This journey takes you around the eastern part of Norway from Oslo and northwards. The journey begins in the Norwegian capital which has much to offer in terms of attractions, a vibrant social life and a wide choice of restaurants and accommodation.
Travel route: Oslo - Kongberg - Geilo - Fagernes - Otta - Dombås - Åndalsnes/Oppdal
Highlights along the route:
Holmenkollen Culture-& Tourist Center - The Vigeland park - the Royal Palace - the National Gallery - the Kon-Tiki Museum - the Polar Ship Fram Museum - the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History - the Munch Museum - the Akershus Fortress - Oslo City Hall - the Parliament - silvermines at Kongsberg - hiking/recreation area of Geilo - Hardangervidda national park - Valdres Folkemuseum - musk area Dovrefjell - the Old Royal Trail
Recommended accommodation along the route:
Oslo - Drammen - Kongsberg - Geilo - Gol - Nesbyen - Fagernes - Beitostølen - Otta - Høvringen - Dovre - Dombås - Hjerkinn - Oppdal
ALONG THE ROUTE:
Start this route by spending some days in the norwegian capital. Oslo has much to offer in terms of attractions, a vibrant social life and a wide choice of restaurants and accommodation. You need some time if you want to see it all but you can discover the main attractions by joining one of the guided tours around the city. The fantastic view from the top of Holmenkollen ski jump arena, the amazing sculptures of the Vigeland park and changing of the guard by the Royal Castle are "must-sees" while visiting the capital. The Vigeland Park is Norway's most visited attraction with over 1 million visitors every year. Appr. 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943), who also designed the lay-out of the park, makes this park a monumental artistic creation with a human message that is well worth seeing. The royal residence at the top of Karl Johans gate was built in 1824-48 and is open to the public in the summer. The Palace Park contains statues, small lakes and is a popular recreation area.
Don't miss the historic and cultural attractions and visit the National Gallery, The Kon-Tiki Museum, the Polar Ship Fram Museum and the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. The latter is one of Europe's largest open air museums where you find a variety of traditional houses from all over Norway, also including a stave church dated to year 1200. Several indoor exhibits with traditional handicraft items, folk costumes, furniture and church interiors.
Another attraction not to miss is the Viking Ship Museum presenting the world's two best-preserved wooden Viking ships built in the 9th century. Great Viking-ship discoveries from Gokstad, Oseberg and Tune as well as other finds from Viking tombs around the Oslo Fjord such as small boats, sledges, cart with exceptional ornamentation, implements, tools, harness, textiles and household utensils.
Are you interested in arcitecture and buildings the Parliament, Akershus Fortress and the City Hall are worth visiting, the latter well-known for it's large collection of decorations by the foremost Norwegian artists from the period 1900-1950 with motifs from Norwegian history, culture and working life.
Dating from 1299, this Medieval castle and Royal Residence Akershus developed into a fortress armed with cannons in 1592. Guided tours of the fortress in the summer, starting from The Information Centre. Changing of the guards (HM The King's Guards) at 1.30 p.m.
From Oslo you travel north to the old silvermining town of Kongsberg. The town’s history is linked with that of the silver works with silver mines seven kilometres from town and the mining museum is housed in the old smelting house. From Kongsberg you take the highway Rv 40 to Geilo, one of Norway’s largest winter resorts. Geilo offers great hiking trails and you are in easy reach of the walks in Norway’s largest national park, Hardangervidda. The route continues over the Golsfjellet mountains towards Fagernes and Beitostølen on highway Rv 51. Fagernes has the large heritage museum which has 95 houses and buildings, around 20,000 exhibits and is Norway’s fourth-largest open-air museum. With it's houses, farmyard and mountain farm it displays a miniature Valdres from valley to mountains with traditional food, handicraft demonstration, music instrument workshop and exhibitions.
The route continues through Valdresflya, to Otta and Dovrefjell – the richest mountains in terms of vegetation in northern Europe. The 100km Old Kings Road is the oldest road connecting eastern Norway to Trøndelag. The road was used by many of the kings of old and pilgrims followed this road to Nidaros (Trondheim). Continue north towards Dombås where the route offers two options; continue west to Åndalsnes or north to Oppdal. The region offers great hiking trails!
Alternative routes and detours:
From Dombås we recommend to continue towards Åndalsnes where you can see the steep and majestic caracteristic mountain side og Trollveggen, a famous nature attraction. You may also prefer to leave your car at Dombås and take the Raumabanen scenic railway the same distance to fully enjoy the view from the train window!
From Åndalsnes you may continue towards Geiranger or follow the route towards Oppdal. Both recommendable.
