Car & Van Hire - Vigra

The small island of Vigra is only around 20 square kilometres in size, but you'll still find plenty to keep you busy as you explore its hiking trails. Visit Vigra to discover the nearby charming city of Alesund or use it as a base for exploring Norway's fjords. You're bound to fall in love with this beautiful corner of Scandinavia.

Start by exploring Vigra itself. This is the largest island in the Giske community, and it's best known for its walking trails. You can wander around the coast, admiring the views across the fjords, or go inland. The trail to Molnesfjellet is particularly impressive, though it is very steep in places, so you may want to take it easy! Don't be surprised if you see locals running up and down the steep hills - it's a popular location for athletes in training.

Your adventure continues in Alesund, which is notable for its brightly coloured houses. It feels entirely different from any other city in Norway, and there's a reason for that. In the year 1904, a devastating fire completely destroyed Alesund, and the entire city had to be rebuilt. The locals took the opportunity to create something new and exciting. As such, the entire city is built in an Art Nouveau style. For the best views of this remarkable settlement, you'll need to climb up to the viewpoint at Fjellstua. Make sure you've got comfortable shoes on, as there are 418 steps to climb! The view is definitely worth it, though.

With car hire in Vigra, you can explore the other islands in the area. Godoy is worth a visit, particularly if you're looking to get off the beaten track. This quiet, peaceful island has an impressive lighthouse, which dates back to 1876. It's open to visitors, so you can climb up to the tower for great views across the coast. While there, you can also load up on delicious freshly made cakes that are sold at the lighthouse.

Car or van hire in Vigra will also let you discover the nearby mountains. If you're looking for a challenging hike, try Slogen. There are some great trails that run up this mountain, but be warned: you'll be walking alongside some extremely steep drops. If you're even slightly scared of heights, it's better to give this one a miss!

While in Vigra and the surrounding area, be sure to try the local delicacies. Inland Norway is best known for its game meat, with unusual dishes on the menu like reindeer or elk. However, you're in a fishing area, so it's time to dine on seafood! Try a hearty bowl of plukkfisk, which is fish and potatoes in a rich bechamel sauce. Creamy fish soups are also common and are a great way to keep warm in the harsh Norwegian winters.

You won't find much traffic on the island of Vigra or in the surrounding area - or anywhere in Norway, for that matter. Traffic jams are extremely rare, and it's usually pretty easy to find a parking space. On-street parking is not allowed within 20 metres of a bus stop. You'll usually find it easier, and far cheaper, to park in a covered or underground car park rather than on the street. In winter, these car parks are a necessity to stop your vehicle from freezing.

If you want to do a road trip around the fjords, planning is recommended. You can often use bridges to travel between fjords and islands, but in some areas, car ferries are also available. Tolls are common on bridges, tunnels and even ferries. The easiest way to pay tolls in Norway is with an AutoPass transponder. This will pay the fees automatically. If you do not have a transponder in your vehicle, you may be forced to pay a fine.

This is a mountainous area, and many of the roads are long, narrow and winding. Although the road surfaces are usually in excellent condition, you should still allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination.

There is snow in this part of Norway from mid-November to mid-April. Winter tyres are obligatory during the snowy period. Studded tyres are permitted, but if you are driving into a city, you will usually have to pay a fee. This is to offset the damage that studded tyres can cause to road surfaces.

Driving in winter in Norway can be a challenge due to the snow. Take things slowly. You'll usually find that it's better to stick to the main roads. Snow ploughs clear the streets regularly, but black ice can still potentially build up, causing a serious hazard.

If you are visiting in summer, allow time for your body clock to adapt to the daylight. It never gets dark here in the summer months. Instead, there are a few hours of twilight before the new days begins. This can cause fatigue, which is dangerous for drivers. Take breaks whenever you need them.