Most Beautiful Roads-The Atlantic Road
Most Beautiful Roads-The Atlantic Road
End point: Averøy, Norway
Distance: 96 km + 123 km
Highlights: Kvernes Fjord, Molde, Atlantic Ocean
The fictional character, Slartibartfast from Douglas Adams’ scifi classic, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” won an award for creating the fjords in Norway. Whether or not he can be rightly attributed as their creator, the breath-taking landscape of Scandinavia’s oceanic coast certainly deserves all the recognition it can get. And Norway’s Atlanterhavsveien (or “Atlantic Road”) is one of the best ways to experience this geographical miracle by car. The relatively short route is nothing short of stunning, compressing some of the country’s most awe-inspiring nature and scenery into a trip spanning a mere 8km.
Yet those 8km are well worth travelling hundreds to experience. The route comprises a series of winding roads and impressive bridges, which weave together to link the islands lying just off the coast of Norway. A remarkable engineering feat in itself, the entire construction took 12 years to complete, culminating in yet another award, this time the more down-to-earth honour of the “Engineering Feat of the Century” in 2005. Indeed, one glimpse of the bridges - many of which seem to tempt fate by skimming just above the surface of the ocean - and it is easy to see why.
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