Adventure Northcape / ANC2601

Most of our group decided to arrive earlier to enjoy the stunning scenery of Ålesund and maybe to beat the jet leg a little. The rest did join us through out the day. First day as always is very exciting, but official kick off is the Welcome Briefing in the late afternoon. We found a quiet little spot in the cocktail bar and made ourselves comfortable with a little welcome drink. After a first round of introductions, Kurt und Franzi, our tourguides, introduced us to the in and outs of the riding ahead and what to watch out for. Then it was time for the fun part, the handover or the motorcycles. Everyone had a chance to get their settings right and to make themselves familiar with the bike model. This was followed by the cozy part of the evening. A fabulous 3 course dinner accompanied by some more of getting to know each other. All in all a great start into our adventure, we can't wait what the day brings tomorrow!

Today was finally the day: The North Cape adventure has truly begun! After a hearty breakfast, we got the motorcycles ready to go and stowed our luggage in the van. During the daily briefing, we received the final details about the stage, and then everyone started to feel that same mix of anticipation and excitement. For our seven guests from the U.S. and two guests from China, it was their first day riding together—and their curiosity about what Norway had in store for us was correspondingly high. The weather couldn’t have been better to kick things off. Bright sunshine accompanied us all day, and the pleasantly cool temperatures provided perfect conditions for enjoying our first kilometers through Norway to the fullest. Shortly after Ålesund, a beautiful road led us along the coast and through dense forests—a perfect start to this extraordinary journey. Our first photo stop was at the historic Stordal Gamle Kyrkje (Old Church) or Rosekyrkja (Rose Church), before we took a coffee break at Gudbrandsjuvet. The deep gorge with its roaring water impressed everyone and had many cameras at the ready. Another highlight wasn’t long in coming: the Trollstigen Visitor Center. After a leisurely lunch, we enjoyed the view of one of Norway’s most famous mountain passes before venturing down the steep road spectacular switchbacks ourselves. A short time later, the mighty Sigfossen Waterfall provided the perfect backdrop for our next photo stop. Our route continued over the Vistdalsheia Pass to Sunndalsøra, where we enjoyed the last coffee of the day. After that, it was just a short drive to our hotel in Oppdal. After refueling for the next day’s ride, we rounded off the evening with a group dinner. What had been a group of motorcyclists from different countries that morning already felt much more like a cohesive team by evening. Over a delicious meal, there was plenty of laughter as we talked about the day’s adventures, and everyone’s anticipation for the next leg of the journey was palpable. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to our North Cape adventure.

Today, we only had a short riding day ahead of us. So we enjoyed a little lay in and a later breakfast before we hit the road before 10am. The sun was already up high and we cruised along a inland road for the first part of the morning. Unfortunately, we weren't so lucky to find a coffee place in the morning. The area is predominately farm land with houses here and there and the occasional tiny village and both cafe options show no sign of being open today. So, some of us got a couple of snacks from a local shop and we rode on further into the back country. The scenery changed from an open plateau to forests and lakes. Craig Thought it reminded him a little of Michigan. So., we stopped a couple of times to take photos and continued our way north now towards Buvika. Here we took a pragmatical approach and went straight towards the local petrol station, which provided all required features for the traveler's needs. From here we didn't take the direct road into Trondheim and rather enjoyed a little fun loop over the outcrop at the west of the city. Following mainly the coastline and disturbed some very serious looking golfers coming over a hilltop. The ride into Trondheim was very straight forward and for such a big city very easy. The group stayed close together and after a few minutes we reach our hotel in the early afternoon. So everybody, had time to go and explore the city, which used to be the capital of Norway until the 13th century.

Our fourth day of the tour began on a very relaxed note with a hearty breakfast before we loaded our luggage back into the van. For the first time, we held the daily briefing outdoors—the pleasant temperatures made it even easier to take in the information about today’s stage. Today also marked the first of many ferry crossings ahead of us. Thanks to the motorcycles already registered in the FerryApp, everything went smoothly, and we were able to relax and enjoy the short crossing. Today’s route was significantly more winding than in previous days. While Norway’s long, sweeping curves can hardly be compared to the tight hairpin turns of the Alps, that’s precisely what gives them their special charm. The sky remained overcast almost all day and many roads were still damp, but we were lucky and stayed dry all day. After our first coffee break, the route took us to the Storholmen Bridge. The two small bays to the left and right of the bridge offered a beautiful photo opportunity. Another highlight was the detour to the small fishing village of Vingsand. The typical red fishermen’s huts right on the water were simply too beautiful not to capture from every angle. Cameras and drones were in constant use until, eventually, everyone started to feel hungry. A small restaurant with exceptionally friendly staff turned out to be a real stroke of luck. The fresh Norwegian salmon, in particular, tasted outstanding. After a leisurely lunch break, the sun even came out for the last few kilometers before we reached our hotel in Overhalla after a quick stop to refuel. Over dinner together, we looked back on the day. The conversations grew increasingly personal, and one thing has become clear by now: We’ve slowly gone from being a group of individual motorcyclists to a real travel group.

Leaving sleepy Overhalla this morning and heading North mainly on the coastal road 17. The first hour and a bit took us inland along lakes and through forests towards the coast. And then it was a day filled with fjords and ferries. A little trivia on the side, Norway has 29.000km of coastline counting the nearly 1200 fjords, where the mere distance is only around 2500km. The weather is changing now that we are heading north, we had mainly around 12C today and the occasional light drizzle. Nevertheless, the country side is absolutely stunning and the roads are pristine. We had 3 ferries to catch and our timing couldn't have been better. The 1st one we came just in time for boarding and could roll on immediately. On the second one they left motorcycles before they had a little break to charge the batteries, which meant we could get organised and relax before the short ride over. We had a little chat with other bikers from Berlin and enjoyed a silent an calm crossing on the electric ferry. The 3rd ferry came shortly after and was a longer journey for nearly an hour we could what the rugged shoreline to move past only interrupted by a few houses here and there. Due to the fantastic timing on the ferries, we were able to reach Sandnessjøen early and give everyone to go for a wonder before dinner.

Our sixth day of the tour started with our first highlight after just five minutes on the road. The impressive Helgeland Bridge was simply too beautiful to pass without stopping for a few memorable photos. Since we had a longer riding day ahead of us, we made an additional fuel stop after about an hour and a half – better safe than sorry. Conveniently, Restaurant Bimbo was right next door, so we combined the practical with the enjoyable and treated ourselves to a nice coffee break. Another hour down the road, we reached a very special milestone on our journey: the Arctic Circle! It marks the southern boundary of the region where the famous Midnight Sun can be experienced during the summer. Of course, this moment had to be properly celebrated, so we took a full hour for lunch, photos, and the obligatory proof: We have officially arrived in the Arctic! After another quick coffee stop, one more impressive natural spectacle awaited us just before Bodø. From the Saltstraumen Bridge, we watched one of the strongest tidal currents in the world. Enormous masses of water rush through this narrow strait, creating spectacular whirlpools – and, of course, another perfect photo opportunity. For most of the day, the weather spoiled us with beautiful sunshine and temperatures reaching an amazing 77°F (25°C). Only shortly before Bodø did the north suddenly show us its rougher side: dark skies and temperatures dropping to just 54°F (12°C)! Half an hour later, we arrived at our fantastic Wood Hotel, where a perfectly chilled boot beer was already waiting for us. What more could we ask for? **Today, we didn’t just cross a geographical line – reaching the Arctic Circle made it feel like our North Cape adventure had officially entered a whole new dimension.**

The Morning started grey and foggy in Bodø. We only had to leave our fantastic hotel on the hillside overlooking the bay and descend down towards the harbor. Here we lined up with the other cars, caravans and bikes to enter the morning ferry over to the Lofoten islands, which includes over 80 islands in various sizes. The ferry destination was Moskenes in the south and the ride took us just over 3 hours. While waiting in line our tourguide Franzi got approached by a solo travelling biker who told her that he had been on an Edelweiss tour years ago in Peru. Funny that, so had been Linda, David & Uwe. Turned out it was the exact same tour over ten years ago! What a small world and what a reunion! The crossing was unfortunately a little bumpy at first but got better later on. Once we arrived on the island we turned west to visit the lovely fishing village of A, which is probably one of the shortest village names in history. Unfortunately, here Craig discovered his clutch cable ripped, which altered our original plans slightly. Him and Franzi swapped bikes and Dave and Tom volunteered for the very important positions of emergency bike pushers. Once everybody was rolling we rode all the way to our rendezvous with Kurt, the van and the spare bike in Leknes. We arrived here all safe and sound, what a great team effort! We swapped the bikes out and took the direct way towards our final destination in Svolvaer. Nevertheless, the Lofoten are a stunning place with green mossy giants dropped into the wild Norwegian Sea. No wonder it is one of the favorite holiday destination for the Norwegians themselves.

Our eighth day of the tour began on a relaxed note. The weather looked promising during the morning briefing, but the forecast made it clear that we probably wouldn’t make it to Harstad without getting wet. So, rain gear was packed within easy reach—just in case. After only a few minutes on the road, we made our first photo stop at Austnesfjord. A small hill with a wooden walkway offered breathtaking panoramic views over the calm waters of the fjord. The soft morning light and peaceful atmosphere made it the perfect way to start the day. Our only ferry crossing took us from Fiskebøl to Melbu. With a strong, chilly wind sweeping across the deck, most of us quickly found our way inside, where a hot cup of coffee was far more inviting than battling the cold outside. Not long after leaving the ferry, the forecast proved accurate as we rode into our first rain shower. Fortunately, our next stop was the Hurtigruten Museum in Stokmarknes. The museum tells the fascinating story of Norway’s legendary Coastal Express, which has connected communities along the country's rugged coastline for more than 130 years. The hour we’d set aside flew by there surprisingly quickly as everyone explored the exhibits. Even a second heavy rain shower couldn’t dampen our spirits. A quick lunch featuring surprisingly delicious hot dogs, followed by ice cream for dessert, gave us fresh energy for the final stretch. A short detour to the impressive Tjeldsund Bridge was well worth it, and just before reaching Harstad we spotted our first reindeer of the tour grazing near the roadside. A brief traffic delay caused by an accident was our final reminder that every adventure comes with a few surprises. Even so, we arrived at our hotel as early as 4:15 p.m. That left us plenty of time to explore the area before we wrapped up the day with dinner together, filled with stories and laughter. Today reminded us that in Norway, sunshine, rain, wind, and unforgettable memories can all be part of the very same ride.

After yesterdays showers, we had a clear start this morning with temperatures around 11C. We left Harstad to the south and looped eastwards along the coast. What a stunning ride we had through picturesque little villages and past a changing shoreline. The otherwise already quiet roads looked nearly deserted on a Sunday morning, which meant even more fun for us. So we were heading towards Narvik, the Norwegian harbor town and transport hub for the Swedish mining ore. We took the time to visit their excellent war museum, which had the focus on the big naval battles in the area during WWII. We all agreed it was a very well presented exhibition and the artifacts were in great condition. What a little gem. After lunch we left Narvik behind and made our way towards the Swedish border. Moving inland the surroundings changed. Away from the coast, temperatures dropped a little, the mountains became barer and the countryside seamed more open. The border these days is only marked by 2 signs and a sleepy looking customs building. we crossed with no problems and said Hello Sweden! The next stretch featured green hills and Torneträsk lake to our right. The street signs changed colors and the general speed limit was just a little higher. Arriving in Kiruna, we could already see the rubble heaps of the copper mine from afar. A huge operation and the motor for this town. As the underground mine is growing Kiruna is moving East, literally. Some of the older buildings, the church and council buildings being moved across town to be preserved for the next generation. To finish the day of we were in for a treat at our hotel restaurant and as always we enjoyed a great table conversation.

After a hearty breakfast, we gathered around the van for our daily briefing. The theme for today's ride was quickly summed up: **Forests, forests, forests... and the beautiful Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.** Spoiler alert: That's exactly what the day had in store for us. Since our motorcycles were parked just outside our cozy cabins, packing up was quick and easy. Under bright blue skies, we rolled out of Kiruna and soon found ourselves surrounded by the endless forests of northern Scandinavia. Our first coffee stop took us to a traditional Swedish *Lanthandel*—a small country store where you can find just about anything. For us, fresh coffee and warm croissants were all we needed before continuing our journey. After the break, one of our guests decided to continue on his own for the day. He wanted to ride at a relaxed pace, stopping whenever a beautiful view caught his eye. We thought it was a great idea and wished him a wonderful ride. The next few hours took us along beautifully maintained roads, winding through countless forests and past sparkling lakes. And yes... there were plenty more forests. Every now and then, small groups of reindeer appeared along the roadside. Most of them quickly disappeared into the trees as soon as they heard our motorcycles approaching, but not before a few lucky riders managed to capture some great photos. A photo stop at the Swedish-Finnish border was, of course, a must. About ninety minutes later, we enjoyed a well-deserved lunch in Muonio, right in the heart of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. Waiting for us in the parking lot was an entire herd of friendly reindeer, happily posing for photos without the slightest concern for their audience. The afternoon brought us more **forests... and even more forests**. At one point, someone joked that if a single tree happened to be missing, another thousand would surely be waiting around the next corner. After refueling, we arrived at our hotel, where our "solo rider" was already waiting for us. He proudly reported spotting far more reindeer than the rest of the group—which made perfect sense, considering that one motorcycle is a lot quieter than nine. The evening ended with a traditional Norwegian buffet, plenty of laughter, and stories from the day. Tomorrow, we'll leave Finland behind and cross back into Norway for the next chapter of our North Cape adventure. **Today reminded us that unforgettable rides aren't always about dramatic scenery—sometimes it's the peaceful silence, endless wilderness, and unexpected encounters that leave the strongest memories.**

We had a little later start this morning but that was no problem as Finnland is an hour ahead and we were going back into Norway. The border was only 30 minutes north and we went over in no time. The first stop of today was Juhls' Silvergallery a little gem hidden away from the main road. this place is not only fascinating on an architectural level but also it's interior is very special. An eclectic mix of Oriental and Eastern art, contemporary paintings and uniquely designed jewelery - Hot coffee was available, too! To no surprise we spend a little time in here to take it all in. Some of the group found some very unique souvenirs to take home. From here we went north-east further into Sami country. The countryside was dominated by birch trees and wetlands only interrupted by different size lakes. All in all a vast empty country. The next bigger civilization hub is Karasjok. You find here the Sami parliament and a cultural center. Unfortunately, it's well known museum is currently closed due to renovation work. So we went directly to our final destination in Lakselv, which was only an hour up the road. After a couple of days in the interior we are now back at the coast. The north coast of Norway and tomorrow, we are planning to reach the Northkap!

Our twelfth day of the tour started, as always, with a great breakfast. But this morning felt different. There was a special excitement in the air because today was the day everyone had been waiting for since the beginning of the tour: North Cape! After about an hour on the road, we stopped for a quick coffee break. Then it was "movie time." One of the tour guides rode ahead to set up a drone and camera at the perfect location, capturing our group riding together through the spectacular Arctic landscape—a memory that will last long after the trip is over. About thirty minutes later, the scenery changed dramatically. Thick fog rolled in and stayed with us all the way to North Cape. When we finally arrived, a few riders jokingly asked, "Are we really here?" With visibility reduced to just a few yards, it was hard to tell! Only the famous North Cape Globe confirmed that we had actually reached our destination. After paying the—not surprisingly—rather Norwegian-style admission fee, we stepped onto the famous cliff plateau. Cameras immediately came out, and the iconic globe was photographed from every possible angle, with every rider, every couple, and of course the entire group. Unfortunately, the breathtaking view over the Barents Sea remained hidden behind a thick curtain of fog. While that was a little disappointing, it also gave us the perfect excuse to come back someday and experience North Cape under different skies. After lunch, we began the ride back, still surrounded by fog for many miles. But today clearly belonged to the reindeer. We saw countless animals grazing beside the road, wandering across the highway, and calmly reminding us that this is their home—not ours. The only wildlife still missing from our wish list was a moose. After another stop for fuel, the final challenge of the day awaited us: the last two kilometers to our beautiful mountain lodge were uphill on a gravel road. Everyone handled it perfectly, proving once again how much confidence and skill the group had gained over the past two weeks. That evening, we celebrated this unforgettable milestone over a wonderful dinner, accompanied by a good glass of wine or a refreshing Norwegian beer. Today reminded us that sometimes the destination isn't defined by the view—it's defined by the unforgettable feeling of reaching it together.

Today marked the final riding day of our North Cape adventure. As we gathered for the morning briefing, the mood was mixed. On one hand, no one was quite ready for this incredible journey to come to an end. On the other, after twelve long but unforgettable days in the saddle, many riders admitted they were also looking forward to sleeping in their own beds again. Before setting off, we reminded everyone to stay focused until the very last mile—because every riding day deserves the same level of attention. Our route followed Norway's breathtaking coastline for most of the day. Sometimes we rode alongside the open sea, other times through spectacular fjords, providing a perfect backdrop for our final ride together. As if they wanted to say goodbye, reindeer appeared once again throughout the day, calmly grazing beside the road and occasionally reminding us who the real locals are. Our first coffee stop required a little extra patience. Just as we arrived, a large tour bus full of senior travelers pulled in—and apparently everyone had exactly the same destination: the restrooms! Fortunately, good humor made the wait much shorter. Lunch turned into one of those unexpected highlights that make a trip memorable. After miles along a narrow, quiet back road, some riders had begun to wonder if a restaurant could possibly exist out there. It certainly did. With the regular chef absent due to a family bereavement, the owner personally prepared an outstanding homemade fish soup for us. We also learned that the lodge operates a state-of-the-art AI-powered weather camera capable of predicting the Northern Lights with an impressive 98% accuracy. Following one final coffee stop in beautiful Balsfjord, we arrived in Tromsø. Our farewell dinner on the rooftop terrace, overlooking the city, was the perfect ending to an unforgettable journey. One by one, every guest and both tour guides shared their favorite memories, special moments, and thoughts about the group. Hearing so many kind words and positive comments was truly rewarding. With several guests leaving on very early morning flights—and with us tour guides loading motorcycles before sunrise—the evening ended a little earlier than usual. Still, saying goodbye wasn't easy. ***Every journey eventually comes to an end. But the very best adventures are never measured by the miles we ride—they're measured by the friendships we build, the memories we create, and the moments we'll carry with us long after the engines fall silent. Thank you for sharing this incredible North Cape adventure with us. We wish everyone a safe journey home, and we truly hope our paths will cross again on another Edelweiss tour someday.*** 🏍️🇳🇴❤️