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9 days - An in-depth self drive itinerary from Oslo to Bergen via Telemark and Hardangerfjord
Experience the best of Southern Norway on this 9-day self-drive adventure, starting in Oslo and finishing in Bergen. Begin your journey in Norway’s vibrant capital before heading to the scenic region of Telemark, with its rolling hills, traditional stave churches, and the historic town of Rjukan. Ascend Gaustatoppen via the iconic Gaustabana railway for breathtaking views, and visit Vemork, the legendary site of the WWII heavy water sabotage. Continue through the stunning landscapes of Hardangerfjord, where waterfalls, glaciers, and fruit orchards await, before arriving in Bergen, a coastal city renowned for its Hanseatic charm and spectacular mountain surroundings.
Perfect for couples or families, this itinerary can be tailored to suit your needs, offering a seamless blend of culture, history, and natural beauty.
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
Car hire 7 days; VW Golf (manual) or similar with free mileage and CDW
International flights, lunches, other meals where not specified and items of personal nature.
Arrive to Oslo and make your own way to your central hotel in the heart of Oslo. The Norwegian capital has a great deal to offer! If you arrive early, we can recommend a walk around the centre of town to view the Parliament, the Castle & the Harbour area.
Discover the new area of Bjorvika with the new Opera House and Munch Museum and then explore the charming shopping streets, cosy cafés and exciting eateries of Grünerløkka. After going shopping at numerous design boutiques, vintage shops and flea markets, head to the Mathallen food hall for local specialties.
Stay the night in a central hotel in Oslo.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Pick-up your rental car today, and start your journey towards Telemark, known as the birthplace of modern skiing and offering some of Norway's most diverse and beautiful landscapes. As you drive through the region, you'll transition from gentle rolling hills to dramatic mountain vistas and shimmering lakes. Telemark is also steeped in history and folklore. From its stave churches and traditional farmhouses to its industrial heritage, the region bridges Norway's ancient traditions and modern innovations.
Arrive at Bolkesjø Gaard, a family-owned farm located by Blefjell mountain in Telemark.
The farm offers stunning views of the Telemark mountains, surrounded by forests and lakes, and here you find one of Norway's oldest farms dating back to 1200. It’s an ideal spot for hiking, fishing, swimming, and enjoying all the natural beauty the area has to offer. Meet your hosts and embark on an activity of choice, before enjoying a delicious local meal.
The drive from Oslo to Telemark region takes ca. 2 hours without stops.
After breakfast, get ready for an unforgettable day that starts with a visit to the magnificent Heddal Stave Church, Norway's largest stave church from the 1200s. Here you get to experience the impressive architecture and learn about the church's rich history, which is an important part of Norway's cultural heritage. After admiring the stave church, we travel on to the beautiful fruit village of Gvarv for an exclusive tasting experience at three unique players: Lindheim Ølkompani, Lien Gård, and Nerø Sideri. At Lindheim Ølkompani, you get to taste a selection of craft beers brewed with local ingredients. Then Lien Gård and Nerø Sideri await with their delicious cider made from apples from their own orchard. Lunch is served at one of the operators, where you can enjoy tasty food made from local ingredients, perfectly adapted to the unique flavors of the region.
Local dinner at Bolkesjø Gaard this evening.
After enjoying a local breakfast, today the scenic journey takes you along Tinnsjå Lake, one of Norway’s deepest lakes deeper into the heart of Telemark, passing through landscapes rich in history and natural beauty to Rjukan.
In Rjukan a must-do is a visit to Vemork Power Plant, home to the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum. This iconic site tells the story of Rjukan’s hydroelectric power industry and the daring sabotage mission during WWII to prevent Nazi Germany from producing heavy water.
Continue onwards the short drive to Gaustablikk and Gaustatoppen, one of Norway's most iconic peaks, and the Gaustablikk area, a hub for year-round outdoor activities.
The drive from Bolkesjø Gaard via Rjukan to Gaustablikk takes ca. 1h30min without stops.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today, head to the Gaustatoppen, one of Norway's most iconic peaks, offers breathtaking panoramic views stretching across a sixth of the country on clear days. For a unique and effortless ascent, take the Gaustabanen, a historic and ingenious funicular railway. Originally built for military purposes, this subterranean marvel whisks you up through the heart of the mountain, sparing you the climb while treating you to a one-of-a-kind experience. At the summit, enjoy well-marked trails, a cozy café, and stunning vistas—perfect for photography and quiet reflection.
Return back to Gaustablikk to relax in the afternoon, or explore the fascinating history of the Rjukan town.
Breakfast at the hotel.
After, leave Telemark behind and head towards Hardangerfjord. The drive from Rjukan to Ullensvang is an unforgettable mix of mountain passes, dramatic fjords, and charming Norwegian villages.
Take a stop at Hardangervidda National Park Center in Øvre Eidfjord to learn about Europe’s largest mountain plateau and its unique wildlife, including wild reindeer. The center’s interactive exhibits and breathtaking setting make it a great introduction to Hardangervidda.
Coming to Ullensvang, enjoy this peaceful fjord-side retreat with world-class scenery, charming villages, and opportunities to explore the Hardanger region’s cultural and natural wonders. The are is known for its known for its apple orchards and stunning fjord views. At the hotel enjoy the soft heat of the sauna, and the outdoor pools before dinner at the hotel.
The drive from Rjukan to Ullensvang takes ca. 4h without stops.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Embark on an exhilarating RIB boat fjord safari through the stunning Hardangerfjord, where towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls set the stage for an unforgettable adventure. Enjoy the thrill of the ride as you discover hidden corners of the fjord, before heading to Nå, home to some of Hardanger’s best cider producers. This tour allows you to decide which one of 3 cider producers you’d like to visit — or you could visit them all. Upon arrival in Nå, visit the different farms, guided by local farmers who will show you around their orchards and offer tastings of their exceptional products.
After your exciting day, return to the elegant Hotel Ullensvang to unwind. Relax by the fjordside pool, indulge in a delicious dinner with panoramic views, or simply enjoy the luxurious comforts of this iconic hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before continuing your drive onwards to Bergen.
The drive from Hotel Ullensvang to Bergen via Voss offers a journey through some of Norway's most picturesque landscapes. Take a stop in Voss, known for its adventure sports and cultural heritage, and enjoy a leisurely stroll by Lake Vangsvatnet, visit the historic Voss Church or take the gondola ride up to Mount Hanrungen for beautiful views. As you approach Bergen, take in the majestic views of fjords and mountains before arriving to the “capital” of the Fjord region.
Drop-off you rental car on arrival, and enjoy the busy atmosphere of this coastal town.
The drive from Ullensvang to Bergen takes ca. 3h without stops.
Before departing, head out for some sightseeing in Bergen. A hike or Fløibanen Funicular journey up to the top of Mount Fløyen is a must for first-time visitors to the city. There is great shopping in the old Hanseatic wharf Bryggen, as well as numerous fascinating museums and historic sights.
Independent transfer to the airport.
All prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a room.
For a greener option, please ask us about changing your vehicle to a 'green' car; either a diesel or a hybrid.
Please note that this itinerary can be easily tailored to suit your schedule, whether you wish to shorten or extend your trip. Contact us for personalised options and recommendations—this is truly a wonderful region of the world to explore.
The New Deichmanske Main Library is the latest architectural masterpiece to open its door in Oslo’s Bjorvika-precinct. Here are 5 reasons you should visit to the new library next time you spend time in Oslo.
Oslo restaurants, in the tradition of the New Nordic Food Movement, have the depth and sophistication you would expect from the capital city of Norway. Read our options for places to try.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. The safety of our travellers, staff and operators is a major priority of 50 Degrees North. With an operational office in Norway, 50 Degrees North has access to an up-to-the-minute flow of information regarding the countries we work in. We are also in regular contact with the various operators we use. Their in-depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.
Norway has a few items that typically surprise travellers when visiting Norway for the first time. Alcohol and luxury items are heavily taxed and therefore prices are higher than you would expect. On the other hand, necessities such as bread and milk, are taxed low and therefore are great value.
We recommend that you bring all the alcohol you’re allowed to bring into the country when you arrive. There are many lovely parks and balconies where you can enjoy your duty free. However, be sure not to bring more than you’re allowed!
As of May 2014, the allowances according to Visit Norway are:
Alcoholic beverages:
Minimum age: 18/ 20*
1 litre of beverages with more than 22% up to and including 60% alcohol per volume as well as 1½ litre with more than 2.5% up to and including 22% alcohol per volume or three litres with more than 2.5% up to and including 22% alcohol per volume
and
2 litres of beer with more than 2.5 % or other beverages with more than 2.5% up to and including 4.7% alcohol per volume.
This means that you may for example bring with you five litres of beer provided you do not have any other alcoholic beverages with you.
*For importing alcoholic beverages with more than 22% alcohol per volume the minimum age is 20.
It’s illegal to bring extra alcohol into Norway and can end up costing you. Another thing you should bring and not buy in Norway is razor blades. Good razor blades in Norway are expensive.
Written by Jayde Kincaid, who married a Norwegian, and was happily (albeit with some hesitation) introduced to a world of Norwegian every day food habits.
At 50 Degrees North, we want to encourage our travellers to try local Norwegian food & drink. This may seem difficult in Scandinavia in general without a large budget, and in particular Norway. Some of the more remote villages you might visit have limited restaurants or cafes, some of which can be pretty expensive. There is certainly no street food! One way to get about sampling local food is by self-catering. You will find plenty of friendly locals in the small town grocery stores and supermarkets who will be happy to help you picking out local ingredients. Just don’t be shy – ask! And, don’t rush – make your local small town shopping part of your holiday experience. Read the local notice boards, and enjoy an ice cream out the front when you have finished. It is what the locals do!
Note: Statoil cups - a good idea to save money as you drive around Norway: purcahse a Statoil (petrol station) metal cup and you get free refills of coffee, tea and hot chocolate at the Statoil stations.
Norway has an extensive range of grocery stores, and in most small villages you will find at least one, if not two or three grocery stores. However, they do have limited opening hours, and except for ‘Bunnpris’, they are all closed on Sundays. You will see the weekend hours shown in brackets on the store sign out front. If you are arriving in a larger town, we do suggest you stock up with some staples before you head out into the mountains or on a coastal drive.
A few tips:
• Plastic bags are NOK1-2 and you will always need to pack your own shopping.
• You can recycle your bottles and cans for a receipt that you can cash in. Recycling points are found in all stores.
• Alcohol sold in food stores (mainly beer and cider) is restricted by government regulation to certain hours. This varies slightly, but on weekdays alcohol sales stop at 8pm regardless and on Saturdays at 6pm. Outside these hours and on Sundays you can only buy alcohol in licensed restaurants or bars.
• Any alcohol over 4.7% can only be bought at special government controlled liquor store (Vinmonopolet). These are very rare in smaller remote towns and villages, so stock up before you leave the city.
Meatballs or “meatcakes’: these come in all shapes, sizes and quality. They are generally really tasty and a bit better than what you find at IKEA. Also pick up a packet of dried ready-made brown sauce that goes with them. Be on the look out for Lingonberry sauce/jam, or even fresh lingonberries that you can use to make a fresh sauce (little red circular berries). Don’t add too much sugar, they are served quite tart.
If you want to try to make this brown sauce yourself, buy some ‘brunost’ (brown cheese), the required creams and follow the recipe below.
Hotdogs: known as ‘pølse’ in Norwegian, hot dogs are abundant in Norway. Cheap and cheerful – pølse is THE fast food of Norway. They are sold at service stations, newsagents, corner stores and fast food outlets. Pølse come with a dazzling variety of toppings and bread. Some of the pølse highlights would be the bacon wrapped ones, sprinkled with dried onion, mustards and mayonnaise. You will also find them wrapped in waffles (mostly in and around Fredrikstad) or the Norwegian pancake, ‘lompe’.
Note: there are strict requirements by the Food Safety commission for traditional pølse to be of the highest quality and they have even set requirements for what types of ingredients are allowed.
Like Norwegian beer, you will find seasonal pølse – Christmas pølse (Julepølse) is obviously found only in the lead up to the celebrations.
If you are planning to eat Norwegian style, use boil pølse on the stove and add to meals with potatoes and stew.
Note; steer away from tinned cheap pølse and meatballs.
Fish cakes: these also come in lots of variation and are generally served with a white sauce and lots of parsley. The Norwegians also use a basic white sauce on broccoli with cheese on top. These fish cakes are often found in fish shops, fried or steamed, ready to eat. A great fast snack.
Reindeer: we strongly suggest you try reindeer meat when you are travelling in the far north. It generally comes frozen, so look for finely cut reindeer meat in the freezer section. It is a more expensive option, but absolutely delicious albeit quite gamey. Be sure to get mushrooms, a small amount of brown cheese and rømme (crème fraiche). Fry it all up in a pan - a bit like a beef stroganoff. Serve with boiled potatoes or rice.
Mushrooms: if you are travelling in the chanterelle harvest season (mid/late August), be sure to try them. They are the yellow mushroom found in autumn. Or better still, have a look around the pine forests and pick some. Be sure to image search them before you head out so you know what to pick. They are really delicious with the brown cheese sauce and reindeer.
Salmon, prawns & fish: always be on the look out for a chance to buy fresh fish. Yes, it is possible to smooth talk a fisherman at the harbour. Or look for the local fish-kiosk or fish-shop. Be on the look out for small signs pointing you in the direction of fresh fish sales – ‘reker’ (shrimps, not prawns) or ‘fersk fisk’ (fresh fish) are the words you need.
Norwegians are very proud of their shrimps – and of course completely justified. Their shrimps are small and tasty and harvested from the cool North Sea. Norwegians traditionally serve them with mayonnaise and lemon. Peel them and pop them on a fresh white slice of bread. Mayonnaise is layered on top with dill, pepper & salt.
Smoked Salmon: Norwegian smoked salmon is the best in the world hands down. Be sure to try all the different varieties you see – often, in larger supermarkets or delis, you can try before you buy.
Tubed ‘kaviar’ (caviar): this is a must try. It is cheap and perfect for the travellers pantry. This is what my husband craves like an Australian abroad would crave vegemite.
Norwegian pre-made dips and salads: the Norwegian supermarkets have a large range of premade salads and dips. They last quite a while and are good fillers for sandwiches. Our favourite are the cubed beetroot salad and the potato salads. They come in easy-to-carry and pack-up containers – perfect for picnics. Tubed mayonnaise is also handy for picnics.
‘Leverpostei’ (liver pate) in many variations can also be found in the supermarket. This pate is normally served on brown bread then topped with sliced red onions or sweet pickles. Protein rich and very tasty if you like pate – it is found on most Norwegian breakfast tables.
Yoghurt: now – this is an interesting one. Norwegian yoghurt comes in a variety of styles - some can be very runny, sour and low fat. There are varying names/codes for each sort. You might like to check with a local when you are buying yoghurt to be sure you are getting what you want. Some of the yoghurt comes as though it is milk, in normal milk cartons - sour runny yoghurt is NOT nice in your coffee.
Bread: the Norwegian supermarket bread generally comes un-cut. You can either cut it in the shop – ask for help the first time you do it. They have industrial bread cutting machines near the bakery section. The bread can be quite plain in the main supermarkets so be on the look out for boutique bakeries in the larger towns if you enjoy fancy bread. Also keep an eye out for the Norwegian flatbread, Lefse, which is similar to Mexican tortillas. Usually served with butter and sugar, sometimes cinnamon too. Occasionally made with potato.
Waffles: Norwegian waffle stalls are similar to the sausage sizzle or hot dog stand. It is the most common fundraising or community building food product. Don’t expect sickly sweet jams or whipped cream – you will find these fresh chewy waffles served with sour cream and home made tart berry jams. Never go past one!
Chocolate: we recommend that you try the ‘FREIA’ milk chocolate during your stay. It melts in your mouth.
Berries: if you travel in early autumn (mid/late August) this is berry season. Forest berries that is. Ask a local and head up into the hills or forest in search for berries. You may find; blueberries, lingonberries, rasberries and if you are up north or in the central mountains; the rare yellow cloudberries.
On a self-drive journey, always be on the look out for small farm shops or stands along the road. Things you cannot drive past:
Strawberries: if you are travelling in the strawberry season – you MUST try Norwegian strawberries. They are seriously amazing. Grown in the nutritious earth that has the chance to rejuvenate through a long winter.
_And if you go past a self-pick strawberry farm, put everything else on hold and enter! Norwegians wait all year for this event. _
New potatoes: be on the look out for new season potatoes – they are often sold in little stands beside the road. Often on an honesty basis; i.e. grab a bag and put the money in an allocated tin.
CLASSIC RECIPE:
Basic Brown Cheese Recipe – can be used with meatballs, reindeer, with added mushrooms.
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 3⁄4 cup light cream
• 1⁄2 cup chicken broth (optional - just use water if you cannot find this)
• 1 cup shredded gjetost or brown goats cheese
• 3⁄4 cup rømme (crème fraiche)
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or 2 tablespoons fresh dill
Method:
Using the meat dish that has been browned off, remove as much oil from the pan as possible and blend in butter and flour. Remove from heat and blend in light cream. Add chicken broth, bring to boil, stirring and cooking until thickened. Mix in Gjetost cheese. Turn heat low.
Blend some of the sauce into the rømme (crème fraiche), then return all to sauce. Add chopped parsley or fresh dill.
Happy shopping and cooking!
