You guessed it, we wanted to! Our route took us from Bud in the Northern Fjordland region of Norway, across the magnificent Atlantic Road, through Trondheim and then up the long and winding road north to the Arctic Circle. The Arctic Circle, which crosses Helgeland, marks the border to the Arctic, just as the Antarctic Circle marks the border to Antarctica. The Arctic Circle is a circle of latitude or parallel on the Earth's surface. There is no direct connection from Tromsø to Arctic Circle Centre. However, you can take the bus to Narvik bussterminal, take the bus to Fauske stasjon, then take the drive to Arctic Circle Centre. The polar night and the midnight sun phenomena can be observed to the north of the Arctic Circle. Having your own car gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace through the Fjord lands and see places that are simply not possible on group tours or public transport. It’s one of the highest places you can visit – not just in Europe but in the world, so much so that it’s in the Arctic circle! In hindsight it was a crazy, spur of the moment decision but let’s face it: they’re always the best kind. Your email address will not be published. 10 hours. Now it makes me want to see more of the Arctic Circle. Up and back by car, might go up by train or bus or maybe fly and drive back, on the other hand round trip sounds fun. Because of the harsh climate, areas above the Arctic Circle are low-populated, with the majority of people living along ice-free coastal areas. The Antarctic Circle mainly crosses ocean areas or the outermost edge of the Antarctic contnent. The Arctic Circle runs through Helgeland and acts as the frontier for the Arctic kingdom of midnight sun and dark months. We went in 2009 with Arctic Circle Adventures and it was awsome. The scenery was lush and green and just north of Trondheim we entered Nordland, the county separating southern Norway from Troms in the north. We’d call that a success! You will then come to the Arctic Circle Centre, at 650 metres (2,100 feet) above sea level, which has exhibitions, a souvenir shop and cafeteria. Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The cabin owner had told us that, although there would be no mid-night sun due the time of year the entire drive would still be bathed in a long sunset. The drive from Mo I Rana to the Arctic Circle was a trip we’ll never forget. In additio… The Arctic Circle Centre is along the E6 Highway, which runs from Malmo in Sweden through to the Norwegian-Russian Border. Here, you will embark on two dedicated Northern Lights … Terje Rakke, Nordic Life - Visit Helgeland, 66°33' North, and referes to where the sun doesn't set mid summer and doesn't rise mid winter. We’re huge fans of road trips and have driven rental cars in over 40 countries so we have a lot of experience renting cars in foreign countries. Now it makes me want to see more of the Arctic Circle. Get driving directions Required fields are marked *. It was great visiting the the northernmost tip of continental Norway and experiencing 24 hour long days. The Arctic Circle one of the who polar circles on the globe and is located at 66°33' North, and referes to where the sun doesn't set mid summer and doesn't rise mid winter. An adventure story including tips and insights. Internationally, the Arctic Circle passes through Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Iceland. We finally arrived at the Arctic Circle and hopped out of the car into the freezing midnight temperatures to explore! Obviously at that late hour the centre was closed but we were happy to run around by ourselves and enjoy with the stunning views while high fiving at the success of our epic road trip! At the Arctic Circle it can be seen for about a month, whereas at the North Pole itself, the sun can be seen continuously for 6 months, weather permitting. The entire journey takes approx. You will then come to the Arctic Circle Centre, at 650 metres (2,100 feet) above sea level, which has exhibitions, a souvenir shop and cafeteria. Because of the remoteness of many Arctic roads, you will also want to carry a survival kit in case you run into trouble on your trip. We experienced so many amazing moments in the 48 hours following our spur of the moment decision: beautiful countryside, a surreal encounter with a wild elk, a stay in one of Norway’s most beautiful cabins, copious amounts of coffee, a quick 12 hour detour to the UNESCO inscribed Vega Islands and of course….standing at the Arctic Circle itself. We saw lots of wildlife on the drive out and on the way back the pilot flew … Experience the best of Lapland under the light nights of the Arctic summer on this comprehensive exploration of lakes, fjords, waterways, national parks and more, and get a true feel for this Sami heartland. Planning our drive to the Arctic Circle A quick search revealed that the Arctic Circle Centre, located in the Saltfjellet mountains just inside the Arctic Circle itself, was almost 800km from our cabin in Bud. The Svartisen glacier covers about a fifth of the national park, and is Norway's second biggest glacier. Narvik, Norway Our final stop was Narvik in Northern Norway, where the Arctic Circle Train journey ends.This was by far the best part of the journey. Saying goodbye to the Arctic Circle latitude line! After a caffeine fuelled 14 hour drive from Bud to Mo I Rana we finally reached our campsite at around 9 pm that evening. Discover the spirit of Norway as we explore Oslo and Trondheim before embarking on a 4-night Arctic cruise through magical fjords. Renting a car in Norway is the best way to explore the country. Take the fly drive tour. Pictures of steep mountains, deep fjords and the midnight sun have made people want to drop everything and book a ticket to the archipelago located far above the Arctic Circle. There are two places in Helgeland where you can easily cross the Arctic Circle your self, by the mainroad, and by the costal road north from Mo i Rana. We could have spent hours at the Arctic Circle simply staring at the sky with its rich and never ending sunset however by 1am we both knew that we needed to leave and get some sleep! Our fave is 39 pics of an epic roadtrip! Cutting through the middle of Nordland, the road runs the length of Norway and we were on this road for the majority of our final 3 days in Norway! The E6 was entirely unforgiving as it continued to throw countless bends at us. As we awoke to another stunning Norwegian sunrise in our cosy little Bud cabin Elaine planted the seed of possibility. ‘You know Dave we could totally make it to the Arctic circle tonight if we really wanted to’. What is the Arctic Circle anyway? A short video with video and stills. It was truly one we’ll never forget. Driving conditions are really good with extremely good quality roads throughout the entire country. On the trip back to Oslo we visited two amazing UNESCO world heritage sites: a 12 hour detour to the Vega Islands archipelago and a stop at the historic mining town of Røros, both unplanned but hey, it worked out well for us! Experience life north of the Arctic Circle, the land of the Northern Lights and Midnight Sun. The Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park, with its varied and unspoiled nature, provides a wealth of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Great article, wife and plan to do similar. Due to the mammoth drive ahead of us we didn’t have time to take in the Trondheim sights and vowed to return. My “bucket list” drive to the Arctic Circle from Oslo, Norway began so sluggishly that for the first two hours on the road I was convinced I had made a horrible mistake and regretted the attempt. Like all return journeys the trip back to our cabin in Mo I Rana felt so much quicker. Find more info in our disclosure policy. It was sad saying goodbye to our incredible fjord views but we were ecstatic to have finally ticked the Arctic Circle off our bucket list. Although it is the main road to Northern Norway, the E6 snakes north slowly, twisting and turning to the contours of the rugged, yet immensely beautiful countryside. Our GPS was predicting a 14 hour drive including some sightseeing stops. The only noise was the occasional passing car and the chirping of birds as they played in the eternal sunset. Among tourists, it is known for its wild and beautiful nature, aurora borealis and midnight sun. Copyright © 2020 ALL IMAGES AND CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT © BY THEWHOLEWORLDISAPLAYGROUND.COM. The Arctic Circle in Norway: the Magical Frontier Stunning adventures await above the Arctic Circle in Norway! Learn what its like to visit Tromso, Norway in winter. There's plenty to do here in the Arctic Circle. It sounded crazy, the distances were crazy and the timings were crazy but then, we’re crazy when it comes to our travel bucketlist! We'll send you our newsletter with lots of tips, travel and inspiration as we make our way around the globe! As we passed the many reindeer farms the landscape started to change drastically. Note that the Acrtic Circle Centre is closed during winter. After a well deserved rest we set off on our three day adventure back to Oslo. It’s worth setting aside a few hours to marvel at this amazing structure which was voted Norway’s engineering feat of the century! In its cinema, you can watch the multimedia show 'Welcome to the Arctic', which presents fantastic images and music from the Arctic Circle region. To put it simply, it’s just an imaginary line that goes around the northernmost part of the world. Our GPS was predicting a 14 hour drive including some sightseeing stops. We seem to be standing at the Arctic Circle! From there we planned to drive towards the Arctic circle itself early the next morning. 24 hour brightness and the chance to stand in the Arctic were too great a temptation and, before we knew it, a visit to the Arctic Circle was penciled into our Norway route. In Norway, you can find the line of the Arctic Circle 50 miles north of Mo i Rana, and 43 miles south of Fauske. At this point we were running on pure adrenaline and we were relived when we emerged from the ravine road out into the Arctic wilderness and were met with our first Arctic Circle sign: we were 2 kilometres from the Arctic Circle! The Arctic Circle runs through the middle of Norway a few kilometers north of Mo i Rana in Helgeland which is the closest town to the Arctic Circle, hence the nickname "the arctic circle town". Once we were east of Trondheim it was a simple left turn and then north up towards the Arctic circle! We now faced the exciting 600 km trip north. Advancing north we both assumed that the countryside would become less inhabited and increasingly barren but it turned out to be the opposite. We had spent the previous evening exploring the Atlantic Road and we loved it so much we returned that morning to catch one last glimpse before setting off for the Arctic! It’s easy to see why the Atlantic Road is known as the world’s most beautiful roads: for 8.3 kilometres it snakes up and around an archipelago of islands from Bud to Kristiansund. Since leaving Bud four days previous we had driven over 2,000 km, visited the Arctic Circle, seen two amazing and lesser known UNESCO World Heritage sights and had a crazy amount of fun. Yes, the driving distance between Bergen to Arctic Circle is 1470 km. The plan was to take shifts of driving, swapping when the other got tired and repeating this system until we made it to the Arctic Circle. Discover all you need to cruise to Arctic Circle (Cruising), Norway. Most populated areas above the Arctic Circle are in Russia, Norway, and Finland. The center is 50 miles north of the small city of Mo i Rana. On board the Hurtigruten express boats, Arctic Circle crossings are usually celebrated with baptisms and a visit by King Neptune. by David | Sep 14, 2016 | Blog, Europe, Latest Posts, Norway, Road Trips. Watching whales and porpoises at 2am in the morning was very unique. The Centre also has its own post office, where all postcards are franked with the Arctic Circle postmark. The park also has a unique collection of Sami cultural heritage sites. You can cross the Arctic Circle at Saltfjellet in Rana municipality, by following the E6 from Mo i Rana for about 80 kilometres (50 miles). Marvel at stunning scenery and picturesque open roads on this self drive across Finland, Norway and Sweden, bathed in the midnight sun. Cross the Arctic Circle and hunt the Northern Lights in winter, or enjoy 24 hours of daylight under the Midnight Sun in summer Spring and Autumn voyages showcase the brilliant colours, magical light and fascinating culture of Arctic Norway You can also get your own Arctic Circle certificate. It was great visiting the the northernmost tip of continental Norway and experiencing 24 hour long days. The relentless twists of the road meant we had to take frequent breaks to rest and snack but we continued on for the afternoon. We were aiming to reach the town of Mo I Rana, just south of the Arctic circle, by early evening and arrange a cabin for the night. As we sat down to relax and chat about the day’s events I leaned over to Elaine and jokingly told her of my conversation with the campsite owner. ‘You know the Arctic circle is only 90 minutes from here….we could definitely go tonight’ The stunning fjord views must have given us a renewed energy as, despite the long day and feeling depleted just minutes earlier, we grabbed some snacks and jumped in the car with one goal in mind. If you’re planning a visit to the North Pole, you’ll have to consider the time you decide to visit carefully.The Arctic Ocean's icy waters are open for a short period between June and July, making it the only possible time to travel on a cruise to this remote destination. Thank you, Your email address will not be published. It is the only rail line to cross the Arctic Circle. Drive to the Arctic Circle Monument at Saltfjellet You can cross the Arctic Circle at Saltfjellet in Rana municipality, by following the E6 from Mo i Rana for about 80 kilometres (50 miles). By the time we reached the cabin we barely had the energy to sit with a well earned beer, marvel again at the stunning fjord views and chat about our amazing day. Driving to the Arctic circle in Norway. It takes approximately 20h 47m to drive from Bergen to Arctic Circle. It was amazing to feel the power of the ocean as it relentlessly pounded and the wind howled around the small islands and structures supporting the Atlantic Road itself. It was still very much daylight and the birds were still singing in the trees. Onboard the Arctic Circle Train, you will journey from the Swedish mountains to the awe-inspiring fjords in Norway. This post may contain compensated links. Norway is planning to expand oil drilling in previously untouched areas of the Arctic, a move campaigners say threatens the fragile ecosystem … A line of rock pillars stretched into the horizon on either side marking the invisible Arctic Circle line of latitude. The stunning UNESCO inscribed Vega Islands, A step back in time at Roros, a UNESCO Mining Town. Of course that didn’t turn out to be the case! Book your car now with RentalCars.com, where you will find the best rental car prices, Click here for the best rental car prices. By late morning we reached the outskirts of Trondheim and stopped for some snacks and a quick power nap. The scenery did change but it was for the better and we passed many picturesque villages and houses as we cruised on northwards. The highlight of the drive was the road itself. Visit royalcaribbean.com to get information on Arctic Circle (Cruising), Norway cruises, including things to do, dining, ports of call, cruise ships, shore excursions If you take the FV17 road (Coastal Route), you will cross the Arctic Circle on board the ferry between Kilboghamn and Jektvik. The Arctic Circle Monument at Vikingen, north of Tonnes in Rodøy municipality, is a well-known navigational aid for marine traffic along the shipping lane, and is very visible and well lit up. This video is about a motorcycle trip from England to the Arctic Circle in Norway on a Triumph Explorer 1200. 2am at our cabin in Mo I Rana. A quick search revealed that the Arctic Circle Centre, located in the Saltfjellet mountains just inside the Arctic Circle itself, was almost 800km from our cabin in Bud. We explored the area around the centre in the crisp midnight air and were amazed at how bright it still was. How did that happen? By the time we arrived in Bud, a town close to the Atlantic Road on Norway’s north west coast, our Arctic Circle dream had been put to bed and replaced with a relaxing 3 day drive back to Oslo taking in all the sights along the way. One place I’d always wanted to visit in Norway was Tromso. Enjoy a guided motorcycle tour across Norway and Sweden to the arctic circle, find your inner Viking with us on this 21 day tour of Scandinavia. The trip is just as beautiful in winter as in summer, and It is the longest rail line in Norway, with 44 stations, 293 bridges and 154 tunnels. There was very little other traffic on the road and there were periods when we didn’t meet another vehicle for over an hour or so. Like so many places in Norway, at times we hit patches of pure wilderness and there was nothing for miles and miles but us, the open road and the beautiful surroundings. When is the best time to visit the North Pole and Arctic Circle? This one most definitely led to an amazing adventure! The surroundings became more barren with the countryside becoming noticeably less green. We'll send you our newsletter with lots of tips, travel and inspiration as we make our way around the globe! PLUS: we'll share all of our secrets to travelling more while working full time! Watching whales and porpoises at 2am in the morning was very unique. The Arctic Circle Train follows a unique round-trip route with 13 stops in Sweden and Norway, allowing day and overnight passengers the chance to enjoy this scenic route where, depending on the season you can experience the Northern Lights or Midnight Sun. ! We were unaware setting out from Bud that morning that two days of the most exciting, white-knuckle, exhausting drives but ultimately one of the most unforgettable trips of our lives lay ahead of us. Although tired and weary, once we discovered the gorgeous Ranfjorden views from our cabin balcony we completely forgot about the long drive earlier. A warm bed, hot water and a balcony affording us panoramic views across the fjord and we were all set for the evening! Arctic Norway (Norwegian: Det arktiske Norge) comprises the northernmost parts of Norway that lie above the Arctic circle.Norway, being one of the most stretched-out countries in the world, reaches from approximately 58 N to 81 N, so large parts lie north of the Arctic circle at 66 33′. As we started our road trip, which took us from Oslo, through the Fjordlands and onto Bud, it became apparent that distances in Norway should be measured not in kilometres but in units of full day drives! In addition to the world-famous Lofoten, Northern Norway is home to several other photogenic destinations – … For more Norway adventures check our our Norway page here! Re: road trip to artic circle 6 years ago Trondheim - Mo i Rana is a 7 hours non-stop drive and the Polar Circle Centre is a further 1h 15m drive onwards. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Because of the Arctic’s extremely cold climate, lack of human habitation, and underdeveloped infrastructure, you will need to take special precautions before traveling via car, regardless of where you are or what time of year it is. From May through the beginning of October, you can also visit the famous Arctic Circle Centre by traveling on the E6 highway and exiting at the town of Saltfjellet. In general, modifications to your car such as snow tires and other cold-weather adaptations are necessary in order to ensure your safety. We knew that we would reach the Arctic Circle after midnight. A final destination of the Arctic Circle! 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