The Atlantic Road's sharp turns and wild nature have ranked it first on British paper The Guardian's list of the world's best road trips. The more than eight kilometer long road along the Norwegian west coast places first even in sharp competition with world renowned attractions such as Northern Ireland's Antrim coast road and the Himalayas.
"The Atlantic Road zigzags across 12 low bridges that jut out over the sea, linking the islands between Molde (famous for its annual Jazz festival in July) and Kristiansund in the western fjords. The Hustadvika is an infamous stretch of ocean and when in storm it's fantastically dramatic. In calmer weather you might spot whales and seals," writes The Guardian.
And even if there are only eight bridges on the Atlantic Road, there is no doubt that the road stretch in Averøy in the county of Møre og Romsdal is a cherished tourist destination. According to the tourist information service Destination Molde & Romsdal, many tourists choose to travel to The Atlantic Road during the autumn to experience the raging storms that pound the road. The construction workers experienced 12 hurricanes during the building process before the road opened in 1989.
The Atlantic Road was ranked first by The Guardian ahead of Northern Ireland's Antrim coast roads, the Himalaya stretch between Manali and Leh, Australia's Gibb River Road and Canada's Sea to Sky Highway.
This is not the first time that international publications show an interest in Norwegian attractions. In 2004 National Geographic ranked the Norwegian fjords as the world's best unspoiled travel destination and this year Lonely Planet named the Norwegian Coastal Voyage "Hurtigruten" the most beautiful boat trip in the world.
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs