Atlantic Road – Norway’s Serpentine Road
You know if a road is a different kind of long drive if James Bond zooms past on it.
Gear up for some romance between the sea and the road! We are talking about the Atlantic Road, which is a part of Norwegian national road 64. Not just a road connecting islands, it is about the road on the ocean, with seven bridges that allows the road to follow the islands in the sea like a snake. Storseisundet Bridge – the tallest of the road’s eight bridges, when viewed from certain angles, appears to drop off straight into the sea.
Apparently the Atlantic road had to withstand 12 hurricanes during its construction. Atlantic road is close to the cities Molde and Kristiansund in the Midwest part of the Norwegian coastline.
So how does it feel to drive across the Atlantic road ?
It is like driving on a serpentine type road twisting and turning over the sea. The curvy road dips and arches over the brutal waves of the Norwegian Sea that often crash over the pavement during storms.
That is about the road. Let’s talk about the setting now. Depending on Mother Nature, blue sky or the grey tinge of clouds, adds to the overall romance of the drive. The Atlantic Road has several picturesque spots on the way to soak in the beauty and feed one’s hungry soul.
The Askevågen viewpoint is a breath taking spot and you can spend hours standing there, looking at the infinite view ahead. The untreated, rusty steel gives the viewpoint a distinct character, and the green glass walls protect you from the ocean spray.
If you are lucky, then you can meet the unusual birds flying overhead, while seals and whales swimming in the sea will also be around for company. Plus, at dusk there’s a beautiful orange sunset that shouldn’t be missed.
The weather can play quite a Cupid to your road trip, with the mood of the road reflecting the weather. A sunny day will give you a nice drive with the calm sea providing some tranquillity to the mind. Stormy weather too is an adventure in itself… It is not an everyday thing to experience waves lashing at you while you drive on a vast quiet road.
Forget about your music system, the sea will prove to be a song in itself. If you think that the waves lashing and crashing down the bridge is a noisy affair, imagine the peace and calm beneath this wonder.
This National Tourist Route has been called the world’s most beautiful drive and has been voted the “Norwegian construction of the century”. Several car commercials and a James Bond movie has been shot on this road.
Once you start the drive, you wish for it to never end. Though it is just a 8.3 km drive, it will still rank as one of the most exciting and unique road drives.
We have spoken a lot about the Atlantic road. Here’s a short introduction to Kristiansund, the town which is the gateway to the Atlantic Road. It is a small, sleepy, picturesque town that provides the perfect foil for the audaciousness of the Atlantic Road..
Kristiansund is a town which is right at the ocean’s edge and it is also known as Norway’s Klipfish capital. Klipfish is dry and salted cod. Not so known compared to its neighbouring towns like Bergen and Trondheim, Kristiansund has its own charm. One can experience the unique history, mountains, fjords , opera and cuisine and spend a relaxed 2 to 3 days in this town.
(Compiled by Mehakk Negi)
How to reach the Atlantic Road?
The Atlantic Road is situated between the towns of Molde and Kristiansund.
By Air
You can reach either Kritiansund or Molde via direct flights from Oslo or Bergen. Both the towns are well connected. You can either rent a car or experience the drive on a bus.
By Sea
Both the towns are connected by ferry from Bergen and also via any ferry coming from north to Bergen.
Best Time to Experience the Atlantic Road?
While pre-winter is a good time to ride along the Atlantic road, you can also club it with your Northern lights itinerary in Tromso, Kirkenes or Lofoten during winter
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