13 spectacular views to seek out on a Norwegian self-drive
Explore 13 of Norway's most memorable viewpoints, from the mountains of Sognefjellet to the Arctic coast, as you travel the country's scenic roads by car.
Are you planning a summer self-drive in Norway? The road itself can be as much a part of the experience as the places you set out to visit. Across the country, scenic roads lead through mountain plateaus, along fjords and out towards the coast, with viewpoints and rest areas designed to make the most of the landscape.
Norway's National Scenic Routes project has brought together architects, landscape designers and artists to create places where travellers can stop, look around and appreciate their surroundings. Some are simple viewpoints; others are striking pieces of architecture in their own right.
If you enjoy having the freedom to stop where you like, a self-drive holiday in Norway is a particularly good way to experience these roads. Here are 13 views and viewpoints worth seeking out.
Mefjell – a stone window into the mountains
The road across Sognefjellet takes you into some of Norway's highest mountain country, passing between the Sognefjord and Gudbrandsdalen. At Mefjellet, a stone viewpoint sits on the high plateau, with views towards the mountains of Jotunheimen.
The viewpoint was designed by Jensen & Skodvin Arkitektkontor, with a stone sculpture by artist Knut Wold framing the mountain landscape. The sculpture creates what is often described as a ‘stone window’ into the surrounding mountains.
Sognefjellet is Norway's highest mountain pass, reaching 1,434 metres above sea level. The landscape changes noticeably as you climb, from green valleys and farms to bare, windswept mountain terrain.
Nearest major city: Lillehammer, approximately 200 km by road. The viewpoint is also around 25 km from Lom, a useful base for exploring the area.
Høllesli – looking down on the Lysefjord
The Høllesli viewpoint looks down towards the Lysefjord, with steep mountains rising on either side of the water. It is part of the Scenic Route Ryfylke and sits between the Lysefjord Bridge and Høllesli Tunnel.
From the viewpoint, you get a broad perspective over the fjord and surrounding mountains. The road itself is part of the experience, particularly as it winds through the changing landscapes of Ryfylke.
If you're travelling in this region, Høllesli works well as part of a wider Norwegian fjord journey, particularly when combined with the Lysefjord and Stavanger.
Nearest major city: Stavanger, approximately 70 km by road.
Domen – where Varanger meets the Barents Sea
Far to the north-east, the Varanger Scenic Route follows Norway's Arctic coast towards Vardø. The landscape here is very different from the fjords and mountains found further south – open tundra, low vegetation and the Barents Sea define much of the journey.
At Domen, a sheltered viewpoint sits high above the sea, looking towards Vardø and the open coast. The structure provides protection from the exposed Arctic conditions while giving travellers a place to stop and take in the landscape.
Varanger is particularly interesting in summer, when the light remains late into the evening. The region is also known for its birdlife and its proximity to the Russian border.
Nearest major city: Vadsø, approximately 60 km by road. Vardø is considerably closer, but is a small town rather than a major city.
Farstadsanden – beach and sea along the Atlantic Road
The Atlantic Road is one of Norway's best-known scenic drives, linking islands and skerries along the coast between Kristiansund and Molde.
At Farstadsanden, the landscape opens towards the sea and a long sandy beach. It is a good place to leave the car for a while and walk rather than simply stopping for a photograph from the roadside.
This part of the coast can look very different depending on the weather. Sunshine brings out the colours of the sea and surrounding landscape, while wind and cloud emphasise the exposed character of the coastline.
Nearest major city: Molde, approximately 45 km by road.
Flye 1389 – above the tree line on Valdresflye
The road across Valdresflye climbs into the high mountains of eastern Norway. At Flye 1389, the viewpoint sits at 1,389 metres above sea level, with broad views across the surrounding mountain landscape.
The viewpoint is a particularly good place to appreciate the scale of the high plateau. On a clear day, the views extend towards Jotunheimen, and the open terrain makes it easy to understand why travelling across the mountains feels so different from driving through the valleys below.
The road across Valdresflye is seasonal, so check current road conditions before setting out.
Nearest major city: Lillehammer, approximately 150 km by road. The viewpoint is also within reach of Vågå and Beitostølen.
Refsnes Beach – Norway's open Atlantic coast
Jæren is known for its long, open coastline and sandy beaches. At Refsnes, the landscape feels quite different from the enclosed fjords and dramatic mountain valleys found elsewhere in Norway.
The beach stretches along the North Sea, backed by dunes and open farmland. It is a good place to stop for a walk and experience the coast at a slower pace, particularly if you're travelling through southwestern Norway by car.
The beaches of Jæren are also popular with surfers, and the weather can change quickly along this exposed stretch of coast.
Nearest major city: Stavanger, approximately 50 km by road.
Vøringsfossen – one of Norway's great waterfalls
Vøringsfossen is one of Norway's best-known waterfalls, dropping dramatically into the Måbødalen valley from the Hardangervidda mountain plateau.
The viewing areas give you several perspectives on the waterfall and the deep valley below. A spectacular footbridge spans the gorge, while the historic road through Måbødalen provides another perspective on the dramatic terrain.
The modern viewing platforms and footbridge were designed by architect Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk, making Vøringsfossen an interesting stop for anyone with an appreciation for both landscape and architecture.
Vøringsfossen is an easy addition to a journey between Bergen and the Hardangerfjord, particularly for travellers interested in Norway's fjords and mountain landscapes.
Nearest major city: Bergen, approximately 115 km by road.
Moskenes – mountains rising from the sea
The approach to Moskenes is one of the memorable sections of a journey through Lofoten. Mountains rise directly from the sea, while small fishing villages sit between the water and the steep peaks.
Moskenes is also where many travellers arrive by ferry from Bodø. If you are driving north from the ferry terminal, there is no need to rush straight on. The landscape changes quickly as you enter the Lofoten islands, and some of the best views come simply from being on the road.
In summer, the low evening light can make the mountains appear particularly dramatic, while changing weather can transform the same view from one hour to the next.
Nearest major city: Bodø, approximately 100 km away by road and ferry. The actual journey time depends on the ferry service and conditions.
Bukkekjerka – an ancient site beside the sea
Bukkekjerka is a coastal site on the island of Andøya, part of the Scenic Route Andøya.
The name refers to an old Sami sacrificial site, giving the location a cultural history that predates the modern road. Today, the site combines this history with a striking setting beside the Norwegian Sea.
The landscape here is very open – rocky coastline, sea and sky with few buildings to interrupt the view. It is a useful reminder that some of northern Norway's most memorable scenery isn't necessarily found among the highest mountains.
If you're exploring Andøya and Vesterålen, allow time to get out of the car and walk around the site rather than treating it as a quick roadside photo stop.
Nearest major city: Harstad, approximately 130 km by road and ferry connections, depending on your route.
Sohlbergplassen – a view through the trees
Sohlbergplassen is a viewpoint overlooking the mountains of Rondane National Park. It takes its name from Norwegian painter Harald Sohlberg, whose famous painting Winter Night in the Mountains was inspired by the landscape.
The viewing platform was designed by architect Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk. Its curved structure winds between the trees, creating framed views towards the mountains.
This is one of the more interesting examples of Norway's approach to scenic architecture. The platform gives you a carefully composed view, but the trees, mountains and changing seasons remain the main attraction.
Nearest major city: Lillehammer, approximately 180 km by road.
Ureddplassen – mountains, islands and open sea
Ureddplassen lies along the Helgeland coast, where mountains and islands meet the open sea.
The rest area is known for its distinctive architecture and its position directly beside the water. There is also a memorial to the submarine HNoMS Uredd, which struck a German mine in February 1943. All 42 crew members died.
The setting is particularly striking because of its sense of openness. Looking out from the coast, you can see the mountains and islands of Helgeland stretching away in different directions.
For travellers heading north, this is one of the places where stopping becomes part of the journey rather than an interruption to it.
Nearest major city: Bodø, approximately 140 km by road.
Borestranda – Jæren's long sandy coastline
Borestranda is another of Jæren's long sandy beaches, with dunes and open views along the coast.
The beach is popular with locals and is known for surfing, but you don't need to be heading into the water to appreciate the landscape. The long stretch of sand and low horizon give the coast an unusually expansive feel for Norway.
If you're driving around southwestern Norway, Borestranda is worth combining with other coastal stops around Jæren. The short detours can make a significant difference to the feel of a road trip.
Nearest major city: Stavanger, approximately 35 km by road.
Allmannajuvet – where architecture meets mining history
Allmannajuvet is one of the more unusual stops along the Scenic Route Ryfylke. The site tells the story of the zinc mines at Sauda, which operated from 1881 to 1899.
Swiss architect Peter Zumthor designed the museum, café and service buildings, which were officially opened in 2016. The dark structures sit within the narrow gorge, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding rock and vegetation.
Rather than being simply a viewpoint, Allmannajuvet adds a layer of local history to the journey. It shows how Norway's Scenic Routes project can combine architecture, landscape and cultural heritage in a single stop.
Nearest major city: Stavanger, approximately 130 km by road.
Make the journey part of the adventure
One of the pleasures of a self-drive journey in Norway is having the freedom to stop when something catches your attention. The country's Scenic Routes make this particularly easy, with viewpoints, walks and places to pause built into some of the most interesting stretches of road.
You don't need to plan your entire journey around viewpoints. Some of the best moments can be the unexpected stops along the way – a viewpoint above a fjord, a beach at the end of a quiet road or a piece of architecture that makes you pull over and take a second look.
From the fjords of western Norway to the beaches of Jæren, the mountains of Rondane and the Arctic coast of Varanger, the road is often part of the destination.
Explore Norway and start planning your own self-drive journey.
About the author
Satu Vänskä-Westgarth is Director of Product at 50 Degrees North. Finnish, and living in Norway for close to 20 years, she has worked across the travel industry from raft guiding and travel writing to product strategy, and designs the company's Nordic journeys around authentic, local experiences. A keen photographer, she travels widely across the north, from Lofoten to the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Read more about Satu.