Riding Norway's Atlantic Road: what to expect and where to stop

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Aerial view of the Atlantic Road crossing a chain of small islands and bridges in the sea.

The Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsvegen) is an 8.3 km (5.2 mi) stretch of County Road 64 on Norway's west coast, between Kårvåg on Averøy and Vevang. It hops from islet to islet over a string of low bridges, with the open sea on one side. It's short, so plan it as part of a day on the coast, or a longer trip that takes in Trollstigen too.

What the riding is like

The curves are gentle and there are no hairpins. The road is 6.5 m (21 ft) wide, and its steepest grade is 8%. What makes it demanding is the wind: the bridges are exposed, and gusts off the sea can push you across the lane. Ride it on a calm day if you can, and keep a firm, relaxed grip when you can't.

The Atlantic Road's curving Storseisundet Bridge rising over the water, with snowy mountains behind.

The best-known bridge, Storseisundet, is 260 m (850 ft) long and rises 23 m (75 ft) above the water in one steep curve. The weather can change fast on this coast, even in summer, so pack layers and rain gear. The road has been free to ride since its tolls were removed in 1999.

The full scenic route

The Atlantic Road is the heart of the Norwegian Scenic Route Atlanterhavsvegen, which runs 36 km (22 mi) from Kårvåg to the fishing village of Bud. All of it stays between sea level and 30 m (100 ft), so it's an easy ride with sea views the whole way. The Norwegian Scenic Routes site has a map and the latest information.

Where to stop

  • Eldhusøya: a rest area on an islet beside the road, with a walking path around it. A good place to get off the bike and watch the sea.
  • Geitøya: a viewpoint along the road.
  • Myrbærholm Bridge: you can fish from the bridge.
  • Askevågen: a viewpoint on the open coast, further along the scenic route.
  • Farstadsanden: a sandy beach with a coastal path.
  • Bud: the fishing village at the end of the scenic route.

Stay on the roads and marked paths at the stops, and take your litter with you.

Getting there

From Kristiansund, the Atlantic Ocean Tunnel takes you straight to Averøy and the start of the road. Molde is the nearest town in the other direction. For a longer trip, Trollstigen is within a day's ride, south through Molde and Åndalsnes.

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