The road makes its way between fjord and valley, over a high mountain pass between blue ice, jagged peaks and emerald green mountain lakes. At Fantesteinen, 1,434 metres above sea level, the road marks the highest mountain pass in northern Europe.

This mountain pass has long been an important trading route. From the coast and fjords in the west, salt and fish were carried across the mountains. Leather, butter and tar made their way in the opposite direction from the valleys to the east. In former times, travelling over these mountains was far from safe. The law didn't reach up here and tradesmen and farmers would travel in groups as protection against robbers.

The road over the high mountains between the Sognefjord and Bøverdalen opened to motor vehicles in 1938. The pass is closed in winter, but is snowploughed ready for opening around 1 May. Driving the newly opened road, between banks of snow up to ten metres high, is a wonderful experience.

The rest area at Mefjellet is in the form of an amphitheatre of natural stone, with a panoramic view across mountain and moorland where Knut Wold's stone sculpture stands commandingly. The glass map at Nedre Oscarshaug helps identify the Hurrungane, Skagastølstindane and other mountains.

Sognefjell provides access to the Jotunheimen National Park, which contains 27 of Norway's highest peaks, with Galdhøpiggen the highest. A detour from Gaupne will take you into Jostedalsbreen National Park and Norway's largest glacier, at almost 500 square kilometres.

Sognefjellet National Tourist Route runs between Lom and Gaupne and is 108 kilometres in length.