The best motorcycle roads in Norway
The short answer
Norway's best motorcycle roads are Trollstigen (11 hairpins up a cliff face), the Atlantic Road (8.3 km over 8 bridges), the Eagle Road above Geiranger, Lysevegen down to Lysebotn (27 hairpins), and Sognefjellet, the highest mountain pass in Northern Europe at 1,434 m. Ride them from June to early September.
Norway's roads aren't fast. Speed limits are low and fines are high. You ride Norway for what's around the road: fjords, waterfalls, glaciers and light that lasts until midnight.
At a glance
| Road | Region | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Trollstigen | Møre og Romsdal | 11 hairpins, waterfalls |
| Atlantic Road | Møre og Romsdal | 8.3 km, 8 bridges over the sea |
| Eagle Road (Ørneveien) | Geiranger | 11 hairpins above the fjord |
| Lysevegen | Rogaland | 27 hairpins down to Lysebotn |
| Sognefjellet | Innlandet / Vestland | Northern Europe's highest pass |
Trollstigen
The "Troll's Ladder" climbs out of the Isterdalen valley in 11 hairpins, with the Stigfossen waterfall crashing down beside it. The viewing platforms at the top look straight down the road.
Tips: tour buses fill it from mid-morning. Ride it before 9:00 or in the evening light.
The Atlantic Road
Between Kristiansund and Molde, the Atlantic Road hops from island to island over eight bridges. The Storseisundet bridge rises and twists so it looks like it ends in mid-air. Short, but you'll ride it twice.
Geiranger and the Eagle Road
The Eagle Road climbs from Geiranger in 11 hairpins with the Geirangerfjord below. On the other side of the village, the toll road up Dalsnibba reaches 1,476 m for a view straight down the fjord.
Lysevegen
From Sirdal down to Lysebotn at the end of the Lysefjord: 27 hairpins in a few kilometres, a tunnel with a hairpin inside it, and a ferry out along the fjord. Check the ferry times before you ride down.
Sognefjellet
The highest mountain pass in Northern Europe, between Lom and Skjolden, with snow walls into early summer and glaciers on both sides.
Good to know
- Speed limits are low (usually 80 km/h on open roads) and fines are steep.
- Ferries are part of most routes. Many are automatic payment by number plate. Check the schedules.
- Tolls are mostly automatic. Register your plate with the operator to pay.
Season
Mountain roads like Trollstigen, Sognefjellet and Dalsnibba usually open in late May or June and close in October or with the first heavy snow.
Questions riders ask
When is Trollstigen open?
Usually from late May or June to October, depending on snow and rock-fall work.
How long is the Atlantic Road?
8.3 km, with eight bridges between islands.
What is the best time for a motorcycle trip in Norway?
June to early September. July has the most daylight and the most traffic.