Experiencing how the weather changes between high plains and small cities by the sea. Losing track of time in between fjords and roads. Exploring some 3.000km Norway by car, ferry and foot. That is our idea as we are leaving Germany far behind and start to our first venture North #onthenorway.

Our anticipation is quite high as we both love the roughness of the Atlantic Ocean and scattered tiny coastal islands. And we dream of open roads and endless fjells. When starting the engine of our MINI countryman, that will serve as our home on wheels for the next 18 days, our cameras are fully charged and our heads filled with hopes of images waiting for us on the road.

The first few days both of us need time to adjust to the new rhythm, the spaces and above all the lack of people. Even though we had craved exactly that so much before. We wish to fully immerse ourselves into the landscapes. To let our senses absorb the light and the open views, still unfractured by human traces. But it takes a while to sort the chaos of all the impressions and to align oneself with the surroundings.

We start our trip in Bergen, however we don’t actually get a connection instantly. And as we rush out to nature as soon as we can, we don’t really give Bergen the chance it deserves.

But to be fair: We didn’t come to Norway for the cities. We came for the open spaces, the awe-inspiring sceneries and, most importantly, the solitude. And we will find all that whenever we leave the cities behind.

Traveling off season gives us the luxury of empty roads and campgrounds. At times we are surrounded by complete and utter silence. And even if it isn’t completely quiet, all we here are the sounds of nature: heavy rains, the stormy sea and countless roaring waterfalls, as the snow is melting fast on mountains and fjells.

Have you ever heard the sound of a moving glacier? That crackling noise, it leaves a mark on our hearts. It makes us feel humble, speechless and as a result deeply transformed. It is peace, that we find here in Norway.

Choosing a road means that we will follow it for miles and miles. It’s route A or route B, no half way changes, no second thoughts. Just the one road ahead until the next orientation point on our map. Sunndalsøra – Oppdal – Hjerkinn –  Dombås – Otta. 120 miles, 5 spots, 2 roads, 1 turn.

In contrast to our traveling pace, the scenery and the weather are changing blisteringly fast! Therefore 18 days are enough to experience it all: Radiant sun and 20+°C  (including our first sunburn of the year), never-ending rain, that leaves us soaking wet and frozen, and finally, hiking on the fjells, knee deep snow.

Some days we start with a freezing cold “shower“ in the river and end them with fresh prawns from our campfire. We wake up to the most scenic views and fall asleep to the screams of sea gulls. And by the end of our trip we are completely addicted to “Canelsnurrer“, the Norwegian version of a cinnamon bun.

In conclusion there is one certainty: We need to go back to the far away North!