Planning a European Road Trip to Nordkapp in the Arctic Circle

When my husband and I first met we bonded over our love of travel. I had just returned from nine months backpacking and he was saving up for a road trip to Morocco.  When I started this blog it was never my intention to write about our travel experiences. However I have realised that we have plenty to share about trips we’ve taken together and individually, as well as many more plans.

One of Steve’s favourite trips is Norway, with an epic drive all the way to Nordkapp in the Arctic Circle, the very top of Norway.

I have decided to write about this for two reasons. Firstly, it sounds fantastic and Norway looks stunning.  Driving in Europe, although relatively easy, needs some extra planning, especially at the moment. So I am provide some hints and tips for planning a road trip to Norway. 

The second time he went he organised the trip specifically to raise money for the charity Combat Stress.  Being ex-forces he has seen first-hand the effects of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) on his old colleagues. Through this post I would like to help increase awareness of the charity he is supporting.  

Facts about Nordkapp

Nordkapp or North Cape is at 71 degrees north (that’s 5 degrees into the Arctic Circle). It is the furthest point in Europe that you can drive to on a public road (the E69). The cape includes a 307-metre-high cliff (1,007 ft) with a large flat plateau on top, where visitors, can admire views of the Barents Sea to the north with the backdrop of the globe sculpture.

North Cape has a visitor centre with facilities (open seasonally).

The nearest town is HonningsvĂĄg, 20 miles away, where there are a number of hotels and facilities. In the summer months many cruise ships stop here.

Planning a European Road Trip Nordkapp Globe

Combat Stress Driving Challenge

A trip like this takes a lot of planning and preparation of vehicles. For the charity challenge Steve started planning two years ago in advance – he loves the planning!  The reason being was that he wanted to take a new group of people on an adventure.  It was as simple as putting an advert in our local paper. Various owners of 4×4 vehicles got in touch with him to talk about the plan.  A couple of months later 6 pairs of drivers had signed up to the challenge.  Each funding their own trip,  Steve’s only criteria was that they should all raise ÂŁ100 towards the charity.

The challenge he set the team was to drive to Nordkapp within 75 hours. That means driving pretty much non-stop for 3 days. Drivers and co-drivers taking it in turn to drive and sleep.

Just one night was booked in a hotel in Honningsvåg for the night of the 3rd day. 

Setting off in April when there is still be snow in much of Arctic Norway so 4×4 vehicles and snow chains are essential.

On the challenge one vehicle was a Series 2 Land Rover,  so despite the time challenge they didn’t go much above 55 miles per hour so they can stay as a team.

Planning a European Road Trip to Norway

You can see what it looks like on this live webcam link.

How to Get To Nordkapp

Start with the ferry or Euro Tunnel to France or Harwich to the Hook of Holland.  There used to be a ferry that crossed the North Sea into Norway (Newcastle to Stavanger) but that no longer runs.  The team will take the Euro Tunnel, hoping to make it to the front of the queue so that they are first off and on their way.

The total journey is roughly 3500 km (2200 miles) from Calais.  Through northern France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Then into Denmark by taking the Puttgarden to Rodby ferry. From there it’s about 4 hours drive to the spectacular Copenhagen to Malmo toll road.  This road is on a cable bridge, then onto a man-made island which disappears under the sea into a tunnel. 

From Malmo there are a number of options for heading to Nordkapp. However the fastest route is through Sweden via Stockholm with views along the way of the Gulf of Bothmia.

Then it’s into Finland, only entering Norway for the last few hundred miles. The scenery gets progressively more interesting and the roads more surrounded by snow and ice.

HonningsvĂĄg is the largest town near to Nordkapp. It is a fishing port and also a tourist town offering days trips to Nordkapp, boat trips and even flights further north to Svalbard look for polar bears.

The Lernacken toll plaza Denmark Bridge to Malmo - pic credit Stig-Åke Jönsson MalmöBild

Visiting Nordkapp, North Cape Visitor Centre

Having driven all the way to Honningsvag it’s another 25 miles to Nordcapp, depending on the weather that could still take over an hour. You will have reached the further point on mainland Europe that you can drive to.

At Nordcapp there is plenty of parking. There is a Visitor Center with good facilities where you can watch an interesting film showing how the the year changes in the North Cape. Entry fees apply.

The iconic globe marks the top of Europe, 5 degrees into the Artic Circle,  71 degrees North, in line with the top of Canada. Quite an achievement.

Now for the scenic drive back south. Slow and winding, spectacular scenery, fjords, mountains, waterfalls. A side trip to the Lofoten Islands or Tromso.

Wild Camping in Norway

Having your own campervan or well kitted out 4 wheel drive gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace and camp along the way. Norway has a right to roam policy which means you can camp anywhere as long as it’s 150 meters from someone’s  house or farm. Don’t forget though that in April it will still be below freezing. Even Oslo in the very south of Norway is further north than Scotland!

Planning an Overland Trip to Europe

Like any holiday abroad some planning is required. Leaving the EU initially added to the requirements but it has become easier. However before travel do check on the Government website in case you need an International Driving Permit. The new ETIAS (European visa) is coming into place in October 2025.

Also double check breakdown cover actually covers all the countries you will go through, you may also need to inform the company you are travelling.

Essential Items Check list:

Passport (valid for 6 months)

Proof of Valid Car Insurance and check if you need a Green Card  –  a document provided by your insurer to prove that you have adequate insurance cover for driving abroad.

Assuming you are driving into France you will need to have on you:

Full and valid driver’s licence
A copy of your V5C (vehicle registration docs)
Reflective jackets for all passengers
Warning triangles
Headlamp beam deflectors
UK sticker (for non UK-euro symbol plates)
No speed camera detectors or sat-navs with camera locations

Service your vehicle and check the tyres..

Supporting Combat Stress

2019 is the 100th anniversary year of the Combat Stress charity. After the 1st World war they called it shell shock. These days PTSD affects not just soldiers and military personnel but also individuals who have gone through traumatic events or extremely stressful situations.

Combat Stress

It may have taken 100 years but at least now we are talking about this and recognising it as a real issue. Although on average, after leaving Service, it takes a veteran 12 years to ask for help. Demand for it’s services has nearly doubled in the past ten years.

Steve and his team of drivers raised nearly ÂŁ3500 for for to Combat Stress running this challenge.

I am really proud of my husband for making this a trip a fund raising challenge.

 

Clare

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