Atlantic Road

The Atlantic Road is one of Norway’s most recognisable motorcycle roads, famous for its dramatic bridges, exposed coastline and ever-changing North Atlantic landscape. The best way to experience it, however, is not simply to ride the short official Scenic Route and turn around. This Ride Beyond route expands the experience into a roughly 150-kilometer coastal journey between Kristiansund and Molde, linking the Atlantic Road with quieter coastal roads and carefully chosen detours.

The riding itself is less about extreme corners and more about rhythm, scenery and constantly changing road character. Open coastal sections give way to narrow roads through small communities, sweeping bends around the shoreline and sections where the sea appears immediately beside the road. As the route approaches the Atlantic Road, the landscape becomes increasingly exposed, with bridges connecting islands and skerries in a setting shaped by wind and water.

For riders, the attraction is the combination of freedom and variety. There are enough bends to keep the ride engaging without demanding the concentration of an Alpine hairpin road, while the remote coastline and rapidly changing weather give the route a genuine sense of adventure. The famous Storseisundet Bridge is the visual highlight, but it is only one part of a much larger coastal riding experience.

This is a route where the Atlantic Ocean is never far away and the road rarely feels ordinary. Follow the coastline, take the detours and let the journey between the landmarks become part of the adventure.

Weather is one of the defining factors on Norway’s exposed Atlantic coast. Wind, rain, fog and rapidly changing conditions can appear even during summer, particularly on the open sections around the Atlantic Road. Fuel and services are available in the larger towns but become less frequent on quieter coastal roads, so starting with sufficient fuel is sensible. The route is generally accessible during the main riding season, but conditions can change quickly outside summer and some minor roads may be affected by weather.

The Ride Beyond route begins in Kristiansund and heads west and south through the coastal landscape of Møre og Romsdal. Rather than taking the most direct connection towards the Atlantic Road, the route follows a series of coastal roads and scenic detours, allowing the landscape and smaller communities to become part of the ride from the beginning.

The route eventually reaches Kårvåg, where the character changes as the road enters the famous Atlantic Road section. A sequence of islands and bridges carries the route across exposed coastal terrain, with Storseisundet Bridge providing the most recognisable moment of the journey. The road continues towards Bud, passing viewpoints and stretches of coastline where the Atlantic weather is very much part of the experience.

From Bud, the route continues east and south along the coast before turning towards Molde. The additional coastal sections give the route a more varied character than the short official Atlantic Road, combining open sea views with quieter roads, fjord landscapes and flowing bends.

The Atlantic Road is famous for its bridges, but the real Ride Beyond experience lies in everything between them. Take the time to follow the coastline rather than simply connecting the famous viewpoints, and the road becomes a journey through Norway’s wild western edge rather than a single tourist attraction.