1. The Legendary Trollstigen (Troll’s Path) Adventure

Alright, first up is the big one, the drive that everyone talks about, and for a really good reason. The Troll’s Path, or Trollstigen, is literally an incredible piece of road-building. It has, for example, eleven hairpin bends that snake their way up a super steep mountain side. You really have to see it to believe it. From Andalsnes, the drive to get to the start of the climb is in itself very scenic, kind of following the valley floor. But then, of course, the climb begins. Each turn, you know, gives you a slightly different, and somehow even more spectacular, picture of the valley below. I mean, the walls of the valley are just these massive, sheer rock faces.

There is this one spot, as a matter of fact, where you drive right across a stone bridge that goes over the Stigfossen waterfall. You can literally feel the mist from the waterfall on your car’s windscreen, it’s that close. It is a really powerful moment, you know, connecting you to the wild nature all around. Then, once you get to the very top, there is a fantastic visitor center and viewing platform. The platforms, sort of cantilevered over the edge, give you just an unbelievable look back down at the road you just conquered. Honestly, you will want to spend a fair bit of time up there just soaking it all in. We often pack a thermos of coffee, because at the end of the day, a hot drink with that kind of view is pretty much perfect. You should know, however, that this road is typically closed during the winter, usually opening sometime in late May. So, you might want to check its status before you set out.

I mean, my first time driving up Trollstigen, I was a little bit nervous, to be honest. But the road is so well-engineered that it just feels like an incredible, slow dance with the mountain. The feeling at the top is pure joy.

2. The Coastal Wonder of the Atlantic Ocean Road

Okay, so for a completely different kind of driving experience, you should definitely take the trip out to the Atlantic Ocean Road. Unlike the mountain passes, this one is all about the sea. The drive from Andalsnes takes a little while, you know, maybe a couple of hours, but it’s a pleasant journey through the countryside. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, you’re out on the coast and the road starts to do these amazing things. It’s a pretty short stretch of road, actually, only about 8 kilometers long. It just sort of hops from one tiny island, or skerry, to the next with a series of really amazing bridges.

The most famous of these is the Storseisundet Bridge, which has this incredible curve that, from certain angles, looks like it just drops off into the sky. It’s really an optical illusion, but a fun one. On a calm day, the trip is really beautiful, with the blue water all around you. On a stormy day, it’s something else entirely—you can see waves crashing right over the barriers. It’s frankly an amazing show of nature’s power. There are several spots to pull over, you know, to walk around, take photos, or maybe even try a little bit of fishing from the rocks. We actually saw a seal just lounging on a rock one time we were there. This drive, in short, feels like you are driving right on the edge of the world. It’s a very popular spot, so it’s pretty much best to go early or late in the day to miss the biggest crowds of people and stuff.

3. The Grandeur of Geirangerfjord and the Eagle Road

Now, if you thought Trollstigen was the only dramatic road around here, well, you’re in for a treat. You can actually combine Trollstigen with a drive to the Geirangerfjord, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. To do this, you drive up Trollstigen, continue across the mountain plateau, and then take a ferry from Linge to Eidsdal. From there, you eventually descend towards the fjord via the Eagle Road, or Ørnesvingen. This road is another series of hairpin bends, just like its more famous cousin. But honestly, the view that opens up as you come down is arguably one of the most iconic in all of Norway.

At the final bend, there’s a specially built viewing platform where you can stop. And seriously, the view of Geirangerfjord laid out below is just mind-blowing. You see the deep blue water, the impossibly steep cliffs, and the famous Seven Sisters waterfall trickling down the rock face on the far side. The little town of Geiranger is just a tiny speck far below. You could be spending ages just looking at it. In fact, this drive gives you a real sense of the scale of the fjords, something you sort of have to experience in person. You feel very, very small next to all that natural splendor. Once you’re down in Geiranger, you can grab a bite to eat or even take a fjord cruise to see the waterfalls up close, you know, before making the drive back. This is a full-day trip, to be honest, but it’s more or less a day you will never, ever forget.

4. Discovering the Quiet Beauty of Isterdalen Valley

Sometimes, you just want a drive that’s a little less about the high drama and more about quiet enjoyment, right? The drive through Isterdalen is pretty much perfect for that. This is the same valley that Trollstigen climbs out of, but instead of going up, you just sort of explore the valley floor. It’s an incredibly peaceful experience. The Rauma River, known for its green-tinted water, flows right through the middle, and it’s just a lovely companion on your drive. You can just find a quiet spot to pull over, have a picnic, and listen to the sound of the water.

What’s really special about this drive is how you are completely surrounded by these gigantic, well-known peaks. You’ll get stunning views of mountains like “The Bishop” and “The King,” their imposing shapes seeming to watch over the valley. It’s a great place for short walks. There are a few trails leading from the road, for example, that take you closer to the river or into the woods. It’s not a formal tourist route, really, which is actually part of its charm. It’s a place where you can feel a little more connected to the local landscape, away from the bigger tour groups. We sometimes do this drive in the late afternoon, when the light is just beautiful and golden on the peaks. At the end of the day, it’s a wonderfully relaxing way to spend a few hours without needing to cover huge distances.

5. The Full Romsdalen Valley Scenic Loop

Finally, for a trip that gives you a complete sense of Andalsnes’s immediate surroundings, you can’t go wrong with the Romsdalen Valley loop. This drive takes you down one side of the valley and back up the other. It is an amazing way to see the icons of the Romsdalen alps from pretty much every angle. As a matter of fact, the main attraction on this route is the Troll Wall, or Trollveggen. This is basically Europe’s tallest vertical rock face, a staggering 1,000 meters of sheer cliff. There’s a visitor center right at the base where you can stop and just stare up at it in complete awe. You feel incredibly small looking at it, frankly.

Driving through the valley, you’ll also see the Romsdalshorn mountain, which has a really distinctive horn-like shape. The Rauma railway line also runs through the valley, and if you are lucky, you might see a train crossing one of the old stone bridges. The road itself is really gentle and easy to drive, making for a very relaxing trip. The whole loop isn’t too long, you know, so you can do it in half a day, leaving plenty of time for other things. We find this drive is like a proper introduction to the local giants that frame the town. It really helps you get your bearings and appreciate the incredible natural setting of Andalsnes. Honestly, it’s a must-do to understand why this place is considered a mountaineering capital.