Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 971
Cape Nordkinn 2025 - overland trip
For no particular reason at all (other than the expectation that it would be quite fun) I'm looking at planning a trip to Cape Nordkinn in northern Norway. It is the northernmost point in mainland Europe and having not been there before, Id like to see it. I'd quite fancy visiting the southern, eastern and westernmost points too at some point, but that's for another time. For now, heading North (and back) first seems the natural first point of call.
I'm not expecting a full platoon of vehicles heading up there, but I'd quite fancy some company on the trip (in addition to one of my brothers who'll be in my D3) so if there's anyone here that fancies joining in it would be great to have two or three vehicles in convoy.
Spring 2025 seems a while away but it'll soon come around, and it gives plenty of time to do some basic planning of the route and perhaps meet up in advance at one of the various Land Rover shows to say hello etc. If only to make sure that we're likeminded people that will get on okay over a two week trip.
It is about 5000 miles return, via Amsterdam ferry, so perhaps a two week trip. It could be shorterned by using motorways on the way back, but I've selected local roads for it so that I can see some proper country.
I'd be sleeping in the D3 with a roof tent, so camping sites and wild camping en route. Company would be great as would moral support for the inevitable repair or two.
Comment on here if you'd fancy it, even if it's just curiosity at this stage, as it's a big commitment and will need discussion in due course.
I'm going to do it certainly, as M quotes in the latest Bond film (it's excellent, by the way): "The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time."
Here's my early draft of the route...
2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
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Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73056
Been there a food few times in my D3 and D4, indeed my D3 died a grizzly death on the way back from there in 2017.
Click image to enlarge
If it was me I’d go out one way (via Germany, Poland, Baltics and up through Finland on the Via Karelia, up to Kirkenes and across the top to Nordkapp) then back down the route you’re showing. Though there are some excellent places to visit following the Norwegian coast on the E6. One of my faves, Batterie Dietl on Engeloya.
Click image to enlarge
Expect snow in the northern bits at that time of year, you could still need winter tyres and come across road closures. However you do it, it’s a great RT with lots of getting away from it all, especially campervans.
2nd Oct 2021 4:29 pm
DIY Ace
Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 971
Thank you, excellent to hear that you clearly enjoyed the trip (save for the death of the D3!).
How long were you away for, do you think two weeks would suffice? Any longer might make the trip prohibitive from a work schedule perspective.2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
2005 Discovery 3 HSE Auto. Bought Feb 2019. 169,000 miles and counting...
2009 Freelander 2 XS Manual. Bought Sep 2013. SOLD Aug 2021 (already regretted!)
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73056
I was generally 3 week jollies, I sorted schedules around doing the lion’s share of the German section on a Sunday, no trucks. When I’ve done a fast blast up it’s taken me 5 days so 2 weeks (16 days) should give a few days for seeing sites on the way up and/or up there.
2nd Oct 2021 5:00 pm
leeds
Member Since: 30 Aug 2010
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 4314
Calais to Nordkapp is about 2,200 miles or about 40 to 50 hours driving time. In reality that is 5 days good driving. So a good 10 day return trip without any rest days or days to explore. Personally I would allow more time so that can have rest days, short driving days, days to explore.
Going via the Norway coastal route is highly recommended however much slower..
It really depends on how you look at the trip. Is the journey more important than the destination?
Brendan
2nd Oct 2021 5:09 pm
DIY Ace
Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 971
Thanks Brendon, helpful. That agrees with my reckoning- a 14 day trip to allow some more leisurely days and maybe some sea kayaking when up there. 2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
2005 Discovery 3 HSE Auto. Bought Feb 2019. 169,000 miles and counting...
2009 Freelander 2 XS Manual. Bought Sep 2013. SOLD Aug 2021 (already regretted!)
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4237
I've done the Amsterdam to Stockholm part of the route in a D3 and only stopping for food and fuel it took 17 hours, then I hopped on the ferry to Turku in Finland. Roads are all good on that section but fuel stations are spaced out further as you head north. Have plenty of change or cards handy for ferry crossings etc (the Puttgarden to Rodbyhavn sticks in my mind) and the big bridge from Copenhagen to Malmo will sting you 40 Euro !
Enjoy there is some fantastic scenery and if I ever get my new Defender (sorry just watching some penguins flying past) I could be up for that..I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
2nd Oct 2021 5:32 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73056
All this is academic if Sweden doesn’t let us plague carrying Brits in.
2nd Oct 2021 6:09 pm
leeds
Member Since: 30 Aug 2010
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 4314
DSL, I would hope that even this poxy U.K. *government had sorted out the current pestilence by 2025.
Brendan
2nd Oct 2021 11:50 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73056
Maybe not to the Swede’s satisfaction. I was kind of joking for a trip in 2025, but I wouldn’t bet my shirt on being able to do a Nordkapp RT the way I’d want to do it next year. It’s over 20 border crossings, not including nipping between Norway, Sweden and Finland to get cheap(er) fuel.
3rd Oct 2021 6:49 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73056
Oh, and on a practicality note, one good time saver is getting the Kiel - Gothenburg overnight ferry. Puts you well up into Sweden while you snore away in your cabin. SWMBO & I did it in ‘19 as part of early legs travelling to Singapore by mostly rail.
3rd Oct 2021 7:28 am
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4237
You could also take the Travemunde to Helsinki ferry (used this coming back from Finland) 36 hours on a boat, but puts you within 5 hours of Rotterdam or right in the heart of Finland depending on direction of travel), dash across country and jump on the Hook of Holland to Harwich ferry…I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
3rd Oct 2021 11:00 am
DIY Ace
Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 971
Great ideas, I'll stick them in my day book for future reference. 2022 BMW i4 M50. Bought Oct 2022. 10,200 miles and counting...
2014 BMW 435d convertible. Bought July 2021. 58,000 miles and counting...
2005 Discovery 3 HSE Auto. Bought Feb 2019. 169,000 miles and counting...
2009 Freelander 2 XS Manual. Bought Sep 2013. SOLD Aug 2021 (already regretted!)
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