Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Norway has been on the top of my list of places to visit for many years so I was thrilled when we decided to plan a summer trip to the fjords of western Norway, a land where mountains hang over the steep cliffs of the fjords, where waterfalls plunge into the cold water and the fingers of fjord creep far inland to the mountains. Norway is a hard place to plan a trip – mostly because there are a lot of amazing places to see and they aren’t all close together.
After days of research I put together this 9 day Norway fjord itinerary and I can say with confidence that this itinerary covers some of the most popular places to visit as well as a few places off the beaten path. I can confidently say that this itinerary is one of the best ways to see this part of the world.
This 9 day Norway fjord itinerary focuses on Western Norway and includes Alesund, Geiranger, Loen, Briksdalsbreen Glacier, and the lesser-visited Hjørundfjord region near Øye. It’s ideal for travelers who want scenic drives, iconic fjords, hiking, waterfalls, and small towns — all with a rental car.
You can see more guides to Norway or see some of our other itineraries.
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Quick Look at our 9 Day Norway Fjord Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Alesund
- Day 2: Drive to Geiranger
- Day 3: Hike and Boat in Geiranger
- Day 4: Drive to Loen, Loen Skylift and Hiking
- Day 5: Bike Lake Lovatnet
- Day 6: Hike to Briksdaal Glacier
- Day 7: Drive to Oye: stop in Hellesylt
- Day 8: Hike in Oye
- Day 9: Drive to Alesund
Norway Fjord Itinerary: A view of the fjords over Geiranger
Need to Know for this Itinerary
Before I launch into the details of this itinerary, there are a few important things to know. Here are some logistics to help you plan your trip.
Getting to the Start of the Itinerary
This itinerary starts and ends in Alesund, Norway. There is a small airport here that has direct flights from several airports in Europe. You can also start the trip from any point if you are visiting Norway in a car. You can easily link this itinerary together with some time in Bergen.
The itinerary can include some time in Alesund. Freja and I actually flew into Alesund a day early and spent an extra night in the town before picking everyone else at the airport.
Getting Around in Norway
This itinerary can only be done with a rental car. We rented a car directly from the airport but you can search for rental cars on Discover Cars.
The roads in Norway on this itinerary are all paved and in good shape although they are sometimes narrow with steep drop offs. We had a large van since we were with a big group, but a smaller car would be easier. You will also go through a number of tunnels that are narrow. It’s important to note that the area around Alesund has traffic cameras that will give you ticket if you drive to fast.
This itinerary also has a few ferry crossings. You can pay for ferries either on the boat or in the parking lot before you board. You will need to sign up for an app. We found it a bit confusing but figured it out.
Who Will Love this Itinerary
This itinerary offers lots of opportunity to exploring, hiking, and getting outdoors. There is a moderate amount of driving. For this itinerary we were traveling with my dad and staying in more expensive hotels than we normally enjoy – I’ll share some other lodging options if you want to do this itinerary and stay in more bugdet friendly hotels. All the towns we visited were small so this isn’t for you if you want city life and just want a taste of the fjords. Here’s who this is for:
- Travelers visiting Norway for the first time
- People who want a scenic fjord road trip
- Active travelers who enjoy hiking and outdoor adventures
- Visitors traveling in summer (June–September)
- Travelers who prefer small towns over big cities
Best Time to Do This Norway Fjord Itinerary
The best time for this itinerary is June-September. Some of the roads close during the winter and activities will be limited outside these months. Ferries also can be less reliable outside these months. This is also the time of year when the cruise ships come in. This can turn a small Norwegian town into a very overcrowded scene. When possible, try to start activities before or after the cruise ship arrives or leaves.
Map of this Norward Fjord Itinerary
Details of our 9 Day Norway Fjord Itinerary
Below you will see the details of our 9 day Norway fjord itinerary.
Day 1: Arrive in Alesund
Depending on when you arrive in Alesund, you will likely have time to explore the town. We spent a few days in Alesund and loved this little town with the pretty harbor, lots of shops and restaurants and nearby walking trails. I highly recommend wandering along the water and walking up the hill of Fjellstua for views out across the town. Try to avoid doing this in the middle of the day when the cruise ships roll into town.
There are many places to stay in Alesund. We stayed in Hotel 1904. This is a lovely hotel right in a great location in town. They also have a great breakfast. There is a pay to park lot in the basement and you can also find a grocery store to stock up on some snacks.
We had two fantastic dinners in Alesund. If you want an upscale meal, check out Sjøbua. For something more low-key, try Molo Brew.
Day 2: Drive to Geiranger
The next morning you can spend a little more time walking around Alesund and then drive to Geiranger. This is a beautiful drive that involved one ferry crossing. The drive takes about 2.5 hours. There are some interesting viewpoints to stop at along the way and the road down into Geiranger is pretty amazing with a lot of switchbacks.
If you arrive in Geiranger in time you can take a hike in the afternoon. We walked some of the trails and roads in town, but you can also hike from Vesterås Gard Farm to Storseterfossen Waterfall: Geiranger, Norway or enjoy the Waterfall Walk in town.
There are a few hotels in Geiranger We stayed in Hotel Utsikten which is above town and has an incredible view of the fjord. Another hotel with a view if the Grand Fjord Hotel. If you want to stay closer to the town itself, check out the Hotel Union Geiranger Bad & Spa or you can find a few smaller cabins or houses to rent in the area. You can search for options on Booking.com.
For dinner, you can eat at the hotel or we enjoyed eating at Brasserie Posten.
Day 3: Hike and Boat in Geiranger
The next day you have the full day to explore Geiranger. We spent the morning on the water and the afternoon hiking with lunch in town. There are several ways to get out on a boat tour on the water: take the larger ferry-type boat or a more personal trip on a smaller, zippier boat that gets right up to the waterfalls.
There are several good places to eat in town and in the afternoon you can enjoy a hike in the area. I definintely recommend both the waterfall walk in town and the Storseterfossen Waterfall. Dave and Finley had a great longer hike to Skageflå if you want something more challenging.
See my complete Guide to Geiranger for more ideas of things to do.
Day 4: Drive to Loen, Loen Skylift and Hiking
The next morning get an early start and head to Loen. The drive takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes and is a beautiful and scenic drive up over the mountains. If you are looking for a good viewpoint you can stop at the Geiranger Skywalk. We ended up skipping this since it was cloudy but I would recommend stopping if it’s clear.
We did stop at a few viewpoints along the way so give yourself a little extra time for the drive.
Arrive at the Loen Skylift and take the skylift up to the Hoven Restaraunt. You can purchase tickets right at the skylift office, but I recommend making a reservation at the restaurant in advance. After lunch, spend the afternoon hiking the trails from the top of the Loen Skylift. Take the skylift back down and check into your hotel for the night.
See details on visiting the Loen Skylift.
During our time in Loen, we stayed in the Hotel Alexandra. This is hotel includes a breakfast and dinner buffet and has a spa. This is definintely a luxury stay but worth it in our opinion. You can also find some places to stay in nearby Stryn.
Day 5 and 6 : Bike Lake Lovatnet and Hike to Briksdaal Glacier
You will have 2 days and 3 nights in Loen for this itinerary. For the two days in Loen I recommend spending one full day biking Lake Lovatenet and the other hiking to the Briksdaal Glacier. There are also several other things to do in the area (see our complete guide to Loen).
We rented bikes right in town and did the easy ride along Lake Lovatnet. You can rent both mountain bikes as well as ebikes. The views here are incredible and you can go all the way to the end for a snack or turn around when you’ve had enough riding.
Day 7: Drive to Oye: stop in Hellesylt
Start the day with a ride to the town of Oye with a stop for lunch in Hellesylt. This is a pretty town on the fjord that gets a number of visitors from cruises and ferries. There is a beautiful waterfall right in the center of town to check out and a few places to shop and eat. Lots of people love this town – we liked it and think it’s worth a stop but you don’t need more than a short stop.
In the afternoon, drive the very scenic drive down route 655 to the small town of Oye. This is a lovely little corner of the fjord area that received far fewer visitors. The area has incredible hiking opportunities and beautiful views of the fjord.
We stayed at the incredible Hotel Union Oye. This hotel is an experience on it’s own.
Day 8: Hike in Oye
This is your day to choose one of the bigger hikes in the area. We divided up for the day. Freja, my dad and I did a short walk in Urke and then spent the afternoon fishing and eating at Basecamp Hjørundfjord.
Meanwhile Dave, Finley and Hadley did a long hike up along the Urkeegga Ridge. They all list this hike in their top 5 hikes ever and the photos are incredible.
Day 9: Drive to Alesund
The next morning complete your itinerary with a drive to Alesund. You will need to take a ferry from Oye. We had an afternoon flight so spend a few hours in Alesund before heading to the airport.
This was an incredible itinerary that made the most of this region. The itinerary offers many options and ways to make it more intense or relaxed as needed.
How to Adjust this Itinerary
2 Week Norway Fjord Itinerary
There are several things to do in the area if you have more time. You could easily turn this itinerary into a one way from Alesund to Bergen if you are able to return the car in a different airport. There are several great places to stop and explore the Hardangerfjord Region and Flam.
How to Shorten this Itinerary: 7 Day Norway Fjord Itinerary
There are several ways to shorten this itinerary. You could easily cut out a day in Loen if needed or you could skip Oye completely and make this a 7 Day fjord itinerary. If you don’t want to do a long hike, skip Oye, otherwsie I would skip the extra day in Loen.
Common Questions for this 9 Day Norway Fjord Itinerary
Is 9 days enough to see the Norway fjords?
Yes, 9 days is enough time to see some of the most spectacular fjords in Western Norway without feeling rushed. This itinerary focuses on a compact region and combines spots like Geirangerfjord with quieter areas such as Loen and Øye. While you won’t see every fjord in Norway (you need a lot more time for that!) 9 days allows you to experience dramatic scenery, waterfalls, scenic drives, and hiking while still having time to enjoy each place.
Do you need a car for this Norway fjord itinerary?
Yes, a rental car is essential for this itinerary. Many of the most beautiful fjord viewpoints, trailheads, and small towns are not accessible by train or bus.
Is this itinerary doable with kids?
Yes, this itinerary can work well for families with kids, especially if they enjoy being outdoors. Many activities,nlike short hikes, boat rides, biking along Lake Lovatnet, and riding the Loen Skylift, are kid-friendly. We did this with 3 teenagers, but even younger kids would enjoy this trip.
How much driving is involved each day?
Driving days on this itinerary typically range from 1.5 to 3 hours, not including stops. While distances may look short on a map, fjord roads are winding and scenic, and you’ll want to plan extra time for viewpoints, ferry crossings, and photo stops.
Can you do this itinerary without hiking?
Yes, you can absolutely do this itinerary without hiking. While hiking is a highlight of this route, many of the best views are accessible via scenic roads, viewpoints, waterfalls, boat tours, and attractions like the Loen Skylift. This itinerary is very flexible, making it easy to replace longer hikes with shorter walks, boat cruises, or relaxing time in the towns.
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