The Atlantic Road zigzags across low bridges that jut out over the Atlantic Ocean, linking the islands between Molde and Kristiansund in the western fjords.
The eight kilometer long road is voted as the construction of the century in Norway, and is one of ten National Tourist Routes in the Norwegian Fjords.
Visit Northwest
Visit Northwest is the official destination company for the Romsdalsfjord, Romsdal and Nordmøre area.
The Atlantic Road
The Atlantic Road is part of a 36-kilometer long National Tourist Route between the towns of Kristiansund and Molde, the two main population centres in the county of Møre og Romsdal. The eight kilometer long Atlantic Road runs from Kårvåg to Vevang, but the National Tourist Route continues along the Atlantic Coast to the fishing village of Bud. This is a beautiful road set in great surroundings with activities like fishing, diving and ocean safari which can all be done in the area.
There are several panoramic view- and rest areas with facilities in bold architectural forms along the Atlantic Road. Here you can experience both nature and architecture in great interaction. Some of the viewing platforms are also popular with anglers and photographers.
You should take breaks if possible, to experience and explore the beautiful coastal nature. There are so many places along the road that are great to see. This part of Norway is great in beautiful weather, but is even better when the winter storms are at their most extreme.
A total of eight bridges are part of the road between Kårvåg and Vevang, the bridges traverses several small islands and reefs. The largest bridge and the most famous one is the 260 meter long Storseisundbrua Bridge.
There is also a parking place with a Service Building and Eldhuset Café at Eldhusøya Island close to Storseisundbrua Bridge. The Service Building and Café is open during the summer season, the toilet is open all year round. An elevated trail takes you around the island, from the trail there is great view to the Atlantic Road, to Storseisundbrua Bridge and towards the Atlantic Ocean. Here you can explore what the Atlantic Coast have to offer.
NOTE – It happens that the storms are so violent in the fjords and on the Western Coast that the waves strikes far above land. When the storm is at its worst and the large waves strikes land, you need to be careful and keep safe distance to the water! Bare rock face are often very slippery. Remember that approximately every seventh wave is extra big and high! This can vary from place to place, some places the frequency is somewhat lower or higher. It is important to take precautions for this.
The Atlantic Coast between Kristiansund and Bud
Kristiansund is the third largest city in Møre og Romsdal, and is situated on four islands reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean, the coast and the many isles is dominating the landscape in the Kristiansund area.
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. Grip Stave Church is believed to be built around year 1300 AD, and is located on Grip Island.
From Kristiansund, there is only a short distance to the Atlantic Road. 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. Today, Classic Norway runs Håholmen Fiskevær with accommodation, restaurant, pub and museum on Håholmen.
From Vevang, the south east end of the Atlantic Road, you continue 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. The Farstadstranda Beach at Farstad is a popular goal for surfers. From Bud you can walk along Kyststien (the coastal path), a four kilometer long path towards the open ocean.
Bjørnsund consists of four islands and in 1900 there were up to 600 inhabitants on the islands, though today Bjørnsund is an abandoned fishing village that is used solely for recreation. In the summer of 2020, the boat route to Bjørnsund was closed, and the island can now only be reached by private boat.
From Bud to Molde, the Molde Panorama and Midsundtrappene
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 surrounding 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
Take a day excursion to Ona Lighthouse. 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 a traditional fishing village with a permanent population of about 17. This small island community has its own summer-restaurant, several places to stay and two pottery workshops.
Things to see and do by the Atlantic Road
Strømsholmen Sea Sport Center
Strømsholmen Sjøsportssenter is located at Vevang by the Atlantic Road. They offer Guided Diving-, Fishing-, Cycling- and Kayaking Trips during the summer. The Atlantic Coast offers some of the best diving conditions in Norway, with crystal clear water, rich marine life and numerous ship wrecks in a short distance from the Atlantic Road.
The Marble Caves at Bergtatt
Explore the mystical Marble Caves at Bergtatt at Eide between Molde and the Atlantic Road. The caves are a result of mining operations since 1938. Today, the area where the caves are located function as a concert venue, as well as a tourist attraction in itself. A boat ride into the caves offers visitors a unique and stunning experience. You can visit Bergtatt during the summer season.
Grip Island and Grip Stave Church
To visit Grip Island, you need to go one hour by boat from Kristiansund. Grip Stave Church is believed to be built around year 1300 AD, and is located on Grip Island on the Atlantic Coast, 14 kilometer north west of Kristiansund in Møre og Romsdal. The Stave Church is placed on the highest point in the middle of the island, and it is protected from the storms by the surrounding houses. The “Gripruta Boat” goes from the Pier of Kristiansund to Grip Island during summer. Read more about Stave Churches in the Fjords…
Kvernes Stave Church at Kvernes, Averøy
Kvernes Stave Church is one of two Stave Churches that also have exterior wooden pillars to support and to stiffen the building structure. It was until recently believed that Kvernes Stave Church was built around year 1300 AD, but after dating new samples of the timber, the church is now dated to year 1633 AD. It is between 18 and 27 kilometers to drive from Kårvåg by the Atlantic Road to Kvernes Stave Church, depending on which road you choose.
Accommodation by Atlanterhavsvegen
HÅHOLMEN is a Classic Norway Hotel at Håholmen Island on the Atlantic Coast. It is an original cluster of houses on the island, and you will enjoy yourself here. The cottages consists of 25 buildings, including the main building, hotel rooms, a pub, a restaurant, and a museum. The guests roam between the buildings here, just like they did in a living fishermen’s community in the olden days. It is inspiring to experience the coastal culture and nature this way. Håholmen is an old fishing community and can be reached by boat from Geitøya Island just beside the Atlantic Road.
Romsdalsfjord – What to See and Do
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. Ona Island and Lighthouse, The Atlantic Road and Midsundtrappene are attractions facing the Atlantic Ocean. 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. 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 there 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.