GEIRANGER – TROLLSTIGEN – THE ATLANTIC ROAD

If you want to see the best of the fjords, the mountains and the ocean in western Norway, this is the round trip for you.

The route between Geiranger via Trollstigen to the Atlantic Road includes one UNESCO World Heritage Site (the Geirangerfjord), two National Tourist Routes (Geiranger – Trollstigen and the Atlantic Road) and one “construction of the twentieth century” (the Atlantic Road).

Visit NorthwestVisit Ålesund

Visit Northwest and Visit Ålesund are the official destination companies for Møre og Romsdal.

Season – Summer. This also depends on whether the winter-closed roads are open.

This is a 200 kilometer long stretch of road in a landscape varying from deep and narrow fjords, steep and dramatic snowcapped mountains, cascading waterfalls and rivers, green valleys, numerous isles and a weather-beaten ocean landscape.

You can drive this stretch of road in one day, the drive alone is a great experience, but we recommend you to spend a few days so you can see and experience all the great places and spectacular nature that are worth seeing.

FJORDS NORWAY - View from Mt Litlefjellet to Romsdalen Valley. We can also see Mt Romsdalshorn, Mt Trollveggen and Åndalsnes.
View from Mt Litlefjellet to Romsdalen Valley. We can also see Mt Romsdalshorn, Mt Trollveggen and Åndalsnes.

Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord

FJORDS NORWAY - Geiranger and Geirangerfjord seen from Flydalsjuvet Viewpoint
Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord seen from Flydalsjuvet.

Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Each year, hundreds of thousands tourists visit this area.

RIB-boating or ferry are both great ways to experience this majestic fjord. You can combine a boat trip and mountain hiking to one of many abandoned mountain farms, like Skageflå.

Drive to the viewpoints at Dalsnibba, Flydalsjuvet and Ørnesvingen (the Eagles Road) and see the view towards the Geirangerfjord and the surrounding mountains and waterfalls. Hike from Vesterås to Storseterfossen Waterfall or to Vesteråsen Viewpoint.

If you bring your skis you can visit Stryn Summer Ski Centre, 57 kilometers from Geiranger. You can also stay a night at Hotel Union and enjoy the Spa-facilities there with wonderful fjord views.

Geiranger – Trollstigen

FJORDS NORWAY - Gudbrandsjuvet Viewpoint.
Gudbrandsjuvet Viewpoint.

The 68 kilometer long road between Geiranger and Trollstigen is one of 18 tourist routes in Norway. Parts of this road are closed during winter; it usually openes in May and closes in October, depending on the amount of snow in the mountains.

From Geiranger, you drive up the steep Ørnevegen (the Eagles Road). On the upper part of the steep hillside there is a viewpoint where you can stop and see Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord from a birds-eye perspective. From here you can also see the famous waterfall “The Seven Sisters” cascading into the fjord.

Valldøla river between Trollstigen and Valldal.
Valldøla river between Trollstigen and Valldal.

Continue the drive over the mountainpass to Eidsdal, a small, cosy town down by the Storfjord. Cross the Storfjord by ferry to Linge and continue driving to Valldal where tasting the strawberries from the local farms is a must – the best strawberries in the world!

Between Valldal and Trollstigen, 11 kilometers from Valldal, you should stop at the new view point at Gudbrandsjuvet. This is one of many architectural constructions made in connection with the road´s status as a National Tourist Route. Here you can visit Juvet Hotel. This hotel has won many prizes for its special construction and integration into its wild and beautiful surroundings.

Trollstigen, Åndalsnes and the Romsdalsfjord

FJORDS NORWAY - Trollstigen in Romsdal
Trollstigen in Romsdal.

Trollstigen, 16 kilometers from Gudbrandsjuvet, is together with Geiranger one of the most visited attractions in Norway. The mountains which encircle the Trollstigen road are enormous. The Stigfossen Waterfall gushes down the mountainside towards the luscious Isterdalen Valley and in the middle of all this the Trollstigen Road winds its way up the mountainside. There are two viewpoints at Trollstigen only a few minutes walk from the road.

From Trollstigen it is only a short distance to Åndalsnes, a small town down by the Romsdalsfjord. Before arriving at Åndalsnes, drive eight kilometers up the Romsdalen Valley to the base of Trollveggen and Romsdalshorn. From here there are great views to the mountains, to the valley and to the Rauma River.

Åndalsnes by the Romsdalsfjord. Isfjorden in the background.
Åndalsnes by the Romsdalsfjord. Isfjorden in the background.

Drive to the town centre of Åndalsnes, down by the Romsdalsfjord, where you have a lovely view towards Isfjorden and the surrounding mountains. The Romsdal Gondola goes from fjord to mountain in four and a half minutes. From Eggen Restaurant at the top of Mt Nesaksla you have a fantastic view down to Åndalsnes and the Romsdalsfjord.

Continue towards Isfjorden, six kilometers from Åndalsnes. A small side step, worth taking in Isfjorden, is a short drive up the mountain road (toll road) to Vengedalen. Drive almost to the end of the road and walk up to Litlefjellet, a 20 minutes hike to a mountain ridge where you can see down to the Romsdalen Valley and the Rauma River and its surrounding mountains Trollveggen, Romsdalshorn and Vengetind among others. You can also see down to Åndalsnes and the Romsdalsfjord. Romsdalseggen needs no further description, it is Norway’s roughest and most beautiful mountain hike.

Vengedalen Valley and Mt Litlefjellet in Isfjorden

Litlefjellet in Vengedalen, Romsdal.
Litlefjellet in Vengedalen, Romsdal.

There are many valleys that are claimed to be “Norway’s most beautiful”. Vengedalen Valley is one of them. What is certain is that the Vengedalen is right up there in the lead.

Vengedalen is one of several side valleys in Isfjorden in Romsdal. The nature experiences are there for everyone, whether you choose to walk, cycle or drive along the road into the valley, or to experience the valley from all the mountains that lie there like pearls on a string.

Vengedalen has been a favorite destination for both locals and tourists since the dawn of time. It is primarily the sport of climbing that has put Vengedalen in Isfjorden on the map of Norway.

Today, Vengedalen is best known for being the starting point of the Romsdalseggen and Litlefjellet hikes.

FJORDS NORWAY - Lake Vengedalsvatnet has Mt Romsdalshorn and Trollveggen as backdrops. It can't be more beautiful than this.
Lake Vengedalsvatnet has Mt Romsdalshorn and Trollveggen as backdrops. It doesn’t get more beautiful than this.

Kavliheian Mountain Pasture in Isfjorden

Kavliheian Mountain Pasture in Isfjorden.
Kavliheian Mountain Pasture in Isfjorden.

The hike to Kavliheian in Isfjorden is a short and easy hike, and is a great hike for families with small kids. Fjord view towards the Romsdalsfjord is included.

Drive 2.5 kilometers eastwards from the center of Isfjorden to Øvre Kavli. From Øvre Kavli, at the crossroads where Romsdal Lodge is located, it is around three kilometers to drive to the parking lot at the end of the mountain road (toll road).

From the parking lot you have a great view towards Åndalsnes and the Romsdalsfjord. Turn around and you see eastwards towards mountains like Mt Juratind which is one of the most beautiful and majestic.

It is one a kilometer easy hike in flat terrain to the mountain pasture at Kavliheian. This is also a great starting point for more demanding hikes in the Isfjorden mountains.

Kavliheian is also a popular goal for cross-country skiers in winter. Usually there are well prepared ski tracks to Kavliheian and further into the valley. You can start your ski trip from the car park at Skytebanen (Shooting range) or from Hellerøra at Stormyra in Isfjorden.

Norway´s most beautiful detour – Eikesdal and Mardalsfossen Waterfall

Mardalsfossen Waterfall in Eikesdal, Romsdal.
Mardalsfossen Waterfall in Eikesdal, Romsdal.

From Isfjorden you continue to Åfarnes. A nice detour is to drive east from Åfarnes along Langfjorden to Vistdal and Vistdalsheia and continue to Eresfjord and Lake Eikesdalsvatnet (22 masl).

Drive along the 18 kilometer long lake to Eikesdal, a small village which is surrounded by steep mountains and waterfalls. From Eikesdal you can walk up to the Mardalsfossen Waterfall, one of Norway´s highest waterfalls with its 705 meter drop, divided into two vertical waterfalls. This hike takes between 30 and 45 minutes. The waterfall is regulated for hydroelectric power, but is “open” between June 20th and August 20th.

A great place to stay in Eikesdal is Eikesdal Camping. Season: Summer. There is no grocery store in Eikesdal. Depending on where you come from, the nearest grocery stores are Coop Marked Eresfjord in Eresfjord, about 28 kilometers north of Eikesdal and Coop Marked Vistdal in Vistdal, about 51 kilometers northwest of Eikesdal.

Kristiansund and the Atlantic Road

FJORDS NORWAY - A winter night at the Storseisundbrua Bridge on the Atlantic Road.
A winter night at the Storseisundbrua Bridge on the Atlantic Road.

From Eikesdal you drive back to Eresfjord and continue in northwest direction towards Kristiansund, with the coast and the many isles dominating the landscape. Here are several driving routes to choose from.

Kristiansund is the third largest city in Møre og Romsdal, and is situated on four islands reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean.

The fishing village of Grip, 14 kilometers north-west of Kristiansund, is an important tourist destination for visitors in Kristiansund. In the summer season there are daily boat departures from the city to the small island.

From Kristiansund, there is only a short distance to the Atlantic Road, one of Norways 18 National Tourist Routes. The road is 8.3 kilometers long and is known as the construction of the century within Norway.

It consists of eight bridges and traverses several small islands and reefs. This is a beautiful road set in great surroundings with activities like fishing, diving, cycling and ocean safari which can all be done in the area.

The small island of Håholmen is worth a visit and here you can try sailing a Viking Ship! Håholmen is an old fishing community with 28 preserved buildings and can be reached by boat from the Geitøya island just beside the Atlantic Road.

From Vevang, the south east end of the Atlantic Road, you continue on fv. 663 and fv. 664 towards Farstad and the fishing village of Bud.

We recommend you to drive detours on local roads toward the coast to be able to see more of the area and the coastal landscape.

From Bud you can walk along Kyststien (the coastal path), a four kilometer long trail along the coast with view towards the open ocean. Farstadstranda beach near Farstad is a popular destination for surfers.

Molde and Midsundtrappene

Midsundtrappene, from the trail towards Sherpanakken and Mt Rørsethornet.
Midsundtrappene, from the trail towards Sherpanakken and Mt Rørsethornet.

From Bud drive 54 kilometers towards Molde, the second largest city in Møre og Romsdal. Molde is known as the town of roses, for Molde international Jazz Festival and the Molde Panorama.

Drive to the viewpoint Varden, 407 masl, and take in the spectacular Molde panoramic view towards the Romsdalsfjord and the 222 snowcapped mountains.

Midsundtrappene at Otrøya in Romsdal are five beautiful hiking trails that have been made in stone by Sherpas from Nepal. Otrøya is an island in the outer part of the Romsdalsfjord, on the Atlantic coast outside Molde. From the trails and the mountains there is a fantastic view towards the Atlantic Coast and the Atlantic Ocean, and to the outer part of the Romsdalsfjord the with the surrounding islands and mountains.

In the summer, there are several boat departures from Molde to Hjertøya, a small island in the Romsdalsfjord. This is a great area for recreation and for swimming in the fjord. A small café is open on Saturdays and Sundays and a Fisheries Museum is located on the island.

Visit the Romsdal Museum in the centre of Molde. This is a Folk Museum where you can see more than 50 old buildings originating from the Romsdal region.

Ona Island and Ona Lighthouse

Beautiful small wooden houses on the island of Ona.
Beautiful small wooden houses on the island of Ona.

Take a day excursion to Ona Lighthouse, or stay over at Ona Havstuer.

Drive westwards from Molde and take the ferry to the island of Aukra. From Småge, in the west on Aukra, there are several daily boat departures to Ona and other islands.

Ona is the outermost island on the Atlantic coast in Romsdal, southwest of the Atlantic Road and northwest of Molde. Ona is the name of the small island community that consists of the two islands Ona and Husøya. The two islands are connected by a small bridge.

View from Ona Lighthouse towards Ona and the Atlantic Coast.
View from Ona Lighthouse towards Ona and the Atlantic Coast.

This small island community has its own summer restaurant, several accommodations and two pottery workshops.

Ona Havstuer and Onakaia on the pier at Ona are open all year round. The restaurant and reception at Ona Havstuer is open in the summer, and you can rent apartments all year round.

Here you can see a 360 panorama from the island of Ona. At the bottom of the panorama, you will find navigation buttons that allow you to “travel” around and focus on places you want to take a closer look at. Some panoramas allow you to “jump” to other locations.

NOTE – The best time to do this round trip is July to August. Note that some of the roads are closed during winter. Depending on the amount of snow in the mountains these roads usually open between late May and early June.

Geiranger and Geirangerfjord – What to See and Do

Geirangerfjord.
Geirangerfjord.

The Geirangerfjord is like a fairytale. It is unique and exceptionally beautiful. And the fjord is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

You should take a fjord cruise or join a fjord safari. The ferry between Geiranger and Hellesylt is a great way to see the Geirangerfjord and the spectacular nature with its many waterfalls and steep mountains. You will see the waterfalls The Seven Sisters, The Suitor and The Bridal Veil from the fjord.

The Fosseråsa trail goes from the center of Geiranger via the Norwegian Fjord Centre and up to Vesterås which is a great starting point for mountain hikes in Geiranger. The Fosseråsa trail ends at Storseterfossen Waterfall.

Visit the Flydalsjuvet, Ørnesvingen and Dalsnibba viewpoints and see the iconic views of Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord. Combine a boat trip on the fjord with a hike up to Skageflå, one of the many abandoned mountain farms above the Geirangerfjord.

Take a Road Trip from Geiranger via Trollstigen to the Atlantic Road. On this tour, you will experience two National Tourist Routes and one “construction of the twentieth century” in Norway. Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord is located in the southwestern part of the county of Møre og Romsdal, north in Western Norway.

Romsdalsfjord – What to See and Do

Litlefjellet in Romsdal.
Litlefjellet in Romsdal.

From snowy mountains to beautiful coastline of islands and reefs. Experience all this in one day due to the short distance from mountains to coast.

Trollstigen, The Troll Wall, Romsdalseggen, Rampestreken and Litlefjellet are great places to visit in the inner part of the Romsdalsfjord, where the fjord meets the spectacular and alpine Romsdal mountains.

Drive to the viewpoint Varden at 407 masl and take in the spectacular Molde Panoramic View towards the Romsdalsfjord and the 222 snowcapped mountains. Ona Island and Ona Lighthouse, The Atlantic Road and Midsundtrappene are attractions facing the Atlantic Ocean.

Travel green to Åndalsnes with Rauma Railway, a wild, beautiful and unique experience regardless of season. From Åndalsnes Railway Station, you can walk straight from the train and over to the Romsdal Gondola that takes you up to the city-mountain Mt Nesaksla and Eggen Restaurant.

From Mt Nesaksla you have a fantastic view towards Isfjorden, down to the Romsdalsfjord and up towards the Romsdalen Valley which you have just experienced from the train ride along the Rauma Railway. The Romsdalsfjord is located in the county of Møre og Romsdal, north in Western Norway.

 

HOTELS - ACCOMMODATION - LINKS

Here you will find an overview of recommended HOTELS in addition to SPA & BATH HOTELS and OTHER ACCOMMODATION PLACES in Western Norway. The combination of beautiful nature, activities that you can do in all four seasons and a stay at a great accommodation is unique. A stay in one of these places will do you good, both for body and mind.

There are ten restaurants that have awarded Michelin stars and Michelin awards in Western Norway. Eight of the Michelin restaurants are in Stavanger and two in Bergen. Here you will find FJORDS MICHELIN, where you will also find a list of recommended hotels in Western Norway, recommended by Michelin.

USEFUL LINKS is a list of websites with great information on Norway and the Fjords.

Geiranger – Trollstigen – Atlantic Road – Map Overview