Day 1: Steinkjer – Rørvik

Visit Egge Museum in Steinkjer, which was the starting point of the rebellion against the Norwegian king Olav II, known as St. Olav, in 1030. Also visit Steinkjer Church and view some amazing stained-glass paintings by the Norwegian artist Jacob Weidemann, who grew up in Steinkjer.

The Aasnæs Glass Factory is situated at Sjøåsen between Namsos and Steinkjer.

In Namsos you can visit the mountain Klompen for a great view over the fjord, the town and the salmon river Namsen. From Namsos, follow the road 769. It will bring you all the way to Rørvik. Along the way you will take the ferry between Lund and Hofles. 

In Rørvik you can visit the Coastal Museum Norveg. 10,000 years of history are displayed at the museum. Make sure to visit the old trade post Berggården, as well.

Total driving time including one ferry:
• Steinkjer – Namsos 70 minutes
• Namsos – Rørvik 1 hour and 45 minutes 

Day 2: Rørvik - Brønnøysund

Drive eastwards from Rørvik until you come to rv. 17, and then go north to Holm. This ferry (approximately 20 minutes) takes you to Vennesund. You have now arrived at the coast of Helgeland and Sømna municipality. After 10 - 15 minutes of driving you will see a sign marked "sølvsmie". The Viravirke Silversmith's is well worth a visit before continuing your drive towards Brønnøysund.

Along the road just past the hamlet of Berg, you come to an interesting little ceramics workshop and a textile workshop. The day's final destination is Torghatten Mountain, which you get to by driving to Brønnøysund and across the Brønnøysund Bridge and over to the island. The walk up to the famous hole takes about 30 minutes each way along a nice path.

Total driving time including ferries:
• Rørvik - Holm:  90 minutes
• Ferry Holm - Vennesund:  25 minutes
• Vennesund - Torghatten:  70 minutes

Day 3: Brønnøysund - Dønna

Return to Brønnøysund from Torghatten and head north along rv. 17 to Horn. But first, stop at Hildur’s Urterarium – a nice herb garden with a chance for guided tours and a visit to the garden shop.

Take the ferry from Horn to Anndalsvåg and after a short drive you come to Forvik, from which you take the ferry to Tjøtta. The local museum next to Forvik is worth a visit. Some rock carvings are also located near by.

From Tjøtta you will head north towards Alstahaug. Just past the ferry landing at Tjøtta is the site of the Tjøtta International War Cemetery from World War II. The Petter Dass Museum and Church are located on Alstahaug. Be sure to join a guided tour and perhaps take a walk to the wharf to visit the local café. 

Continue your drive in to Sandnessjøen where you can take the ferry out to the island of Dønna. The ferry departs from Sandnessjøen town centre and takes you out to Bjørn on Dønna. Drive from Bjørn out to the northern tip of the island to Dønnes. Dønnes Church, Dønnes Farm and Dønnes Mountain are situated here.

Total driving time including ferries:
• Brønnøysund - Horn:  40 minutes
• Ferry: Horn - Anndalsvåg:  20 minutes
• Anndalsvåg - Forvik:  20 minutes
• Ferry: Forvik - Tjøtta:  60 minutes
• Tjøtta - Sandnessjøen:  40 minutes
• Ferry: Sandnessjøen - Bjørn (Dønna):  30 minutes
• Bjørn - Dønnes:  30 minutes

Day 4: Dønna – Glomfjord

The first leg of today’s trip is your return to Sandnessjøen where you will proceed north on rv. 17. The impressive Helgeland Bridge is located just north of Sandnessjøen. Just before the bridge, there is a sculpture entitled "Vindenes Hus" (House of the Winds) which is one of several elements of Artscape Nordland.

Once you reach Levang you will take the ferry to Nesna. This route will take you over the Sjonfjellet Mountain, offering one of Kystriksveien’s most impressive viewpoints. The landscape north of Sjonfjellet Mountain is characterised by fjords, mountains and scattered settlements.

A few hundred metres north of Stokkvågen ferry quay is the site of Grønsvik Fortress, which is a nice place to stop. Here you can stroll around the World War II German fortress and enjoy the view. Driving further north will take you through Aldersundet and a fabulous landscape.

The ferry from Kilboghamn over to Jektvik takes 60 minutes, during which you will cross the Arctic Circle. Continue your drive from Jektvik to Ågskardet and take this route’s final ferry over to Forøy. From here you will drive to Glomfjord. The road between Forøy and Glomfjord will take you along the Holandfjord, offering a view towards Svartisen, mainland Norway’s second largest glacier.

Total driving time including ferries:
• Dønnes - Bjørn:  30 minutes
• Ferry: Bjørn - Sandnessjøen:  30 minutes
• Sandnessjøen - Levang:  30 minutes
• Ferry: Levang - Nesna:  30 minutes
• Nesna - Kilboghamn:  90 minutes
• Ferry: Kilboghamn - Jektvik:  60 minutes
• Jektvik - Ågskardet:  30 minutes
•  Ferry: Ågskardet - Forøy:  10 minutes
•  Forøy - Glomfjord:  45 minutes

Day 5: Glomfjord - Bodø

Drive north from Glomfjord to Ørnes and continue towards Gildeskål. Just north of Reipå, you will pass Grensen (a memorial statue commemorating the sinking of the World War II submarine “Uredd”), which is also a spectacular viewpoint. Just past this site you will come to Storvika, the most impressive rest area along the Kystriksveien.

Look for the sign indicating Inndyr at the Skaugvold junction and exit here if you wish to visit the old church at Gildeskål. A guided tour is recommended.

The trip continues via ferry from Sund to Horsdal. Drive across Sandhornøy Island and back onto rv. 17. From here you continue to Saltstraumen, the world’s strongest maelstrom.

Total driving time including ferries:
• Glomfjord - Inndyr: 60 minutes
• Inndyr - Sund: 10 minutes
• Ferry: Sund - Horsdal: 10 minutes
• Horsdal - Saltstraumen: 70 minutes
• Saltstraumen - Bodø: 45 minutes