South Through Central Norway | Nordic Road Trip 2022 [5/6]

After the breathtaking scenery of the Lofoten Islands, our Nordic road trip in the summer of 2022 began its journey southward. The ferry from Moskenes had carried us across the water to Bodø on the Norwegian mainland. This marked the beginning of the end of our great adventure. The goal of reaching Lofoten was now behind us, but a long and eventful drive through the heart of Norway still lay ahead. This fifth part of our story covers our route from the coast, back across the Arctic Circle, and down to the city of Trondheim. The landscapes were about to change once more, and we were ready to see what central Norway had to offer.

Breakfast in Fauske

After arriving in Bodø in the very early hours, most of us caught up on some sleep before we continued our journey. We didn’t drive for long before making our first stop of the day in the nearby town of Fauske. Here, right by the water’s edge, we found a perfect picnic table to set up our breakfast. It was a calm and peaceful morning, a gentle reintroduction to mainland life after the dramatic peaks of the islands. We sat there for a while, eating and watching the boats heading out from the harbor for their own daily adventures.

This breakfast felt different from the ones we had on the road just a few days earlier. The feeling of being “homeward bound” had started to set in, but it wasn’t a sad feeling. Instead, we knew we had accomplished our main goal and that every stop from here on was a bonus. The sun was out, the air was fresh, and the long road south stretched before us. With our energy replenished, we packed up our things, cleaned the picnic table, and got back into the camper, ready for the day’s drive.

Ice-Cream at the Arctic Circle

Continuing south from Fauske, our route took us through some impressive inland scenery. We made an impromptu stop at Lønselva, a river where the rushing rapids caught our attention from the road. The sheer power of the meltwater was incredible, and the spray from the rapids created a noticeable drop in temperature as we stood near the water’s edge. From there, the road wound its way through the Semska-Stødi Nature Reserve until we reached a familiar landmark: the Arctic Circle Centre, or Polarsirkelsenteret. We had crossed the circle on our way north in Sweden, and now we were crossing it again on our way south in Norway.

Of course, a stop was mandatory, not just to see the monuments but also for a well-deserved treat. We all got ice cream and wandered around the site, taking in the unique landscape of the Saltfjellet mountain plateau. To our surprise, there were still patches of snow scattered around, even though it was the middle of July. This discovery quickly led to an impromptu snowball fight, a surreal and fun moment to experience in the middle of summer. It was a perfect break that combined sightseeing with a bit of playful family fun before we continued our journey southward.

Heading Back South

The drive continued, and our next major stop was the town of Mo i Rana, where we decided it was time for a late lunch. We parked the camper and prepared a meal, after which we split up to explore the town for a bit. Jesper and my dad went for a walk down to the fjord to see the famous Havmannen, or “The Sea Man,” statue that stands in the water. Meanwhile, my mom, Little A, and I went into the town center in search of a playground for her to burn off some energy. That evening, we found a lovely campsite in Mosjøen, where Jesper and I took a relaxing evening stroll to enjoy the scenery along the river.

The next morning, we were back on the road early, pushing further south. The journey was long, so we made a few short stops to break up the drive and stretch our legs. The first was at Namsskogan, and a bit later, we pulled over again for a lunch break in a small town called Grong. These stops were brief but necessary, helping to keep everyone comfortable as we covered the vast distances of central Norway. The landscape slowly shifted from rugged mountains to rolling hills and forests, signaling our steady progress south.

A Night in Trondheim

As evening approached, we finally arrived at our destination for the day: the city of Trondheim. We checked into Storsand Camping, a site located just north of the city with a great spot by the water. While the rest of us relaxed after the long drive, Little A and my mom couldn’t resist going for a swim. We watched them from the shore as a beautiful sunset painted the sky, ending the day on a peaceful note. It was a nice way to unwind and prepare for exploring the city the next day.

The following morning, we drove into Trondheim, and once again, our group split up to cater to different interests. Jesper and my dad took their bicycles and set off on a tour to explore the city’s streets, landmarks, and historic areas at their own pace. Meanwhile, my mom, Little A, and I decided on a different kind of adventure and headed to Pirbadet, the city’s large indoor water park. It was a day of contrasts, with some of us enjoying history and architecture while the others enjoyed slides and pools, ensuring everyone had a memorable time in Trondheim before we prepared for the final leg of our journey home.

Read more about the places we visited