The Ultimate Way to Explore Norway in a Van

Planning a van trip to Norway

In 2022, we embarked on an unforgettable van trip to explore the beauty of Southern Norway. But before diving into the details of our journey, let’s go back in time to find out about how Daniel and Lynn like to plan their travels.

It was the beginning of 2022 and we were busy brainstorming travel ideas for the year to come. One longer trip of 2 weeks was planned for May, taking advantage of the many public holidays we both had during this month. The destination was still uncertain. We didn’t lack ideas – Costa Rica, Turkey, Italy, Croatia or Ireland were just a few of the countries on our list. Simultaneously, like many people during and after the time of Covid, we felt drawn to the idea of van life. Initially, the plan was to try a few weekend trips with a rented van during the spring and summer to see if it suited us. If all went well, we could plan a longer adventure the following year. Sounds perfectly reasonable, doesn’t it?

… that was until I stumbled upon an article about Norway. I can’t recall the exact wording of the message I sent to Daniel, but it was something like “How about exploring Norway in May – with a van?” His reply was quick and to the point: ‘Okay!’“

The next few days and weeks were spent swooning over photos and videos of the Scandinavian country, researching van life, brainstorming vegan recipes to make on the road, and planning our itinerary. Our van trip through Norway was ready to begin!

In this article, we’ll start by sharing details about the van we rented. If that’s not of interest to you, feel free to skip ahead to learn more about Norway, our itinerary, and vegan recipe ideas for the road.

Renting the van

Choosing the right van for our trip to Norway

We rented our van from Roadsurfer, a German startup that specializes in campervan rentals. With multiple stations across Europe and even North America, they make it easy to start your adventure from a convenient location. Roadsurfer offers a variety of campervan models in different sizes, for various travel needs and budgets. Their pricing fluctuates depending on the season, but we found it to be a cost-effective option for our vegan van trip to Norway. The booking process was straightforward, with clear descriptions of each van’s features and plenty of availability. Roadsurfer’s customer service was also excellent – they answered all our questions before the travel and provided useful tips for our journey. The van itself was in a great condition, clean, and equipped with everything we needed for a comfortable trip.

Van and equipment

We opted for the “Mercedes Marco Polo” for about 75€/night, and it turned out to be the perfect companion for our vegan van trip to Norway. It came with 4 sleeping spaces (two inside the van, two on the pop up roof), a kitchen and an outdoor shower.

The van also provided bedding, a kitchen setup with all the necessary utensils, as well as outdoor furniture such as a camping table and camping chairs. Roadsurfer gives you the option to rent a variety of extra equipment if needed. The van had a 42L cooler and more than enough space in the shelves.

For 2 people, the size of Mercedes Marco Polo was ideal. For a bigger group, it probably depends of the destination. In warmer countries, where you spend less time in the van, it would most likely be sufficient for up to 4 people. However, in Norway, where temperatures didn’t climb above 10°C during our stay, the van became more than just a vehicle – it was our shelter, dining room, and relaxation space. Plus, the pop up roof was less insulated, and as it was often cold and windy at night we preferred to sleep on the fold out seating surface inside.

Emergency contact

Roadsurfer provides a 24/7 mobility service in case of accidents or problems on the road. As we fortunately didn’t encounter any incident during our travel, we didn’t have to put this service to test.

Conclusion

Would we recommend it? Definitely! Our experience was over all very positive – the pick up of the vehicle was quick and uncomplicated. On top, the equipment included was useful and complete, especially for people like us who don’t already have camping material at home.

Itinerary

Itinerary for our van trip to Norway

Our roadtrip adventure began in Trier/Germany, where we picked up the van. From there, we drove towards Hamburg, where we spent out first night, before continuing through Denmark and Sweden. On the 3rd day, we finally arrived in Norway!

This was our itinerary:

Initially, we had planned to start our trip in the other direction, beginning with Dovrefjell and Rampestreken before making our way south. However, when the weather forecast predicted rain for those regions in the coming days for these regions, we headed to Lysefjorden first, where we could hike to Preikestolen in perfect sunshine! The huge advantage of flexible van life – we could simply check the forecast, pack up, and drive to our next adventure:)

Let’s have a look at our favourite locations that we have encountered during our vegan van trip through Norway:

Preikestolen

Preikestolen, also known as “Pulpit Rock“, is a magnificent rock formation and one of the country’s top hiking destinations. It was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our vegan van trip to Norway! Rising 604 meters above the Lysefjord, this massive flat-topped cliff offers breathtaking views. The 8 kilometer out-and-back trail takes you through lush forests, rocky paths, and steep sections, but the spectacular panoramic views at the summit make every step worth it. Once on the platform at the top, you can take a break and take in the peaceful, spectacular views of the Lysefjord and its surrounding landscape. Depending on the weather, the trail can be slippery, so be sure to wear appropriate hiking gear.

Trolltunga

Trolltunga, or the “Troll’s Tongue,” is an iconic rock formation and – as Preikestolen – of of Norway’s most famous hikes. Full disclosure, we ended up not doing this hike, because I (Lynn) was recovering from a foot injury during our trip. Nevertheless, we still wanted to mention it here – it seems to be an incredible beautiful hike and it falls perfectly in the itinerary if you follow more or less the same stops we did. There are several hiking options to reach Trolltunga, ranging from the 20-kilometer route starting at P3 to the nearly 26-kilometer trail from Skjeggedal. Regardless of the route, this hike is long and demanding, requiring proper preparation and enough time. It’s recommended to plan at least two days in the area so you can adjust the start of your hike to the weather, as conditions here can change quickly. Be sure to start early and take enough supplies. Another great option is to book a guided tour (for example here).

Briksdalsbreen Glacier

This was one of the destinations we were most excited about, because it is part of Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier in mainland Europe. The glacier was formed approximately 2500 years ago. Unfortunately, it has significantly reduced in size over the past 20 years due to climate change, but it remains a spectacular and unique sight. The foot of Briksdal Glacier lies next to a serene glacier lake. To reach it, you’ll follow a relatively easy and incredibly scenic trail through the Briksdal Valley, passing the fascinating Kleivafossen waterfall along the way. If you’re unable to walk the trail, you also have the option to book a “Troll car“. On foot, you can follow this path (please note that the elevation gain indicated is not correct, it’s closer to 300 meters at most).

Geiranger

Geiranger is a UNESCO-listed fjord surrounded by impressive mountains and cliffs. You can hike around, take a boat or even rent a kayak to explore the area!

We opted for this hike with incredible view of the Geirangerfjord below.

Other highlights of the Geiranger are the two waterfalls Seven Sisters (De Sju Søstre) and Bridal Veil (Brudesløret). You can visit them up close by boat, take in their beauty during a ride on the Geiranger-Hellesylt ferry or catch a glimpse of them from above at the Ørnesvingen (Eagle’s Bend) viewpoint.

Rampestreken

This is a fun and varied, but requires some technical skill and good physical fitness. At the end, you will arrive at the viewpoint – a 20-meter long steel ramp that extends into the air – overlooking Åndalsnes and the surrounding fords. You also have the possibility to take a cable car up (or down, or up and down!). With 310 NOK (about 26€ one-way). At 310 NOK (about 26€ one-way), it’s not the cheapest, but it’s a convenient alternative. At the end of the cable car (and close to the viewpoint), there is the “Eggen restaurant”. While the menu mainly features local, traditional dishes that focus on meat and fish, we opted for a refreshing drink and enjoyed our homemade sandwiches instead.

Dovrefjell

The Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park in Central Norway was our big coup de coeur on this vegan van trip. It is characterized by mountain ranges and vast open spaces and is home to the majestic musk oxen. Seeing them was at the top of our list, so we hired a guide to learn more about these incredible creatures, their history, behaviour, and role in this unique environment. With the guide’s expertise, we were able to spot them in the wild and observing them from a safe distance (at least 200 meters) with binoculars. Musk oxen have roamed the earth since the Ice Age, and being able to witness them so closely in their natural habitat was both a very impressive and humbling experience. Aside from these iconic animals, the park is also inhabited by wild reindeer, golden eagles, and even the occasional wolf or lynx. Birdwatching and wildlife photography are popular activities, and guided tours provide fascinating insights into the ecosystem.

The Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park is a also a paradise for hikers of all levels. One of the park’s most iconic hikes is the ascent to Snøhetta, the highest peak in the park at 2,286 meters. The historic Pilgrim’s Trail, or St. Olav’s Way offers a less challenging experience. It runs through the park and is one of the oldest and most culturally significant hiking routes in Norway, traditionally used by pilgrims on their way to Trondheim.

Van life in Norway

Philosophy of van life in Norway

For both of us, it was our very first trip in a van – and we fell completely in love! We couldn’t have imagined a better way to experience Norway. Imagine camping with views on the magnificent fjords and feeling fully immersed in nature everyday! The country’s “allemansrett“, or “freedoam to roam” makes van life in Norway incredibly accessible. It states that everyone should be able to enjoy nature and allows to wild camp anywhere where the land is not owned, cultivated or marked with a prohibition sign.

Here are some key points about allemannsrett:

• Access to Nature: Allemannsrett grants individuals the right to walk, hike, and enjoy outdoor activities in nature, even on private land.
• No Camping Restrictions: Allemannsrett typically allows for short-term camping in the countryside, as long as it is not too close to homes and is done with minimal impact (at least 150 m from houses and no longer than 48hours)
• Responsible Use: While allemannsrett allows access, it comes with the responsibility to treat nature and private property with care. People are expected to avoid causing damage, respect wildlife, and not disturb landowners.
• Limitations: It’s important to note that allemannsrett does not give unrestricted access to all areas. Certain cultivated fields, yards, and specific protected areas may have restrictions.

Finding parking spots for the van

To find the best free parking spots, we used the app Park4night. The app shows you reviews and useful information, such as toilet and/or shower access. We mostly looked for spots with free toilets and slept in paid camping places once in a while to shower (even though our van came with an outside shower, it was simply too cold in May to use it).

Costs and saving money in Norway

From the beginning, we were aware that Norway wouldn’t be the cheapest country and that’s why we were mindful about being smart with our spending. Here are some thoughts:

Itinerary to Norway

If you’re planning to travel to Norway by car, you have several options:
1) Bridge Option: The most popular route is via the Øresund Bridge which connects Copenhagen, Denmark, to Malmö, Sweden. From there, you can continue driving through Sweden and cross into Norway. For our vegan van trip to Norway, we chose this option.
2) Ferry Option: Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Denmark to Norway. Routes are available from Danish cities like Hirtshals to Norwegian destinations such as Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Bergen.

For us, the decision came down to a balance of cost, time, and practicality:

Taking the bridge was the option that made the most sense to us at this time. Another big factor was our desire to stay flexible with time and not conform to ferry departure times or having to book the ticket in advance. On the other hand, a ferry ride can be a great way to get some rest after a long drive and probably enjoy a very scenic landscape.

Eating out vs. cooking in the van

One of the greatest advantages of van life is having a kitchen on board! Throughout our entire trip, we only ate out once – and that wasn’t even in Norway, but at a falafel place in Malmö. The rest of the time, we cooked all our meals and stocked up at local supermarkets whenever needed.

Accommodation in Norway

Thanks to Norway’s allemannsrett, we were able to park and sleep in the van for free most of the time. On other occasions, we stayed at campgrounds, where prices ranged from 100 NOK to 300 NOK per night. If you prefer hotels or guesthouses (for example through booking.com), booking in advance is a good way to secure better rates.

Activities in Norway

We didn’t pay a cent for activities during our van trip to Norway – the best experiences, like hiking trails, parks and scenic viewpoints, are completely free! In cities, it is possible to find free guided tours or walking tours, although it is still recommended to leave a tip as a “thank you”.

Visual impressions of our van trip to Norway

Expand the images by clicking on them for a larger view.