Advice on Norway

[idefix]

Anyone wanna try something new, what abt. a trip to Norway ?
The trip described is starting in Kristiansand, but of course you may opt to start in Stavanger or bergen, and then take this trip as a roundtrip back to those cities (if ferry from Newcastle ..)

First of All. Norway has weather and you should take a look here before planning anything ..
http://met.no/english/index.html (national weather centre)
see other links to norway below.

Bike season starts late April early May if you can bear some chilly winds ...Best is probably mid May until late August. a lot of music festivals and other festivals in this period too and sun .. perhaps ..

I will recommend keeping off the main E18 as much as possible, it is booring, but probably exciting for those used to M1 and A6 ..

Kristiansand is a great starting point. There is a frequent ferries from Denmark (ferry from UK to Stavanger DFDS), and from here i can suggest travelling to Lysefjorden by inland roads (this will take 1/2 day, then ferry to Stavanger .. if you catch it) or you can do the better option of going Kristiansand - mandal - Åna Sira (take the old road to the right just after the toll station ) - flekkefjord (RV44)- Sokndal/Hauge i Dalane - Egersund - (the coast road) - Hellevik - Jæren(Bryne) - Sola -Stavanger. This will take a day+ (there is a nice small camping in Sokndal or Egersund or Brusand (ogna camping)if you take it a bit slow) Then Stay overnight in Stavanger, camping near Sola airport and the sand .. Then you have the option to go by Ferry north to Bergen, or take ferry to Lysebotn and drive up the road to the top. You may take walk to Prekestolen (preachers chair mountain formation) or to Kjærag. This route (the road ..not the walk in the fog ..) is very scenic and exccellent for biking with a lot of "narrow" and curvy roads..look out for sheep and slippery patches thereof. From Lysefjorden you may continue inland to Kristiansand again (total 2-3 days for this round trip, make a lot of stops and enjoy the scenery). Take the Suleskar road to get to kristiansand. Ps. mountain passages (bring warm clothes) might be cold and still have some snow in summer ..

Maps available in all petrol stations not only selling hot dogs ..

You may wish to continue over the mountain to Bergen or east to Oslo.

Here some great links for planning:
http://www.xplorebritain.com/dfds-fe...ise-norway.asp
http://www.colorline.com/servlets/page?section=4000
http://www.visitnorway.no/
http://www.visitsorlandet.com/Region...S/Default.aspx
http://www.sorlandet.com/index.php?e...121&menuid=121
http://www.sorlandet.com/index.php?m...100&expand=100
http://www.nordsjovegen.no/Default.aspx?tabid=1677
http://www.reisemal-sydvest.no/
http://www.reisemal-sydvest.no/norsk...r/bakkaano.htm (sokndal camping)
http://www.regionstavanger.com/?sp=GB
http://www.fjordnorway.com/Default.a...&subtabid=1302
http://ny.suleskarvegen.no/index.php...on=vis&type=12
http://ny.suleskarvegen.no/index.php...ion=vis&type=7

[Recycler]

Cheers for that. Will see Norway in the next couple of tours and will keep your info in mind.

[cbrpaddy]

Nice one, I hope to go again this year and these should be of help

[stanbloke]

This is a great thread more like this please..

[idefix]

Thanks, doing my best in the late hours... Here are some illustrations to go with the description. Sorry did not take more photos.

[idefix]

And some more pics ..

[idefix]

And the last ones ..

[BIG D]

Very nice indeed well presented mate I was there last year well Bergan and on to Voss views to remember. I try and make it once a year for a short break bit expensive mind but hey well worth it, got pulled over for a routine check at a road block near Vik Glad I do not drink and drive cops do not mess about heard from a few who have spent a night or two inside after crossing them, but all the same great country good food and some of the best scenery on Gods earth might see you some time.
BIG D

[idefix]

Thanks. Let me know if any of you wish to know specifics abt some part of the country, I can try to look up some sites for you .. if i am logged in that is.. I am one sparkplug tool away from getting on the road again .. had some snow early january, but have been quite mild ever since ..

[spain]

Hei Hei
Tak for that.The info will be handy as i am planning a trip to Norway from Spain in April.