[Spotter]

So, I've heard a mixed report on driving the fjords. Those of you that have done it--was it nerve-wracking, or not bad? I will be in a 2WD XC90, so perhaps not the best car for that type of visibility, just wanting to hear from any that have done it.

I will have a toddler along with me, so wondering if I need one MORE thing to make the trip stressful...

S.

 

[BillFerg]

Re: Nerve-wracking one-way roads and blind corners - fjord driving (Spotter)

Not nerve-wracking at all.

Just be sure to plan plenty of stops to get out of your car to take pictures.

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Re: Nerve-wracking one-way roads and blind corners - fjord driving (Spotter)

Quote, originally posted by Spotter »

So, I've heard a mixed report on driving the fjords. Those of you that have done it--was it nerve-wracking, or not bad? I will be in a 2WD XC90, so perhaps not the best car for that type of visibility, just wanting to hear from any that have done it. I will have a toddler along with me, so wondering if I need one MORE thing to make the trip stressful... S.

Nothing to worry. I have never driven in Norway but I have seen pictures of the roads over the fjords.

How would you like to drive on some of these roads in the Balkans?

or this?

Have fun and no worries!

Yannis

 

[robreed55]

Re: Nerve-wracking one-way roads and blind corners - fjord driving (Spotter)

We're still in Europe now. We just finished our driving tour of the Fjords. The highest speed limit in the Fjord area is about 80 km/hr (if you're lucky) which is roughly 50 mph for us. In the tighter spots along the drive the speeds are sometimes down to 30 km/hr (less than 20 mph). I may be more conservative than some of the others on this board, but I did not want to get a ticket - there are speed cameras all over the place. So to answer your question, some of the driving is hairy, but you're driving so slowly that its easy to slow to pull to the side. I've driven much sketchier roads before...

My only other advice is to make sure that you fill up when you have the chance. Not all the little towns have gas, so make sure that you've got it. Also since you're driving so slowly, give yourself plenty of time to get to your destinations out there.

The Fjords are absolutely beautiful and if you want any recommendations just PM me. I'll respond when I get home.

Rob

 

[flybynight]

Re: Nerve-wracking one-way roads and blind corners - fjord driving (Spotter)

Driving in Norway is easy as pie. Road surfaces are usually better than what you find in the US.
A lot of the curvy mountains roads have been replaced by impressively long tunnels, but I'd recommend staying on the secondary roads so you get to see what you came for.
Speed limit in Norway in rural areas is usually 70 or 80 clicks. So, yes, it takes time to get from one area to the next, especially if you take the old roads which go around mountains and fjords. What a bird can fly in 15 minutes might take you 1 hour to drive. Not a lot straight roads in fjord country.

Make sure you know the road signs. As usual the US had to do things differently than the rest of the World. And also get VERY familiar with who has the right away. Unless on a bigger road (and there is a correspoding sign that tells you this) a car coming from the right has the rightaway whenever there is NOT a stop sign. Driving through towns when you come to intersections you'd better know this or you might end up with the grill of an Opel in your right door.

So if your road has one of these, drive on

If your road has one of these

be careful of traffic to your right.

 

[Big Will]

This is very very good advice!

I still remember the first time I realized that European rule/custom. No accident or anything, but I sat at the intersection and laughed.