Nordsjøvegen

The North Sea Road (Nordsjøvegen) is one of my favourites. Not only because it makes the motorcyclists saying come true; “the road is the journey’s goal”, but this 340 km long adventure has everything to offer; curvy and narrow roads, fantastic landscape, spectacular views, and it offers great and interesting stops along the way.

The whole route is 340 km long, and you should split it in two days to allow yourself to enjoy the ride and the many stops you should include.

Vikings and fjords

When embarking the North Sea Road, you leave the soft skerries of Souther Norway behind you, and drive into the land of Vikings and fjords. Some two hours or 80 km after leaving Kristiansand, I’ve taken the liberty to divert from the route. Don’t worry, the 20 km’s deviation will take you back to where you left the route, but you don’t want to pass Norway’s southernmost point, Lindesnes lighthouse, without paying a visit. (Click the red button next to the picture above to download the GPX file for your GPS).
And, while you’re already on a detour, stop and have a look at the reconstruction of the Sprangereid canal. This was a canal and a shortcut dug out by the Vikings to avoid sailing at least ten times longer around the Lindesnes peninsula to get home and into more calm waters in Lenefjorden.

Continuing north-west, you will pass the photogenic Lista lighthouse on your way to Flekkefjord. From Flekkefjord your adventure on the fantastic road 44 can begin! Road 44 is a hidden gem of a scenic road, not only for motorcyclists. Ride through small villages, climb up and down small hills, through forest and rock formations, and along lakes. From Flekkefjord you will follow road 44 almost all the way to Stavanger unless you decide to take more detours…

Where to sleep?

You are now approaching the fjord Jøssingsfjorden. Just months before the German invasion of Norway in 1940, an English warship chased a German ship into the Jøssing fjord. They liberated the English prisoners of war from the Germans, and it all happened without any complaints from the Norwegians. Sinice then, a “Jøssing” became the nickname for Norwegians that were pro-English/anti-German during the war.

In the innermost part of the fjord, you’ll find an historical place that is far older than WW2. Under a rock formation called “Helleren in Jøssingfjord”, two houses from the 19th century stands protected from the rain. It’s said that people have been living under this rock for millennials.

Just a few hundred metres further along road 44, you’ll find the unique Tunnelstuo. This is an old service tunnel running in parallel with the ordinary tunnel, now made into a hammock accommodation for the adventures.
If hammock and sleeping bag is not your cup of tea, you can continue just a few km further along road 44, and make a quick detour to Sogndalstranda to find accommodation. Sogndalstranda is a popular tourist location and one of few where both the wooden buildings from the 1800th and 1900th century, and the surrounding cultural landscape is protected.

UNESCO Geo park

One of two UNESCO global geo parks in Norway is located in the area you are now riding through. A geo park is not a museum, and it’s not one single location. “UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development”.
In Magma Geopark, you’ll find 46 locations for you to explore all over the southern region of Rogaland. To see all 46 locations, head over to the Magma Geopark website to explore further.
In my bucket list, I’ve included “The troll’s dick” (Trollpikken) and “Helleren in Jøsingfjord” – both also part of the UNESCO Global Geo Park.
Are you starting to realize why you need some time on this road? 😀

Approaching Jæren

Continuing north, you will soon leave the rocky hill formations behind and enter the flat, open and spacious agricultural area of Jæren. In fact, Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren also runs along the same road 44 (and later road 507). The Scenic Route is only a 41 km long piece of the North Sea Road, but you’ll anyhow tick off two items from your bucket list!

A recommended stop along this part of the stretch, is Bore beach (Boresstranda). Three km long and among the most beautiful beaches in Norway. Here you’ll find public toilets AND showers, in addition to both hotel and camping.

Before reaching Stanvanger, you can also make a stop at “Domsteinane” and the famous sculpture “Swords in rock” (Sverd i stein).