Coastal highway and Helgeland by car ferry

Oslo - Levanger - Brønnøysund - Sandnessjøen - Glomfjord - Bodø - Mosjøen - Trondheim - Oslo

The coastal road starts in Steinkjer in Trøndelag and winds up along the Namdal and Helgeland coasts before ending in Bodø after 650 kilometres. Along the way, you pass high mountains, fishing villages and white sand beaches. Helgeland in Nordland offers the opportunity to hike such mountain peaks as the Seven Sisters and Torghatten and visit a number of islands and white sand beaches. Many claim that this is Norway’s best sea paddling area.

Our tips for sights and stops along the route

Oslo - Levanger

This route is worthwhile whether you live in Eastern Norway, are landing at Oslo Airport or want to take the route the other way. We recommend driving via Østerdalen and staying at Hotel Backlund in Levanger. The 'green shortcut' offers attractions such as a giant silver moose sculpture, pristine green nature experiences and amazing local food.

Levanger - Brønnøysund

Visit Torghatten, the island of Ylvingen where they filmed the TV programme 'Himmelblå' and the island municipality of Vega, home to the earliest proven settlement in Northern Norway. Around 6,500 islands, islets and archipelagos are just waiting to be explored in Vega, which was granted World Heritage Status in 2004 for maintaining a sustainable lifestyle with fishing and farming in an inhospitable area near the Arctic Circle based on the unique tradition of eider down harvesting.

Climb the Via Ferrata up to Ravnfloget – we guarantee an exhilirating outdoor experience. For those who are a little more hesitant about climbing, Vegatrappa is a great alternative and with its 1,400 steps, getting to the top is no small feat. As a reward for all the effort, we recommend enjoying local food from the archipelago and the rest of Helgeland, such as freshly fried cod tongue and Vegagomme, before taking the ferry back to Brønnøysund.

Spend the night at one of our two hotels or the apartment complex in Brønnøysund for 2 nights – either in the city centre, on the island of Torget or at the airport.

Brønnøysund - Sandnessjøen

Hiking in the 'Seven Sisters' mountain range at Sandnessjøen is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Helgeland coast and an absolute must if you are driving along the coast. We guarantee breathtaking views and well-marked trails. If this is your first time hiking the mountains, we recommend the Skjæringen trail, a hike of medium difficulty that is well suited for families with children. The hike takes 4-5 hours both ways.

Dønnamannen is a mountain on the island of Dønna that can easily be reached from Sandnessjøen by ferry. The hike is challenging and difficult – and not recommended for those with a fear of heights. Expect to hike for around 5-6 hours and we guarantee thrilling experiences and amazing views. If time allows, you can also go on a RIB boat safari in the archipelago and experience the thrill of the open sea, abandoned small fishing villages, not to mention majestic white-tailed sea eagles.

Sandnessjøen - Svartisen

Glacier hiking and rappelling on Svartisen, Norway’s second largest glacier, is an incredible experience for adults and children alike. During the summer season, glacier hikes are offered almost daily, with different lengths and difficulty levels.

Psst!

Staying at a hotel after a night or two in a tent will feel like pure luxury. The 'freedom to roam' law means that you can set up a tent or sleep under the stars just about anywhere in the wilderness, as long as you are at least 150 metres from the nearest inhabited house or cabin. 

Glomfjord - Bodø 

Just outside of Bodø, you will find the world-famous Saltstraumen, the world’s strongest tidal current. If you are spending time in Bodø, we recommend experiencing one of the world’s greatest wonders up close, either as a spectator on shore or with a local boat guide.

You can also explore scenic Bodø by RIB boat or visit Salten Golfklubb, Northern Norway’s largest golf club, in beautiful surroundings. If you’re curious about the best place to see the midnight sun between 4 June and 8 July, the amazing phenomenon that lets you walk barefoot over pure white sand and warm rocks all night long, the locals recommend driving along the north coast from Bodø and visiting one of the numerous white sand beaches found along the coast.

Thon Hotel Nordlys is located adjacent to the marina and pier in Bodø. The hotel offers fantastic views of both the Lofoten Wall and Hurtigruta, which sails right past the hotel.

Bodø - Mosjøen - Trondheim

On the return journey, you can visit Øyfjellet in Mosjøen and Helgelandstrappa. The staircase is considered to be Norway’s longest stone staircase, with no fewer than 3,000 steps, and was opened by Queen Sonja in 2019. During a long road trip, it's also nice to spend some time in a city, which is exactly what you can do with a stop in Trondheim on the way back. Trondheim is a fantastic city, with so much more to offer than just the Nidaros Cathedral. Both of our two hotels are located in the city centre, including the renovated Thon Hotel Nidaros.

Here are our favourite spots in Trondheim to visit.

Trondheim - Oslo

When driving back towards Eastern Norway, we recommend taking the scenic route over Dovre, home to musk oxen, and Gudbrandsdalen. Located in an area with seven national parks, the valley is known for its abundance of locally produced food, historic architecture and great skiing and hiking. While driving over Dovrefjell, you can also hike to the top of Snøhetta, at 2,286 metres above sea level. There are all kinds of fantastic nature experiences to enjoy while staying at Hotel Otta – only a short drive from Dovrefjellet. Contact the hotel for more information.