On August 4th, 2022, we traveled to Ålesund. After a leisurely morning exploring London, we caught an afternoon flight, which included a stop in Bergen before arriving in Ålesund just before midnight. The highlight of the day was the taxi ride from the airport to our hotel. We experienced a unique journey through tunnels that dive several kilometers beneath the ocean, with the deepest sections reaching about 287 meters (942 feet) below sea level—a first for me.
The next day, August 5th, we kicked off our road trip around the Norwegian Fjords. Our journey began in Ålesund and would take us through Innfjorden, Sylte, Norddal, and Geiranger. Our first stop was the quaint village of Innfjorden, located about 90 minutes from Ålesund. While Innfjorden and the nearby Isfjorden are relatively quiet with few attractions, we chose to stay here to immerse ourselves in a more authentic Norwegian experience. We enjoyed a night in a cozy cabin, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.
Day 2 Road Trip: Innfjorden to Sylte 08.06.2022
Driving from Isfjorden to Sylte along Road 63 is a mesmerizing journey through Norway’s spectacular landscapes. Spanning about 40 kilometers (25 miles) and taking roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour, this route showcases dramatic mountain scenery and several must-see attractions. Key highlights include the iconic Trollstigen pass with its thrilling hairpin turns and breathtaking viewpoints, as well as the impressive Stigfossen Waterfall cascading down the mountainside. Although we missed out on Gudbrandsjuvet Gorge due to rough weather, it’s a picturesque spot with walkways and viewpoints that I plan to revisit during our stay in Sylte. This drive is a fantastic way to experience Norway’s rugged beauty and captivating waterfalls.
After settling into our Airbnb, we set out from Sylte to Geiranger. This drive, covering approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) via Eidsdal on Route 63, typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. A highlight of the journey is the ferry crossing from Eidsdal to Linge, which lasts about 15 minutes and offers stunning fjord views. The ferry costs between 100-150 NOK (about $10-$15 USD) per car and accepts credit cards. En route, we stopped at Ørnesvingen viewpoint for panoramic vistas of Geirangerfjord and the famous Seven Sisters Waterfall.
Our time in Geiranger was brief since the fjord trips were fully booked for the day, but we’ve scheduled a visit for later in the week. On our way back to Sylte, we encountered an unexpected treat: a nameless waterfall in Norddal, conveniently visible from the road without the need for a hike.
To cap off the day, we had planned to go canyoning, but due to high water levels, we rescheduled for a rafting adventure. Having rafted before in Slovenia on class 1 and 2 rapids, this experience on class 3 rapids was exhilarating! The cost was 1,299 NOK (about 120 USD) with Ute Guiden. Rafting on the Valldøla River offered a thrilling mix of excitement and natural beauty, with stunning views of lush landscapes and rugged mountains.
Day 3 Road Trip: Canyoning in Valldal 08.07.2022
While our primary goal for visiting Norway was to explore our heritage, canyoning is my ultimate adventure activity. It offers a unique glimpse into nature that few get to experience. Although we were initially disappointed when canyoning was canceled due to rain, we were thrilled to hear that the activity was back on for the next day as the weather cleared. We managed to secure three spots for a morning canyoning session with Ute Guiden, at a cost of 1,299 NOK (about 120 USD).
This was undoubtedly the coldest water canyoning experience I’ve had, with the water temperature in Gudbrandsjuvet Canyon typically ranging between 8°C to 12°C (46°F to 54°F). Fortunately, we caught a break with the temperature at 12°C. The course offered an exhilarating mix of challenges, including via-ferrata, tight ropes, cliff jumping, bouldering, a zip line, and swimming. The adventure began with a via-ferrata and a rope bridge, followed by jumps from 3 to 12 meters—though the 12-meter jump was optional. Having previously jumped from 10 meters, the higher jump was a new thrill. The experience culminated in a swim through a white-water rapid in the stunning canyon, where serene waters from Reinheimen National Park flow between towering granite walls.
After canyoning, we decided to explore further and drove to Zakariasdammen. The drive from Sylte to Tafjord, and then on to Zakariasdammen, offered some of Norway’s most breathtaking landscapes. This journey includes passing through the Tafjord Tunnel, a 4.8-kilometer (3-mile) tunnel beneath the Tafjord region. Exiting the tunnel, we were greeted by awe-inspiring fjord views and dramatic scenery. Zakariasdammen, also known as the Zakarias Dam, stands approximately 40 meters (131 feet) high. It is nestled in a picturesque setting, surrounded by rugged mountains and fjord views, making it an ideal spot to appreciate Norway’s natural beauty and serene environment.
Day 4 Road Trip: Touring the fjord in Geiranger 08.08.2022
Today was the day our fjord cruise tour was booked. So we packed up our stuff from the Airbnb and headed to Geiranger. The tour was with Visit Geiranger and was 90 minutes long, they do have a 60 minute option available as well. The cruise covers 16 km along the whole Geirangerfjord, including the waterfalls “The Seven Sisters”, “The Suitor” and the “Bridal Veil”, the “Devil Canyon” and all the fjordfarms and the cost was 530 NOK (About 53 USD).
After the trip we drove back to Alesund. The drive is 110km and takes roughly 2 hours.
Day 5 Road Trip: Last Day in Western Norway 08.09.2022
Today was a bonus day that was set up in case canyoning was cancelled (which it was but was able to go the next day). We had booked a last minute Airbnb last night and are staying the day in Alesund. I decided I would explore the city, not much to do here and then get a Norwegian mythical tattoo to celebrate the trip, traveling and my heritage.
The tattoo I got is surrounded by the Norse alphabet and the center focus is the mythical creature “Sleipnir” which is a mythical horse in Norse mythology who is Odin’s eight-legged steed. Sleipnir is often mentioned and well-described in Norse mythological texts, including Grímnismál, Sigrdrífumál, Baldrs draumar, Hyndluljóð, and Skáldskaparmál. His name means “glider”, and he is known for being swift and powerful, able to gallop across the sea and through the air.
Off to Oslo tomorrow for to wrap up the trip then heading back to the states, Cheers!
