Sometimes it is the road itself that is the destination, and this is true of Norwegian Scenic Route Gamle Strynefjellsvegen. As well as being staggeringly beautiful, the tourist route from Western Norway to the eastern part of Southern Norway is also designated as a listed road. The road itself is a landmark and a testimony to a masterpiece of engineering design from a bygone time. Built by manual labour towards the end of the 19th century, it conveys a historical presence. Old stone masonry and long rows of guard stones provide a sense of journeying backwards in time. The old road offers imposing contrasts in the landscape: to the east rounded shapes bearing the stamp of the ice age and to the west precipitous mountainsides. If you take a kayak with you on the trip, you can paddle in the turquoise-coloured mountain tarns. It’s not without reason that the old tourist road has impressed travellers for over a century.
Please note: The National Scenic Road “Gamle Strynefjellsvegen” to be closed for heavy vehicles
As from 10 June 2019, vehicles that are more than 8 metres long and have an axle load of more than 8 tonnes will be banned from driving on Gamle Strynefjellsvegen (FV258) from Grotli to the Sogn og Fjordane county boundary. The prohibition will start at the road barrier west of Grotli and the holiday home estates. Vehicles are increasing in size and the load exceeds the capacity of this historic road. It has therefore been challenging to maintain the road standard.
The route was listed as a protected road in 2009. The purpose of the listing is to preserve a well-kept road from 1880 as an important part of Norwegian transport history. Being on the protected list means that there are restrictions with regards to paving and extension of the road. The road is narrow and winding, and there are few passing places.