Sweden and Norway - August to September

[SafariTecPeter]

Don`t bother with Kristiansand unless You have a special "connection"

Driving south from Haukeli through Hovden & Setesdalen ist UTTERLY (!!) Boring........
Speed cameras fitted in the southern half of Setesdalen ...............Your choice
It must be over 10 years since I bothered last....
Mind You, if You are into rafting (like I), it would be worth a consideration.

If not, go as I suggested & save a few bucks, consider the Langesund ferry mentioned & give LUND a wave

 

[SafariTecPeter]

Graham.... stricktly geographicly speaking thats alot of crisscrosssing :-D
But the mentioned towns are all worth a visit if one os "around"

From Sandefjord one could take the ferry to Sweden. VERY affordable taxfree

 

[Graham]

Yeah, we did cross over to Sweden for a day, then back to Oslo.
We did it in the winter, and was I glad I was in 120 Land Cruiser.
The fjords were iced over, and we could see a convoy of what looked lie 20 ton tipper trucks, constantly tipping their loads of ice, off the dock edge into the frozen water.

 

[Lund]

I agree with reversing the route, not much to see in Sweden imho, unless you have an massive affection for tree's.. You'd want to spend the time in between the fjords and mountains, not flatland woods and marsh (and swedes).. and I'm not biased by any means lol

 

[SafariTecPeter]

What, anyone into Swedes???

As for the Q above reg "wild camping"....

Yes, lets say that the less populated it gets, the easier it is
Do not forget the bugs though..... fi Finnmarksvidda can be a challange that way if You are not used to it

In principal I`d say; Do not go in late June to ealry August. You will avoid "local" holidays & save both a fotune on rates & alot of hassel.....

 

[Lund]

You wouldn't happen to be Swedish Peter?

 

[uHu]

Not adding much re routes & sites, but still 10 c : The advantage of going north thru' sweden is that you get to the north faster. The autumn comes earlier up north, and august would normally be more pleasant than september (statistically), altho' the weather changes rapidly and often. As I see it, the far north is best during the midnight sun (20 mai to 20 july), and during the white part of the winter. (I grew up in finnmark).
The mosquitoes are not much of a problem from mid august, but end of june and july can be "lethal".

 

[SpinDrift]

Hi Gary, look here: https://www.landcruiserclub.net/community/threads/norway-arctic-circle-finland-baltics-2013.137586/

 

[SafariTecPeter]

Surely NOT Lund

Born in Nordland, so I can by law curse as if it was going out of fashion

Using the "fast lane" in Sweden as a means of doing miles has been quite common for ages.
That being said; With the high density of fuelstations & the much improved roads in Norway these days, there aint much gain in going far East....

 

[jjsaul]

Might see a few of you about! We're setting off from the UK on the 5th Aug to head via Dover, Copenhagen, Gothenburg then heading north east up the border ultimately towards Nordkapp. Then the plan is to head back down the west coast at a much more relaxed pace.
We were planning to go in the 80 but it's not going to be ready for the trip (long story) so ended up taking this van instead! If you see us about do come and say hello!

 

[SafariTecPeter]

Hey James, are U by chance on the VWT4UK forum (too)??

I am a few km`s off the E6 are U head north from the S-N Border @ Svinesund
I desperately need to know more abt Your 6x6 Range Rover!!!

 

[garygiles1963]

HI

Thanks to everyone for their input, very my much appreciated.

Here is my final route.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_CBiUkFfc3QVLY9XPLzedTgwwwk&usp=sharing

The pointers are for each day travel. Its a total of 31 days so I'm allowing 5 weeks. I think its going to be amazing, very excited. Looks like I wont be able to start out till the Middle of August.

Please any feedback, thoughts on the route would be appreciated. Also any recommendations on campsites near the points/markers would be appreciated to.

Regards
Gary

 

[Graham]

not accessible

gra

 

[Dave]

You're passing my neck of the woods (Jönköping) if you want to swing by.

 

[garygiles1963]

not accessible

gra

sorry, should work now.

G.

 

[garygiles1963]

You're passing my neck of the woods (Jönköping) if you want to swing by.

Sure, hey in contact nearer the time.

 

[SafariTecPeter]

I would not go down E41 through Vrådal unless You absolutely NEED to see the scenery

As You cross the Hardangerfjord & come to Årsnes, You may consider to swing south towards Rosendal & visit the only barony in Norway. Nice rosegarden for those who are into such things.
http://www.baroniet.no/
Mountains surrounding Rosendal can be most interesting if You are into hiking. Both easy strolls & the more hardcore stuff.

For those of You travelling with kids & the need for some "kickback-time", try out Sommarland in Bø, Telemark.
If You come down the Hardangervidda on the E134 from the West, track south from Seljord along the Seljordvatn & the road will take You through Bø (Seljord&Bø among some known as the very hard norweginag "redneck country"....)
http://sommarland.no/
http://www.countryfestivalen.no/

 

[garygiles1963]

I would not go down E41 through Vrådal unless You absolutely NEED to see the scenery

As You cross the Hardangerfjord & come to Årsnes, You may consider to swing south towards Rosendal & visit the only barony in Norway. Nice rosegarden for those who are into such things.
http://www.baroniet.no/
Mountains surrounding Rosendal can be most interesting if You are into hiking. Both easy strolls & the more hardcore stuff.

For those of You travelling with kids & the need for some "kickback-time", try out Sommarland in Bø, Telemark.
If You come down the Hardangervidda on the E134 from the West, track south from Seljord along the Seljordvatn & the road will take You through Bø (Seljord&Bø among some known as the very hard norweginag "redneck country"....)
http://sommarland.no/
http://www.countryfestivalen.no/

Thanks for the advice.

Regards

Gary

 

[garygiles1963]

Due to work, look's like I have delay my trip till mid September.

I am now wondering if I should wait till May/June 2017, days seem to getting a lot shorter from September onwards, I also wanted to camp most of the trip.

I would appreciate thoughts on whether I should delay till next year or not.

Thanks

Gary

 

[SafariTecPeter]

To the extend I can gice any advice on the matter;
Early September will in general be dry (famous last W
ords as we are having heavy down falls & winds all over @ the monent....) & temperature are declining. Certainly the days are shorter but not "short" as such. Be prepaired for colder evenings for sure. Possibly more bugs than pre-summer.

In May-June U will most likely have sunny days but they are not guaranteed to be "warm" Evenings are definately cool. Little bugs, up in the mountains, fi E134 U are likely to have snow right next to the road. Let the kids have a snowballwar
Snow in the Hardangervidda will probably be around to end of June-> going onto July.
I can throw up some pics if needed

IF camping & outdoor is a vital factor, I`d strongly consider mowing the trip to next late spring-pre summer

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