It’s no secret that I think Norway is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. In fact I think I probably go a bit overboard with my enthusiasm for this country. Okay fine, maybe a lot overboard. I mean, who couldn’t love this place? It’s gorgeous in the summer, beautiful in autumn, and don’t get me started on those sparkling Norwegian winters. Norway is just the best!
Wait. Am I forgetting something?
Oh right, springtime.
I’m going to be honest here: I didn’t have high expectations for spring in Norway, which might have something to do with the fact that all the locals in Rauland kept warning me that May up here is the worst. And yes, it is pretty gray. Everything is dead, and even the snow has lost its sparkle. I mean, last week it was really sunny and warm, but then it snowed again.
It’s okay though, Norway can’t be beautiful all the time – that just wouldn’t be fair. Norway just doesn’t do spring very well.
At least that’s what I thought, until someone told me that in mid May the fruit trees along the Hardangerfjord are in bloom.
It turns out life isn’t always fair.
Rauland is about 140 kilometers from the start of Hardangerfjord in Odda, so yesterday Dan and I packed up a picnic and set off in our little red car in search of these famous Hardanger fruit blossoms!
Our first stop wasn’t too far from home, at the Urdøuri in Arabygdi, along Lake Totak. This is apparently the largest stone scree in Northern Europe, created one fateful evening when locals at a wedding celebration refused to let Thor join in the revelry with some beer.
So Thor did what Thor does and took out his anger with his hammer. I think the joke is on him though, as all the resulting boulders make for one fun playground.
And then we drove up over the Haukeli pass back into winter! And I thought Rauland was struggling to get into springtime…
And then we made our descent down towards the fjord.
Okay fine, that’s actually the old road – the new one is super fancy and full of tunnels.
Now can we just take a moment to talk about how adorable Norway is? Even the bus stops have grass roofs!
The views aren’t the worst either.
And oh my goodness, all the water falls! Now with the snow melting there are waterfalls everywhere (even the path to our cabin has turned into a lovely stream) but I still gasped when we drove by a cliff and were covered in spray from a massive waterfall. And a split second later there was another one!
Låtefossen is 165 meters tall and splits into two streams as it goes over the mountainside, before joining together at the bottom to run under a bridge. Låtefossen also happens to be at the start of one of Norway’s eighteen National Tourist Routes (marked by a knot-like symbol), so we knew we were in for a beautiful ride.
When we reached Odda – famous for Trolltunga – we were greeted by a flock of sea gulls and everything smelled of saltwater. We had reached the tip of Hardangerfjord! I love how the Norwegian fjords bring the sea inland; it totally felt like we were on the coast.
The road along the fjord from Odda to Brimnes passes by lots of orchards, and it turned out the rumors were true – the fruit trees really were in bloom!
We had to turn around at Ullensvang as it was starting to get late, but not before picking out the perfect neighborhood to move to. I mean, how magical would it be to live on a fjord?
The verdict? Norway in the spring is actually pretty magical – at least on Hardangerfjord.
And since we were driving and I couldn’t get many photos of the actual fruit blossoms, here’s a little video I made of the road trip. Let’s pretend the shakiness and dirty windshield are artsy, okay? Okay.
Where to stay in Hardanger
If you want to spend a night (or few days!) in Hardanger, I can highly recommend Ullensvang Gjesteheim. This is in my favorite place in Hardanger, Ullensvang, and is set on a farm right by the water! It’s super cosy, with the sweetest owners and a delicious breakfast. Check current rates here
READ ALSO
The Best Road Trip from Bergen
The Other Side of Trollstigen and Geiranger
Kara says
I always wanted to go to Norway, but jus thought I would get there later in life. All your photos make me want to go NOW! 🙂
Silvia says
Yessss you should come! (It’s also much cheaper now, as the Norwegian currency is quite weak 🙂 )
Kelly says
Oh my gosh, those waterfalls! And those mountain views! I can’t stop scrolling back up to look at them. So so so pretty!
Silvia says
It was even prettier in person! Especially that crazy waterfall, ahhh.
Julie says
What beautiful countryside! I hope to be able to visit someday!
Silvia says
I hope you can too! It’s worth the journey 🙂
Jeannie says
Hooray for video, isn’t it the best?! I always have so much fun looking back on our trips through video, such a fun way to relive the trip. P.s. Norway always looks adorable anytime of year, per your posts!!
Melanie Fontaine says
Hardangerfjord was one of my favorite places I visited in Norway – it’s more understated than some of the “big” sights in Norway like the Nærøyfjord, but I think that’s why I loved it so much! There is also something pretty magical about seeing snowcapped mountains when it is so nice and sunny! 😉
Van @ Snow in Tromso says
These are some seriously beautiful pictures! As always really but still, it looks amazing! Springtime in the Arctic can be gorgeous as well but if the sun doesn’t shine, it quickly becomes grey and depressing again. It even snowed again today – argh!
Hope you had a great 17. mai! 🙂
Cynthia says
Just saw your blog over on Vagabond’s and had to stop by. I loved my visit to Norway. It is a beautiful country. I regret I didn’t make it to see any fjords, and will need to return for sure! I loved the video – it was just like I was there!!
Bailey @ Weekends & Wanders says
Oh my gosh Norway just looks more and more beautiful with each season you feature! I’ve got to visit this amazing country soon!
April Yap says
OMG, the places are so attractive, it makes me excite to go soon.
Ashley @ Married Wanderlust Love says
It’s official: Norway could not be more beautiful! I love mountain countries. There’s just something about them that feel so “homey” to me. I’ve been in love with Norway for many years now and hope to make my way there one day!
Silvia says
I hope you do make it up here, and that you love it as much as I do!
khaled says
how is it in May I want to visit Norway in may
Silvia says
In the mountains there’s still snow, so you can’t do all the hikes or drive on all the roads yet, but closer to the sea it will be spring with lots of flowers. May is a beautiful time in Hardangerfjord!
Neelam says
Dear Silvia
Thanks a ton for all the wondeful tips..i cant wait for my Norway travel in June this year..we are 2 gurls n have booked airbnb at Konows gate 99A in Oslo and at Hordaland 5097 in Bergen. I m contemplating booking the Norway in nutshell tour and that would leave us with one day each at the two cities. can u pls advice on following questions:
– Is the NiN tour is worth the money
– The most stunning location that we should not miss at each Oslo and Bergen (natural wonder, we r skipping museums and man-made structures)
– how can i reach to these most stunning places (that u would suggest 🙂 in cheapest possible way
Grateful for your response!!
Cheers
Neelam
Silvia says
Hmm I would say the Norway in a Nutshell tour is worth it IF you can’t drive yourself. The best option would really be to rent a car from Bergen and drive up this route: http://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/aurlandsfjellet-sognefjellet-bergen-road-trip/. That way you could stop and take photos when you want, and you won’t be with a huge group. But if you can’t drive, then the tour will get you to the prettiest spots.
In Oslo the view from the ski jump is really amazing, and in Bergen I would go up one of the mountains for a view over the city. I’m sure you can find more info on Google!
dilipsunder says
Hi,
You really have written a lovely review of Norway, we are planning for a Norway road trip in may 2018 could you suggest while driving from Oslo to Bergen if taking the route through Gielo or through Rauland will be more scenic.
Regards
Dilip
Silvia says
Personally I think the route through Rauland is more scenic. If it’s open, try to go over Gaustatoppen via the Heddal stave church.
Kartik Maheshwari says
Hi Silvia,
Your blog has inspired me and my fiance to spend most of our honeymoon driving across Norway. Both of us are nature enthusiasts and would love to trek through the mountains. We are doing a driving trip for around 10 days in Norway. Will it be possible for us to climb Troltunga and Kjeragbolten (dates are May2nd to May12th 2018) ?
Thanks a bunch
Silvia says
Hm it varies year to year, but I think early May might still be too early this year – often the road won’t even be open by then. But you should check with the local tourist offices closer to the time, as you might be lucky! If you do go in May though you will probably need a guide, as the hikes can be dangerous if there’s still snow on the ground. There are lots of other lovely places to go if these hikes are still closed though!
Rachel says
Wow, thanks for your awesome site. I’ve been scouring it trying to figure out my trip and its incredibly useful! I really appreciate all the time you’ve put into giving us all these careful details. Okay, so I get that May is obviously not the ideal time to come … but it is what it is and I’d rather come in May than not at all so thats what I’m doing :P. That being said, is there a region or a particular one of your trips that you suggest as probably being the best bet for mid May?
Some details incase they’re useful: I’m flying from Copenhagen to Norway around the 12th and I’ll leave around the 19th -21st or so. If you don’t mind making a recommendation or pointing me in the right direction I would really appreciate it! I like all the things 😛 — fjords, nature, mountains, hiking, adorable little towns, history, culture whatever. I’m from Canada so I can handle some cold weather and rain. I’ve obviously been lusting after Loften and Alesund (any chance theres a worthwhile road trip between those two?) but I’m open to going wherever. I’ve been warned against Oslo by a local and I live in a big city so I’m inclined to agree that I don’t need more big city time. That being said, my flight home from Oslo would be cheeper so I’m willing to not write it off completely. Thanks in advance!
Silvia says
It takes 20 hours to drive one way from Alesund to Lofoten, so that would be a lot of driving (especially if you want to return the car in the same location to avoid the hefty fee). It would be beautiful though! I would recommend either the first itinerary here: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/one-week-in-norway-itineraries/ or this itinerary: https://www.heartmybackpack.com/norway/northern-norway-itinerary-winter/. My personal preference would be the Northern Norway one, as I find the north so much more beautiful. You won’t be able to see the Northern Lights anymore, but you’ll be approaching the midnight sun so it will be super light the whole time!
Renen says
Hey Silvia,
Great blog post! Also I’m really enjoying your blog in general, great stuff 😀
My friend and I will be traveling to Norway and we’re planning to mainly do some hiking in Hardanger. We’re hoping to meet people along the way and hike together. Is that common in Norway? Do you have any recommendations on places to stay nearby to meet people before hiking?
Thanks!