Western Fjords Grand Loop: 13-Day Self-Drive Itinerary

A self-drive loop from Bergen covering the Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord, Atlantic Ocean Road, and Hjørundfjord.

A comprehensive version of the classic loop: enter via the Sognefjord, cross the Sognefjellet mountain road to Geiranger, drive the Trollstigen and the Atlantic Ocean Road to Ålesund, and return to Bergen via the Hjørundfjord and Loen. This route features numerous ferries and mountain passes, with moderate daily driving distances. Ideal for road-trippers with a two-week vacation; it bypasses the car ferry from Geiranger to Hellesylt.

The Sognefjellet mountain road and Trollstigen are closed in winter, and roadworks may cause delays in autumn.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Bergen

Bergen（Bryggen、Mount Fløyen & Fløibanen Funicular）

Pick up your rental car and drive to the city center (approx. 30 mins). Downtown attractions are walkable.

Stay: City Centre (Fish Market–Bryggen)

Day 2 · Via Voss to Aurlandsfjord

Voss（Voss Church） → Flåm & Sognefjord（Tvindefossen、Stegastein Viewpoint）

Drive east on the E16 (approx. 3 hours), stopping at Voss and waterfalls along the way. Head up to the viewpoint in the evening.

Stay: Aurlandsvangen

Day 3 · Nærøyfjord Cruise & Drive to Solvorn

Flåm & Sognefjord（Sognefjord & Nærøyfjord、Lærdal Tunnel） → Luster & Nigardsbreen（Kaupanger Stave Church、Solvorn）

Take a round-trip cruise from Flåm in the morning. In the afternoon, drive through the tunnel and take a ferry to Solvorn (approx. 2 hours).

The Lærdal Tunnel is about 25 km long and features illuminated rest caverns inside.

Stay: Solvorn

Day 4 · Glaciers & Sognefjellet Mountain Road

Flåm & Sognefjord（Urnes Stave Church） → Luster & Nigardsbreen（Nigardsbreen） → Jotunheimen National Park（Sognefjellet National Tourist Route、Lom Stave Church）

Take the ferry to Urnes, drive to the glacier, and cross Sognefjellet to Lom (approx. 4 hours in total).

The Sognefjellet road usually opens in early June; check road conditions before departure.

Stay: Lom

Day 5 · Mountain Pass to Geiranger

Geiranger & Trollstigen（Dalsnibba Skywalk、Flydalsjuvet）

Drive via Rv15 and Fv63 (approx. 2 hours), stopping at the Dalsnibba viewpoint before descending.

Stay: Geiranger Village

Day 6 · A Day in Geirangerfjord

Geiranger & Trollstigen（Geirangerfjord、Seven Sisters Waterfall、Norwegian Fjord Centre）

Take a sightseeing boat from the pier (approx. 1.5 to 2 hours) and spend the rest of the day exploring the village on foot.

Stay: Geiranger Village

Day 7 · Ørnevegen (Eagle Road) & Trollstigen

Geiranger & Trollstigen（Ørnesvingen Viewpoint、Gudbrandsjuvet） → Åndalsnes & Romsdalen（Trollstigen Viewpoint、Rampestreken）

Drive north on Fv63 (approx. 2 hours), including a 10-minute ferry crossing from Eidsdal to Linge.

Trollstigen may close temporarily during heavy rain; the alternative route bypasses via the E136.

Stay: Åndalsnes Town Centre

Day 8 · Atlantic Ocean Road to Ålesund

Molde（Varden Viewpoint、Atlantic Ocean Road、Eldhusøya Walkway、Bud）

Drive via Molde to the Atlantic Ocean Road, then return and take a ferry to Ålesund (approx. 5 hours in total).

Stay: City Center and Brosundet

Day 9 · Ålesund to Hjørundfjord

Ålesund（Ålesund Art Nouveau Town、Mount Aksla (Fjellstua)） → Hjørundfjord（Sæbø、Hjørundfjord、Øye & Hotel Union Øye）

Explore the Art Nouveau town in the morning, then drive and take two ferries to Øye in the afternoon (approx. 2.5 hours).

Stay: Øye

Day 10 · Norangsdalen Valley to Loen

Hjørundfjord（Norangsdalen、Lyngstøylvatnet） → Geiranger & Trollstigen（Briksdalsbreen）

Drive through the Norangsdalen valley and via Hellesylt to Olden (approx. 2.5 hours), then head into the valley.

Stay: Loen

Day 11 · Lovatnet Lake to Balestrand

Stryn（Lovatnet） → Flåm & Sognefjord（Balestrand）

Explore the lake in the morning, then drive via Gaularfjellet to Balestrand in the afternoon (approx. 3.5 hours).

Stay: Balestrand

Day 12 · Cross the Fjord & Return to Bergen

Flåm & Sognefjord（Hopperstad Stave Church） → Bergen（Mount Ulriken & Ulriksbanen）

Take the ferry to Vangsnes, then drive over Vikafjellet and via Voss to Bergen (approx. 4 hours).