Travel & Explore

Hardanger road trip: a six-day outline

By the Travel & Explore team · Last checked

On this page
  1. The route
  2. When to go
  3. Getting there and the car
  4. Driving there as a UK driver
  5. Ferries on the route
  6. Before you book
  7. FAQs

Hardanger suits drivers who want a fjord-side trip with time for ferries and a few scenic stops, rather than long daily drives. It suits a driver who is happy to plan around crossings and check road conditions on the day. For other countries, see the worldwide road trips hub.

The route

The Hardanger scenic route has four sections: Granvin to Steinsdalsfossen, Norheimsund to Tørvikbygd, Jondal to Utne, and Kinsarvik to Låtefoss. The route authority gives its total length as 158 km (Nasjonale turistveger: Hardanger). You do not need all four sections for a good trip, so choose the ones you want before you choose where to stay.

When to go

The route authority describes Hardanger as open to traffic throughout the year. Parts of road 13 (Skjervsvegen) are closed in winter, and Skjervsfossen is not accessible during that time (Nasjonale turistveger: Hardanger). Check current road and weather information before each driving day.

Getting there and the car

This outline uses Bergen as the arrival and departure point. Compare flying in and hiring a car against bringing your own car by ferry before you book.

Visa-free visitors may be asked at the border to show proof of travel insurance (GOV.UK: Norway entry requirements).

Driving there as a UK driver

Take your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence with you. Check that it is still valid, and renew it online if it has expired or is about to expire (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

You might need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some countries. GOV.UK does not list which countries need one, so check Norway with its IDP checker before you travel (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

If you hire a car, you can share your licence details with the hire company using a check code, up to 21 days before your trip. Hire car insurance is included, but check what it covers with the hire company (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

If you take your own car, carry your log book (V5C) and insurance certificate. A vehicle hired or leased in the UK requires a VE103 certificate (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

Ferries on the route

The route authority identifies two ferry links: Tørvikbygd to Jondal, and Kinsarvik to Utne and Kvandal (Nasjonale turistveger: Hardanger). Plan a driving day around a crossing only after you have checked its current timetable.

Before you book

  • Choose the route sections you want to drive.
  • Decide whether one fjord-side base or two suits your days.
  • Check the timetable for each ferry crossing you plan to use.
  • Check that your accommodation is reachable by the roads you will drive.
  • Check current road and weather conditions for each driving day.
  • Check the hire company's terms and insurance cover.
  • Check your licence and any IDP requirement on GOV.UK before you travel.

For a wider plan, see Norway road trip from the UK and Norway road tolls. For the licence and permit rules in more detail, see driving licence and IDP abroad.

FAQs

How long is the Hardanger scenic route?

The route authority gives its total length as 158 km, in four sections (Nasjonale turistveger: Hardanger).

Is the Hardanger route open in winter?

The route is open to traffic throughout the year, but parts of road 13 (Skjervsvegen) close in winter (Nasjonale turistveger: Hardanger).

Do I need an international driving permit for Norway?

GOV.UK says you might need an IDP to drive in some countries, and it does not list which ones. Check Norway with the IDP checker before you travel (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

More in Europe from the UK

Sources