Highway to Hell

Today I leave the Arctic Highway behind. South of Mo i Rana essentially the same road has the catchy title of “European Route 6”.

As I ride through the suburban sprawl the heavens open. I cannot complain though as I ride through more lush scenery – in any weather this is a stunning place to be.

The next two days are all about eating up the miles as I have a ferry to catch!

The first pit stop is at Laksforsen, another impressive waterfall where if you are lucky salmon will be leaping. This natural beauty spot is spoilt (in my humble opinion) by the construction of a café. To add insult to injury they have also erected huge fences to prevent people from viewing the falls, unless of course you can climb – which naturally I can  :)  As I sit on top of their fence admiring the falls, I wonder what gives someone the right to prevent others from sampling one of Mother Nature’s gems…

Just South of Majavatn is a fairly impressive sign to signify the start (or in my case the end) of Northern Norway. As I set up my motorbike in the right place for the obligatory tourity photo, I drop it for the first time on the whole journey. Weary from all the riding, I struggle to lift the 350kg monster. Fortunately there is no shortage of volunteers to help lift my motorbike back into place.

My next stop has little to offer other than a cheap chuckle. For next time someone suggests that I can go to Hell, I can honestly say that I have been there and back and it was not that bad ;-)

It is a strange having ridden so far South to reach the most northerly place in Norway that merits the classification of ‘city’. Trondheim, Norway’s original capital, has a great feel to it. I instantly feel at home here. Perhaps it is the compact centre. Perhaps it is the cosmopolitan feel. Perhaps it is the student vibe. Whatever it is, Trondheim has an unrivalled charm. I wish I had longer to stay…

Distance: 306.5 miles