6 Days: Bergen, Flåm & the Nærøyfjord
Fjords, Vikings & Spectacular Scenery
Six days through some of Western Norway’s most spectacular fjord landscapes: This road trip takes you from Bergen via Voss to the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, before continuing to Flåm and Aurland and eventually returning to Bergen via the Sognefjord.
Along the way, you’ll discover Viking history, a spectacular fjord cruise, the famous Flåm Railway, breathtaking viewpoints and two of Western Norway’s most scenic mountain roads.
6 days · 🏔 Fjords & mountains · ⚔️ Vikings · 🚢 Fjord cruise · Start & finish: Bergen
Route Map
Bergen → Voss → Gudvangen → Flåm → Aurland → Lærdal → Balestrand → Vik → Bergen
Highlights of This Road Trip
Bergen
Historic Bryggen, surrounding mountains and the perfect starting point for your road trip.
Viking Valley
Step into the world of the Vikings at Njardarheimr in Gudvangen.
Nærøyfjord
One of Norway’s narrowest and most spectacular fjords – and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Flåm
A small fjord village surrounded by steep mountains and home to the famous Flåm Railway.
Aurland
A peaceful village on the Aurlandsfjord and the perfect base for visiting Stegastein.
Stegastein
A spectacular viewpoint around 650 metres above the Aurlandsfjord.
Aurlandsfjellet
One of Norway’s most impressive scenic mountain roads.
Sognefjord
Norway’s longest and deepest fjord accompanies you through the final stages of this road trip.
Day 1 – Bergen → Voss
Today, you’ll leave Bergen behind and head towards Voss, surrounded by mountains, lakes and waterfalls. Known as one of Norway’s outdoor adventure capitals, Voss makes an ideal first stop on this road trip.
📍 Destination: Voss
🚗 Driving time: Approx. 1.5 hours
🏔 Highlight: Voss & Vangsvatnet
Experience Tip:
Voss Gondol – Ride the gondola up to Hangurstoppen and enjoy sweeping views over Voss, Vangsvatnet and the surrounding mountains.
Outdoor Norway – From rafting and kayaking to a range of other outdoor adventures, this is a great choice if you want to experience the adventurous side of Voss.
Where to Stay in Voss
Store Ringheim Hotel & Apartment – A small boutique hotel in peaceful surroundings near Voss, with individually designed rooms and a focus on local food – a charming alternative to the larger hotels in town.
Day 2 – Voss → Tvindefossen → Gudvangen
Today, the scenery becomes even more dramatic. On your way to Gudvangen, stop at Tvindefossen before continuing through the spectacular Nærøydalen valley towards the Nærøyfjord.
📍 Destination: Gudvangen
💦 Highlight: Tvindefossen & Nærøyfjord
⚔️ Experience: Viking Valley
Viking Valley – Njardarheimr
In Gudvangen, Viking Valley takes you into the world of the Vikings. Reconstructed buildings, traditional crafts and historical interpreters offer a fascinating glimpse into how people lived here around 1,000 years ago.
Where to Stay in Gudvangen
Gudvangen Fjordtell – Stay surrounded by the spectacular fjord scenery of Gudvangen. With a choice of rooms and apartments, restaurants and a sauna, the hotel makes a comfortable base for exploring the Nærøyfjord and Viking Valley.
💰 Budget-Tipp: Gudvangen Budget Hotel – Eine einfachere und preisbewusstere Alternative mitten in Gudvangen, nur wenige Minuten von Nærøyfjord und den wichtigsten Erlebnissen des Ortes entfernt.
Day 3 – Nærøyfjord → Flåm
Today brings one of the biggest highlights of the entire journey: a fjord cruise through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord.
Leave your car in Gudvangen and take the shuttle to Flåm. After spending some time exploring the village, travel by boat across the Aurlandsfjord and through the spectacular Nærøyfjord back to Gudvangen. You can then collect your car and continue to Flåm or Aurland for the night.
📍 Destination: Flåm or Aurland
🚢 Highlight: Nærøyfjord Cruise
🏔 Today: Flåm & UNESCO fjord scenery
Experience Tip:
Norway’s Best offers the fjord cruise between Flåm and Gudvangen, as well as convenient shuttle connections between the two villages.
Where to Stay in Flåm or Aurland
Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri – A traditional guesthouse right by the fjord in Aurland, with cosy rooms and cabins in the garden – a beautiful base for exploring the Aurlandsfjord and Stegastein.
Svingen Guesthouse – A small adults-only guesthouse in Flåm with beautiful views of the surrounding fjord landscape – particularly lovely for couples.
Day 4 – Flåm → Flåm Railway → Aurland & Stegastein
Start your morning with one of Norway’s most famous railway journeys: the Flåm Railway. The train climbs from Flåm to Myrdal through steep valleys and past numerous waterfalls.
For this road trip, we recommend travelling Flåm → Myrdal → Flåm, allowing you to leave your car in Flåm while you enjoy the journey.
Afterwards, continue to Aurland and make your way up to the spectacular Stegastein viewpoint.
📍 Destination: Aurland
🚂 Experience: Flåm Railway
🏔 Highlight: Stegastein
Stegastein
The viewing platform sits around 650 metres above the Aurlandsfjord and offers one of the most impressive fjord views of the entire trip.
Where to Stay in Aurland
Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri – A traditional guesthouse right by the fjord in Aurland, with cosy rooms and cabins in the garden – a beautiful base for exploring the Aurlandsfjord and Stegastein.
Day 5 – Aurland → Aurlandsfjellet → Lærdal → Balestrand
Today, the drive itself is one of the highlights. The Norwegian Scenic Route Aurlandsfjellet takes you from the green fjord landscape high into a rugged mountain world of lakes, rocks and – sometimes even in summer – patches of snow.
📍 Destination: Balestrand
🚗 Today: Scenic Roadtrip
🏔 Highlight: Aurlandsfjellet & Sognefjord
Stop in Lærdal
In Gamle Lærdalsøyri, you’ll find more than 150 historic wooden buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries – a lovely cultural stop on your way towards the Sognefjord.
From here, continue towards Balestrand, where you can end the day surrounded by the scenery of the Sognefjord.
Good to know: The mountain road across Aurlandsfjellet is seasonal. If it is closed, you can travel via the Lærdal Tunnel instead.
Where to Stay in Balestrand
Balestrand Hotel – A family-run hotel on the Sognefjord with a large garden, sauna and beautiful fjord views – ideal for a relaxing night in Balestrand.
Sognefjord Cabins – Cosy cabins on the Esefjord, yet only a short walk from the centre of Balestrand – ideal if you prefer a self-catering stay right by the fjord.
Day 6 – Balestrand → Vik → Voss → Bergen
On the final day, you’ll first cross the Sognefjord by ferry before travelling via Vik and across the Vikafjellet mountain road on your way back towards Bergen.
📍 Destination: Bergen
🚗 Today: Sognefjord → Bergen
🏔 Highlight: Vikafjellet
Optional Stop in Vik
If you have time for one final cultural stop, visit Hopperstad Stave Church, one of Norway’s oldest surviving stave churches.
From Vik, continue across Vikafjellet towards Voss before completing the final stretch back to Bergen.
Good to know: Weather and snow can affect driving conditions on Vikafjellet, so always check the latest road conditions before setting off.
Where to Stay near Bergen
Not ready to leave just yet? Spend a few more days exploring Bergen or the beautiful coastline surrounding the city. Discover our hand-picked places to stay in Bergen and across Vestland.
FAQ About This Road Trip
When Is the Best Time to Take This Road Trip?
We recommend travelling between June and September. During these months, the days are long and conditions are generally best for fjord cruises, hiking and outdoor activities. Remember that high mountain roads such as Aurlandsfjellet and Vikafjellet can be affected by snow and weather conditions, so always check the current road status before travelling.
Is This Road Trip Suitable for Families?
Yes. The combination of fjords, Viking experiences, scenic drives and short walks makes this itinerary a great option for families travelling with children.
Is a Nærøyfjord Cruise Worth It?
Absolutely. The journey between Flåm and Gudvangen is one of Norway’s most spectacular fjord experiences, taking you through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord with its steep mountainsides, waterfalls and isolated fjord farms.
Do I Have to Take the Flåm Railway?
No. The itinerary works perfectly well without it. However, if you have the time, the Flåm Railway is a fantastic addition and one of Norway’s most famous railway journeys.
Can I Drive This Route in Spring or Autumn?
Yes, but you’ll need to be more flexible. Western Norway can be spectacular in late spring and early autumn, but mountain weather can change quickly and some attractions, ferries and mountain roads may operate seasonally or be affected by weather conditions.
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