Maximizing Norway time
 

I am planning an August 2018 trip to Norway at the end of a long trip to Europe. I so wish I didn't have to do this in August but it is what it is. So, I have 4 days on the ground, besides 2 travel days. I would like to fly into Bergen and just concentrate on the scenery. I can get a rental car. I have looked at all the Norway in a Nutshell stuff and it seems way too crowded and confining.

My question to those who know the area. How would you spend 4 full days with a car in and out of Bergen? Should I think about the Flam railway on my own or not?

Much thanks in advance for any guidance ....

Anyone that can help?

Forget Flåm rail unless you are particularly interested in railways, you can see just as spectacular scenery driving.
Your main problem now may be finding accommodation as much may be booked out. Have a look at the tourist roads - http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en and try and fit some of these in with driving time(according to GoogleMaps)of maximum 4 - 5 hrs per day if you want plenty of time to stop and explore along the way.
Perhaps Gaularfjellet - Aurlandsfjellet - Hardangervidda - Hardanger would be possible in 4 days.

Dyoll, thanks for your help. This trip is August 2018, are you saying things are booking already for that far out? Good link- thanks!

2018? No, just not used to such early planners :-)

But yes, you need to plan early. There has been a huge increase in tourism in the last couple of years and accommodation hasn't kept pace.

We did a five day car trip to Norway a few summers ago and it was awesome! We drove from Bergen to Balestrand and stayed at the Balestrand Hotel (very nice owners, spectacular views). We then drove towards Luster and stayed at Nes Gard, a small inn which I can not say enough nice things about. Make sure you eat dinner there during your stay as it is fantastic (and there is no where else to go for dinner. We stayed there a few days, hiked to a glacier (did not hike on it due to lack of time). Drove and hiked up to the dam near there (quite steep but beautiful view and very cold in August). When we left there we took the "snow road" over to Flam (which was our least favorite place due to all the people. We were going to continue the drive from there but were forced to take the ferry due to a fire in the tunnel (which closed it for a while). In my opinion we saw much more beautiful scenery driving than we did on the ferry. Stop at the Stalheim Hotel for a drink or lunch. The view is unbelievable. We spent one more night in the Hardanger area and headed back to Bergen. We loved driving and saw spectacular scenery. I would not do Norway ina Nutshell if you don't like crowds.

I haven't been to Norway yet ~ I checked out your post to see if I could gleen anything helpful :-) My family and I are going in June of 2018 and I can tell you that yes, in Bergen hotel rooms are already booking up. I had to make several calls to find a place that met our budget, was in a good location and had an elevator as we have older adults in the family with new knees.

I finally got rooms at one of the Thom hotel chains and would recommend you start calling/booking now. Good luck and I hope you have a good trip!

Thanks everyone. Sberg, you convinced me to book the Nes Gard. I looked at it and loved it so just confirmed with them. Am Looking at the glacier hiking excursion from Nes Gard, looks like fantastic fun!

Birder50, will get on our Bergen hotel soon too then. Trying to see what my flight options are out of Bergen back to the U.S. before I reserve more though.

You will love Nes Gard. It typifies what you think Norway will be. We could hear the waterfall across the fjord while sitting on our deck! The owners were very helpful as far as things to do in the area. If you are going to drive the loop take "The snow road" http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/e...urlandsfjellet. It was awesome and the views coming down are unbelievable! We liked Bergen too and I am sure you will find accommodations. I can't remember where we stayed there but it was clean and adequate. We only slept there anyway as we were exploring most of the time. We did eat at a neat place in Bergen called Pingvinen. My husband's family is from Sweden and the food was typical Scandinavian food. Pretty reasonable for Norway ( it is a smallish pub, not gourmet food). Hope you have a great trip. We can't wait to go back to Norway.

Since you're not in Bergen for to long, I'd suggest to do the popular city stuff as well as the Preikestolen cliff a bit south. But an absolute must if you're in Bergen and want to engage in Nature is to see the Hardangervidda National Park. This is a bit of a drive, but it'll be worth it.

I found an itinerary on Wimby from Bergen, even though it's for 9 days, it may help you identify popular places in the area.

https://wimbytravel.com/2017/07/03/t...ure-of-norway/