Atlantic Ocean Road
A road that leaps between islets on a chain of low bridges out into the open sea - a short, thrilling coastal drive on the exposed Atlantic edge.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
The Atlantic Ocean Road threads about eight kilometres across a scatter of low islets and skerries on the exposed coast between Molde and Kristiansund, hopping from rock to rock on a chain of bridges. The curving Storseisundet bridge, which seems to leap into the sky, is its emblem, and in a storm the sea breaks right over the road.
What you actually see
- Storseisundet bridge - the famously curving bridge that appears to leap off its end.
- The island-hopping road - the low bridges linking rocks out into the sea.
- Fishing and viewpoints - the laybys, paths and fishing spots along the way.
- Storm-watching - the waves breaking over the road in autumn gales.
When to go
Any season; calm summer days for easy driving and fishing, autumn storms for the drama of waves over the road. It is short, so it fits into a coastal journey.
Honest expectations
It is a short drive rather than a destination, best combined with the wider coast rather than a trip in itself. In calm weather it is scenic but gentle; the real drama needs a storm, which is unpredictable. Traffic and parking at the famous bridge can be tight in summer.
Nearby
Molde and Kristiansund are the towns at each end; the fjords and Trollstigen lie inland.
What to pack for Atlantic Ocean Road
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
