A friend asked me how the best way to see the most of Sunnmore (Sunnmøre) when visiting for a weekend getaway is? My recommendation is to do the Golden Triangle of Sunnmore, which includes The Rauma Railway to Åndalsnes, The Ridge of Romsdalseggen, The Troll Ladder, The Geirangerfjord that is UNESCO World Heritage List and finish it off in Norway’s most beautiful Art Nouveau city named Aalesund (Ålesund) in Norway.
The Travel Itinerary: The Golden Triangle of Sunnmore
Day 1 The Golden Triangle of Sunnmore
From Oslo to Åndalsnes by train
The Rauma Railway is Europe’s most beautiful railway journey by Lonely Planet. And Romsdalseggen ridge is one of the world’s most scenic hikes. What more do you need?
The journey starts in Oslo by entering the train to Dombås. And then you will change train further on to the Rauma Railway. Which is named Europe’s most beautiful railway journey by Lonely Planet. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the most bedazzling landscapes of Norway. Then enter the town of Åndalsnes the starting point for the famous hike of Romsdalseggen.
Travel Information
Train Journey
Oslo 08:02 – 13:23 Dombås (5h 21 min)
Hike the Romsdalseggen Ridge (7-8h)
Accomdation in Åndalsnes
If you want to splurge in Åndalsnes, stay at Grand Hotel and Hotel Geist. If you want more budget, stay at Nora Gard or even spend the night at Troll Ladder Camping.
After lunch, hike the Romsdalseggen ridge. And to shorten the trip on the way back, maybe have dinner with an extraordinary view at the new restaurant located on the city mountain, save your knees, and take the gondola down to Åndalsnes city center. If you are short on time, take the gondola bought-way and enjoy the scenery without physical endurance.
Romsdalen Gondola – Opens May 2021.
A 360-degree view of the impressive Romsdalshorn, Vengetindene, Åndalsnes town center, lush valleys, and the emerald green Rauma river awaits you at the top.
– From Visitnorway.com
Day 2 The Golden Triangle of Sunnmore
From Åndalsnes to Geirange by Bus
Åndalsnes – Trollstigen – Valldal – Geiranger: During this trip, you will experience two of the most breathtaking roads in Northern Europe.
After a good night’s sleep at Åndalsnes. You will be waking up early to be at the train & bus station of Åndalsnes at 08:20, catching the bus for the more scenic landscape of Norway. From Åndalsens, you will start and then curve up the hairpin turns of the famous Troll Ladder. The bus will stop for 25 minutes at the plateau of the Troll Ladder to enjoy the spectacular view of the stunning nature.
After the stop, you will be driving further on to Valldal and then the bus continues towards UNESCO World Heritage-listed Geiranger.
Travel Information
From Åndalsnes 08:20 – 11:20 Geiranger
Get the bus ticket: Bus 220
Accomdation in Geiranger
The most iconic place to stay in Geiranger is Hotel Union. If you cant stay at the hotel, maybe go for breakfast or lunch? Another famous hotel is The View Hotel.
If you are on a budget check out Fjorden Camping Cabins or homestay at Lunheim in Geiranger.
Arriving in Geiranger at the perfect time for lunch. Try to explore some local food. At a minimum, try to taste the local chocolate. They also have a cool microbrewery with tasty beer for the thirsty one.
Adventure to the closest viewpoints Eagle bend or Flydalsjuvet, or why not visit the spectacular views of the Dalsnibba skywalk?
Option: Short on Time
If you are short on time you will leave Geiranger either by Fjordcruise Geiranger at 14:30 – 17:30 Ålesund for 715 NOK. Or by Hurtigruten at 14:45-17:30 Ålesund for 649 per person.
Option: One Night in Geiranger
If you have more time, enjoy the wounder of the most beautiful fjord in Norway and stay the night, if you splurge or camp doesn’t matter. Try to do some activities either a tour to Mt Dalsnibba in Geiranger by e-bike or electrical car. Or some hikes in the area.
Day 3 The Golden Triangle of Sunnmore
From Geiranger to Ålesund by boat
Geiranger to Ålesund by boat. The best way to experience and explore the famous Geiranger Fjord.
The Seven Sisters
Standing on the deck of the boat and feeling the spray of the Seven Sisters waterfalls is a very special experience. The highest of the “Sisters” has a free fall of 250 m.
The Suitor
According to legend, the “Suitor” tried to propose to the “Seven Sisters” from the opposite side of the fjord – but never succeeded. The cruise passes very close to that waterfall, which gives you great photo opportunities.
The Pulpit Rock
Close to the fjord farm Skageflå you find the mountain formation “The Pulpit Rock”.
Skageflå
Skageflå is the best-known fjord farm with a fantastic view to the Geirangerfjord and the mountains around. It is the endpoint of the popular fjordfarm hike. Norway’s King Harald and Queen Sonja celebrated their silver wedding here in 1993. The Queen has visited the farm on several occasions since.
Knivsflå
The fjord farm Knivsflå is located next to “The Seven Sisters” waterfalls and directly opposite of Skageflå and lies approximately 250 m above sea level.
Blomberg
Blomberg fjord farm can be reached via a steep path from the fjord. The farm is 450 m above sea level and provides beautiful views over the Geirangerfjord, including the waterfalls “The Seven Sisters”, “The Bridal Veil” and “The Suitor”.
Matvik
Matvik is located close to the water almost at the end of the Geirangerfjord. It was one of the last farms to be abandoned (1961) and it was a very fertile farm with 150 plum trees. They even grew apricots here.
The Eagle Road
The stunning Eagle Road has eleven hairpin bends, the highest of them is called Ørnesvingen (“Eagle Bend”). From here you can enjoy fantastic views over the fjord towards “The Pulpit Rock” and “The Seven Sisters” waterfalls. It is the perfect place to spot cruise ships on their way into the Geirangerfjord.
From Geirangerfjord.no
Ålesund the Town of Art Nouveau
And one of the main harbors for Bacalao in Norway. We have to mention the wild Viking ancestry.
Why be boring when you can be pretty? Ålesund burned down in 1904. It was rebuilt with strong initial help from Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Ålesund has long traditions of preserving dried cod by salt, which serves as the base ingredient for delicious bacalao. The best place in town for Bacalao is at XXL Diner maybe even the best place in Europe? Even local brings their family there when celebrating.
Panorama View of Ålesund & Alps of Sunnmore
The best selfie in town is the city mountain named: Aksla, and the locals call it the mountain cabin (fjellstua). Make sure to do the 418 stairs to reach the most stunning views of a Norwegian Fairytale with archipelago, the Art Noveau town center, and the dashing Alps of Sunnmore.
If you want to read more: 8 Hours in Ålesund
Or you want to know more things you can do in Sunnmore.
Accomdation in Ålesund
If you are splurging, I highly recommend Hotel 1904 and Hotel Brosundet. If you want, budget-friendly, then check out Ålesund downtown loft room with a shared bathroom.
The Golden Triangle of Sunnmore
The Golden Triangle of Sunnmore is a great start to get cradle in Norwegian nature and scenic landscape. Including the famous Rauma Railway, an epic hike of the Romsdalseggen ridge, The Troll Ladder with stunning scenery. Geiranger UNESCO fjord is a must when visiting Norway and of course Ålesund, the most beautiful city in Norway, that you want to have with you before flying out of Sunnmøre or take the VY146 Express bus back to Oslo.
Vigra Airport has maybe one of the best flights over the alps of Sunnmøre. If you are flying on a clear day, make sure to get a window seat and be above all the alps of Sunnmøre when flying to your next destination.
Thank you for visiting Sunnmøre, the region I have dearest to my heart.
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