7 Days in Norway: A Campervan Adventure

Norway conjures visions of deep blue fjords, majestic mountains, valleys sculpted by glaciers, and, of course, glaciers. It’s a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape, to say the least, and there’s no better way to explore it than via an immersive road trip experience. We recommend a minimum of 7 days in Norway for a proper campervan adventure, so you have enough time to tick off some of Norway’s must-visit and must-see sights.

This article will tell you why a campervan rental road trip should be your go-to for exploring this incredible country, what you can expect from your visit, and we even provide you with a full 7-day itinerary, which you can either use as is or use as inspiration and modify into your own custom road trip adventure.

Why Choose a Campervan to Spend 7 Days in Norway?

There are many reasons why a campervan is the best option for exploring countries like Norway. This includes the following:

You’ll Always Find the Right Campervan Fit

The campervan world has evolved into a place where you can find a camper for any type of family or road trip adventure: from a small compact camper for a couple or a solo-traveler to a hardy 4x4 beast for the ultimate off-the-beaten-track journey. A campervan is no longer limited to a specific type of holiday where certain roads and regions are off-limits.

It’ll Give You the Freedom and Flexibility You Want

If you go on a tour, you’ll always have a tour guide breathing down your neck trying to stick to a specific schedule. And if you take on a road trip in a normal vehicle, you’ll always have to adhere to some sort of pre-set schedule since you’ll be forced to pre-book accommodation.

Traveling in a campervan truly makes you the captain of your own adventure and allows for impromptu stops and overnight stays with no pre-booking required at certain campsites and when wild camping.

It’s Super Cost-Effective

While accommodation takes a huge chunk out of any holiday budget, you’ll be saving since your campervan rental sorts out both your accommodation and your transport. If your camper also has a kitchen, or you’ve got some outdoor cooking gear, you’ll be able to make your own budget-friendly meals, increasing savings even further.

You can Get Close to Nature Without the Discomfort and Hassle

The biggest draw of traditional camping is the way you almost become a part of your surroundings. But being this close to nature often comes with a lot of hassle and discomfort, whether it’s lying on the hard ground, the schlepp of setting up camp or packing up, etc. – at the end of your camping trip, you may feel like you need another holiday. But this is what makes a campervan an absolute game-changer.

You can now go camping, immerse yourself in nature, hassle-free, and in ultimate comfort. Imagine waking up, opening your curtains from your warm, comfortable bed, and looking out at the sparkling fjord before you. And setting up and packing up can be as easy as parking and driving off.

Campervans Defy Camping Seasons

The biggest reasons people don’t go camping during certain parts of the year are because of the weather. But with a campervan, this doesn’t matter as much, which means you can go camping earlier or later than the traditional camping season.

Prepping for Your Campervan Road Trip

The following are a few things you’ll need to consider when prepping for your 7-day campervan road trip in Norway:

Decide When To Go

The best time for your campervan road trip will be dependent on a few things:

Road Conditions

Needless to say, there will be a lot of roads involved in your campervan road trip, so road conditions will play a big part in when and where you can go. Generally speaking, the summer season and its shoulder months (June to August and May, September) offer the most pristine road conditions for a stress-free road trip.

During the colder months, road conditions can become challenging due to frost, snow, and ice on the roads. Due to the weather conditions, we actually have certain roads, especially our mountain passes, which are kept closed throughout the colder months of the year, and you may also have to deal with sudden road closures during this time, which is obviously not ideal if you’ve planned a very specific road trip route.

What You Want To Do and See

Your trip itinerary will also dictate when you should take on your Norwegian road trip. For example, if you’d like to see the scenery that inspired the movie Frozen, winter will be your go-to. Or if you’d like to participate in our activities, such as skiing, or want the chance to see the Northern Lights, winter will also be the best option for you.

However, if you want to experience a Midnight Sun or pack your itinerary with all sorts of outdoor activities like hiking and canoeing, then summer and our warmer months will be the right fit for you.

The Weather

This is more of a personal preference thing. If you don’t mind a bit of cold, it won’t bother you road-tripping through Norway during our colder months. But if you’re someone who struggles with the cold, we highly recommend you stick to our warmer months.

Your Budget

Summer is considered peak season here in Norway, and in true peak season fashion, this means peak season prices. So, if you know you’re going to be on a tight budget, summer might not be the best time for you to visit. Many opt for one of the summer shoulder months that still have many of the summer perks without the peak season drawbacks. Or you could come during the colder months, when it’s considered our “down” season. 

Decide Which Camper to Rent

Choosing the right or wrong camper for your road trip adventure in Norway can really make or break your trip. Use our quick-referencing cheat sheet below to see which type of campervan will suit you best:

Ensure You Have All the Essentials

We’re sure you’re more than capable of packing for your trip, but there might be a few things regarding a campervan road trip in Norway you didn’t know were necessary. These include the following:

• Waterproof jacket, pants, and hiking boots (this might feel a bit silly till you hit rainy weather, need to cross a stream on a hike, or go on a glacier tour; all of which can leave you absolutely soaked!)
• Thermals and a warm jacket, irrespective of season (you’ll be surprised how cold it can get if you’re camping next to one of our fjords or road-tripping one of our high mountain roads)
• Flip flops, irrespective of season (while these can come in quite handy during the warmer months, especially when spending time next to the pools, they can also be essential whenever you need to use communal showers)
• Swimsuit, irrespective of season (once again, fjord and swimming pools might be a good option during the warmer months, but many forget about our hot tubs and saunas, that’s also a favorite during the winter months)
• Quick-drying towels (there’s nothing worse than having to travel with a bunch of wet stuff lying around)
• Backpack (if you’re not already bringing one along as part of your luggage, a backpack is a great idea for day outings as well as hikes)
• Sleeping bags (here, it’s important to have a chat with your rental agent since some camper rentals do not include bedding)
• Reusable water bottles (Norway’s tap water is drinkable, so you only need to top up as you go)
• Sunscreen and sunglasses, irrespective of season (while these items seem obvious during the warmer months, many underestimate their importance during the colder months; UV rays can still get you during cold and overcast days, and the glare off snow and ice can leave you squinting everywhere you go)
• Enough chargers and power banks, especially during the colder months (many don’t know that your electronic devices’ batteries actually deplete quicker the colder it gets)
• Bug spray with DEET if you’re visiting during the warmer months and will be traveling among the lakes and the forests.
• First-aid kit (always a good idea whenever you travel anywhere, but check whether it’s not already included in your rental)
• A few rations of non-perishable and nutritious snacks such as nuts, energy bars, dried fruit, etc., and a few extra liters of water (if you ever land in trouble, especially in our remote regions, or you find yourself far from the shops, hunger and starvation won’t be an immediate concern)
• A few hard copies and downloaded offline maps (technology and signals can fail, so this way you’ll always have a backup handy)

7 Days in Norway: A Road Trip Itinerary

Below, you will find a 7-day road trip itinerary to explore the country in your camper. You can use the itinerary as is, or use it as inspiration to create your own:

Day 1: Arrival in Oslo

Drive Time: +/- 40 minutes

Today you’ll be landing at the airport, picking up your rental camper, and then spending the day exploring the capital city of Oslo. But be sure to head to bed early tonight since you’ve got a big day of driving ahead of you tomorrow!

Highlights:

• Oslo Opera House
• Karl Johans Gate
• Dining or Grabbing Something to Drink at the Aker Brygge Restaurants 

Overnight: Oslo

Day 2: Oslo to Bergen

Drive Time: +/- 8 hours

Today, you will head out of the capital city to Bergen, the second-largest city in Norway, with plenty of breathtaking views and interesting stops along the way.

Highlights:

• Holmenkollen
• Aurlandsfjord
• Lærdal Tunnel
• Village of Flam 

Overnight: Bergen

Day 3: Bergen to Alesund

Drive Time: +/- 7.5 hours

Today’s drive is characterized by beautiful fjords and islands, with bridges and ferries that will ensure your passage across. Try to get an early start so you have the afternoon and evening to explore Alesund.

Highlights:

• Hike Aksla Mountain Peak in Alesund
• Go On a Wildlife Sea Safari in Alesund
• Visit the Art Nouveau Center in Alesund 

Overnight: Alesund

Day 4: Our Famous Atlantic Ocean Road to Andalsnes (the So-Called Mountain Capital)

Drive Time: +/- 5 hours

The Atlantic Ocean Road is credited as one of Norway’s most scenic routes. So much so that it’s even made its way onto the Hollywood big screens in James Bond’s No Time to Die. This road connects the various islands and inlets like a narrow snake curling over the Atlantic Ocean. Andalsnes may be a small town, but it’s absolutely beautiful, nestled along the Romdalsfjorden, with many hiking opportunities to take in the incredible scenery.

Highlights:

• Atlantic Ocean Road (it’s an experience!)
• Rampestreken Viewpoint Andalsnes
• Go On a Hike Around Andalsnes 

Overnight: Andalsnes

Day 5: Trollstigen to Geiranger

Drive Time: +/- 3 hours

Once again, you’re in for a real experience today. The Trollstigen route winds like a snake up a mountain (858 meters above sea level to be exact) and has 11 hairpin bends that will have the adrenaline junkies among you thrilled. Continue on to Geiranger with plenty of interesting and exciting stops and sights along the way.

Highlights:

• Trollstigen (once again; it’s an experience in itself)
• Trollstigen Viewpoint
• Stigfossen Waterfall
• Geirangerfjord (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• The Seven Sisters Waterfall 

Overnight: Geiranger or Folva

Day 6: To Hemsedal via Loen

Drive Time: +/- 6 hours

Today’s drive will take you along some of the most beautiful lakes and jaw-dropping mountain views till you reach Hemsedal, one of our famous skiing stops.

Highlights:

• Oppstrynsvatnet
• Lovatnet Lake
• Loen Skylift (only if your budget allows)
• Hemsedal Ski Resort (if you’re visiting during the winter months) 

Overnight: Hemsedal

Day 7: Hemsedal and Return to the Capital

Drive Time: +/- 3 hours/ +/- 3.5 hours if you’re heading straight back to the airport

Today, you’ll be heading back to the capital city, and while some may be planning on flying back the same day, we highly recommend spending the last night in Oslo for some much-needed R&R after your week-long drive.

Highlights:

• Whatever you missed in Oslo on the first day 

Overnight: Oslo (if you’re not catching a flight back)

Where to Stay On Your Campervan Road Trip Through Norway

One of the biggest perks of traveling with a campervan is that it gives you options for overnight stays. You can consider the following:

Camping at a Campsite

We have many campsites across the country that offer different amenities and facilities. From the most basic and primitive of camping spots (for those really looking for that authentic au naturel feeling) to what can only be described as a family fun resort – you’ll find the perfect campsite for your party and your pocket.

Parking at a Bobilplassen (Campervan Overnight Parking Spot)

This won’t be your long-stay go-to, with the focus being on convenience. These parking spots (often still with pretty impressive views) are designed to get you as close to the action as possible, allowing you to walk to most attractions and facilities nearby, so the site itself doesn’t have a lot to offer. You can download the app to find your camping spot easily.

You’ll mostly have to rely on the facilities in your camper. These spots are great for impromptu stops or if you’d like to explore a city or town.

Camping/Parking Wherever

Wild Camping is still legal in Norway. This is because of our Allemannsretten, which allows anyone to roam freely on uncultivated land. But Allemannsretten isn’t there to be abused, and you’ll need to keep the following in mind if you plan on doing some wild camping along your road trip:

• You’re not allowed to camp within 150 meters of an inhabited residence.
• Unless you have explicit permission from the landowner of a property, you are not allowed to wild camp at the same spot for more than 2 days.
• You need to treat your surroundings with the utmost care and respect; no littering, no trampling, etc.
• The Allemansretten argument doesn’t count if there are explicit “no camping” and “no overnight parking” signs.

Spend 7 Days in Norway in a Campervan and Experience the Magic!

There’s no way you can road trip through Norway in a campervan and be the same afterwards. Our spectacular scenery will invoke a renewed appreciation and respect for nature, and you will leave the country with fond memories that’ll last a lifetime.

Traveling in a campervan will also make you feel less like a spectator and more of an active participant in the landscapes around you, and you will have the flexibility and freedom of going wherever, whenever you want.

You also don’t need to be an experienced road-tripper to take on our 7-day road trip itinerary. As long as you plan well using local insights like we provided here, rent a campervan in Norway that suits you and your itinerary, and drive carefully, you can experience the wild beauty of Scandinavia in the most unique way possible!