Give me Møre!
The world’s most beautiful shortcut – from east to northwest through the Norwegian sierra.
Duration
11 days
Season
June - September
Best suited for
Solo travellers, friends or couples who do not wish to drive, and those in need for a rejuvenating break
There are numerous reasons to take this trip, three of which are:
- Green, sustainable travel - no need for lengthy drives (or a driving licence)
- A perfect way to recharge your batteries in stunning, ever changing surroundings
- Great for solo travel and self-reflection; get quality downtime and gain new perspectives.
Insider tip: Public bus and regular ferry alternatives can be replaced with private transfers for those who wish to Upgrade their Møre-experience.
Impact Statement
We believe this might be the world’s most beautiful shortcut. To keep it that way, we work actively with our partners and travellers to achieve UN's SDG 13.3 'Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning'. On this journey, we have made it easy to travel green. We will introduce you to our favourite people - extraordinary entrepreneurs who keep our rural communities alive and actively work to protect our natural and cultural heritage. You will also get to taste local food produced based on sustainable principles in harmony with nature.
Your itinerary
Itineraries are designed by our travel curators in collaboration with our partners to give you the most rewarding experience possible.
Please note that itineraries can be tailored to your specific wishes, when you make an inquiry.
1-2/11
Welcome to Norway
Oslo: The Capital of Nordic Cool
Oslo is the perfect place to ease into the rhythm of Norwegian life. A capital in constant evolution, Oslo blends modern Nordic design, deep-rooted culture, and fjordside calm in a way that takes repeat visitors by surprise. Cultural landmarks now line the waterfront, green spaces stretch across neighbourhoods, and former industrial zones have become hubs for food, art and architecture.
Despite its growth, Oslo has kept its cool. It’s a safe, clean and highly walkable city where us locals swim in the fjord and warm up in the sauna before work, and where forests begin just a tram ride away. Will invite to settle into one of our favourite city hotels, and share our insider tips on how best to explore the city.
3/11
On The Dovre & Rauma Railways to Åndalsnes
Take the train from Oslo to Åndalsnes. Venturing northwest from Dombås, you encounter the Rauma Railway (sometimes referred to as The Golden Train), a captivating 114 km stretch leading to the mountaineering town of Åndalsnes. This railway rolls you right into the heart of the Romsdalen valley, coasting alongside the emerald waters of the Rauma River encircled by striking peaks like the iconic Troll Wall (Trollveggen), and across the extraordinary cantilevered Kylling Bridge.
Transfer to Hotel Aak mountain lodge for an active three night stay. Fireside dinners will be served at the communal wooden table in the company of fellow travellers.
Hotel Aak was the first tourist hotel in the Norwegian countryside when established back in 1860. Today's hosts Kristine and Odd Erik work hard to preserve the historic character and recreate the atmosphere of the 19th-century hotel within a modern framework. Here, they use the following recipe for an unforgettable stay: flawless food, good beds and outdoor adventures.
4-5/11
Snaking ascents and inspiring views
Explore the Romsdalen Valley
The next two days brings a vast choice of adventures; an electric bike ride; Tour de Trollstigen, a guided stand-up paddleboard experience on the Istra river – this has been compared to rafting on the Amazon, or enjoy an evening walk to Rampestreken Viewpoint in the light summer night - this is how to feel on top of the world. If you feel particularly active, follw in the footsteps of Killian Jornet and venture out sky running, or clip on and climb one of the Romsdalseggen via ferrata trails.
6/11
North-West to Veiholmen; Like the Maldives - Just Cooler
Where Getting There is Truly Part of the Experience
You can’t get any closer to nature than Veiholmen on the island of Smøla, 30 kilometers north of the Atlantic Road. The weather and light alone are unforgettable attractions. The locals who have moved back here after years in the city say ‘Veiholmen is great in good weather, but fantastic when the weather is bad’.
From Åndalsnes, we'll give you two choices: get a rental car, or travel travel like a local by bus via Molde to Kristiansund; a 3,5 hour journey through Nordmøre. If you start off by bus, you will continue on the coastal express boat and cruise out to Edøy island, and last; a scenic bus ride as far West as the road will take you. The whole journey takes about six hours and is an experience on its own - the bridges across the islets are just spectacular!
Choosing a car, will give you flexibility to travel without having to think about schedules, and to include logistic friendly exploration of Scenic Route Atlanterhavsvegen, The Atlantic Road.
After a day on the road and at sea, you will eventually reach the raw, unspoilt archipelago to the outermost rocks of Smøla, Veiholmen.
A local host will escort you to your village house, beautifully renovated for the discerning modern traveler, yet with authentic charm. Slide your feet into a pair of woollen slippers, sink into the couch and feel the ozone filling your lungs while admiring the views over the Atlantic.
A local guide will take you on a ‘værvandring’ (ramble), giving you a feel for the village’s history and its local people through ‘småtta’, or shortcuts through private gardens (fences are illegal here!) to make you immediately feel at home.
Day 7/11
Veiholmen
Tune Into the Rhythm of Village Life
Feel the seabreeze and fresh ozone filling your lungs while admiring the views over the Atlantic. Out here, on the threshold of the tumultuous Atlantic Sea, resides a community of just under 100 people, and everyone and everything has a name.
Smøla’s multiple tiny islets and patches of calm water make for perfect kayaking conditions. In the company of another lovely local, go paddling the ocean waves. This is mostly calm kayaking among the many islets, cottages, harbours and skerries, with the occasional supervised tilt at the open sea for those with experience. You can get an invigorating feel for choppier seas when you brush up against the less protected edge of the archipelago. And in case paddling in the magical light, changing winds and beautiful nature isn’t enough, there are also the eagles…
Spend the afternoon tuning into the slow rhythm of village life, or – if you’re Up for it – row or sail in a traditional Viking-style boat together with a local skipper out to the Molo (the local name for the Atlantic breakwater protecting the village).
This evening’s dinner will be served at ‘Naustet’ (The Boathouse), where you will be introduced not only to traditional food and customs. This is the oldest of Veiholmen’s boathouses, dating back to the 1700s and brought into the 21st century through sympathetic renovation. With floor-to-ceiling windows, you can find yourself begging for a storm to start up outside. Local specialties range from pickled herring to saltfish dumplings and fishcakes, and the thick timber walls tell as many good stories as the hosts.
Day 8/11
Veiholmen
Tune Into the Rhythm of Village Life
By now, we are quite certain you have attained that lovely feeling of being in a home away from home. Smøla might be small, and Veiholmen even smaller, but it’s got its very own song. The chorus translates as: ‘Hardly drawn on any map because the islets are so small. But leaves a mark on the heart of any person with eyes to see’.
Don’t leave without a visit to the local coffee shop or grocery store as these are ideal spots to engage in conversation with the friendly locals. And what makes Veiholmen so special is certainly its people. There’s no unemployment here, and folks are shaped by the wind, rain and sun to be rough and direct, not to mention cooperative and community-minded. As the last source of freshwater between here and Iceland, this remote village has welcomed seafaring visitors for centuries, so the locals are very hospitable to guests. There are more wild sheep living here than humans, and the sea is teeming with cod, herring and pollock.
Smøla is a brilliant place for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers: it has the world’s densest population of white-tailed eagles. This afternoon you’ll be invited on a trip around the archipelago in a boat, spotting seabirds, seals and the giant fishing pens. Seeing these old settlements provides the perfect opportunity to learn more about this island’s history, alongside stories of the rugged people who lived fascinating lives before they abandoned many of the smaller inhabited islands.
9/11
Via The Atlantic Road
From Rural to Urban Møre
Regardless if you chose to get to Veiholmen like a local using public transport, or rent a car, we will help you find your way from here to art nouveau town Ålesund. On the way, you will have the chance to include a scenic drive (or bike ride!) on The Atlantic Road.
Scenic Route Atlanterhavsvegen, situated on Norway's exposed west coast, winds through a stunningly rugged landscape of tiny islands, earning its reputation as one of the world's most beautiful car journeys. Here, you may feel that you are one with the sea, as bridges and bends wind across tiny islands in mighty seas.
While in Ålesund, you will stay at the intimate, harbour located hotel Brosundet, which believes in creating experiences satisfying all five senses – paying attention to what is seen, heard, smelled, tasted and felt.
You will be introduced to Sunnmøre’s cuisine through a local dining experience where nature dominates, and the seasons dictate.
10/11
Explore Ålesund & Cruise the Fjords
Ålesund is the gateway to some of Norway's most spectacular fjords, including the UNESCO heritage protected Geirangerjord. That said, one of our favourite is the Hjørundfjord – a 35-kilometre arm of the larger Storfjord, carving its way through the Sunnmøre Alps. A great way to spend today is to head out of a fjord cruise; public or private.
You may also opt for a high-speed RIB excursion along the coastline outside Ålesund. Get close to nature on the open sea while the local guide shares interesting stories and facts. You will visit a seal colony as well as Runde Island, known for its eagles and puffins.
Your digital travel travel guide will have personalised insider tips and our recommendations on how to make the most of your time in Ålesund.
Home
Departure from Ålesund
Personalize and book the Give me Møre journey
Personalized itinerary
This journey has been curated to offer the world’s most beautiful shortcut – from east to the northwest through the Norwegian sierra. It can be booked as proposed or further personalized to you.
Worry-free booking
With our flexible terms, we hope to provide you with all the certainty and adaptibility you need when booking your well-deseved escape.
Pricing
The indicated price per person is based on two travellers travelling together. Read more about our pricing here.
Featured in
- "When I arrive at Veiholmen at the end of the skipping-stone bridges, it's already night, but the spring sky has a luminous half-light and the clapboard houses have a milk-white glow. There's not a soul in sight. It feels exhilaratingly remote, yet I'm in the safest hands of Up Norway, a luxury travel company that connects tourists with local experts".
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Torunn Tronsvang
FounderExplore some of our other journeys
Do you have questions about our itineraries? Here are some of the ones we get asked most often.
Our local expertise and network, our sustainable approach, digital itineraries and passion for Norway provides a journey like no other. All our curated itineraries can be personalised further to you; you tell us about your interests, and we will propose accordingly. We design experiences with our partners, many of these are not available unless you are an Up Norway guest. We use technology to enhance our personalised service, not to replace it; you will receive your itinerary in our app where you have access to necessary details and recommendations, and can easily reach us through chat while travelling if you need advice or assistance. When you travel with us, we save you from frustrating internet searches and travel logistics.
No! These itineraries are put together by our team and meant as inspiration. They can be booked as is or personalised further to you. You choose your desired starting date, and we confirm availability and the exact price based on your desired room types, other activities or destinations you might like to add etc. You will be provided with a complete travel plan in a digital itinerary and travel independently.
No, all the details you need, such as confirmations and reservation details will be provided in your digital itinerary.
You can pay by card via the secure international payment solution Flywire or via international bank transfer.
Before we confirm availability for your requested dates, we ask for a advance trip-design payment from NOK 3500,- to cover the time that goes into planning your journey, confirming availability and prices. This amount also ensures that we do not hold reservations with our partners unnecessarily. The amount goes towards your trip, but is non refundable should you choose not to book.
When you are ready to confirm your trip, we ask for a 25% deposit payment, and 45 days in advance of your trip, full payment is due. Please note that the deposit may be higher if items in your trip require advance payment to our partners.
