One of the most scenic routes in Europe lies in Norway. The Atlanterhavsvegen (Atlantic Ocean Road) is a feast for anyone who loves to drive. Depending on the weather conditions and water levels, Route 64, as the road is officially numbered, sometimes makes you feel you're driving right through the ocean. A 3.5 hour drive southwest of Trondheim (see my Trondheim album), I enjoyed this National Touristic Route in 2016.
Driving from Trondheim to the Atlantic Ocean Road is a joy, where around almost every bend in the road awaits a beautiful surprise.
The archipelago of Averøy and Hustadvika
Planning for the Atlanterhavsvegen started in the 1970s, but it was finally finished on 7 July 1989. In 2009, the Atlantic Ocean Tunnel was added, connecting the town of Molde and the city of Kristiansund. The best part of the route takes you through the archipelago of Averøy and Hustadvika, from the villages of Kårvåg and Vevang. You'll pass small islands and rocks, wooshing over eight bridges and multiple overpasses. It spans 8.3 kilometres (5.1 miles).
Some of the small rocky islands bear a house or two.
Storseisundbrua
The Storseisundbrua (Storseisundet Bridge) is the most spectaculair crossing on the Atlantic Ocean road. From certain angles it looks like it is warped in Photoshop. It is 260 metres (284 yards) long, but the best part is the 130 metres (142 yards) main section that feels like one is heading towards the sky. A great location, the bridge featured e.g. in the Bond film No time to die.
The inland road back
When taking the Atlantic Ocean Road as a day trip from Trondheim, it is fun to choose the more inland road back for a chance of scenery. You'll pass by some inner fjords, might need to take a ferry and come across small surprises in the landscape.
