📷 Photo by Stock Birken on UnsplashJotunheimen: Valdresflye and Sognefjellet
Two high mountain roads through Norway’s tallest peaks, from the Valdres valley via Lom to the head of the Sognefjord and the oldest stave church.
- Distance
- 259 km (161 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 34 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Norway
- Updated
- July 14, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 259 km (161 mi) with 8 stops, from Fagernes to Sogndal. About 3 h 34 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Norway
Route description
From Fagernes in Valdres, take the Fv51 north over Valdresflye, a bare plateau at nearly 1,400 m with views of the Jotunheimen peaks. Stop at Gjendesheim, where the lake of Gjende lies below the Besseggen ridge; if you want to hike it, stay a night and take the morning boat.
The Fv51 descends towards Vågå, and route 15 leads west up the Otta valley to Lom, a village of timber houses with a fine stave church. Lom is the gateway to Galdhøpiggen, the highest mountain in Northern Europe.
Now comes the Fv55 over Sognefjellet, climbing past glaciers and lakes to 1,434 m before dropping in tight bends past Turtagrø to Skjolden at the head of the Lustrafjord. Both mountain roads are closed in winter and usually open between late May and October.
Follow the east side of the Lustrafjord to Ornes and Urnes Stave Church, then take the short ferry across to Solvorn and drive on to Sogndal. The steep sections on Sognefjellet are fine for motorhomes in good weather, but use low gears on the long descent.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Fagernes
Norway - 276 km
Gjende and Besseggen
NatureGjendesheim, NorwayThe green glacial lake of Gjende and the start of the Besseggen ridge walk, Norway’s best-known day hike. A boat takes hikers up the lake to Memurubu in summer.
- 350 km
Lom
Norway - 40 km
Lom Stave Church
HistoryLom, NorwayA large medieval stave church in the village centre, extended in the 17th century, with dragon heads on the gables and a graveyard above the river.
- 554 km
Sognefjellet
ViewsLuster, NorwayThe highest mountain pass road in northern Europe, topping out at 1,434 m between glaciers and peaks of Jotunheimen. Open from about late May to October; expect snow walls in June.
- 628 km
Skjolden
Norway - 732 km
Urnes Stave Church
HistoryOrnes, NorwayNorway’s oldest stave church, from the 12th century and on the UNESCO list, famous for its carved animal ornament. It sits on a green slope above the Lustrafjord.
- 818 km
Sogndal
Norway
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Fagernes → Gjende and Besseggen · 76 km · 1 h 03 minOvernight nearby, for example: Besseggen Fjellpark AS (2 km); Bessheim Fjellstue og Hytter (3 km).
- Day 2: Gjende and Besseggen → Lom Stave Church · 50 km · 0 h 42 minOn the way: Lom.Overnight nearby, for example: Nordal Turistsenter (< 1 km); Nissegården Hytter og Aktiviteter (2 km).
- Day 3: Lom Stave Church → Sognefjellet · 54 km · 0 h 45 minOvernight nearby, for example: Vassbakken kro og camping (20 km); Krossbu (3 km).
- Day 4: Sognefjellet → Sogndal · 77 km · 1 h 04 minOn the way: Skjolden, Urnes Stave Church.Overnight nearby, for example: Lyngmo Ungdomssenter og Camping (11 km); Kjørnes Camping (2 km).
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–August. Cold, short days in November–March. Mountain passes on this route are usually open June–October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Norway: Electronic tolls by number plate. Automatic toll roads and toll rings; many routes include car ferries. Motorway limit for cars: 110 km/h.
- Sognefjellsvegen (1,434 m). Usually open June–October; outside that window the road can be closed by snow. Alternative: Go round via the E16 and the Lærdal tunnel.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Jotunheimen: Valdresflye and Sognefjellet?
4-day road trip of about 259 km (161 mi) with 8 stops, from Fagernes to Sogndal. About 3 h 34 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Jotunheimen: Valdresflye and Sognefjellet?
We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 34 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Jotunheimen: Valdresflye and Sognefjellet start and end?
It starts in Fagernes and ends in Sogndal.
Which countries does Jotunheimen: Valdresflye and Sognefjellet pass through?
Norway.
Where can you camp along Jotunheimen: Valdresflye and Sognefjellet?
OpenStreetMap lists 55 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Fagernes Campingpark, Lyngmo Ungdomssenter og Camping and Eplet (Camping).
When is the best time for Jotunheimen: Valdresflye and Sognefjellet?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–August. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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