Atlantic Norway should be in every road trip lover’s top 10 destinations. Taking a road trip in Norway means driving through breathtaking landscapes. Driving the west coast of Norway means having the mountains on one side, and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. The Atlantic Road in Norway is one of the most spectacular drives in Europe and that alone should be enough to make you want to visit Atlantic Norway. That scenic drive is something you really cannot miss on a road trip to Norway.
On our Norway road trip we drove a portion of the Atlantic coast, northbound from Ålesund to Kristiansund. This itinerary takes you through two famous roads in Norway: the Geiranger-Trollstigen mountain road (county road 63) and the Atlantic Ocean Road (county road 64).
Coming from Sweden, our first stop was Geiranger. We drove the mountain pass that takes you down to the village of Geiranger, down at sea level. Even in May, the amounts of snow still on the ground is quite impressive. At just 1000 metres above sea level, you can expect walls of snow reaching up to three metres. On an overcast day the land matches with the sky and the mountains dissolve among the clouds.
Geiranger is famous for the Geirangerfjord, often quoted as the most beautiful fjord of Norway. We admired the fjord from above while driving down, then took a boat tour to see it from below. Snow-capped mountains rise from the sea and high waterfalls ornate the rocky walls. Given the often rainy quality of the weather on the Atlantic coast of Norway, dramatic clouds often complete the landscape.
We moved on continuing on the road 63 towards Åndalsnes, driving the Eagle’s Road and then the Trollstigen. This scenic road is one of the highlights of this area, as it winds through tight hairpin bends.
Our next destination was the coastal city of Ålesund. The city sits at the opening of the Storfjord, which then becomes the Geirangerfjord. Completely destroyed by a fire, the city was re-built from scratch at the beginning of the 20th century, displaying some fine Art Nouveau architecture.
There are endless opportunities for overnight stays during this Atlantic Norway road trip. I would recommend choosing a cottage somewhere along the road. The rural landscape that you get to experience on such stops is unmissable.
The Atlantic Ocean Road is an 8-Km portion of County Road 64, connecting the municipalities of Averøy and Eide. Suspended over the Atlantic Ocean, it runs through an archipelago whose islands are linked by a series of bridges that are no less spectacular than the surrounding landscape.
The Atlantic Road is definitely the highlight of an Atlantic Norway road trip. Depending on the weather, it is good to take the right level of caution. It is most definitely a spectacular drive. After reaching Kristiansund we drove inlands and back to Sweden. If you’re lucky, you can meet some curious reindeer along the way.
This road trip through Atlantic Norway took 3 days. We passed by some famous landmarks and scenic roads, through the majestic landscapes of coastal Norway.
See more beautiful photos of the Lofoten islands in northern Norway.
This is such a lovely post and absolutely breathtaking photos!
Thank you. Norway is really this beautiful!
I absolutely love Norway! Can’t wait to go back sometime in the near future!
Is it true that NZ is somewhat similar or do you think those two countries are too different to compare? I read that NZ has fjords, too.
Such a beautiful country!
I’ll have to visit NZ too one day!
It’s definitely true in the way that the scenery is quite similar. NZ has mountains and fjords but to me they’re a bit different. It’s incredibly beautiful here too though. Norway has always been close to my heart because I went there when I was 12 with my family and it made a huge impact on me. Since then I’ve always wanted to travel the world! 🙂
When you come back to Europe you’ll have the luck to reside in the neighbouring country, and from Sweden Norways is always a great option for a road trip 😀
Absolutely, I’m surprised I’ve only been there once. I had so many opportunities! 🙂
You’ll make up for that later. And you’ll love it even more!
Beautiful scenery, is a wonderful country.
The cold forests, snow, including the sea reminds me of Patagonia, just across the world.
Congratulations.
Ah, my boyfriend has been to Patagonia and said the same thing 🙂
These photos are stunning! What a beautiful post.
Thank you! I should share more often some of my photos, even if they’re not food-related.
Indeed it does look like a setting from a Vikings episode, and also from the Fortitude tv series! What an awesome, awesome place.
You should also visit Norway, then, when you’ll travel to Sweden. Perfect combination!!
These pictures are amazing. Great blog post. Norway is certainly on my Bucket List!
Thank you dear!! I hope you’ll soon get to travel to Norway, it’s beautiful (been there 8 times, one of which for 6 months 😀 it’s my favourite country)
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