Autumn experiences full of contrasts

In Møre og Romsdal you can experience the wildest mountains, the deepest fjords, the steepest mountain walls and the most relentless winds when the storm sweep in over the islands and islets from the open sea.

Among the extreme contrasts of Fjord Norway's northern coastline are three unique towns that entice and enthral visitors. The combination of sea and archipelagos with nearby viewpoints and a backdrop of majestic snow-capped mountains paint far more than a thousand words about the most beautiful experiences you can have in autumn.

Romsdal and Trollstigen

The most environmentally friendly way to reach Møre og Romsdal is by train on the Rauma Railway from Oslo or Trondheim. This spectacular railway line celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2024. With its impressive engineering feats, including the Kylling Bridge and the Verma spiral tunnel, it remains the most sustainable mode of travel even a century later.

In addition to the Rauma Railway, there are several major attractions near Åndalsnes. Both Norwegian Scenic Routes Geiranger-Trollstigen and the Romsdalseggen ridge hike attract visitors from far and wide throughout the summer, but the best time to visit is perhaps in autumn – when the autumn harvest with its intense colours spreads across the landscape and the pace of life slows down. Do stay in Åndalsnes for a few days – here’s a lot to see and do! Meanwhile Ålesund, Geiranger, Molde, the Atlantic Road and Kristiansund lies only a short drive away.

Valldal and Geiranger

The Geirangerfjord was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its unique nature, but the entire journey, from Trollstigen road, the adventure valley of Valldal and to Geiranger, takes you to whole new heights. On your journey from Trollstigen to Valldal, make sure to stop at the Gudsbrandsjuvet viewpoint. Take in the breathtaking sight of these mighty formations towering over the gorge. It's no wonder that scenes from the hit TV series Succession were filmed both at Gudbrandsjuvet and in Åndalsnes. These dramatic landscapes appeal to a worldwide audience.

Valldal is nestled by the Storfjorden and the entrance to Tafjorden, which is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take some time to stay overnight in Valldal. This village is the region's major adventure hub, offering a wide range of activities. Here you'll find unique adventures like canyoning and rafting (including family rafting), as well as kayaking, cycling, and hiking in Norway's most stunning scenery.

On the mountain road from Valldal to Geiranger, you can look forward to the Ørnesvingen viewpoint that showcases the Geirangerfjord in all its glory. Once you arrive in this charming village, an eldorado of activities and attractions awaits. Join in on everything from RIB boat tours and hiking trails along Fosseråsa national hiking trail to the "Fjordranger" outdoor activity program. If you're nervous about the highest via ferrata routes like Hornelen, there's an exciting via ferrata in the rock face above the rushing Geiranger River – right in the heart of the village.

The Hjørundfjord and the Sunnmøre Alps

The awesome natural attractions are literally just lined up from the glaciers in the mountains all the way down to the coast of Møre og Romsdal. One of these natural pearls is the Hjørundfjord and is truly worth visiting, even if you’ve come straight from the Geirangerfjord and feel like you’ve seen everything.

Drive onto the ferry to Hellesylt, where Tom Cruise did his most spectacular stunt in the latest Mission:Impossible film. Follow the road up through the beautiful and secluded Norangsdalen valley, one of Norway's narrowest valleys, with old farmhouses and a rugged terrain that’s wonderfully appealing. Along the pass is Lygnstøylvatnet lake, which conceals the buildings and foundations from before the valley was flooded after a huge landslide. You might want to join a guided kayak tour and use an aquascope to observe Norway's answer to Atlantis, with remains of buildings, trees and other things submerged at the bottom of the lake.

On the other side of Norangsdalen valley you will arrive at the Hjørundfjord and a view of the Sunnmøre Alps. It’s worth setting aside time here to take some of Norway's most beautiful mountain hikes.

There is a ferry from Leknes to Sæbø, where you can take a taxi boat or change ferries to get to Trandal. Trandal is a village without any road connection and is known for the charming Christian Gaard Bygdetun inn. If you stay overnight at Sæbø, there are several good places to stay, a hotel and campsite. Sæbø is an excellent starting point for hiking in the Sunnmøre Alps, kayaking on the fjord, as well as for local food and cultural experiences.

The Art Nouveau town Ålesund

It’s just a short distance from the mouth of the Hjørundfjord to Ålesund, which is in many ways a miracle of a town. Not only is it beautifully situated between islands, the ocean, fjords and mountains, but it also has Norway's only collection of original Art Nouveau architecture, or what the Germans call Jugendstil, which gave the city its nickname: Jugendbyen – the Art Nouveau town. After the big city fire in 1904, it was young architecture graduates who designed the new buildings in the trendy style of the time – a style that has enjoyed a renaissance and has many admirers even today.

Ålesund offers everything your heart could desire when it comes to architecture, coastal culture, history and nature. The Art Nouveau Centre and the Art Museum KUBE offer an insight into the architectural style that has shaped Ålesund, and a visit will make your memories of the town and Sunnmøre all the richer.

Ålesund is also the seafood town, where you can buy fresh prawns, crabs and crayfish and enjoy extremely fresh seafood and coastal cuisine at the restaurants on the waterfront. Ålesund is built across several islands, and you may want to experience the town from the water in a kayak or perhaps with a visit to a floating sauna.

The whole family will find the Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium and Science Centre engaging and it lets you get close to the sea life and all the species that have formed the basis of existence on the west coast of Norway for thousands of years. There is also a large outdoor area where children can play and see seals, otters and penguins.

The Atlantic Road, Molde and Kristiansund

At the edge of the ocean between Molde and Kritsiansund, the Atlantic Road stretches 36 km between Bud and Kårvåg, from island to island and over eight bridges at the rim of the Møre coast. The Atlantic Road was made famous by the James Bond film ‘No Time to Die,’ which filmed a number of scenes on the road.

Images of the road snaking its way over stormy seas, windswept islands and below an often troubled sky are what have made this National Scenic Route famous. If you start driving from either of the two towns, it takes less than an hour to arrive at this driving experience, often referred to as the world's most beautiful stretch of road.

Molde is famous for football but also for its beautiful scenery, which was attracting visitors long before the area became a significant city in the region. In the 19th century, Molde was referred to as an idyllic small town with blossoming gardens and has since been known as the ‘city of roses’.

Perhaps the most beautiful sight in Molde is the panoramic view of the 222 (!) mountain peaks from Varden, a 407 meter high viewpoint that’s within walking distance of the city centre. The ferry trip to Misund is also a worthwhile excursion, where you can climb up Rørsethornet mountain on the world's longest continuous stone staircase. Weather permitting, you may want to spend the night in Norway's coolest hammock park on Digergubben mountain.

For many visitors, Molde offers a golden opportunity to taste delicious fish and seafood. There are a number of excellent restaurants on the seafront, where the day’s catch of fish and shellfish are turned into unforgettable meals.

Kristiansund is the northernmost of Northwest's three cities and is an excellent gateway to your autumn adventure, being situated on four small islands at the edge of the ocean. There are daily flights from Bergen and Oslo, and a daily express boat service from Trondheim.

Kristiansund has been known as a klippfisk (salted, dried cod) town since the 17th century. It is today home to some of Norway’s best klippfisk restaurants, with exciting renderings of the ingredients, such as bacalao three different ways and gratinated klippfisk.

Kristiansund itself can be explored from the sea on the Sundboat, a free ferry that is perfect for taking in the churches, galleries, museum and bustling harbor life. Visit the Kvernes Stave Church on Averøy, or take the stairs to the top of Kvernberget for views all the way to Smøla and Tustna.

Getting to and around

When exploring Nordmøre, Romsdalen, Sunnmøre, Geiranger, and Ålesund, you'll discover a variety of travel options to suit your preferences. While the train is a popular choice – and a wonderful experience, you can also reach the region by plane, boat, bus, or car and rental car.