This headline perfectly describes what this post is about: The main reason of our Norway trip. The look of fjords and waterfalls makes everyone’s heart beat faster and so did ours. Norway has been on our radar for a very long time.
Depending on how much time you have, you should concentrate on a specific part of the country. That’s what we did and so we chose a few scenic routes in the western part of Norway.
Driving for hours
Be prepared to spend many hours in the car. Of course, we had to stop over and over again to make a break, to hike or for sightseeing or for one of the many magnificent views.
However: Norway is huge and it takes a lot of time to come from A to B. Even if the distance is not too far and the streets are in very good condition, the roads are twisting and steep and this will delay your journey.
You can read more about our routes and our ride with our Volkswagen minibus later.
Picture-perfect Norway
The only disappointing thing about Norway and its scenic routes: We couldn’t stop as often as we would have liked to. Perfect landscape scenery was everywhere.
Unfortunately there were only few parking slots and viewpoints. Maybe it is ok this way. Otherwise we would never have arrived.
Hardanger
Beautiful like Middle Earth. This is the area we reached after leaving rainy Bergen. Thank God it stopped raining shortly after Bergen. The further we drove, the brighter it became and we stranded in the middle of a Norwegian idyll.
Steinsdalsfossen
This is a great waterfall, next to it a pavement in good condition, which makes it ideal to gaze it from every corner. Nothing is more beautiful and louder than standing behind a waterfall.
We enjoyed the great view over the valley and Nordheimsund from the end of the pavement.
Norheimsund
This place is simply Norwegian perfection. It’s idyllic and if you’re looking for a picture perfect place, you have to make a stop in Norheimsund.
It’s so calm and kind of a senior citizens’ paradise. We understand why they’re here. The houses by the water are perfectly reflected in the lake.
Eidfjord
The Eidfjord is a Norway cliché at its best. It was so much fun driving along these roads and enjoying the amazing fjord landscape.
Deep blue-green water surrounded by huge mountains everywhere you look. Another place where you can find calm and peace like nowhere else. If there weren’t a few cars passing by from time to time, this place would be perfection.
Vøringsfossen
We don’t know if the Vøringsfossen belongs officially to the Eidfjord. But it’s located east of the Eidfjord in the mountains and is flowing eventually into the fjord.
This waterfall is a super power. When foggy, it appears dangerous. Without you’ll have an amazing view over a dream valley. It reminded me a little bit of Riverdell from ‘Lord of the Rings’.
We recommend you to drive up to the Fossli Hotel as firstly the view is much better from there and secondly because only here you can spot the Vøringsfossen as a whole. Furthermore the hotel’s café is open for everyone. The fruit cake here is just delicious.
While we were there in the first week of July, the viewpoint was under construction. A situation, we really don’t like as the ‘main’ view was closed. For everyone else this means: Next year you can enjoy a spectacular view of the waterfall and the valley. And take THE perfect picture.
Sørfjord
I don’t know if the idyll in Norway ever stops. We were totally in awe of the little towns along this fjord.
Fruits are grown here and we loved the picturesque landscape. A huge advantage of this: People were selling cherries along the fjord street.
Husedalen
Husedalen is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Norway. It’s located in Kinsarvik. During the hike, you’ll see four waterfalls.
We don’t hike for hike’s sake. We only hike because we have a goal. Everything else seems like a waste of time for us. Our goal this time: the huge waterfalls.
We only hiked to the first two waterfalls as they’re the largest and most impressive (we trusted the pictures in the internet). The hike up to the second waterfall and return with a little bit of relaxing time up there, takes around three hours.
Husedalen is a must, no matter how long you want to hike.
Låtefossen
This waterfall is south of Odda. What’s special: On the one hand this waterfall drops down so fast that you should actually measure it by its volume, means very loud. On the other hand it flows under a bridge with several bows, which is part of the main road – perfect for pictures.
Generally the whole area around Låtefossen was so dreamy. Unfortunately, there are very few places to stop here.
Ryfylke
For us, the Ryfylke area was the surprise of Western Norway. It’s gigantic and one of the most beautiful parts is located between the towns of Røldal and Sauda. The trip through the mountains was spectacular and we’re wondering why this place is so unknown.
Everything up there seems so unreal. It was July and there was still snow there. Sheep were walking along the street and didn’t even care about us. Over and over again the stone landscape was interrupted by lakes and waterfalls.
It was so breathtaking that we decided to have dinner despite the strong wind and the cold. Show me the person cooking pasta with a camping stove under these conditions. Priceless!
We saw so many weird stone formations and isolated villages. The streets were narrow and twisting. We were accompanied by waterfalls and white waters along our drive through the narrow valleys.
We can understand that some might not choose this route because of its fierceness. We were lost for hours in the sticks. Still we don’t understand why it’s so unknown. The Ryfylke area deserves much more attention.
Svandalsfossen
This waterfall appears shortly after Sauda. It also flows under the bridge of the main road directly into the fjord. It’s beautiful and idyllic and it was the best place to stay overnight here. 
We parked our minibus and the next morning, we had the best view ever.
Preikestolen (Lysefjord)
This is one of Norway’s most famous hiking trails. From above, you have the famous view over the Lysefjord. Obviously we weren’t alone here.
The trail is partly well developed, partly hell on earth. Whereupon this wasn’t even the problem climbing up. Going the same way down while it’s rainy and slippery was much worse. On rainy days, we recommend you to not hike as it’s not fun anymore and a little bit dangerous.
Though it was a bit rainy and the sky was grey, arriving up there was totally worth it. The colour of the water was amazingly blue. Looking down from there made me almost peeing my pants. This is nothing for people with vertigo.
This is not the place to do everything for the perfect picture. Some people risk too much and there had already been serious accidents. So just be careful when there.
If you want to avoid the crowds, you should start in the morning. By noon and in the afternoon there are many buses with people coming here. It might be less enjoyable when it’s too crowded.
Nordsjøveien (North Sea way)
The Nordsjøveien goes from Stavanger to Flekkefjord, where we stayed overnight. The landscape here couldn’t be more different. Gentle hills shape the landscape in the north while there are deep fjords in the south.
With bad weather (like we had) it appeared threatening to us and was yet appealing. Driving isn’t so much fun under these conditions nevertheless. Rain and fog are not a great combination.
Of course with sunshine, this area looks completely different.
Our next Norway adventure will definitely come and we’re really looking forward to discover new places.