The insane mountain road to Nørdstedalseter

The insane mountain road to Nørdstedalseter

Norway, europe

Length

24.1 km

Elevation

961 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

# DNT Nørdstedalseter: A Mountain Cabin Adventure in Western Norway

Perched at 961 meters (3,152 feet) in Vestland county, Norway, the DNT Nørdstedalseter cabin sits at the head of the stunning Fortunsdalen valley—and getting there is half the adventure. This isn't your typical Sunday drive.

Starting from Fortun on the Sognefjell National Route, you're looking at 24.1 kilometers (14.97 miles) of pure mountain driving. About a third of the road is paved, but most of it is rough gravel that demands respect. Built back in 1937, this cabin has been welcoming adventurers for nearly a century, and the views are absolutely worth the effort—think fjords, jagged peaks, deep valleys, and glacier-capped mountains stretching out in every direction.

Fair warning: this road is *serious*. The climb is relentless, with elevation gains totaling 1,328 meters and sections hitting a brutal 25% gradient. The average climb sits at 5.51%, and hairpin curves keep you on your toes. Rock slides are a genuine hazard you need to watch for, and the road is typically blocked by snow from late October through late June (sometimes into early July).

Winter? Forget about it. This is a summer-only route for experienced drivers who respect the mountains. But if you time it right and come prepared, you'll experience one of Norway's most rewarding mountain drives.

Where is it?

The insane mountain road to Nørdstedalseter is located in Norway (europe). Coordinates: 63.1886, 11.7929

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Norway
Continent
europe
Length
24.1 km
Max Elevation
961 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
63.1886, 11.7929

Related Roads in europe

How to Get by Car to Lac de Chateaupre in the Heart of Valais?moderate

How to Get by Car to Lac de Chateaupre in the Heart of Valais?

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Lac de Châteaupré: Alpine Magic in Switzerland Tucked away in the Valais region of southern Switzerland, not far from the Italian border, you'll find Lac de Châteaupré—a glacial gem sitting pretty at 2,357m (7,732ft) above sea level. This stunning lake in the municipality of Grimentz has earned itself a reputation as one of the most gorgeous lakes on the planet, and honestly, once you see it, you'll understand why. The Route de Moiry is the paved road that'll get you there, and it's been welcoming visitors since the 1950s. Fair warning: it's narrow and lacks guardrails, so you'll want to keep your wits about you. But here's the thing—the trade-off is absolutely worth it. This scenic route hugs the shoreline of Lac de Moiry and treats you to jaw-dropping vistas of glaciers and towering snow-capped peaks that'll make your heart skip a beat. The drive from Grimentz is just under 10km (about 6 miles) of pure Alpine bliss. You'll end up at a spacious parking area on the north side of the lake—the perfect launching point for exploring the magnificent Glacier du Moiry nearby. Just a heads up: this road is nestled in the Val d'Anniviers valley and typically stays open from late June through the first major snowfall of the season, so plan your visit accordingly!

The breathtaking road to Kaz Dağı (Mount Ida)hard

The breathtaking road to Kaz Dağı (Mount Ida)

🇹🇷 Turkey

Okay, adventure awaits in northwestern Turkey! We're tackling Kaz Dağı (Mount Ida), a majestic peak soaring to 1,746 meters (5,728 feet) in Balıkesir province. This beauty resides within the Ida Mountain National Park, and let me tell you, the road to the top is an experience. Picture this: a gravel track, a bit bumpy, winding its way upwards. Now, heads up – winter can be a real game-changer here. Snowfall is common at this altitude, so be prepared for possible closures if the path isn't cleared. A 4x4 is your best friend for this climb! The prize? A radar station at the summit and killer views. Starting from Zeytinli, the ascent stretches for about 31 kilometers (19 miles), with a hefty 1701-meter (5,580 feet) climb. Expect some seriously steep sections with an average gradient of 5.5%. Trust me, the payoff is worth the effort!

A wild drive to Brokartindur through Vatnajokull Glaciermoderate

A wild drive to Brokartindur through Vatnajokull Glacier

🇮🇸 Iceland

Okay, adventure awaits in the southeastern reaches of Iceland, deep inside the epic Vatnajökull National Park! We're talking about Brókartindur peak, and getting to the top is no Sunday drive. Forget your rental sedan; you'll need a seriously beefed-up 4x4 and a guide, as private vehicles are a no-go. The road snakes through Vatnajökull Glacier itself – a colossal ice cap covering about 10% of Iceland. Just to put things in perspective, the ice averages over 1200 feet thick in this region, and is up to 3000 feet thick in places. From Reykjavik, you're looking at a 200-mile haul to reach the park's edge, clocking in at a 4-7 hour drive (weather depending, of course). Expect year-round snow, isolation, and views that will absolutely blow your mind. This area is so dramatic, it's been the backdrop for tons of movies and shows like Batman Begins and Game of Thrones! As you climb, the scenery just keeps getting better, culminating in panoramic vistas of the glacier. From the top, you can soak in the majestic sight of Þvetártindsegg, the highest mountain in Suðursveit. Trust me, this off-the-beaten-path adventure is pure Icelandic magic.

How long is Bakhchysarai Highway?extreme

How long is Bakhchysarai Highway?

🌍 Ukraine

Bakhchysarai Highway (T0117) is a challenging road located in central Crimea, running from Yalta to Bakhchysarai. How long is Bakhchysarai Highway? The Bakhchysarai Highway is mostly paved. It’s 77 km (47 miles) long, stretching from Yalta (a resort city on the north coast of the Black Sea) to Bakhchysarai (a city in central Crimea). Is the Bakhchysarai Highway dangerous? Known by locals as ‘the old highway’, the road contains no fewer than 280 turns (including a series of 30 gulp-inducing hairpin turns) and sequences of blind narrow bends. How long does it take to drive the Bakhchysarai Highway? To drive the Bakhchysarai Highway without stopping will take most people between 1 and 2 hours, but this time can drastically increase if the road or weather conditions turn unfavorable. Is the Bakhchysarai Highway worth it? The drive offers amazing views across the beautiful scenery, as it winds through forest gorges and traverses spectacular rock cliffs. Is the Bakhchysarai Highway open? The road tops out at 1.234m (4,048ft) above sea level where weather conditions are far more unpredictable and the temperature much, much colder. It is often covered by snow and ice during the harsh winter months , which will cause obvious problems for those who are either not prepared for a cold night on the side of the road or fail to adapt to the road conditions and accidentally make their own route down the valley floor, via a vertical plunge to an almost certain death. Pic: Антонина Жмуденко Driving the wild and tough Т1421 road Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.