Atlantic Road(English: The Atlantic Ocean Road, Norwegian: Atlanterhavsveien) is perhaps the most beautiful and picturesque highway in the world, it is located in the governorate (county) of Møre og Romsdal (Norwegian: Møre og Romsdal), Norway. The highway runs along the northern coast Atlantic Ocean and consists of roads and 12 bridges that connect several islands in an unusual way.





Atlantic Road, this is one of the treasures of Norway - this highway seems to be intended for tourists, picturesque landscapes, the ocean, changing pictures of different islands and bridges that tickle your nerves, which can remind you of a roller coaster driving over them. And if the weather is windy, the waves can break out right onto the road, which will cause extraordinary sensations.





Motorway or highway The Atlantic Road is part of the 36-kilometer national tourist road No. 64 (Bud - Korvåg). The Atlantic Road is a two-lane highway that connects small islands in the Atlantic Ocean between the settlements of Molde and Kristiansund, between the first point and the highway - 47 km, and the route to the second point is 30 km.





The length of the highway is almost 8.5 kilometers and consists of several roads and large bridges and viaducts. Atlantic Road It zigzags through many islands so that you can get to any of them in a fairly short time. This is actually why this expensive and difficult-to-build highway was built. Previously, until almost the mid-1970s, cars were instead transported to the islands only by car ferry, which ran between the Romsdal district and the island of Averoy. But this method was quite slow and with the increase in the number of cars it could no longer cope with its tasks, so it was decided to build this highway.





Planning for the road began in 1970, but it was not until August 1, 1983 that construction began. Construction was not easy, the road was constantly exposed to natural elements, so during the six-year construction road survived 12 powerful hurricanes. After opening on July 7, 1989, the Atlantic Road remained tolled for another 10 years, but after it paid off, it has been completely free to travel since June 1999.





One of the main attractions of the road in Norway is the Storseisundet Bridge or as it is also called - "Drunken Bridge" or “Bridge to Nowhere”, which is named because it does not stand exactly like ordinary bridges, but twists and if you look at it from a certain angle, its top is directed upward and the cars passing along it seem to be about to fly into the sky. Storsezandet Bridge is also the same high point along the entire route, it is raised above the water to a height of 23 meters.







The Atlantic Ocean Road received the award “Norway's Building of the Century 2005”, and is also the “Best Tourist Road in the Country” according to The Guardian newspaper. And not in vain, for a tourist on this road there is everything necessary so that you can get an unforgettable vacation experience.

Since we are talking about Norway, and lately I have had to spend quite a lot of hours “in the saddle,” it would be logical to connect these two topics and tell you about the unique Norwegian road, known throughout the world.

This is not only the most beautiful road in Norway. Dear British "The Guardian" in 2006 awarded this route first place in the category of the most scenic roads world, even compared to world landmarks such as the Coastal Road Northern Ireland or the path through the Himalayas. So if you have visited Norway
and you didn’t drive along this road, it means you haven’t seen Norway.

Atlanterhavsveien / The Atlantic Road / Atlantic Road - a section of a two-lane highway of original design in the Kingdom of Norway.

Yes, there are bridges that are much longer and higher. But there are few highways in the world that fit so harmoniously into environment. The Atlantic Road seemed to have been created along with the landscape - mountains, islands and ocean. And this is perhaps the main thing why it is so amazing. The ability to live in harmony with nature is generally one of the main qualities of the Norwegians as a nation. Atlanterhavsveien is one of the most striking confirmations of this.

The Atlantic Road is part of a recognized national tourist route that follows the route Rv64, which connected Molde / Molde(there is an airport in the city) and sea ​​port Kristiansund (Russian tourists often mistakenly call it “Kristiansund”) (directly fishing villages Vevang and Kårvåg county (province) Möre og Romsdal / Möre og Romsdal. Loopy 8274 meters through islands, islets and reefs, the road leads to the ocean coast, after which it is named. In Norway itself it has the status of “The Main National Building of the 20th Century”.

The road consists of eight bridges and many viaducts. Often, impressed tourists “count” 10 or even 12 “bridges” on this road. But in fact the situation is exactly as I said: there are actually eight bridges; the rest are viaducts.

According to Norwegian Wikipedia, the road cost 122 million NOK(NOK) (at 1989 prices). This is approximately 110 million euros. Atlantic Road is the eighth most visited tourist attraction in the country.

Almost no one knows that the prototype of this route was planned back in the 1900s as a single-track railway: while people and cars in Norway are usually transported by ferries, with large loads this is expensive and problematic. However, the project did not go further. But when the ferry crossings could no longer cope with the increased volume of passenger and vehicle traffic, in the 1970s they remembered the shelved grandiose project, which began to be converted into a two-lane highway.

Sami construction works began only a decade later, on August 1, 1983. For six years, which is how long they lasted, the builders had to face many problems, among which were 12 powerful hurricanes, which are not uncommon in these places, and which persistently tried to wash away the unfinished structure along with the builders into the Atlantic Ocean. It is not surprising that the whole of Norway followed the construction with interest and concern, and the construction process was covered in detail in the media. On July 7, 1989, the “construction of the century” was completed.

Another challenge was the bridges. The main difficulty was that one of the bridges had to be raised high enough above the sea surface to allow large ferries and fishing schooners to pass underneath. The builders came out of the situation with honor by building Storseisundbrua Bridge, connecting the mainland to the island Averøy / Averøy- the longest and most famous bridge on the Atlantic Road, which has become a real masterpiece of bridge-building art, known throughout the world.

If you are driving across a bridge for the first time and do not know its features, at some point you may experience a strong desire to press the brakes: from a certain angle, it seems that the bridge is unfinished and looks like a springboard. The 260-meter bridge looks like a roller coaster: it makes a dizzying turn over the water, deviating 23 meters into the sea! This is probably the only bridge in the world that has curves in the transverse plane, resulting in a unique situation in which from some points of view the bridge appears to end or lead straight into the sky, and it seems that cars moving on the bridge must be lifted off its surface like jumping off a springboard and soaring into the clouds. That's why the bridge has another name: "Bridge to Nowhere." Well, how can we not remember the famous “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin?

There are four free parking lots on the road and observation decks for guests from which to admire the surrounding mountain and sea views. There are along the road, especially near the famous “humpbacked” bridge, and small pockets for several cars, where you can park your vehicle and take a walk.


And now I will do my favorite thing - I will deprive you of a couple of illusions associated with this bridge and this road.

To my surprise, I discovered that the Russian part of the Internet is filled with publications in which the same phrase is repeated like a mantra: "Locals call this bridge "drunk." Apparently, one “clever guy” wrote it, and diligently bred thousands of other smart guys.

I'm disappointed - this is not true. They don't call it. The legend was probably born because of the name of the bridge - Storsezandetsky (the name is a speech therapist's dream; Eyjafjallajokull is resting), which 99.9% of "Russian tourists" are not able to pronounce, so they came up with an acceptable alternative. To local residents The epithet "drunken bridge", of course, is known, but they use it only when communicating with Russian tourists, which, apparently, created the impression that the Norwegians themselves call it that.

There is another legend - that this road is “deadly dangerous” in stormy weather. Some people, out of fear, went so far as to even include this road in the top ten dangerous roads peace.

Of course, no one has canceled hydroplaning either. But let me tell you for those who don’t know - Norway is one of the world leaders in road safety and it simply does not allow itself to build “deadly” roads for its citizens. The rule here is simple: dangerous sections of roads are blocked - and not with barriers, but with steel barriers like those at railway crossings, which, if raised, can only be overcome with a tank; and if the road is open, it is safe. Over the years, there have been several minor accidents on Atlantic Road and none fatal. So ride it to your health. Just not only admire the surroundings, but also watch the road.


The Atlantic Road opened on July 7, 1989. In the summer of 2011, travel along the road cost 20 NOK (about 2 euros), now, to be honest, I don’t know. Some say the road is free now.

Atlantic Road has another name - "et eldorado for sportsfiskere / paradise for anglers." In 2010, special fishing bridges were added to it - 80 and 100 meters long, which cost 12 million NOK. This is another uniqueness of the bridge, and not only for Norway. There are no similar analogues anywhere else in the world. Fishing here is free, and fishing spots are carefully provided even for wheelchair users.

They say that in cold weather they even saw whales here several times, who swam closer to wonder what these restless people had built up here... Whether anyone managed to hook a whale, and what happened to such a successful fisherman, I personally don’t know .

West of the road is the infamous bay Hustadvika / Hustadvika, where under the thickness of grey-greenish water lie numerous remains of sunken ships, wrecked during storms or thrown ashore by wayward northern sea... Diving enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to swim among sunken ships... They say the experience is unforgettable.

On the Atlantic Road you can see one of the most famous Norwegian traditional wooden churches - Kvernes / Kvernes Stave Church / Kvernes Kirke, built back in the 14th century, which in its traditional architecture is one of the most typical Norwegian traditional stave churches. This is an incredibly beautiful building, especially inside, which you simply cannot drive past, but it should be noted that the church is open to visitors only in summer time.

After the Atlantic Road, the no less famous Atlantic Tunnel, more than 5,700 meters long, begins granite rocks, which connects the island of Averøy and Kristiansund, the depth of which reaches 250 meters, but that’s a completely different story.

The Atlantic Road located in Norway is considered one of the most unusual and beautiful highways in the world. It passes through small islands and connects the Norwegian settlements of Kristiansund and Molde. The unique road is part of the national tourist route Buttes-Corvog, which is 36 kilometers long.

The length of the Norwegian Atlantic Road is 8.27 km. A significant part of it consists of twelve bridges with a total length of 891 meters. Construction of the road began in 1983, and in 1989 it was already open to traffic and became one of the most popular attractions in Norway.

Your trip will be much more comfortable if you rent a modern passenger minibus. In St. Petersburg, a profitable rental of a Mercedes minibus at http://interbus-spb.ru/services/arenda-mikroavtobusa-mercedes/ will allow you to quickly move along roads congested with transport. This is convenient for transporting employees, organizing excursions or wedding celebrations.

It is on the Atlantic Road that the famous “bridge to nowhere” Storseisundet is located, which rises steeply to a height of 23 meters above sea level. The peculiarity of the optical illusion here is that at the approach to the bridge, it will seem to you that it has no continuation, and now you have to jump from a giant springboard. This unusual design of the Storseisundet bridge allows ships to sail freely under it and, of course, adds another original twist to the already attractive tourist route.

With its winding turns and picturesque Norwegian nature, the Atlantic Road annually attracts a lot of tourists coming to the country. Observation platforms with parking areas were created especially for viewing the most beautiful sections of the route. Here you can explore the surroundings and take photographs, admire 222 snow-covered mountain peaks Molde and easy to fish.

The Norwegian Atlantic Road is one of the most beautiful roads in the world. In 2005, she won the Building of the Century competition.

This picturesque is located in Norway and connects Molde and Kristiansund - the most densely populated cities Governorate of Møre i Rumstad. The length of the route is 8 kilometers. It starts at 47 km. from Molde, and ends 30 km. southwest of Kristiansund.

The Atlantic Road runs along low bridges that connect the islands between Molde and Kristiansund, located on the fjords.

In particular, the path passes along Hystadvika - a fairly famous seaside area, where during a storm you can watch a breathtaking spectacle. According to The Guardian, whales and seals can be seen here in cold weather.

The Atlantic Road, thanks to its special road architecture, bridges and stunning seascapes around, is recognized as one of the best national tourist routes.

Attractions along the Atlantic Road

Even though whales are not often seen here, the view of the Atlantic Ocean itself is amazing. A wide variety of birds live here, and seals are also found.

Winding, the road seems to jump from island to island with the help of 7 bridges. The tallest of them is the Storseysund Bridge - unusually curved, it represents an achievement in bridge construction.

Many tourists come specifically in the fall to see how storms rage. So, just before the opening of the route in 1989, builders witnessed 12 hurricanes.

On the Atlantic Road you can see Kvernes Church, built in the 14th century, which is one of the most recognizable of Norway's traditional stave churches. You can see her nearby majestic fjords Freyfjord and Kvernesfjord.

Just south of the top of Bremsneshatten Mountain, Bremsnes Cave contains many traces of the archaeological Fosna culture, dating back about 10,000 years.

The exhibition of many exhibits from different eras is presented in the Kvernes ethnographic museum, consisting of 11 ancient buildings.

Things to do on the Atlantic Road

In these places you can enjoy excellent fishing. In summer there are daily fishing tours. To join it you need to contact the Stromsholmen Sea Sports Center or one of the fishing organizations on the island of Hoholmen.

Also in this area perfect place for diving. Pure water and strong tidal currents allow you to enjoy aquatic life.

Not far from Hystadvika Bay there is the island of Hoholmen, on which, in the 18th century, fishermen lived, and the main income came from the production of dried fish. Now the fishing huts have been restored and are ideal for a relaxing holiday far from civilization.

The island cycling tour starts in Molde and travels west through the municipalities of Aukra, Sandøy and Midsund. When crossing from island to island, you will have time to rest on ferries and speedboats. Upon arrival on the mainland, tour participants travel to the fishing village of Büd, while enjoying the view of the coastal skerries and small islands along the Atlantic Road. The tour ends with a ferry from Averøy to Kristiansund.

At Deringgarden Farm you can buy homemade cheese, yoghurt and other products. During the summer, the store is open daily.

The Atlantic Road is laid between the cities of Molde and Kristiansund - the largest settlements in the province of Møre i Romsdal” located in the Fjord Region. The road is not very long - only 8 km. It originates approximately 30 km southwest of Kristiansund. The Atlantic Road ends 47 km from Molde with the world famous July Jazz Festival. The road consists of relatively narrow bridges between several small islands.

Because of sharp turns and magical views, the Atlantic Road is considered one of the best tourist roads in the world. It also holds the lead in popularity among national tourist routes. The Atlantic Road is considered one of the best places for observing sea storms. In addition, during cold weather you can see whales and seals here.

To get to the Atlantic Road from Kristiansund you need to use the Atlantic Ocean Tunnel. Travel time is about 30 minutes. The Atlantic Road is a 36-kilometer National tourist road, laid between Korvog and Byd.

Construction of a unique highway started on August 1, 1983. Construction was completed on July 7, 1989.

Observation platforms

Traveling along the Atlantic Road, you will come across four special panoramic areas for relaxation and admiring the natural beauty. During the construction of some of them, the architects took care of the fishermen, building special platforms for fishing.

People come here to admire the beauty and feel the power of the ocean. There are also those who rush here specifically in the hope of meeting whales, but they are not very frequent guests here. However, you can always watch a variety of birds of various species, as well as seals.

There are also those who prefer to come here exclusively in the fall, when powerful storms rage. There are not many places on Earth where you can see the power of the elements and feel the unbridled power of the ocean without risking your life. Before the road opened in 1989, construction workers witnessed 12 hurricanes.

The builders implemented a bold architectural project in concrete. The Atlantic Road, twisting with arcs of turns and bending with the arches of seven bridges, seems to jump from island to island, without at all interfering with the perception of natural landscapes.

The most high bridge is the famous Storseysund. There are several attractions along the Atlantic Road that are worth visiting:

Things to do

If you love fishing, know that the Atlantic Road is considered one of the best places for fishing. It is fashionable to try your luck not only in the coastal skerries, but also in the open sea, at a relative distance from the islands, between which there are bridges. Parking is available along the Atlantic Road. After leaving the car for a few hours, you can go for a walk, watch representatives of the local fauna, and breathe sea ​​air, try to catch the fish of your dreams or make best photo ocean sunset.

For connoisseurs fishing V summer months Fishing tours are organized here daily. Every day, fishing boats with tourists depart from the Atlantic Road. You can become a participant in a fishing tour by contacting the Strømsholmen sea sports center or one of the fishing offices on the island of Hoholmen.

It should be noted that the surroundings of the Atlantic Road are loved not only by fishermen, but also by divers. This place is famous among divers for its clear water and a powerful tidal current. In summer, the Strømsholmen sea sports center organizes tours for divers. Cycling is also popular in the Atlantic Road area. The cycling route starts in Molde and heads west through the municipalities of Aukra, Midsund and Sandøy. Cyclists are transported between the islands by boats and ferries. At this moment, cyclists have time to rest, so the route does not seem very tiring even to physically unprepared travelers. Once on the mainland, the bikers reach the fishermen's village of Byud, admiring the breaks of the coastal skerries and the expanses of the ocean along the way. The tour ends at the pier ferry crossing Averøy Islands, from where tourists are transported by water to Kristiansund.

Where to stay

The Atlanterhavsveien Sjøstuer recreation center offers tourists accommodation in small modern houses that meet all comfort requirements. They were built near the beaches, not very far from coastline, which allows guests to admire the ocean from the windows. You can rent a motorboat here. Hustadvika gjestegård is located between Büd and the Atlantic Road. This place, due to its proximity to the ocean, is especially loved by connoisseurs of the beauty and power of wild nature. The Kronborg Marina recreation center was built in a very picturesque place on the island of Averøy - in Sveggesund (about 10 minutes by car from the center of Kristiansund).

Restaurants

The windows of the Bjartmars Favorittkro restaurant offer a wonderful view of the beauty of nature. This establishment serves good coffee, and the dishes prepared from local sources are distinguished. high quality and unique taste. By the way, here you can rent a bicycle and fishing equipment without any difficulties. The fishing village of Büd is also famous for its restaurants. Fish and seafood dishes are served here, such as Bryggjen Restaurant.

How to get to the Atlantic Road

From Kristiansund:

You need to get to Averøy Island using the Atlantic Ocean Tunnel, which is about 5 km long. Then find the road fv 64 starts and follow the signs to Molde. Please note that cycling through the tunnel is strictly prohibited.

From Molde:

Follow route fv. 64 from Molde to the roundabout at Moen and from there take fv. 663 to Elnesvogen. From Elnesvogen follow the fv. 664 to Byd, the southernmost point of the national tourist road.