Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
er headaches with an insurance company Green Card. Ensure that your vehicle is insured
for ferry crossings.
If you're renting, it's worth paying extra for comprehensive insurance - in the case of
even a small accident, the difference between having to pay Nkr1000 and Nkr8000 is con-
siderable.
Road Conditions
If Norway were Nepal they'd have built a road to the top of (or underneath) Mt Everest.
There are roads that can inspire nothing but profound admiration for the engineering ex-
pertise involved. The longest tunnels link adjacent valleys, while shorter tunnels drill
through rocky impediments to straighten routes. To get an idea of just how hard-won were
Norway's roads and tunnels through the mountains, visit the Norwegian Museum of Road
History in Hunderfossen, outside Lillehammer.
Mosttunnelsarelitandmanylongeroneshaveexhaustfanstoremovefumes,whileoth-
ers are lined with padded insulation to absorb both fumes and sound. Motorcyclists must
be wary of fumes in longer tunnels and may want to avoid them where possible.
Wedo,however,havetwocomplaints. Foralltheirconsiderable expertise inroad-build-
ing, Norway's transport authorities seem incapable of understanding the frustration of sit-
ting behind a slow vehicle for an hour or more. More overtaking lanes, please!
And when you've spent four hours going just 200km along a major, though single-lane,
highway, it's galling to say the least to have to pay a toll (up to Nkr150) for the privilege.
Road Hazards
Older roads and mountain routes are likely to be narrow, with multiple hairpin bends and
very steep gradients. Although most areas are accessible by car (and very often tour bus),
someoftheless-usedrouteshavepoororuntarredsurfacesonlysuitablefor4WDvehicles,
and some seemingly normal roads can narrow sharply with very little warning. On some
mountain roads, caravans and campervans are forbidden or advisable only for experien-
ced drivers, as it may be necessary to reverse in order to allow approaching traffic to pass.
Restricted roads for caravans are outlined on a map published by
Vegdirektoratet (
02030;
www.vegvesen.no
)
; its website also has a handy route planner.
If you're expecting snowy or icy conditions, use studded tyres or carry snow chains.
