Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
THE ATLANTIC OCEAN ROAD
The eight storm-lashed bridges of Atlanterhavsveien (Atlantic Ocean Road), recently des-
ignated a National Tourist Route, buck and twist like sea serpents, connecting 17 islets
between Vevang and the island of Averøya. The UK'sGuardiannewspaper once crowned
it the 'world's best road trip'. For a highway that is barely 8km long, the weight of expecta-
tion may be too great, but it's certainly hugely scenic. During the autumn storms you'll
experience nature's wrath at its most dramatic. And in season, look out for whales and
seals offshore.
A newly opened rest area and walking path float about the wet marshland of
Eldhusøya
, an island off the southwest of Averøya; the suspended walkway is made of
latticework floating above the terrain, secured on poles. There is also a kiosk, information
boards, car park and toilets here.
At
Askevågen
, a little over 10km north of Bud, you can venture out onto a beautifully
simple glass fronted viewing platform, which not only gives you a 360-degree panoramic
view of the archipelago, the ocean and the shore, but a close, if protected, experience of
the intense force of the ocean here.
From
Molde
, hit the coast at Bud; from
Kristiansund
and the north, take the new sub-
sea road tunnel that connects with Bremsnes.
Whichever your direction, rather than driving the Rv64, which cuts across inland Aver-
øya, choose the quieter, prettier road, signed for Kvernes, that loops around the island's
southern coast and takes no longer.
Return day ticket adult/child Nkr150/100) buses link Molde and Kristiansund year-round, via
the coastal route and Atlanterhavsveien. It's a 2¼ hour round trip, although if you buy the
day ticket you can hop on and off at will. During the week there are six departures, two on
Saturday and one on Sundays.
Averøy
Averøy has all the silence and wild beauty of one of Norway's offshore islands, but the
definite advantage of a tunnel connection to Kristiansund along with direct access to the
excellent Atlantic Ocean Road. For those road tripping along the coast, or here to experi-
