Norway > The Atlantic Ocean Road

Norway - The fisherwoman in the harbor of Kristiansund

Breakfast is well prepared in the old wooden building. In winter, the hotel serves as student accommodation. This is probably why there are relatively many young people in the breakfast room. We leave Trondheim and drive towards Molde. The first part follows the now familiar E6, but soon we take the E39 towards the coast. The weather is once again wonderful. The sun reflects in the fjords we pass. Everywhere we look, it is beautiful. In some places, where it is windless, the mountains reflect perfectly in the still water. Near Åzur, the navigation indicates that we need to take a ferry. As we arrive, cars are just disembarking. However, we are not yet allowed on board. A Norwegian motorcyclist ahead of us points out that the ferry only leaves in half an hour. When he hears we want to go to Kristiansund, he advises us to drive a little further. By taking this route, we only need to take one ferry via Halsa, instead of two ferries otherwise. A useful tip. About twenty minutes later, we join the line for the Halsa ferry. Boarding has just started, and we can just make it. In a tight half hour, we cross the Halsafjord. Just after noon, we arrive in Kristiansund. Kristiansund is built on four islands along the coast and can only be reached by ferry or tunnel. During World War II, the city was heavily bombed by the Germans. It was completely rebuilt afterward. We see the colorful houses and fishing boats in the harbor. On a terrace, we order some food.

Norway - The wooden stave church of Kvernes

After lunch, we head towards the Atlanterhavsvegen (Atlantic Ocean Road). In about eight kilometers, the road runs practically into the sea. Twelve bridges connect the chain of islands, with a total length of 891 meters. The Atlantic Ocean Road is a landmark in Norway. Before we reach this route, we first need to go to the island of Frei, passing through a 5.2-kilometer-long tunnel under the Kristiansund bay. Because large cargo ships also dock here, the tunnel lies very deep. Due to the steep gradient, we need to brake heavily to stay below eighty km/h. On the other side, we struggle to climb the hill. Brutus cannot go faster than forty km/h, but fortunately, there is a special lane for slow traffic. Once at the top, we turn left towards Kvernes. In Kvernes stands an old wooden stave church. A girl gives a guided tour. She explains that the stave church, at 700 years old, is relatively young. Originally, the church was simply furnished. The decorations and the beautiful wood carvings were added later. At the back, there is a special floor for the priest’s wife, who did not want to sit among the ordinary people. She could enter the church through a separate entrance. We drive around the island to reach the Atlantic Ocean Road. It is fun to also drive on the local roads. The Atlantic Ocean Road begins immediately with a beautiful bridge. On both sides, the water reflects the sunlight. Small rocky islands are scattered everywhere. It is a stunning landscape. At the largest and most famous bridge, everyone stops. We just manage to find a spot on the crowded parking lot. From a small hill, there is a nice view of the bridge. Probably everyone takes the same photo here.

Norway - The most famous bridge of the Atlantic Ocean Road

After completing the route, we decide not to drive directly to Molde. We take a detour via the small village of Bud, at the western tip of the island. The church is especially remarkable. The white building with its striking dome stands out beautifully against the surroundings. The road to Bud is more interesting than the village itself. We continue our route to Molde. Molde is a large city on the Romsdalsfjord. In the city center, a Jazz Festival is taking place. Some streets are closed. We drive around them and reach our hotel about two kilometers outside the center. From the room, we look out over the fjord and the mountains on the opposite side. Tomorrow, we will cross the fjord to continue our journey. For now, we walk to the center of Molde to have dinner.