Roads to north of Sweden

[nimbostratus]

We're heading for the Lofoten Islands in June and were advised to drive through Sweden and cross the border towards Narvik. Our preference is to travel on the E45 from the south but when we do a route search the recommended route is always on the E4 coastal road. Does anyone have experience of either or both routes, please?

 

[RichardHelen262]

Once or. Twice a month l used to drive up to Ornskoldsvik taking the E4 it is a nice road a bit boring as once past Stockholm you hardly ever see another vehicle, just trees and lakes, the first time it is nice to see but after 8 years it got to be really boring especially traveling it alone.

Richard

 

[Roger Haworth]

I came down the E45 in summer 2014 having previously travelled up the east coast of Sweden and then across to Norway to visit the Vesteralen and Lofoten Islands.

It is a very nice route - mainly through pine forests. Ostersund is a pleasant town to stop over along the way - free parking by the lake at N63.17440 E14.63142 (Ostersund has it's own version of the Loch Ness Monster called Storsjoodjuret - The Great Lake Monster!)

 

[mark61]

Have done both routes. E4 is faster, but I couldn't really recommend one route over the other. Both have 100km's of dense forrest, where you can't see much, both have sections of stunning views too. The towns you pass through on the E45 are probably nicer, Mora and Ostersund are both very nice. Going the E4 route though you can visit Gränsfors Bruk, and stock up on axes.

 

[nimbostratus]

Thanks to you all for your advice. It seems that either choice has its benefits. I guess we'll make up or minds when we get there!

 

[saxonborg]

We're heading for the Lofoten Islands in June and were advised to drive through Sweden and cross the border towards Narvik. Our preference is to travel on the E45 from the south but when we do a route search the recommended route is always on the E4 coastal road. Does anyone have experience of either or both routes, please?

Did this route last year but crossed over into Norway near Mo I rana because we were visiting relatives. We only touched the coast briefly. I can give you my route if you require , you certainly don't have to take a coastal route.

 

[mossypossy]

keep them coming

This is exactly the sort of info I need.

Also, for the weekly laundry and poopy discharge, would one have to pre book at a Swedish or Norwegian campsite in August?

 

[nimbostratus]

This is exactly the sort of info I need.

Also, for the weekly laundry and poopy discharge, would one have to pre book at a Swedish or Norwegian campsite in August?

We were in Norway at the busiest time of the year last year when most of Germany seems to be there and had no problem getting a place on sites. However, to be sure of a decent position aim to get there by mid afternoon.

 

[nimbostratus]

Did this route last year but crossed over into Norway near Mo I rana because we were visiting relatives. We only touched the coast briefly. I can give you my route if you require , you certainly don't have to take a coastal route.

Thanks for the info. I saw an earlier post from you where you mentioned that you'd crossed over near Mo but as we're returning by a coastal route in Norway we thought we would go further north in Sweden before diving across the border.

 

[saxonborg]

Thanks for the info. I saw an earlier post from you where you mentioned that you'd crossed over near Mo but as we're returning by a coastal route in Norway we thought we would go further north in Sweden before diving across the border.

If we had planned our route a little better we could have gone further north in Sweden and reached Narvik by road. If you go north from Mo i rana you are obliged to take a ferry. There is a choice, short route not expensive, longer route more expensive but can save quite a few miles.