Norway has some incredible roads with amazing views you can see just from the car, one of which is Gamle Strynefjellsavegen. Although many of Norway’s roads are beautiful, the country has designated 18 routes to be National Scenic Routes that have some of the best views you can see from the road.
Gamle Strynefjellsavegen scenic road is one of Norway’s 18 nationally designated scenic roads. The road is gorgeous and drives through alpine meadows alongside crystal-blue glacial lakes. The road borders to the north of Jostedalsbreen National Park. We actually drove this road while going from the east side of Jostedalsbreen National Park to the northern side of the park. Many people miss driving this incredible road without realizing because this road is optional since there is an alterative road cut through the mountain that is a little bit faster and open all year round.
The scenic tourist roads of Norway are unlike any other roads that we have driven. They often are historical roads that cut across landscapes that I never imagined that we could see from our car.
On the part of the road that is higher up, there are pull-offs along the road for you to stop. There are many little paths to take to walk down to the beautiful blue lakes.
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How to drive the Gamle Strynefjellsavegen
The road is from Grotli to Videsaeter. It is around 27 kilometers in distance. Due to the narrow nature of the road and the fact that it is partially on gravel, there are length and width restrictions on the road. You can drive the road in either direction, but we particularly liked driving it from east to west as we could see the best views out of our windshield while driving.
Closer down into the valley, there are a few waterfall parking areas. Videfossen is a popular waterfall to be viewed on the western end of the road. I recommend stopping at Ovstefossen (which is technically not on the scenic road, but almost immediately before the turn onto the scenic road on the western side). Ovstefossen has really neat artfully-designed walkways to view the waterfall from different heights. From the road you cannot see the waterfall, but it is actually quite huge and I was really impressed.
Important things to know about Gamle Strynefjellsavegen
The road is only open in the summer season
Since the road is at a higher elevation, it is covered in snow until June. The road usually opens in June and closes sometime around September or October depending on the snow levels. There is not an option to take this road in the winter, spring, or fall. So only plan this road as part of your itinerary if planning your Norway trip during the summer.
The road has vehicle size restrictions
Keep in mind that there are specific size restrictions both in width and length for driving this scenic road. The road is very narrow at parts and also is quite curvy. Make sure that your vehicle meets Norway’s restrictions for this road, especially if you are driving a larger camper.
The road is partially gravel
It is perfectly fine for driving, but if you have a vehicle that you cannot drive on gravel or a rental vehicle that doesn’t allow for gravel driving, then this road may not be the best for you.
My Recommendations for Driving Gamle Strynefjellsavegen
Bring a picnic
The road is 27 kilometers which is not incredibly long, but you will want to stay here longer than the time it takes to drive the road. I recommend bringing a picnic or a drink or even just a book with a chair to hang out and enjoy the views. I made a pourover coffee XXXX and got to enjoy it while soaking in the blue water and the remainder of the snow covering the mountains in a unique pattern. It is worth spending some time to enjoy the views.
Drive Slowly
Part of the road is gravel and part of it is pavement. Regardless, it is pretty narrow in spots. It can be dangerous if the weather is not great or it is a busy time of day. We didn’t find this road too busy, but in the middle of the day in peak season it can be busy. Drive slow as there’s not a lot of room for people to pass or park along the road.
Stop at the different stopping points, even if it doesn’t seem worth it at first
There were several places that we pulled over and stopped that at first didn’t seem like it was worth stopping, but then it was better than we expected once we got out of the car. Even just taking a few steps from the car to get closer to the water can give a completely different perspective.
Be patient with the weather
When we first got on the road, it was cloudy and had started to rain. We thought that maybe we wouldn’t see anything while on the road. However, while driving on the road, the clouds parted and the sun began beaming on the water, making it seem glittery. Since the altitude is higher, the weather changes much quicker than other places. Don’t give up driving on the road if at first it is not as you had hoped.
Links for booking your travel
Car Rental- Booking.com is usually my go-to for booking car rentals.
Hotels in Norway- I like to use Booking.com and AirBnb for booking stays across Norway.
Flights- I like using Google Flights and sites like Booking.com to help book flights. Booking through the airline’s website is best, but using these two resources can let you know which airline companies have the cheapest flights for your dates.
Other Scenic Roads Nearby in Norway
- Atlanterhavsvegen (The Atlantic Road)
- Geiranger-Trollstigen Road
- Rondane
- Sognefjellet
- Aurlandsfjellet
- Hardanger
- Hardangervidda
Other Norway Posts You May Like
I hope that this guide helps you traveling on one of Norway’s beautiful roads. Please let me know any comments or questions you have below in the comments!
Thanks for reading!
-Liz
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