Can help with Ålesund & Norwegian Fjords:-)

[mjbmedia]

Ok - lots of fjords.

 

Olden - is in the Nordfjord/Innviksfjord

Åndalsnes - Romsdalsfjord

Flåm - Sognefjord/Aurlandsfjord.

 

So in Åndalsnes I would do a tour to Path of the Trolls and the Trollwall

 

In Ålesund you could rent a car and go to Geiranger.....you could do a cricle driving to Hellesylt and take the ferry in the Geirangerfjord to Geiranger then back out to Ålesund via Storfjord.....

 

 

Excellent thank you for your help

[Pekpot]

Hoi I Cruiser.

 

Can you give us some tips for excursions please?

 

Our itinerary: from 10 juli: Alesund, Honningsvåg, Tromso, Molde, Andalsnes, Hellesylt/Geiranger.

 

Thanks in advance. ;)

[Iluvcruising2]

The troll road pictures are absolutely breathtaking.

 

I am seriously thinking of getting car rental from

Alesund. We will be there 7 June 2014, the ship is docked from 8am to midnight, so plenty of time.

 

Just wondering how long the round trip would be and how difficult it is to drive the Troll Road from Alesund, and having to drive back.

 

Cheers.

[I-Cruiser]

The troll road pictures are absolutely breathtaking.

 

I am seriously thinking of getting car rental from

Alesund. We will be there 7 June 2014, the ship is docked from 8am to midnight, so plenty of time.

 

Just wondering how long the round trip would be and how difficult it is to drive the Troll Road from Alesund, and having to drive back.

 

Cheers.

 

Its an amazing drive and with so much time in port you can explore Ålesund before you set off. You could also do a small detour to see the stunning Troll wall (Northern Europes larges vertical mountain wall)

The Troll Road itself is narrow and steep. The key here is to drive slowly and take your time. There are many places along the road where you can stop and let other cars pass.

Its really worth it to rent a car. Driving is very easy. Not complicated at all.

You should ask the car rental company to provide a GPS and/or print out your own driving instructions from the likes of Google.

 

A round trip will take up to 8 hours including photo stops and lunch.

 

Here are some driving instructions:

 

Ålesund to Trollstigen (Path of the Trolls)

(follow the blue path)

 

https://www.google.no/maps/dir/%C3%85lesund/Trollstigen,+6300/@62.457871,6.942952,10z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x4616da471047fb4b:0xe82562ee3bc08fea!2m2!1d6.149482!2d62.4722284!1m5!1m1!1s0x46140e70c1e7a8af:0xcc14b0e753396f9e!2m2!1d7.6704756!2d62.4600295

 

Trollstigen to Trollveggen:

 

https://www.google.no/maps/dir/Trollstigen,+6300/Trollveggen/@62.4950313,7.6507833,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x46140e70c1e7a8af:0xcc14b0e753396f9e!2m2!1d7.6704756!2d62.4600295!1m5!1m1!1s0x46140c3b9657f9cb:0xf7606439db4bc46a!2m2!1d7.7188014!2d62.4886088

 

Trollveggen to Ålesund:

(follow blue path)

 

https://www.google.no/maps/dir/Trollveggen/%C3%85lesund/@62.5376527,6.6557208,10z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x46140c3b9657f9cb:0xf7606439db4bc46a!2m2!1d7.7188014!2d62.4886088!1m5!1m1!1s0x4616da471047fb4b:0xe82562ee3bc08fea!2m2!1d6.149482!2d62.4722284

 

As you can see from the maps driving time i estimated at approx 4.5 hours excluding photo stops along the way (You would want to stop often for pictures), lunch etc.

Edited May 25, 2014 by I-Cruiser

[I-Cruiser]

Hoi I Cruiser.

 

Can you give us some tips for excursions please?

 

Our itinerary: from 10 juli: Alesund, Honningsvåg, Tromso, Molde, Andalsnes, Hellesylt/Geiranger.

 

Thanks in advance. ;)

 

No problem:-)

 

You are visiting some amazing ports.

 

Ålesund - Explore the town, walk or do the hop on/off bus to Mt, Aksla to admire the view.....You might also want to visit the open air museum.

You could also rent a kayak, do a RIB tour. It all depends how active you are.

 

Hellesylt - Is only a drop of for overland tours stop. You can do the oveland tour which is amazing. You will pick up the ship in Geiranger and watch as you sail out this world famous fjord.

 

Geiranger - If this is your first time I would visit the highlights: The Eagle Rd, Flydalsjuvet viewpoint and Mt. Dalsnibba.

This weekend a new "river walk" was opened. The path goes from the Hotel Union to the small village of Geiranger. There are viewing platforms buildt as you have a feeling of standing in the middle of the river/waterfall. Very interesting.

 

Åndalsnes - A visit to the Path of the Trolls and the Troll wall is a must.

 

Molde - I would recommend the Atlantic sea road!! Stunning !

 

Honningsvåg - I have never been but its pretty close the the North cape plateau.

 

I hope this helps a little. if you have more questions let me know.

 

Lars

[Iluvcruising2]

Thinking again, maybe not the Troll road this time. The distance from aalesund look quite far and I have 2 kids (8,9). I think they will be bored stiff.

 

Any interesting and more kid friendly stuff to do in Alesund?

[I-Cruiser]

Thinking again, maybe not the Troll road this time. The distance from aalesund look quite far and I have 2 kids (8,9). I think they will be bored stiff.

 

Any interesting and more kid friendly stuff to do in Alesund?

 

You have the aquarium.

You can do the choo choo tourist train.

 

See links for train and aqurium:

http://www.bytoget.no/home.html

http://www.bytoget.no/shuttlebusseng.html

http://www.atlanterhavsparken.no/english

 

You also might want to visit the open air museum. Lots of old houses etc.

 

Its easiest to reach the museum using the hop on/off bus:

http://www.redbuses.com/img/alesund-map.jpg

http://www.city-sightseeing.com/tours/norway/alesund.htm

 

They might like to walk the 418 steps to the viewpoint at Mt. Aksla.

 

If you want to rent a car you could do the 20 minutes drive to the island of Godøy and the settlement of Alnes and its lighthouse.

To get there you have to drive through 2 sub sea tunnels.

 

Lars

[pudding22]

ahh Ok Olden, Andalense , Trondheim, Lofoten, Alesund, Flam and Bergen

 

I am on this one too with my mum.

Please could you advise which of these places are suitable for walking around independently? (Not too strenuously!)

Also -what are the must see tours?

I keep reading about a special railway journey but there seem to be two on the excursion lists - one from Andalense and Flam.

It's our first trip to Norway - I am on a budget - but do not want to miss anything!

 

Thanks

[generichandle]

Our cruise stops at a new port this time, Alta. Any suggestions for it?

 

At Ny Alesund [spitzbergen] I know I must avoid getting eaten by polar bears. Anything else you got?

 

Those are the only two ports I don't already have excursions. Leaving next Friday on the Ocean Princess! Cant wait.

 

Doug

[happy_travellers]

Hi

We had an amazing Norway cruise. Thanks again for all your help.

We ended up taking the RCL Path of the Trolls (had planned to do Sunmore and Aksla) and it was breathtaking.

In Flam we took the Railway and then walked back from the Hareina stop, so pretty.

We had planned to go to Westeras Farm and hike but that walk up was not for us and no Taxi's around. We did the hop on hop off and it was nice.

In Bergen after a rainy morning tour of Greigs House and the Stave church we then went to the Funicular for a sunny view of the city. We went to the Hanseatic Museum and walked around the charming port area.

What a beautiful country. Karen

[I-Cruiser]

Hi

We had an amazing Norway cruise. Thanks again for all your help.

We ended up taking the RCL Path of the Trolls (had planned to do Sunmore and Aksla) and it was breathtaking.

In Flam we took the Railway and then walked back from the Hareina stop, so pretty.

We had planned to go to Westeras Farm and hike but that walk up was not for us and no Taxi's around. We did the hop on hop off and it was nice.

In Bergen after a rainy morning tour of Greigs House and the Stave church we then went to the Funicular for a sunny view of the city. We went to the Hanseatic Museum and walked around the charming port area.

What a beautiful country. Karen

 

Karen - Thank you for reporting back about your trip. I am glad you had such a lovely time.

Actually, I think your ship was in St. Petersburg the day we arrived with the Celebrity Constellation.

[I-Cruiser]

I am on this one too with my mum.

Please could you advise which of these places are suitable for walking around independently? (Not too strenuously!)

Also -what are the must see tours?

I keep reading about a special railway journey but there seem to be two on the excursion lists - one from Andalense and Flam.

It's our first trip to Norway - I am on a budget - but do not want to miss anything!

 

Thanks

 

Olden, Andalense , Trondheim, Lofoten, Alesund, Flam and Bergen: I am happy to say All these places are suitable for walking around as the ship will dock in the middle of town/village.

There might not be much to see in Olden and Åndalsnes as these ports are for the tours to the surroundings.

 

The train rides you have heard about is in Åndalsnes to Dombås with the "Reuma banen" a stunning train ride not to be missed. The ship dock walking distance from the train station.

The other train ride is the "Flåmbanen" in Flåm. This also a truly lovely trip but I prefer the Reuma banen in Åndalsnes.

 

Lars

[I-Cruiser]

Our cruise stops at a new port this time, Alta. Any suggestions for it?

 

At Ny Alesund [spitzbergen] I know I must avoid getting eaten by polar bears. Anything else you got?

 

Those are the only two ports I don't already have excursions. Leaving next Friday on the Ocean Princess! Cant wait.

 

Doug

 

Spitzbergen is a very fascinating place. I have only been there once but would love to go back (probably in late winter/early spring)

Last time I was in Alta was over 25 years ago :) Not much there as far as I can recall but I suppose the ship has a tour to Lapland and the town of Kutokeino.

You will learn and see ll about the lives, culture etc of the native Sami people.

It will be a very different experience for sure.

 

Lars

[GoHoward]

Hi Lars -

 

I have been reading this thread with great interest, and would like to thank you for all of the valuable tips you have provided - this is truly a wonderful resource to visitors to the Fjords!

 

My family and I are sailing to Bergen, Geiranger, Alesund, and Eidfjord with Holland America this summer. We have two boys, age 11 and 8, and we love to hike and explore the outdoors. Your advice has been tremendously helpful in planning our time ashore, and I have a few comments and questions for you.

 

In Bergen we plan to explore the Bryggen area and then head up Mt. Floien. I found a wonderful guide to the hiking paths on the mountain at http://www.floibanen.com/upload/Turforslagbrosjyre_eng.pdf

 

In Geiranger we wanted to book the downhill bicycle tour with Geiranger Adventures, but they are fully booked by HAL. Do you know if there is another company offering a similar tour? If not, we plan to take the sightseeing bus to Eagles Bend and Flydalsjuvet, and then hike to Westeras Farm. Can we then walk from Westeras farm down to Geiranger? Are there any other hiking routes we should consider?

 

In Alesund we want to visit the Sunmore Museum and hike up to the Mt. Aksla overlook. Can you advise as to how to get to the museum from downtown? Also, we understand the steps up Mt. Aksla are closed this summer? We can take the hop-on-hop-off bus if necessary, but would prefer to use local transport and our legs if possible.

 

In Eidfjord we plan to take the bus to Voringfossen and the Hardangervidda nature center. Is it possible to hike from the nature center back down to Eidfjord? Are there any other hikes you would recommend?

 

Again - thanks for all your advice - you are an ambassador for Norway!

[Iluvcruising2]

Its an amazing drive and with so much time in port you can explore Ålesund before you set off. You could also do a small detour to see the stunning Troll wall (Northern Europes larges vertical mountain wall)

The Troll Road itself is narrow and steep. The key here is to drive slowly and take your time. There are many places along the road where you can stop and let other cars pass.

Its really worth it to rent a car. Driving is very easy. Not complicated at all.

You should ask the car rental company to provide a GPS and/or print out your own driving instructions from the likes of Google.

 

A round trip will take up to 8 hours including photo stops and lunch.

 

Here are some driving instructions:

 

Ålesund to Trollstigen (Path of the Trolls)

(follow the blue path)

 

https://www.google.no/maps/dir/%C3%85lesund/Trollstigen,+6300/@62.457871,6.942952,10z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x4616da471047fb4b:0xe82562ee3bc08fea!2m2!1d6.149482!2d62.4722284!1m5!1m1!1s0x46140e70c1e7a8af:0xcc14b0e753396f9e!2m2!1d7.6704756!2d62.4600295

 

Trollstigen to Trollveggen:

 

https://www.google.no/maps/dir/Trollstigen,+6300/Trollveggen/@62.4950313,7.6507833,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x46140e70c1e7a8af:0xcc14b0e753396f9e!2m2!1d7.6704756!2d62.4600295!1m5!1m1!1s0x46140c3b9657f9cb:0xf7606439db4bc46a!2m2!1d7.7188014!2d62.4886088

 

Trollveggen to Ålesund:

(follow blue path)

 

https://www.google.no/maps/dir/Trollveggen/%C3%85lesund/@62.5376527,6.6557208,10z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x46140c3b9657f9cb:0xf7606439db4bc46a!2m2!1d7.7188014!2d62.4886088!1m5!1m1!1s0x4616da471047fb4b:0xe82562ee3bc08fea!2m2!1d6.149482!2d62.4722284

 

As you can see from the maps driving time i estimated at approx 4.5 hours excluding photo stops along the way (You would want to stop often for pictures), lunch etc.

 

Thanks. We managed to find a decent deal for a car from Alesund and we decided to book it, since the port of call is so long, from 0800hrs (arrival) to 2359hrs (departure).

 

Originally, they said only electric cars were available and that was not suitable because of the lack of range. Subsequently, they told us they had a hybrid vehicle with automatic transmission. Ok, that suits me fine.

 

Looks like we will be headed to the Troll road! Will drive slowly.

 

Are there convenient rest points along the way with toilets and facilities?

Edited May 28, 2014 by Iluvcruising2

[btorlv]

The steps to mount Aksla seem to be closed from march to november for maintenance. But I heard differents things about it and, even if newspapers and web informations said they were closed, the tourist office told me by mail that stairs were still open (?????!). If you are coming back from Alesund, could you tell me if the stairs to mount Aksla are still open or closed? I'm leaving home on thursday for my Fjord cruise!

 

 

Envoyé de mon iPad à l'aide de Forums

 

We just got back from our cruise on May 25. We walked up the steps to Aksla. They were definitely open. I could see where a repair had been done (although not sure when that was done). It was fairly steep but there were lots of benches where you could stop and rest if you needed to. The view from the top was awesome. My calves were a little sore the next day after walking up all the steps.

[btorlv]

Hi Lars,

 

Can you give me some info on this? I have read of conflicting distances and of differing routes to Westeras from Geiranger. Is this a difficult walk or hike? Is there a path or do you follow the road? What is the real distance? And finally, is there any public transportation to the farm so we can save our legs for the hikes to the waterfall and viewpoints.

 

Obviously I am looking for alternatives to the ship excursion that includes a bus to the farm, "escorted" hikes AND waffles!

 

I just returned from a cruise to the Fjords on 5/25. My husband and I walked from the ship to where the trail takes off from the main road. That is about a 15-20 min. walk, all uphill. We stopped at a church on the way up and took pictures. The trail from the road to the farm is rocky and fairly steep. My husband turned around after about 20 min. I kept going. It took about 1 hr. to make it to the farm. There isn't much once you get up there. There is a restaurant where you can get a bite to eat. I wanted to go to Losta viewpoint but saw that it was another steep hill to climb and since I had left my husband down below decided I should head back. I had no idea that it would take that long to reach the farm. Make sure you take water with you. I thought I was in pretty good shape, but I got winded a few times. I realized that that the difficulty level of 2 in Norway is not the same as a level 2 in the US. I would say it is more of at least a 3.

[Mustang1971]

I just returned from a cruise to the Fjords on 5/25. My husband and I walked from the ship to where the trail takes off from the main road. That is about a 15-20 min. walk, all uphill. We stopped at a church on the way up and took pictures. The trail from the road to the farm is rocky and fairly steep. My husband turned around after about 20 min. I kept going. It took about 1 hr. to make it to the farm. There isn't much once you get up there. There is a restaurant where you can get a bite to eat. I wanted to go to Losta viewpoint but saw that it was another steep hill to climb and since I had left my husband down below decided I should head back. I had no idea that it would take that long to reach the farm. Make sure you take water with you. I thought I was in pretty good shape, but I got winded a few times. I realized that that the difficulty level of 2 in Norway is not the same as a level 2 in the US. I would say it is more of at least a 3.

 

Thanks for the report. I think this may be one of the few times we take a ship excursion.

[itsanita]

Can you take the Troll Road from either Alesund or Geiranger? We are in Alesund for only 9 hours, but in Geiranger for 11 1/2 hours. We are planning on renting a car.

[I-Cruiser]

Can you take the Troll Road from either Alesund or Geiranger? We are in Alesund for only 9 hours, but in Geiranger for 11 1/2 hours. We are planning on renting a car.

 

Yes, you can. It will be much shorter from Geiranger. Probably save you 2 hours. If you choose to drive from Geiranger your best option is to back track on the return and not do a circle. That will make the trip longer.

[I-Cruiser]

Thanks. We managed to find a decent deal for a car from Alesund and we decided to book it, since the port of call is so long, from 0800hrs (arrival) to 2359hrs (departure).

 

Originally, they said only electric cars were available and that was not suitable because of the lack of range. Subsequently, they told us they had a hybrid vehicle with automatic transmission. Ok, that suits me fine.

 

Looks like we will be headed to the Troll road! Will drive slowly.

 

Are there convenient rest points along the way with toilets and facilities?

 

Yes, there are plenty. Lots of nice places by the fjord to have a snack, photo op and to use the facilities.

The drive to Trollstigen will be well worth the drive. I m sure you will have a great day.

[I-Cruiser]

We just got back from our cruise on May 25. We walked up the steps to Aksla. They were definitely open. I could see where a repair had been done (although not sure when that was done). It was fairly steep but there were lots of benches where you could stop and rest if you needed to. The view from the top was awesome. My calves were a little sore the next day after walking up all the steps.

 

This was a last minute decision from the town hall to keep the stairs open and postpone the maintenance work.

It makes sense to keep the stairs open until after the tourist season finishes in August, it just took a while for the politicians to realize;)

[I-Cruiser]

Hi Lars -

 

I have been reading this thread with great interest, and would like to thank you for all of the valuable tips you have provided - this is truly a wonderful resource to visitors to the Fjords!

 

My family and I are sailing to Bergen, Geiranger, Alesund, and Eidfjord with Holland America this summer. We have two boys, age 11 and 8, and we love to hike and explore the outdoors. Your advice has been tremendously helpful in planning our time ashore, and I have a few comments and questions for you.

 

In Bergen we plan to explore the Bryggen area and then head up Mt. Floien. I found a wonderful guide to the hiking paths on the mountain at http://www.floibanen.com/upload/Turforslagbrosjyre_eng.pdf

 

In Geiranger we wanted to book the downhill bicycle tour with Geiranger Adventures, but they are fully booked by HAL. Do you know if there is another company offering a similar tour? If not, we plan to take the sightseeing bus to Eagles Bend and Flydalsjuvet, and then hike to Westeras Farm. Can we then walk from Westeras farm down to Geiranger? Are there any other hiking routes we should consider?

 

In Alesund we want to visit the Sunmore Museum and hike up to the Mt. Aksla overlook. Can you advise as to how to get to the museum from downtown? Also, we understand the steps up Mt. Aksla are closed this summer? We can take the hop-on-hop-off bus if necessary, but would prefer to use local transport and our legs if possible.

 

In Eidfjord we plan to take the bus to Voringfossen and the Hardangervidda nature center. Is it possible to hike from the nature center back down to Eidfjord? Are there any other hikes you would recommend?

 

Again - thanks for all your advice - you are an ambassador for Norway!

 

Hi - Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate doing this and are happy to help.

 

It looks like you have some fantastic tours booked in the ports. I am sure they will all be memorable.

 

In Geiranger the company you already have contacted is the only doing the bike tour.

You maybe walk down the main road towards Geiranger. An alternative route was posted a few posts ago. Did you see that post?

You might want to hike to "Storseter fossen" waterfall. It about a 40 minute walk from Weterås. You can actually walk under the waterfall.

 

The easiest way to get to the Museum is bu using the hop on/off bus. The musuem is the first stop and the viewpoint is the second. You could walk down from the viewpoint to town.

But you might also want to take the local bus.

Bus route 624 departs the bus terminal at:

0900 - 1000 - 1100 -1200 with returns at 1119 - 1219 -1319 (once every hour)

You should check the departures at the bus terminal in town (next to the pier) as there are more departures available.

 

It would be strenuous but you could also of course walk up and down the stairs. I m sure you all will sleep soundly after such a day.:)

 

Lars

[treesah]

Lars,

We just returned from our Norwegian Fjords cruise. Absolutely stunning. I'd like to make an observation about the weather. It seems that most mornings were gloomy, foggy and rainy especially in Alesund and Bergen. Then by early afternoon, the fog would disappear and the sun came out in all its glory. Then the clouds would again appear and then the sun. When I carried my umbrella the sun showed up, if I left the umbrella on the ship, it would start raining. What's up with those Norse weather gods?

[I-Cruiser]

Lars,

We just returned from our Norwegian Fjords cruise. Absolutely stunning. I'd like to make an observation about the weather. It seems that most mornings were gloomy, foggy and rainy especially in Alesund and Bergen. Then by early afternoon, the fog would disappear and the sun came out in all its glory. Then the clouds would again appear and then the sun. When I carried my umbrella the sun showed up, if I left the umbrella on the ship, it would start raining. What's up with those Norse weather gods?

 

I am happy you had such a wonderful cruise and that you enjoyed Norway.

 

Well, those Nose gods are for sure playing us :D They seem to be in a very good mood the last two days. I love the spring/summer with 24 hrs daylight. Tonight the sun wont set before 11pm so I will be in the garden until then.