansand itself is a pleasant harbour city, so spend your first night here rather than immediately setting off. It's also a useful place to stock the motorhome before heading north.
The original route recommends the motorhome parking area on Odderøya, close to the city centre and situated beside a small bay.
Oslo and Jotunheimen National Park
From Kristiansand, continue towards Oslo.
Rather than taking your motorhome right into the centre, consider staying around the Oslofjord and visiting the capital as a day trip. That way, you get the best of both worlds: museums, restaurants and city life during the day, with a quieter campsite or motorhome stop afterwards.
Then it's time for the mountains.
Jotunheimen National Park is home to some of Norway's highest peaks, glaciers, mountain lakes and hiking trails. If walking is one of the main reasons for your motorhome trip in Norway, you'll probably want more than one night here.
Vettisfossen is another worthwhile stop in the region. With a free fall of 275 metres, it's one of Norway's highest unregulated waterfalls.
Geirangerfjord and Bergen
Next comes one of the most famous stops on any Norway road trip itinerary: Geirangerfjord.
Take a boat trip through the fjord to see waterfalls such as the Seven Sisters and the Suitor before continuing towards Bergen.
After so much nature, Bergen brings a welcome change of pace. Explore the colourful wooden buildings around Bryggen, wander through the harbour and make time for a seafood meal.
Bergen is also a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, so this is definitely not the place to live entirely off campervan pasta.
Trolltunga, Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten
Between Bergen and Stavanger, three of Norway's most famous hikes are waiting for you.
Trolltunga is the famous rock ledge extending high above Ringedalsvatnet. It's a demanding full-day mountain hike, so plan carefully and check the conditions before setting off.
Further south, Preikestolen – or Pulpit Rock – gives you sweeping views over Lysefjord from its enormous natural rock platform.
Then there's Kjeragbolten, the boulder wedged between two mountain walls almost 1,000 metres above Lysefjord.
All three are impressive, but don't try to squeeze them into consecutive days simply because they're on the same route. They're demanding hikes and weather conditions can change quickly in the Norwegian mountains.
Build rest days into your itinerary, particularly if hiking is one of the main reasons for your trip.
Afterwards, continue to Stavanger before eventually looping back towards Kristiansand.
Only have two weeks?
You can complete this road trip in South Norway in two weeks, but it will be busy. We'd rather remove one or two stops than skip every rest day. Norway is much more enjoyable when your itinerary leaves room for spontaneous stops.
Can you wild camp with a motorhome in Norway?
Norway's famous right to roam, or Allemannsretten, gives people considerable freedom to enjoy the countryside. But there's an important distinction for motorhome travellers: the right to roam doesn't give you permission to drive or park wherever you like.
You must not drive or park off-road on uncultivated land. When overnight parking is permitted beside a public road, stay at least 150 metres from houses and cabins and follow all local signs and restrictions.
As a general rule, you shouldn't remain in the same place for more than two nights without the landowner's permission.
Rest areas and passing places aren't automatically campsites either. Passing places must remain clear, while many scenic-route rest areas are intended for short stops rather than overnight stays.
For an easier motorhome trip in Norway, use official campsites and designated motorhome pitches whenever possible. Norway has plenty of campsites in wonderful locations, and you'll also have proper facilities for water and waste disposal.
2. West Norway road trip: fjords and scenic roads
Oslo → Lillehammer → Rondane National Park → Trondheim → Atlantic Road → Trollstigen → Ålesund → Geiranger → Flåm → Bergen → Øvre Eidfjord → Oslo (Approx. 2,000 km, 3 weeks)
The second of our Norway road trip routes starts in Oslo and heads towards the fjords and mountains of western Norway.
If you're travelling from the UK, flying to Oslo and hiring your motorhome there can be considerably more efficient than driving all the way from home – especially if you only have two or three weeks.
Spend some time exploring the capital before heading north.
Lillehammer and Rondane National Park
Your first stop is Lillehammer, known internationally for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics but also worth visiting for its colourful wooden buildings and relaxed setting beside Lake Mjøsa.
The original route recommends Lillehammer Camping, close to the town centre and directly beside the lake. During the day, visit Maihaugen, one of Norway's largest open-air museums.
From Lillehammer, continue towards Rondane National Park, Norway's oldest national park. This rugged mountain area is home to one of the country's remaining wild reindeer populations and has an extensive network of hiking trails.
Jotunheimen National Park from route one is another option if you prefer its more dramatic mountain scenery.
Trondheim and the Atlantic Road
Next up is Trondheim.
Swap four wheels for two for the day and explore the city by bike, then make time for the impressive Nidaros Cathedral before getting back on the road.
And the road itself is about to become an attraction.
The Atlantic Road connects a series of small islands and skerries using eight bridges. It's only a short stretch of road, but the combination of ocean, bridges and exposed coastal scenery makes it one of Norway's best-known drives.
This is exactly why Norway works so well as a motorhome destination: sometimes getting to the next stop is the highlight.
Trollstigen and Ålesund
Another famous mountain road lies further south: Trollstigen, with its hairpin bends and dramatic mountain scenery.
If it's open and your vehicle is suitable, allow plenty of time and drive carefully. Norway's scenic roads can be narrow, and larger motorhomes require extra caution.
Then continue towards Ålesund, famous for its Art Nouveau architecture.
Walk up to the Aksla viewpoint for panoramic views across the city, surrounding islands and fjords.
Geiranger, Flåm and Nærøyfjord
From Ålesund, the route takes you back towards Geirangerfjord before continuing south to Flåm.
One of the highlights here is the famous Flåm Railway, which climbs from the fjord towards Myrdal through steep mountain scenery.
Alternatively, swap rails for water and take a cruise through Nærøyfjord, where steep mountains rise almost vertically from the water.
Flåm Camping & Hostel makes a convenient base for both activities.
Bergen and Hardangervidda
Continue via Bergen before heading towards Øvre Eidfjord.
This is a fantastic base for exploring Hardangervidda, Europe's largest mountain plateau. Spend a day hiking before visiting Vøringsfossen, one of Norway's best-known waterfalls.
The original route recommends Myklatun Camping beside the water as a simple place to stop before eventually returning to Oslo.
Three weeks is ideal for this itinerary. If you only have two, remove at least two or three destinations rather than trying to drive the full route at speed.
3. Lofoten by motorhome: Norway's wild north
Tromsø → Evenes → Sortland → Stokmarknes → Svolvær → Henningsvær → Nusfjord → Ramberg → Å → Bodø → Narvik → Tromsø (Approx. 1,200 km, 2–3 weeks)
Our final Norway road trip route takes you much further north to the Lofoten Islands.
The islands themselves can technically be explored in less than a week. But once you're there, you'll understand why we recommend taking much longer. Around almost every bend there's another beach, mountain or fishing village that makes you want to stop.
A motorhome gives you the flexibility to do exactly that.
For UK travellers, flying to northern Norway and hiring a motorhome locally is by far the most practical approach unless Lofoten is part of a much longer Scandinavian road trip.
Tromsø to the Vesterålen
Start in Tromsø, northern Norway's largest city and a popular base for seeing the Northern Lights.
The aurora can potentially be seen from late August into early April, when skies are sufficiently dark and clear, although sightings are never guaranteed.
From Tromsø, continue towards Evenes. The original route recommends Evenes Camping beside the Ofotfjord.
Next, take a detour through the Vesterålen Islands towards Sortland, known as the Blue City because many of its buildings have been painted in shades of blue.
Continue to Stokmarknes, where the Hurtigruten Museum tells the story of Norway's famous coastal route.
Svolvær and Henningsvær
From here, continue towards Svolvær, one of Lofoten's main towns.
The landscape becomes increasingly dramatic as steep mountains rise almost directly from the sea.
In Svolvær, visit Magic Ice or head outdoors and hike up Tjeldbergtinden for views across the islands.
Then continue towards Henningsvær, one of Lofoten's most photographed fishing villages. Built across several small islands, it's sometimes nicknamed the "Venice of the North".
If you want another hike, Festvågtind provides far-reaching views over the village and surrounding sea.
Unstad, Haukland and some of Norway's best beaches
Beaches might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a road trip in Norway, but Lofoten may change that.
Unstad is one of Norway's best-known surfing destinations. Even if you don't fancy getting into the Arctic water yourself, it's a fantastic place to stop and watch the surfers.
Haukland Beach is another highlight, with pale sand and clear turquoise water surrounded by mountains.
Nusfjord, Ramberg and Å
Continue towards the traditional fishing villages of Nusfjord and Ramberg before hiking to Kvalvika Beach, which can only be reached on foot.
Your final stop on Lofoten is Å, at the end of the E10.
With red rorbuer fishermen's cabins, dramatic mountains and the sea surrounding the village, it feels like a suitably remote endpoint.
From Moskenes, take the ferry across to Bodø before driving back towards Tromsø with an overnight stop around Narvik.
Practical tips for a motorhome trip in Norway
A little preparation makes driving in Norway considerably easier.
Many roads are narrower and more winding than UK travellers may be used to, particularly around the fjords and mountains. Use passing places correctly, allow local traffic to overtake and don't assume you need to drive at the maximum permitted speed.
Some scenic routes aren't suitable for larger motorhomes at all, so check your planned roads against your vehicle dimensions. Norway has 18 official Scenic Routes, but not every one is appropriate for every motorhome.
ferries are simply part of travelling around Norway. Prices generally depend partly on vehicle length, and that measurement can include things such as a rear-mounted bike rack. Check the relevant ferry operator before travelling.
Norway also has an extensive toll-road system. If you're hiring locally, ask the rental company how tolls are charged. If you're bringing your own UK-registered motorhome, check the current AutoPASS arrangements before setting off.
Finally, don't underestimate distances. A 200-kilometre drive through western Norway can take much longer than the same distance on a UK motorway – and that's before you've stopped at three waterfalls, a viewpoint and a bakery along the way.
Which Norway road trip itinerary is right for you?
For a first motorhome trip in Norway, we'd choose southern Norway. It gives you the classic combination of fjords, mountains, cities and famous hikes, and works brilliantly as a two- or three-week loop.
Choose West Norway if the journey itself matters just as much as the destinations. The Atlantic Road, mountain passes, ferries and fjord roads make this the most road-trip-focused of the three itineraries.
And choose Lofoten if you're willing to travel further for wilder landscapes, fishing villages, beaches and Arctic scenery.
Whichever of these Norway road trip routes you choose, leave some space in your itinerary. The best part of a road trip in Norway is often the place that wasn't on your list at all.
Do you have any feedback on the article, questions about booking a motorhome, or are you looking for tips? Then feel free to write to us here. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
