About this tour
When Alex from our team ran this seven-hour loop out of Ålesund, it became clear why locals reckon it's worth doing once. You're in a snug 16-seater minibus—properly heated, panoramic windows—rolling from the city's art nouveau centre up to Aksla mountain, then inland through the Storfjorden valley toward Trollstigen's famous switchback road. The driver doubles as guide, pointing out the landscape's dramatic bones: granite peaks, waterfalls, the occasional 500-year-old farm. Ten stops. A lunch bag halfway through. The real drawcard is the sheer scale of it—fjords flanked by near-vertical mountains, the kind of scenery that makes driving feel like sightseeing.
Highlights
- Aksla panoramic views of Ålesund spread below—clearer than most postcard shots
- Trollstigen's 11 hairpin bends deliver the adrenaline without you gripping the wheel
- Drone footage of the fjords plays inside the bus—nicely contextualises what you're seeing
- Lunch bag served three hours in: simple, hot, beats eating in the minibus alone
- Gudbrandsdalsjuvet gorge stop shows waterfalls tumbling between near-vertical cliff faces
- Art nouveau architecture tour wraps the day—Ålesund rebuilt itself after the 1904 fire
- Bus stays warm at every stop; umbrellas handed out if weather turns
- Guide's local knowledge fills gaps—history, geology, which peaks are which
What to expect
You'll start in Ålesund's town centre, climb Aksla for the opening vista, then settle in for the real drive. The road hugs Storfjorden's shore for a while—genuinely stunning, water and mountains pressing from both sides. Then inland, narrower roads, denser forest, and the landscape gets more theatrical. Trollstigen itself is the famous bit: a 12-kilometre serpent of asphalt with 11 hairpins cut into the mountainside. The bus handles it with ease; you just enjoy the view. The pacing feels unhurried—stops allow proper time to absorb each location, snap photos, and stretch. The drone video mid-tour helps explain the geography. By the end you'll have clocked the fjord's full character and understand why Norwegians consider this a genuinely special drive rather than a tourist tick-box.
Weather matters here—clear days make the views pop, but rain or cloud won't ruin it. The minibus stays comfortable either way, and staff hand out umbrellas and blankets without fuss. Lunch arrives pre-packaged at the halfway mark, which breaks up the day sensibly.
Good to know
This is best done as a guided tour rather than solo driving. Your driver knows where to stop and when, which saves faffing about. The minibus comfort—heated cabin, wide windows, proper seats—lets you relax instead of concentrating on the road. Group size maxes at 16, so it never feels crowded. The art nouveau city wrap-up at the end adds cultural texture without feeling tacked-on. Water and soft drinks are included; bring a camera with battery life because you'll use it.
Weather can shift fast in the fjords; cloudy days reduce visibility and photo quality. The scenic payoff depends partly on luck. It's mostly sitting and looking—fine for most, but if you need constant activity, book a hiking tour instead. The lunch is functional rather than memorable. Roads are safe but winding; anyone prone to motion sickness might want a tablet beforehand. Gratuities aren't included in the price, so budget accordingly. Peak summer (June–August) fills seats quickly. The tour suits all fitness levels since you're in a bus, but the stops involve walking on uneven terrain—reasonable mobility helps. Luggage trailer is available if you're juggling bags.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.