Norway road trip: our 10-night fjords loop from Oslo
We'd been dreaming about Norway for years, and somehow our little home for the trip ended up being an old red postman's van called Posty! We spent ten nights winding between fjords, waterfalls, campsites and a fairly ridiculous number of bakeries. This is the loop we actually took, including the places we changed our minds about when the weather had other ideas.
Our van booking ran from 17 to 27 September 2026. That's ten nights in the campervan, with a collection day and a return day, rather than ten completely free sightseeing days. We also spent a night in Oslo before collecting the van and took the overnight ferry to Copenhagen afterwards.
The route at a glance
We started with Garen and the Hardanger area, then walked to Bondhusvatnet and stayed at Sundal Camping. The next day took us past Låtefossen and Café Rose in Odda, before our free overnight stop near Undredal. The route continued through Undredal, Flåm, Fjærland and the Bøyabreen viewpoint before Løken and Geiranger. From there we crossed towards Gudbrandsjuvet and Trollstigen, stayed near Åndalsnes, then returned through Dombås, Otta and Valdres. This is a southern fjords loop. Adding Lofoten would turn it into a different trip.
Start with time for the van
Collecting Posty was exciting, but it also meant learning how our home for the next ten nights worked. Water, heating, the fridge, cooking and the toilet all deserved a proper explanation before we drove away. We reached Garen late on our first evening. If I were planning that day again, I'd protect more time for the handover and groceries instead of treating collection as a quick stop.
The next stretch gave us Vøringsfossen, pastries at Vik Bakeri and the walk into Bondhusdalen. The waterfall viewpoints and valley walk were lovely, but they weren't all the same kind of stop. Leave enough daylight for the walk rather than counting everything as a photo beside the road.
Give the fjord villages their own space
Undredal was a lovely little village stop, while Flåm came with a bakery visit. We didn't take the railway or a cruise, so our day doesn't need the time or budget those experiences would add. Fjærland was another detour I was very glad we made. Some bookshops had closed for the season, but the honesty shelves and setting still made it worth a wander.
After the Bøyabreen viewpoint we continued to Løken. Waking up beside the lake was one of the reasons having the van felt so special. It is easy to plan only the famous attractions and forget that the overnight stop can be part of the experience too.
Geiranger to Åndalsnes
We stayed beside the fjord in Geiranger, then left via Ørnesvingen and the Eidsdal–Linge ferry. Gudbrandsjuvet was much more than a caffeine stop: the glass walls and the water below were part of what we loved about it. Trollstigen came afterwards, before Mjelva near Åndalsnes.
This day depends on road conditions and the ferry. Check the official scenic-route information for your dates. The bends we drove in September are not a guarantee that the road will be open when you go. If it is closed, rebuild the day around a current alternative rather than trying to preserve every stop.
The quieter return through the mountains
Sødahlhuset in Åndalsnes was the bun stop I'd be most excited to repeat. We also saw the Troll Wall and stopped near Kylling Bridge, where a train happened to cross while we were there. Dombås was a practical overnight base with facilities we really appreciated.
Rondane brought autumn colours and a shorter waterfall walk before Otta. We then stopped at Sjodalstugu and a viewpoint in the Besseggen area, stayed at Beitostølen and climbed Bitihorn when the weather allowed. We didn't hike Besseggen. Leira gave us a quieter final campervan night before Hønefoss, Oslo and the ferry. I'd keep that return day light: refuelling, cleaning and the handover take time.
What I would book first
Start with the van dates and collection arrangements, then work out the overnight areas. MyCamper is where we found Posty. Compare the actual vehicle's size, heating, mileage and return conditions before committing. Next, check campsite opening dates and the road sections that matter most to you.
I would leave some breathing room rather than adding another region. A lake-view evening, a bakery stop and time to change a mountain plan were all part of why we enjoyed Norway. The full itinerary below keeps those small practical details alongside the places on the map.
Plan the rest of your Norway trip
Get our Norway Fjords guide for the web guide, downloadable PDF, place map and editable itinerary. Read these next:
Watch our Norway road trip
Watch our Norway road trip on YouTube, 68m46s. It is also our latest public full-length upload at publication. Visit Ellen’s YouTube channel.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for this loop?
Our rental covered ten nights, from 17 to 27 September 2026. Arrival in Oslo and the overnight ferry added separate nights. Allow extra time if you want a slower route.
Does this route include Lofoten or Bergen?
No. It follows our southern fjords loop from Oslo, with an inland return. Adding distant regions would mean a different trip.
