Usually when I sit down to write a blog post I, well, do just that. I sit down and start writing whatever I’m thinking about my chosen topic of the day.
Did any of you guys watch Felicity? Remember when she would record those tapes to send to her friend, where she would tell her what was going on in her life, sometimes going off on weird and awkward tangents? Well, that’s sort of what blogging is like for me, except I’m not using cassette tapes because hello, it’s not 1998 anymore (in fact according to my recent reader survey some of you guys weren’t even born in 1998).
But today… not so much.
Maybe it’s because I made the mistake of choosing photos for this post first, and I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of this place that I know I just don’t have words to match it.
The place is Gamle Strynefjellsvegen, a 27 km loop of road that Dan and I drove through after spending the night camping on Sognefjellet. Because the road is just a loop off of the main road, it really seems to only be for tourists, which meant that we had it all to ourselves.
In fact, Gamle Strynefjellsvegen was actually built specially as a tourist road just as tourism was beginning to grow in Norway at the end of the 19th century. It was completed in 1884 and driving on the deserted road with its old guard stones and hand-built crash barriers for horse-drawn carriages did feel a bit like being brought back in time.
Like, I know I’m a bit prone to exaggeration on this blog – there are no fewer than six Heart My Backpack posts about Norway with the word “prettiest” in the title – but this truly must be the most beautiful road in Norway. I’m sure I’ll say the same about another drive in the future, but that will have to be a lie, as it simply cannot get more beautiful than this.
Dan put on Adventures in Your Own Backyard as we turned off of road 15 and onto road 258, and what followed was one of the most beautiful hours of my life.
What started out as oohs and aahs at all the pretty landscape built and built until we sat in stunned silence trying to take in how breathtaking the views were.
My camera couldn’t quite capture how bright the lakes and rivers here were. I don’t know what made them so turquoise – something about minerals? – but they were so beautiful.
And then we started a descent into THE prettiest valley.
Sorry, I usually try not to post all my photos from a trip, but this time I just can’t help myself.
So if you’re ever planning a road trip through Norway, try your hardest to include a detour through Gamle Strynefjellsvegen, okay? Promise?
And you know what I would LOVE to do here? Go on this glacier helicopter tour over Stryn. It’s a splurge, but seriously a once in a lifetime sort of trip – and I mean, when will you be back in Norway? Do it. And then tell me about it, because I really want to do it as well.
Gamle Strynefjellsvegen is closed in the winter – usually from October to June.
There’s a sign at the start of the road warning that it is difficult to drive with a caravan, though if you don’t mind a bit of a tight squeeze it should still be doable.
pin it
Rosie says
Wow, get me on a flight to Norway right now please. It looks absolutely stunning. I’ve just got back from Canada and we did the Icefields Parkway, and I felt the same about that; you can’t stop saying “look at that!” or “wow”, but then this silence descends as you try to take it all in.
Silvia says
Exactly! I really want to explore more of Canada now – I think it’s in many ways similar to Norway.
Lovisa says
I’m all about road trips and just happen to live in Norway so I couldn’t be happier about finding your site:) Just spent my weekend in the mountains in Trysil, which is absolutely stunning and you should definitely go if you haven’t been yet.
Thanks for all the inspiration!
Silvia says
I’ve never been to Trysil! There are so many places I want to visit in Norway – I hope it doesn’t take me another year to make another trip, haha. Thanks for the tip!
Char says
My friends and I are literally planning a Norway road trip right now, so this is so awesome! We want to do Trollstigen, so this looks sort of close? Definitely adding it – thanks for your perfect timing!
Silvia says
Yes, it’s very near Trollstigen – in fact we drove down Trollstigen in the same day we visited Gamle Styrnefjellsvegen. You’re going to have so much fun!
Alissa says
Really gorgeous photos, thanks for sharing your experience! Love the shots with the mist over the mountains. You’re making me want to go travel Norway!
Silvia says
It really is a special place!
Charlotte says
Awww man when I see this I wish I had a car! And a driver’s license, maybe that would help too… Those pics are magical <3
Silvia says
Haha then you need to find a friend with a driver’s license! Or take the bus 🙂
Charlotte says
Yeah my bf wants to tak driving lessons – and while he hasn’t his license yet, we can still go hiking 😀
Our Wanders says
Wow this is breathtaking! The fall colors just get more and more beautiful there…
Meghan says
Promise. I am totally in love with alpine environments and this seriously looks like the most beautiful place EVER. Thank you for posting all your photos!!!
Helena says
Oh, didn’t know about this road. Definitely pinning this post so I will remember it!
Denise says
I have to agree…….just returned from Norway road trip. We covered 5 of the National tourist routes, and this was my favourite!
Silvia says
Right? It’s just so beautiful up there!
Harley says
This is a fantastic tip. Thanks so much.
Currently planning a trip (roadtrip), beginning in Alesund but unsure if we should head towards Trondheim or down to Bergen. Hoping you could point us in the right direction. Looking for hiking, fjords, decent/nice hotels, and obviously spectacular drives.
Thanks in advance!
Kenny says
I’m doing a road trip over 7 days from Alesund through to Bergen in a few weeks. I’m doing the Atlantic Road, Trollstigen, Geirangerfjord and a few others that I’ve found online. This little Route will be added as looks beautiful. Can’t wait.
NOTATY says
Don’t know if you’ll see this Harley, but if you do I’d recommend going towards Bergen and stopping at Baroniet in Rosendal – it’s really lovely in summer!
Punar says
Hi silvia,
Your blog and Norway trips are amazing. I will be visiting Norway this September and alesund is on my list. After reading this blog post I want to do the gamle, I looked the google maps and it doesn’t show any driving routes to gamle from alesund. could you plz guide me on this ?
T
hanks,
Punar
Silvia says
If it doesn’t show up on Google it means that the road is closed now. Change your depart by time to September and it should be open (I think).
Gilda says
Hello, how to do this road from Alensud by public transport? Is there any bus? I will be staying at Alensud. Thank you! Gilda
Silvia says
No, I don’t think you can take this road by public transport.
Sherry Emery says
Hello, we are in the process of planning a trip to Norway but there’s so much to see that it seems overwhelming. I really am enjoying your posts, thank you. We are planning now for Sept of 2019 (last two weeks) and then headed to Sweden to see the northern lights. If we take a road trip in the Alesund region do you think we should be worried about road conditions due to snow? Thank you!!
Silvia says
I think you should be fine in September – most of the mountain roads around here won’t close until November.
Karen Hemstock says
We have been driving on that road today ! And we have just said that it’s our favourite ever !!! And we have been to Austria and Switzerland but I think that beats them both .
Mikaela says
Hello Silvia, I’ve just dropped on your blog and is amazing. We’ve driving on that road in two weeks! We’re staying in Hjelle, very close to rv258, then driving to Geirangerfjord (and perhaps taking a sightseeing cruise… not sure if we should book it in advance though.. suggestions?). We’re ending our day in Valldal. I have a few questions for you: 1) How long does it take to make the loop trip? (just in case we have to book the cruise in advance) 2)the next day we are heading to Ålesund. I wanted to get there driving along the Storfjorden because we are going to take the other route via Åndalsnes when we’re leaving the town and heading south. I thought we could get to Trollstigen from Valldal, taking some picture from the top and then go back to Valldal and then Ålesund… does it make any sense or is it better to go all the way down the hairpins?
Therry says
We went to Norway in june 2018. It is the most beautyfull road i have ever seen!! Fantastic!!!
Helio says
Hi Silvia. When Gamle Strynefjellsvegen is closed, do you know if it is it possible to go running or cycling in it?
Gita says
Hi Silvia,
Thank you for this post. The pics are just stunning. What time of the year did you do this drive? It looks like fall colors. Thank you.
Silvia says
This was at the start of September!
Sarah says
Hello!
I am planning a 6-7 day road trip from Bergen to Alesund and looking for some guidance. We are going to spend 2 nights in Odda to hike Trolltunga and then I need some help planning the rest of the road trip to Alesund. I would like to stay somewhat off the beaten path and avoid the extremely touristy spots since we will be going at the end of July. My current plan is
Bergen to Odda (2 nights in Odda)
Odda to Loen (1 night in Loen)
Loen to Stranda (Drive via Gamle STRYNEFJELLSVEGEN, spend 2 nights in Stranda)
Strand to Alesund
We then want to fly from Alesund to Tromso or Lofoten for 3 days
Any suggestions on Tromso vs. Lofoten?
Any suggestions or help with the road trip portion would be very much appreciated. Thanks!
Silvia says
That sounds like a great plan! And I would recommend Lofoten over Tromso, though both are lovely. But you should book your accommodation as soon as possible because July is the busiest month of the year for tourism. Have fun!
Diane Mankowski says
Hi Silvia,
Hello from Chicago!
I’ve got us booked for 4 nights in Alesund in early July and I’m thinking of renting a car for at least part of our stay. What else would you recommend? I’d love a couple that you think are worth fighting the crowds for as well as some less popular spots.
Your blog has been instrumental in my planning!
NJ says
Hello!
Your blog is amazing! We are planning Norway in May. Would this be doable then? I see your post says the road is closed until june. Just trying my luck wouldnt want to miss this, I know you cant predict the weather most of us cnt but would be such a shame to miss this 🙁
Candy says
Hi Silvia,
Thank you so much for your blog with so many beautiful photos and helpful information! I am traveling to Norway with my husband next month and now planning our itinerary. There are sooo many scenic routes in Norway that I would like to do! The top on our mind are 1) Gamle Strynefjellsveg; 2) Trollstigen; 3) Aurlandsfjellet Snow Road up to Stegastein Viewpoint; 4)Eagle Road to Ørnesvingen Viewpoint and 5) Atlantic Road. However, I am worried that these routes would be tough for tourists. The rental car we’ve booked is an automatic compact car…. am wondering if it would be okay to do the 5 routes i mentioned as some of them seem to be unpaved and i am unsure how rough the condition would be…. Hope to have your advice. Thanks a million!
Silvia says
I think all of them should be totally fine, but if you’re worried I would maybe skip Gamle Strynefjellsvegen. The others are ok though!