Møre og Romsdal is where the road defies gravity among the vertical mountains. You find yourself on the Atlantic Road which skips across the ocean on a series of dramatic bridges like the Storseisundet Bridge. The scenery is a mix of deep emerald fjords and sharp peaks that rise straight from the waves. It is home to the Trollstigen which is a masterpiece of engineering with eleven hairpin turns carved into the cliff.
A journey here is a constant highlight reel of nature. You can take the ferry into the Geirangerfjord to see the Seven Sisters waterfall crashing down into the blue water. The roads provides a mix of coastal breeze and high altitude thrills near the Romsdalseggen ridge. You find yourself driving through narrow valleys with massive rock walls towering over the car in Åndalsnes.
The region is perfect for those who want to experience the most famous roads in the world. You can visit the Art Nouveau city of Ålesund or explore the Ona Island lighthouse at the edge of the sea. Every mile offers a new photo opportunity and a sense of awe. Møre og Romsdal is a place of raw power and stunning beauty that leaves you breathless.
Møre og Romsdal highlights
- Atlantic Road Cross the famous bridges that skip over the ocean and connect the outer islands. It is often called the most beautiful drive in the world.
- Trollstigen Pass Navigate the eleven hairpin turns that climb up a vertical mountain wall. The viewing platform at the top provides a dizzying look at the valley.
- Geirangerfjord Cruise through the most famous fjord in the world past the Seven Sisters waterfall. The deep green water and high cliffs are legendary.
- Ålesund Art Nouveau Admire the colorful turrets and towers of this unique city rebuilt after a fire. A walk up Mount Aksla gives you the best view of the town.
- Romsdalseggen Ridge Hike along a sharp mountain spine with views of the Troll Wall and the fjord. It is one of the most scenic trails in the country.
- Runde Bird Island Visit the cliffs where thousands of puffins and eagles nest every summer. The boat trips around the island offer a close look at the wildlife.
- Innerdalen Valley Often called the most beautiful mountain valley in Norway with its sharp peak. It is a peaceful spot for a walk and a picnic by the lake.
- Molde Panorama See the view of 222 snowy peaks across the fjord from this charming town. It is known as the City of Roses for its beautiful gardens.
- Trollveggen Wall Look up at the tallest vertical rock face in Europe from the valley floor. The sheer scale of the stone wall is humbling and massive.
- Hellesylt Waterfall Watch the water roar down through the center of this small village into the fjord. It is a classic stop on the way to Geiranger.
The local Four
History of Møre og Romsdal
The history of Møre og Romsdal is a saga of the sea and the vertical stone. Since the Stone Age the people here have lived on the outer islands harvesting the riches of the Atlantic to survive. In the Viking era the local lords were some of the most powerful in the country using the deep fjords as sheltered bases for their longships. The ocean was their highway and the mountains were their fortress.
In 1904 a catastrophic fire leveled the city of Ålesund in a single night leaving ten thousand people homeless in the winter cold. The town was rebuilt in a stunning Art Nouveau style with help from all over Europe creating the unique architecture you see today. Further inland the hairpins of the Trollstigen were carved into the cliffs in the 1930s as a feat of human willpower. It transformed a dangerous mountain path into one of the most famous roads on earth.
The fjords like Geiranger hold the stories of abandoned mountain farms where families lived on narrow ledges high above the water. Children were often tied to ropes so they wouldn't fall over the cliffs while playing. These "cliff farms" produced some of the best butter and meat in the country despite the impossible terrain. Møre og Romsdal is a place where history is a constant struggle between human ambition and the raw power of nature.