Last year I traveled south. This year Inge and I went north and drove more than 7,000km in two weeks.

we and our car, ready to go

We started from Heist-op-den-Berg, Belgium. In our full loaded car, we had all our camping equipments. there were also lots of foods, water and fire. Since Scandinavian countries are quite expensive, it is not wise to live in hotels and eat in restaurants. If you have a Scandinavia camping card, you pay even less in those countries. You can order the card via internet one month before you trip.

Holland

in the middle of the dam

First day we drove north via the famous Barrier Dam in Holland.

"The 30 km Barrier Dam from Wieringen to the coast of Friesland was built between 1927 and 1933 using traditional methods with the technology of fifty years ago. Fascine mattresses were used to prevent erosion of the sea bed together with natural materials such as loam, sand and clay. As usual in those days, the work was carried out by an army of men. No hydraulic engineering project has ever appealed so much to the imagination of the Dutch public as the Barrier Dam."

Germany

the lake at the center of the city

We stopped in Hamburg, Germany.

"Hamburg is located in North Germany at a pivotal point between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea regions and close to Scandinavia. Hamburg is formerly Germany's largest city with a skyline dominated by historic spires, the largest port, center of trade, shipping juggernaut, press and publishing capital, the most daring nightlife, the country's highest number of millionaires per capita (2500) and bridges (2123). It is Germany's capital of the theater, journalism, advertising etc.."

first night camping

After a long walk round the lake, we drove on to the north. Close to the border between Germany and Denmark, we found a camping site by the sea.

Denmark

Next day we crossed the border and drove to Copenhagen, Denmark. Be prepared to pay for the toll when you cross the Storebælt bridge.

Frederiksborg Castle

Frederiksborg Castle

"A 40-minute train ride outside Copenhagen  lies the beautifully situated town of Hillerod and the spectacular, moated Frederiksborg Castle. Known as the "Danish Versailles," this redbrick Dutch Renaissance castle, built by King Christian IV between 1602 and 1620, sits just above its own magnificent lake. There is boating on the lake, and the enchanting park is an ideal picnic spot. Inside the castle you'll find the National History Museum, which offers a grand collection of paintings, stately portraits, Danish furniture, and art treasures."

After a short visit to Copenhagen, we drove on to Sweden. Of course, you again have to pay for the toll of the second bridge, the Great Belt Bridge.

Sweden

rested by Vanern Lake

Then we were in Sweden. It was already dark, so hardly we saw any cars on the road. We could only see a big area of wildness. Lucky enough we found a camping site before everyone went to bed. The camping sites in Sweden are very good in quality. The price is not expensive and you have free hot water and cooking plate.

After a good sleep, we continued our trip. By the largest lake in Sweden we stopped and had a rest.

Norway

Norway, we were finally there

a typical house

From Amal by the lake we drove on to Norway. The land was never flat again...

They say that it is an art to drive in Norway. That is true, but you have to pay for the art. There is a toll at the border. You also have to pay for every scenic road and long tunnels. Anyway, it is worth.

We stopped at Oslo, but there was not so much to see. So we continued our journey.

Vøringfossen

a beautiful rainbow

There are many waterfalls in Norway. On the road near Fossli we saw a beautiful waterfall, Vøringfossen which is 170m-high.

Traveling along the roads in Central Norway, you have to say a lot of "wow"s.

After Vøringfossen waterfall we drove along the fjords near Bergen. 279 out 365 days in Bergen are raining days. Lucky it was a sunny day when we arrived there.

Bergen, once the capital

Bergen

"Bergen is Norway's second largest city, with over 225 000 inhabitants and situated on the west coast of Norway. The year of the foundation is estimated to be 1070. Founded by King Olav Kyrre (1050-1093)."

Left bergen, we drove north towards the big glaziers in Norway. You should choose the small road leads into the mountains. The scenery there are so beautiful that you won't mind paying the toll.

At Briksdal you can touch the glazier.

back to winter

nice blue

"The Briksdal landscape is truly one of the most enchantingly beautiful spots in Norway: The lakes between the grey-green mountains, where waterfalls cascade from gleaming glaciers under a deep blue sky. A luxuriant, green landscape, streams and river that rush and tumble on their way to the fjord and blue ice glacier tongues. Is it any wonder that for many, this is the jewel in the crown of Western Norway's Fjord landscape without comparison anywhere in the world!"

Geirangerfjord

In Norway you cannot avoid using ferries. There are so many fjords that cut deep into the land. The most famous one is the 16km long Geirangerfjord. There you can rent a motor boat.

Geirangerfjord

"The Geirangerfjord is one of the region's smallest fjords, but also one of its most breathtaking. A convoluted branch of the Storfjord, it cuts well inland, marked by impressive waterfalls and with a tiny village at either end of the fjord's snake-like profile."

a wooden church by the road

The "golden route" between Geiranger and Andalsnes you can't miss. After several days at fjords we decided to go to the Jotunheimen national park.

At Spiterstulen which is more than 1,000m high above sea level you can find a hotel and camping site. You should bring more clothes before spend a night in tents.

almost at the top

Jotunheimen national park

"All the highest peaks in Norway are in Jotunheimen. The highest is Galdhøpiggen at 2469 meters. When you are at Galdhøpiggens summit, you are at the highest point north of the Tatras and west of Ural. Glittertind, not far from Galdhøpiggen is 2452 meters, and the second highest mountain in Norway. Some people still incorrectly believe that Glittertind is the highest, as a measurement in the 60s showed 2472 meters on Glittertind. Later measurements has proved this incorrect."

I tried to climb Galdhøpiggen. First you must conquer a river running down from the glazier. The water is ice cold and fast. At a point more than 2,000 meters high I couldn't go further. In the front cover with ice. You need a guide and special equipments to climb.

After a cold and rainy night we decided to leave there as soon as possible. We met the first rain in Norway, so we stayed in the car and drove through clouds on top the mountains. You can hardly see anything far. Beside the road water is frozen.

Sweden (again)

We were so glad to be down again where it was much warmer. After one week in Norway, it is time to go back. So we were again in Sweden.

Stockholm

After a long ride in the forests and longs the lakes, we reached Stockholm.

"Called "the Venice of the North," or "the City that Floats on the Water," Stockholm is a city of islands linked by bridges and canals, beautiful because of its enormous variety. Modern block-and-glass structures stand beside dark stone buildings, ancient red-washed houses, and the persimmon-tinged cathedral; and spires, onion domes, pointed roofs, and curved gables punctuate the skyline."

We didn't stay long in Stockholm because the camping site in the city was full. We drove north and found a camping site near Uppsala.

take a ferry

sun set

The we drove south and along Vättern Lake. It is a swimming paradise.
Finally we reached the southest city of Sweden, Trelleborg where we took a ferry to Germany.

Germany (again)

church and tower

a part of the wall still remains

When we were in Germany it was already very late. We drove for a long time to find a camping site.

The next day we came to Berlin, Germany. We drove into the city and passed many famous buildings along the road.

Spending two days there, we drove back to Belgium. So our journey this year ended.