The Hidden North
North European travel guide
self-guided road-trips
The Rv7 from Hønefoss to Granvin via Hardangervidda
Follow this beautiful highway between east and west Norway and cross the spectacular Hardangervidda National Park.
What you get
Free interactive Google Map (with every place mentioned in the guide marked with an address) that can be loaded into your GPS, making finding that stave church or petrol station much easier.
Detailed overviews of all the major points of interest on the road.
Practical information (cafes, dining, museums, toilets, petrol, road-side rest areas, detours, alternate routes)
Historic, modern and practical information for every city, town, village, and farm you pass through
Modern and historic images of all the major points of interests
Distance between points (in kilometres and miles)
QR code & interactive links to museum websites, relevant pages on our website, ferry timetables, and more!
This guide is 13 pages and comes in a PDF format.
Why drive on this highway?
The Rv7 is a relatively modern highway in Norway. The earliest road here was in the section between Hardangervidda and Eidfjord in the Måbødalen valley. It’s believed there was a road there in the 16th century. Construction of the highway as we see it today began in sections at the turn of the 20th century. The most difficult part was the stretch over the Hardangervidda plateau, which was finished in 1943. Today the stretch across Hardangervidda is one of Norway’s 18 national tourist roads.
Trip Highlights
- Visit coastal towns Flekkefjord and Haugesund
- Explore southern Norway's Viking history
- Detour to the southernmost point in Norway
- See incredible rocky mountains
- Cross between east and west
Distance
281km / 174 miles
Start Location
Hønefoss
End Location
Granvin
This drive can easily be done in either direction.
This guide will:
- Answer the question “How do people live here?”
- Provide you with historic images and stories relevant to where you are
- Give you practical tips such as – where’s the nearest toilet? When can I get a hot dog? You know, the important stuff.
- Show you interesting points where you can stop to stretch your legs or get beautiful photos of Norway
- Give you information about museums (including opening hours), attractions, and major points of interests that you can visit
This guide won’t:
- Drive for you (Sorry, we aren’t that advanced yet)
- Give you accommodation tips (this guide assumes you know where you are staying already). If you want accommodation tips, visit our (free) online travel guide https://thehiddennorth.com/norway
The Route
An interactive version of this map is available after purchase.
Example of what the guide looks like.
Resources for the Rv7 from Hønefoss to Granvin
Watch the drive on Youtube
Join me on the part of The Rv7 that is the Hardangervidda Tourist Road.