It looks like I'm finally going to be able to do the Norwegian trip I wanted a few years ago. I've got a pretty good idea of the route I'll take - basically all the twisty bits and spectacular scenery on the west - but I'm just wondering how much time I need. Does 2 - 3 weeks for Larvik to Nordkaap sound about right? I don't want to rush so if it's not enough time I might just go as far as the Lofoten islands, but having gone so far it does seem a bit of a waste to skip Nordkaap.

All advice welcome!

Is 2-3 weeks there and back? If so, where from?

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Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand

2-3 weeks from Larvik to Nordkapp...

Yes.

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Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand

That will be plenty of time for that stretch unless you plan extremely many sightseing stops and rest days. After all its possible to ride this stretch in 2 longish days if you use the E6 mainly. I did Vardø (the northeasternmost town in Norway) to Oslo in 2 days (via Finland and Sweden) but I could hardly walk afterwards....

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Agree with Snakeboy. That will be plenty of time to see the sights. Tip: Speed up Sweden and Finland to the north of Norway, and spend your days riding southbound in Norway towards the Western fjords etc.

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HansP
All you wanted to know
about riding in Norway

I bet you could hardly sit down as well! Thanks.

I was thinking of riding north from Larvik to the western fjords and on to Nordkapp, then south through Sweden & Finland, i.e. clockwise route. But you seem to be suggesting the same route but the opposite direction. Would I be better to travel clockwise, and if so why? Thanks.

No other than my own thinking of having the best days ahead instead of behind The important thing is that you have enough days to spend, as there are lots of stuff to see.

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HansP
All you wanted to know
about riding in Norway

I could just go up the west coast to Nordkapp, turn around and return down the west coast. That way the best days would be both ahead and behind me

Hmm - a smiley or two seem to have disappeared from my original posting.... Anyhow - 1500 kms in one go (17-18 hours) is too much, and yes sitting wasnt very comfortable either.

I was thinking about a very approximate suggestion for your route:

Day 1: Larvik - Stavanger via R E134 and 45 (the 45 is very scenic) approx 400 kms
Day 2: Sightseing in and around Stavanger, Preikestolen, Kjeragbolten, Lysefjorden etc. Maybe even 2 days?
Day 3. Bergen - Stavanger, its only 220 km the shortest way but several ferries.
Day 4. Sightseing in Bergen - Norways second biggest city.
Day 5. Bergen - Geirangerfjorden (very scenic ride alert around Geiranger) maybe ride a little further to Eidsdal or Valldal to spend the night? Approx 400 kms
Day 6 Via Trollstigen (very scenic ride alert) Åndalsnes, Åfarnes-Sølsnes, Elnesvågen, Bud, Vevang, Atlanterhavsveien (very scenic ride alert) Kristiansund. Its just 200-250 kms but some very scenic and winding stretches, and a ferry or two.
Day 7. Kristiandsund - Trondheim and beyond a bit depending if you wanna stop in Trondheim, the third biggest city in Norway? If not maybe to Namsos which will be approx 400 kms including one ferry out from Kristiansund-Tømmervåg.
Its also possible to not go to Trondheim and take backroads/countryroads via a ferry across Trondheimsfjorden (Agdenes-Brekstad) and then on to Namsos. It will be back roads/countryroads and approx 380 kms and two ferries.
Day 8-9 I highly recommend the R17 also known as the Coastal highway from Namsos to Bodø instead of the rather dull E6. The R17 can goes along the coast and you will see fjords, islands and nice scenery. Several idyllic towns as Brønøysund, Sandnessjøen, Nesna, Glomfjord etcand even glaciers. So many interesting detours available. There are 5-6 ferry rides (all short) along this stretch and length is approx 500 kms and scenic ride alert.
Day 10-11 Lofoten and Vesterålen. Take the ferry (3-4 hours) from Bodø to Moskenes (Lofoten) spend a day or two in these very idyllic and scenic islands.
Im originally from there so I can advise you more detailed if you wish. There are nowadays no ferries internally in Lofoten/Vesterålen except one (Melbu-Fiskebøl) but that can be avoided by using the socalled Fastlandsforbindelsen.
Day 12. From Andenes (the top of Vesterålen) take a ferry to Gryllefjord on the island of Senja which again are very scenic. Ride the western coast of Senja to Botnhamn and take the ferry to Brensholmen. From there its only 1-2 hours in to Tromsø the biggest town in northern Norway.
Day 13. Sightseing day in Tromsø.
Day 14. Tromsø to Honningsvåg (the nearest town to Nordkapp) its a little more than 500 kms if you take the route via Lyngen which gives you two short ferry hops. Can be avoided but will give you some 100-200 kms more.
Day 15 - explore Nordkapp and nearby area.

So there you go - very easily done in 14-15 days. You can add in several sightseing days/rest days and still be within 3 weeks. And best of all - you will hardly touch the boring E6 except in the far north.

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Thanks a lot for all of that! It's actually pretty close to the route I'd mapped, but with lots of added ferries which really helps. Yes, I'd love some extra detail on Lofoten if you've got the time and are inclined - no pressure

I'd buy you a couple of for all your work, but I don't know where you are. So I'll just drink them for you; I know it's what you would want

Russki Guzzy - nevermind, its my pleasure. Im stuck in South-America somewhere with a broken down bike and waiting for spare parts. So I have plenty of time lurking around online. Have met so much friendly and helpful people along the roads so I guess I have to do somerhing back for some karma payback...

What exactly do you want to know about Lofoten? Sightseing spots, accomodation, roads, ferries to and from, other?

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

I'm sorry to hear about your bike. I hope it's not too serious and you're stuck somewhere entertaining.

I'll take anything you've got on Lofoten. Cheap accommodation, if such a thing exists, would be good. I hope to camp mostly, but if the weather's bad it would be good to know of alternative. Any especially good roads, just asphalt since my Guzzi really doesn't like off-road. And yes, good sightseeing, anything you think might be interesting. I like wild countryside and small villages rather than big towns, but I'm assuming there aren't many of the latter on the islands.

Good luck with your repairs!

On the Lofotens, I recommend driving to the very end, to the town called A (with a funny dot on top); once there, drive to the very end of the road and there are some nice little cabins to stay in right on the water. In general I had a hard time finding a place to stay in the Lofotens, almost all of the hotels were booked. In general the place is very picturesque, but I'm not sure if there are any "must see" locations. Here is a link to my blog with some pix and text about my trip to Norkapp, including the Lofoten:
Motoreiter: August 2014