Atlantic Ocean Road
Eight kilometres of road leaping from islet to islet, a bridge that seems to plunge into thin air and the Atlantic exploding over the parapets on stormy days: Norway's most famous road keeps its promises.
Suggested stay — 1 to 2 nights
Between Molde and Kristiansund, the Atlanterhavsveien strides across the archipelago on eight bridges, including the famous Storseisundet — that arched curve which, seen head-on, appears to break off in mid-sky. The road takes twenty minutes to drive; you'll spend half a day on it, between the stilted walkways of Eldhusøya, the fishing platforms where locals pull in saithe, and the photo stops every islet demands.
The secret is to come twice: in calm seas for the geometry of the bridges on flat water, and in a westerly blow for the great show — waves then wash right over the carriageway, a phenomenon popular enough that photographers check the marine forecast before the regular one. Round it off with the fishing village of Bud, the old Kvernes stave church and the coastal road towards Kristiansund.
Don't miss
- The Storseisundet bridge from the Askevågen viewpoint, in line with the curve
- The circular Eldhusøya trail on metal walkways at the water's edge
- The fishing village of Bud and its coast open to the ocean
- The Kvernes stave church on the island of Averøy (14th century)
Our tips on the ground
- The road photographs better than it drives: the mythical viewpoints (Askevågen, drone shots from Eldhusøya) are off the carriageway — locate the car parks before committing.
- In a strong westerly storm, respect the temporary closures: cars have already been licked by waves on the Storseisundet, and the shot is worth less than a windscreen.
- Chain it with the Trollstigen via the Åfarnes ferry: the Molde-Åndalsnes-Geiranger loop makes the Atlanterhavsveien a logical stage rather than a detour.
Our flagship guide — €29
Guide available“Norway on Your Own”, the complete edition, is out
10 chapters: day-by-day itineraries, driving and transport, a costed budget and checklists — the same method as our Namibia guide.
The guide is currently written in French — an English edition is in the works.
Before you go
Readers' questions about Atlantic Ocean Road
Is the Atlantic Road worth the detour from Ålesund?
Count 2.5 hours of driving and a ferry from Ålesund: yes if you're heading up towards Trondheim anyway, or if the forecast promises photogenic heavy weather; no for a dry out-and-back under ordinary grey skies — the road is short and its spectacle depends heavily on light and sea.
Can you sleep in a van on the Atlantic Road?
Not on the viewpoint car parks, where overnighting is explicitly banned in season. The Skjerneset campsite on Ekkilsøya or the sites around Bud put the ocean in your windscreen for €30-40; some car parks in Kårvåg tolerate overnight stays outside July — look for the signs, the rule changes from one municipality to the next.