The Ultimate SPRING Road Trip
Johan Haugsrud
Norway
đłđŽ The Ultimate Spring Road Trip in Norway (5 Days)
Fewer crowds. Blooming flowers. Bigger waterfalls. The most beautiful version of Norway.
If you ask me, spring might be the best time to road trip Norway.
The summer crowds havenât arrived yet, which means you often get the most iconic places almost to yourself. At the same time, the snow is melting in the mountains, turning every waterfall into a powerful, roaring experience.
This route takes you through some of the most scenic landscapes in Norway: fjords, mountains, waterfalls, and unique stays along the way.
đ Before You Go
Best time: April â early June
Transport: Rent a car or use your own
Driving time total: ~18â20 hours across 5 days
Road conditions: Generally good, but expect changing weather
đ If youâre renting a car, I recommend AVIS.
Iâve worked with them recently, but I actually used them long before the collaboration, which is exactly why I chose to team up with them. Reliable cars and smooth pickup makes a huge difference on a trip like this.
đŠïž Weather & What to Pack (April â Early June)
Spring in Norway is beautiful, but unpredictable. You can experience everything from sunshine and 15-24°C to rain, wind, and even snow in the mountains. sometimes all in the same day. Coastal areas like Bergen tend to be milder but wetter, while higher elevations (like Hardangervidda) can still feel like winter.
đ What to pack:
A waterproof jacket
Layered clothing (t-shirt, sweater/fleece, light down jacket)
Comfortable walking or hiking shoes (preferably waterproof)
A hat and gloves for colder mornings or mountain areas
Sunglasses for bright spring days
Hiking pants for hikes (this is not necessary if you don't plan to do longer hikes)
Hiking shoes for longer mountain hikes (this is not necessary if you don't plan to do longer hikes)
A small daypack for hikes and changing conditions
The key is layering. If you dress smart, youâll be comfortable no matter what the weather throws at you, and trust me, itâs worth it.
đ Day 1 â Oslo â FlĂ„m
This is a pretty long drive but luckily for us, there are some beautiful stops along the way.
Stops along the way:
Rjukande Fossen â a powerful roadside waterfall
Borgund Stave Church â one of the best-preserved stave churches in Norway
Stegastein Viewpoint â a panoramic platform over the fjord
In FlÄm:
Ride the famous FlÄm Railway
Hike to Brekkefossen (great view over FlÄm)
Try a RIB safari on the fjord
Eat at Ăgir BrewPub (Viking-inspired restaurant)
đ Visiting mid-May? Donât miss the FlĂ„m Zipline â the longest in Scandinavia.
Where to stay:
Fretheim Hotel (classic and comfortable)
FlÄm Retreat (more private and unique)
FlÄm Tiny Houses (small, but very special)
đïž Day 2 â FlĂ„m â Bergen
Before heading to Bergen, start your day with something unforgettable:
Optional hike:
Bakkanosi (6 hours round trip)
Arguably one of the most beautiful hikes in Norway.
Stops on the way:
Skjervsfossen â 30-second walk to a powerful waterfall
The famous scenic restroom above Skjervsfossen (yes, seriously)
Bordalsgjelet (Voss) â short 5-minute walk into a dramatic gorge
Arrive in Bergen in the evening.
đ Day 3 â Bergen
Take a full day (or two) to explore Norwayâs most charming city.
Things to do:
Visit the Aquarium
Take the funicular to FlĂžyen
Explore Bryggen (remember to go between the old wooden buildings!)
Hike LĂžvstakken
Food spots:
Hoggorm Pizza
3 Kroneren (legendary hot dogs)
MM Atmosphere: (perfect for sunny days)
Unique stays:
(there are a lot of nice hotels in the city but if you are looking for something unique, I would go with these ones. These stays are an experience in of them self)
Hideaway Herdla
Birdbox Sotra
Sotra Sea Dome
Furiholmen
đ Day 4 â Bergen â Odda
One of the most underrated and beautiful drives in Norway.
Must-see stops:
Steinsdalsfossen â walk behind the waterfall
Furebergfossen â one of the most powerful waterfalls in the region
In Odda & surroundings:
Hikes:
Bondhusvatnet (easy and stunning)
Trolltunga (full-day hike)
Buerbreen Glacier
NyastĂžlsfossen & SĂžtefossen
Activities:
RIB tours on the fjord
Trolltunga Zipline
Bike tours with Trolltunga Active
Unique places to stay:
Hotel Sundal
Woodsnest
Hotel Ullensvang
Ă krafjorden Glamping (with spa)
đïž Day 5 â Odda â Oslo
A long but beautiful drive back to Oslo.
Stops along the way:
VĂžringsfossen â one of Norwayâs most famous waterfalls
Halne Fjellstugu â perfect lunch stop
Halnekollen â short hike with panoramic views
đ§ Things I Wish I Knew Before This Trip
You donât need to rush â fewer stops = better experience
Spring weather changes fast â pack for everything
Start driving early each day to avoid traffic and maximize daylight
Some attractions open mid-May â check ahead
Book unique stays early (they sell out fast)
đ§ Why This Is the Ultimate Spring Road Trip
You avoid the summer crowds
Waterfalls are at their absolute peak
Roads are open, but nature still feels wild
You get iconic places almost to yourself
This is Norway at its most raw and beautiful.
đ If you want all these spots (plus hidden gems, photo locations, and exact pins),
check out my full map on Rexby here:
[Insert your Rexby link]
Looking for things to do?
Go check out my guide for the best free things to do as well as itineraries and travel tips to make your trip unforgettable.