Nordkapp, how many days drive?

Hi, we are planning a trip to Nordkapp and need to know how many days to allow to drive there and back from Suffolk, either via dover or via ferry from Harwich to Esbjergh
We would be going in February, would 14 days be enough? Don't want to have to have to rush especialy in the snow!
Also I know the ferry is expencive but is it worth it to save the extra driving, fuel and time?

Thanks
Nige.

Nige,

We are planning on 10 days once on the other side so 14 days in all give or take.

14 days will be tight and wont allow for any issues which may come up (Weather/breakdowns/road closures etc) and it will be a straight up and back affair. Also consider the lack of light in the day, driving at night is not nice, in bad weather, days on end etc.

The lads we are going with are heading out in early Feb taking the ferry. Its a couple of hundred £££ more but you will arrive at both ends fresher.

We will be driving it but leaving a week or so earlier and taking a different route through Sweden and then joining them at Trondheim for the slog up the E6 to Nordkapp.

If your on a tight timescale I think you need to be realistic about making it/not making it.

For example we are not kitting out the 90 completely for this trip (no diesel heater) as its a small part of a bigger trip. If it gets too cold for us we will turn around. If we reach the Arctic Circle I will be chuffed, if we reach Nordkapp, awesome! but it is not the be all/end all for us.

Also make sure you have the right clothing and sleeping bags.

HTH

G

Thanks for your reply Griffdowg,
I think we may have to rethink the end game of the trip, like you we would be happy just to get to the Artic circle! I think everyone on our trip would be happy if we just got far enough north to see some northern lights!

Hi Guys,

I've crossed the arctic circle several times and it is a fairly long drive - even from Denmark. Latest I went to Jokkmokk in february and I usually take two stops on my way. For the North Cape I suggest three. Remember - there are only highways in the lower part of Sweden. For the rest of your trip your average speed is 50-55 mph..

I usually take E45 which by my term is the most beautiful one. Lots and lots of forrest though. E45 is a low-land - so if you want to see the mountain areas you need to take a east-to-vest road going into the 'Fjell'.

In terms og northern light .. you can even see it in Denmark from time to time. But not in big scale as in the northern part of Sweden/Norway- go to the mountain areas in Jan/Feb/Mar, wait for clear sky, cross your fingers and wait. Don't be disappointed if you do not succeed - it's nature ..

Top places in Sweden to watch the Northern Lights - SWEDEN.SE

Finally - GO!! Sweden is fantastic .. .. and bring your own beer ($$$ in sweden)

Lars

So Didsdad .. are you going?

Griffdowg said:

14 days will be tight and wont allow for any issues which may come up (Weather/breakdowns/road closures etc) and it will be a straight up and back affair. Also consider the lack of light in the day, driving at night is not nice, in bad weather, days on end etc.

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GD is right, 14 days is not really enough
The going is slow, there are many trucks.
Quite often it is very difficult to overtake them, so you are slowed right down.
I would feel better with 8-9 days each way.

I would suggest ferry Harwich to Esbjerg, then ferry Hirtshals to Kristiansands, or better to Larvik
E18 then E6 then E69
2400km.

Gra.

I bet you are from Norway ;o)

I agree with you on the time issue. And the first question is really wether to go through Norway or Sweden. It is two very different experiences. Norway is more expensive in any way, the coast line is very very beautiful (more fjell 'mountain') but also a much longer trip. The roads are a lot more winding and as said it is often difficult to overtake. Sweden is a little cheaper, almost straight line (if E45) a lot more forest, flat land and often colder. In sweden you will also feel a little more deserted.

My opinion - if you have plenty of time: go through Norway .. if tight on time: Sweden.

Lars

Buckhandle said:

I bet you are from Norway ;o)

Lars

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Spent the best part of 2 years there.
It is crazy, how long just a simple ( on a map ) can take.
We went from our place in Oslo, to Hemsedal, only 223km.
Must have took us 7 hours. ! ! !

Gra.

I agree Two years ago we drove from Lofoten -> Trondheim (along the coastline) -> Oslo -> Denmark. The drive at the coast line was really long even if not including any island hopping (which we did). But most important is - do NOT plan to rush! It is so beautiful that you will hate rushing when you are there ..

I done Aberdeen to Nordkapp on the bike in 2003.

Make the journey.
You will NEVER regret this....
its stunning...

And when I did it, there wasn't hardly a soul there, the whole way up.
( Bergen to Honningsvag )

Be prepared for the tunnels - there's some bloody long ones !
be prepared for the reindeer and the moose that hide in them ( reindeer **** is as slippery as ice by the way ! )
be prepared for the most beautiful landscapes imaginable...

I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Watch the speedlimits though... Plod hides up mountains and strictly enforces it...
but you get so used to that pace of life, after a day or two.. its not a problem

Its a life-changer ... do it.... its awesome.

Take a look here Land Rover Owner • View topic - Norway 2012

and here Mudrut 2013 Northern Lights Chase

For anyone contemplating this trip, one or two points as a result of doing it Jan `12. Go ferry to end up in Christiansand, go to Bergen, get on Hurtigruten ferry and get off where it suits you, quicker and cheaper on time. Tromso is my advice,on certain parts of your route there may be convoyed runs through bad stuff. Vehicle prep is vital ,despite being overtaken by 308`s etc, they know who to call and are probably only going 50k`s. Near Nordkapp diesel can easily freeze, wipers will, power steering pipes will, and many other troubles. My P38dse was not turned off for eighteen days, did 18mpg(30.4 normally) and all door locks froze despite precautions. Despite all pessimism its got to be done, one life, do it! Oh, budget to but Hakka tyres, nothing you can buy in UK works.

old traveller said:

For anyone contemplating this trip, one or two points as a result of doing it Jan `12. Go ferry to end up in Christiansand, go to Bergen, get on Hurtigruten ferry and get off where it suits you, quicker and cheaper on time. Tromso is my advice,on certain parts of your route there may be convoyed runs through bad stuff. Vehicle prep is vital ,despite being overtaken by 308`s etc, they know who to call and are probably only going 50k`s. Near Nordkapp diesel can easily freeze, wipers will, power steering pipes will, and many other troubles. My P38dse was not turned off for eighteen days, did 18mpg(30.4 normally) and all door locks froze despite precautions. Despite all pessimism its got to be done, one life, do it! Oh, budget to but Hakka tyres, nothing you can buy in UK works.

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Nice Looking forward to it! Wont bother locking the doors then?!

G

I too am planning a trip like this, but in June '13. figured ferry to Bergen then head North. Coastal route, occasional ferry and aim to see the Arctic Circle via the scenic route.

Hi All,
As this thread is ongoing I thought I would jump on. I want to go up the Sweden route 2nd week of March 2013 and possibly back through Norway, and I would be pulling my caravan as my accommodation behind my Disco TD5. Would this be feasible, I haven't decided on how far up to go as the main purpose is to see the northern lights and do some walking with my 4 Labrador dogs who will be accompanying me.
Any advise would be appreciated,
Lyn.

My advice would be to leave the caravan at home. To see the Aurora you generally need to be quite far north and March is near the end so likely be hit and miss. The other thing to note is that there could well be snow/ice at the Arctic Circle, best check that out as it could well change your plans (cold weather kit needed etc)

G

Griffdowg said:

My advice would be to leave the caravan at home. To see the Aurora you generally need to be quite far north and March is near the end so likely be hit and miss. The other thing to note is that there could well be snow/ice at the Arctic Circle, best check that out as it could well change your plans (cold weather kit needed etc)

G

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As Griff says,

Don't take the caravan.

It will get shaken to pieces.

The way to do it is, (well the way we went)

Harwich to Esbjerk = DFDS Ferry
Drive to Hirtshals
Hirtshals to Larvik = Color Line

Over the tops to Bergen, the hug the coast go north.

Ferrys are OK, and cheap.

Gra.

Lyn said:

Hi All,
As this thread is ongoing I thought I would jump on. I want to go up the Sweden route 2nd week of March 2013 and possibly back through Norway, and I would be pulling my caravan as my accommodation behind my Disco TD5. Would this be feasible, I haven't decided on how far up to go as the main purpose is to see the northern lights and do some walking with my 4 Labrador dogs who will be accompanying me.
Any advise would be appreciated,
Lyn.

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Lyn,

Some of them roads will destroy a caravan.
Take a roof tent.

Gra.

Like Dr No said, Get a ferry to Bergen and straight up the coast. I was planning this trip in the summer a few years ago... but along came some sproglets and that all changed. Anyways... are you mad going in the winter ?? lol Have you any experience of arctic survival, driving on snow and ice, freezing fuel and fluids? Would suggest studded tyres and some kind of fuel preheater if youre using diesel. Addional heater such as eberspacher/webasto that runs on petrol will keep you alive if you break down. Not being a pessimist or anything , but just be prepared for every situation and temperatures down to -30 or more..... Good luck