Gamle Strynefjellsvegen: A Historic Mountain Road Trip In Norway

18.08.2023 - 07:27 / forbes.com

In the very heart of the Norwegian mountains lies a road that’s not just a means to a destination but a thrilling destination in itself. Far more than just asphalt, gravel, and stones, the historic 16.7-mile-long Gamle Strynefjellsvegen (Old Stryn mountain road) provides a journey back in time to all who make the trip.

One of Norway’s 18 designated national scenic routes, the road has long since been the primary method of transport over the mountains.

The historic stretch of road has been replaced by a series of tunnels on route 15 that travels from east to west around the northern edge of Jostedalsbreen National Park, but the old mountain road remains an important historic monument.

Now a protected road, it remains a testament to human engineering and offers inspiring views of the best of Norwegian nature. To the east, the rounded landscape carved by the ice age contrasts wonderfully with the dramatic mountains to the west.

But this isn't just a road for driving. Cycling and hiking are just as popular. There are many hiking trails to mountain lakes and farms to explore, while the descent down to the lake at the picturesque village Hjelle suits drivers and cyclists alike.

Hand-built stone walls and long rows of guard stones lining the way recall a time before the motorcar, when Norwegians made the long journey over the mountains from east to west with horses and wagons.

Surprisingly given the road’s status as a tourist route today, it was actually tourism that drove its construction in the last years of the 19th century. Tourism in the fjord villages increased, which birthed the idea of a mountain road.

Between 1889 and 1894, the road emerged thanks to the ten-hour days of a workforce sourced from the local villages, the Gudbrandsdalen, and even construction workers from Sweden.

As with all of Norway’s national scenic routes, the road has received investment in the form of viewpoints and rest stops in the years since the program began. However, given the road’s protected status, most of the facilities are at the road’s western end towards the village of Hjelle.

Videfossen waterfall provides the perfect spot for a driving break and for photographs. The clifftop viewpoint of the waterfall, lush valley, and the 6,000-foot-tall Skålafjellet mountain is hard to beat.

Drive down a few hairpin bends and you’ll find the equally impressive Øvstefossen, with a footpath that brings you very close to the thunderous water.

Finally, the old Jøl stone bridge is an engineering masterpiece considering its 19th century construction. Traffic now travels over a replacement bridge making the old bridge a little tricky to spot, so a new viewing platform is planned.

In most countries, ski resorts are open in the winter and