Winter-open roads and attractions in Møre og Romsdal

Winter in Møre og Romsdal is both magical and more accessible than you might expect. Experience the contrast between crashing waves along the Atlantic Road and the stillness of Geiranger, between the Art Nouveau streets of Ålesund and the small coastal fishing villages in the northern part of Fjord Norway.

Møre og Romsdal is a winter destination where nature shows its most dramatic side. A winter road trip in the heart of the fjord landscape is something you won’t forget. At the same time, weather and driving conditions can be challenging, so it’s important to be prepared.

Here is our guide to winter road trips in Møre og Romsdal:

1. Atlantic Road | Bud–Kårvåg
2. Ørnevegen in Geiranger | Eidsdal–Geiranger
3. Nordøyvegen | Skjeltene–Finnøya
4. Romsdalen | Åndalsnes–Bjorli
5. The Sunnmøre coast | Hareid–Ulsteinvik–Runde–Fosnavåg
6. The fishing village of Veiholmen | Kristiansund–Smøla

1. The Atlantic Road

The Norwegian Scenic Route Atlantic Road is open 365 days a year – and winter may be when it’s at its most dramatic. The 35 km stretch runs between the fishing village of Bud and Kårvåg on Averøy. In winter, waves roll in from the Atlantic and sweep across the coastline towards the road's eight bridges, offering a close-up experience of the elements – all from the warmth and comfort of your car.

County road 64 (fv 64) connects Åndalsnes, Molde and Kristiansund via the Atlantic Road and stays open all year. The route takes you through coastal landscapes and past fishing villages such as Bud and Hustad. Winter brings a special kind of quiet, even when storms rattle the houses along the coast.

Exciting stops along the Atlantic Road:

1. The fishing village of Bud and Bryggjen i Bud
2. Kjeksa viewpoint
3. Askevågen viewpoint
4. Farstadsanden
5. Columna Transatlantica: Italian marble meeting the open ocean
6. Eldhusøya: parking and walkway with views of the Atlantic Road
7. Bjartmars Favorittkro in Kårvåg: local food
8. Molde and Kristiansund

Approximate driving times:
Kristiansund–Kårvåg: 30 min
Molde–Bud: 40 min
Åndalsnes–Bud: 1 hr 40 min
Ålesund–Bud: 2 hrs 15 min

Travel tip: Always check yr.no before setting off. Saltwater may splash over the road during storms – drive carefully and keep a firm grip on the wheel. The road is narrow in places, so pass oncoming cars with caution. You can also combine the Atlantic Road with Nordøyvegen, mentioned further down in this guide. Molde and Kristiansund are also well worth a visit while you’re in the area. Best time for a winter trip: November to March.

2. Geiranger and Ørnevegen in winter

You can reach Geiranger by car all year round. The journey offers spectacular winter views, both across the fjord and along the mountain roads. Winter in Geiranger is a world of quiet. The UNESCO World Heritage landscape feels almost yours alone. Snow-covered mountains reflect in still water, and you sense the contrast between powerful nature and the peaceful fjord.

From Ålesund, Molde or Åndalsnes, you can drive to Geiranger via fv 63 and the Linge–Eidsdal ferry, all the way up to Moldbakken toll gate after Flydalsjuvet. Here you meet a winter landscape often with a still fjord and steep mountains you’ll struggle to find anywhere else.

Exciting stops on the way to Geiranger:

1. Ørnevegen viewpoint – Ørnesvingen
2. The Norwegian Fjord Centre
3. The National Hiking Trail – Fosseråsa
4. Flydalsjuvet viewpoint

Driving times to Geiranger:
Ålesund–Geiranger: ~2 hrs
Molde–Geiranger: ~2 hrs 20 min
Åndalsnes–Geiranger: ~2 hrs 15 min
Expect longer travel times in snow or icy conditions.

Travel tip: Visit during the Geiranger Light Art Festival, 13–22 February. Experience light installations by renowned artists in an extraordinary fjord landscape. Several hotels, restaurants and attractions are open in winter, and an overnight stay in Geiranger is highly recommended. You can also make this a round trip via Strand and Strandafjellet on the way to or from Ålesund. Best time for a winter visit: December–April.

3. Nordøyvegen road and the fishing village Ona

Along the coast of Møre og Romsdal you’ll find several spectacular road experiences close to the Atlantic. The Nordøyvegen road is a fantastic drive just outside Ålesund, running all the way to Finnøya at the edge of the Romsdal Fjord. Where the road ends, a ferry takes you onward to the fishing village of Ona and the island communities of Sandøy, Midsund and Aukra, towards Molde.

County road 659 (fv 659) connects five islands to the mainland via three undersea tunnels and three striking bridges. The 40 km long Nordøyvegen stretches from Lepsøya to Finnøya – a raw and authentic part of the Møre coast where sea, history and everyday life have always been intertwined.

Reccomended stops on the way to Ona:

1. Finnøy Bryggehotell by Classic Norway Hotels
2. Restaurant Sjøhuset
3. Håp i Havet swimmingpool
4. The island ferry to Ona
5. Ålesund

Approximate driving times:
Ålesund–Lepsøy Bridge: ~55 min (via fv 661/659)
From Molde: start via the Hollingsholmen–Aukra ferry (25 min to ferry terminal)

Travel tip: Nordøyvegen is open year-round. The best winter experience is from February to April. If you’re travelling between Ålesund and Kristiansund, you can combine Nordøyvegen with the Atlantic Road for a major road trip. Always check the Timetables for ferries in Romsdal: 1. Småge-Orta-Finnøya-Sandøya-Ona and 2. Aukra-Hollingsholmen.

4. Romsdalen

Trollstigen is one of Norway’s most famous roads, but it closes in winter – usually from October/November until mid-May or June, depending on snow conditions.

Another spectacular drive in Romsdalen is the stretch between Åndalsnes and Bjorli. You can drive through the steep valley or travel by the Rauma Railway – twice named Europe’s most beautiful train journey by Lonely Planet.

Road E136 runs from Åndalsnes to Bjorli, through the deep Romsdalen valley, along the emerald-green Rauma river and beside dramatic mountain formations like Trollveggen, Europe’s tallest vertical rock face. This road trip gives you time and space to absorb the raw landscape.

Exciting stops in Romsdalen:

1. Romsdalen Gondola
2. Eggen Restaurant
3. Sødahlhuset
4. Rauma Wool Factory
5. Norsk Tindesenter – the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre
6. Trollveggen and Horgheim
7. Bjorli
8. Guided ski touring and snowshoeing

Driving times to Åndalsnes:
Ålesund–Åndalsnes: ~1 hr 35 min
Molde–Åndalsnes: ~1 hr 10 min
Kristiansund–Åndalsnes: ~2 hrs

Travel tip: The route between Åndalsnes and Bjorli works well by both car and train. Check the timetables for The Rauma Railway and The Golden Train. In Åndalsnes you will find a range of activities throughout the year.

5. Runde and the coast of Sunnmøre

Experience Hareid, Ulstein, Herøy and Runde – with its famous bird cliffs – in winter. Here you’ll find year-round activities such as coasteering and museums. It’s an island landscape of small places and gran experiences: coastal hills ideal for walking, heathland, and a maze of islands, islets and skerries. Many of the islands are connected by bridges and roads that are experiences in their own right.

Roads fv 61 and 654 take you from Ålesund to the coastal communities of Ytre Søre Sunnmøre – where the open ocean meets small-town life, fjords and mountains, everyday stories and coastal history.

Recommended stops along the Sunnmøre coast:

1. The Arctic Museum Aarvak
2. Ulstein Arena – swimming, reading and climbing
3. Ulstein and Flø
4. Runde Environmental Centre – visitor center and activities
5. Fosnavåg

Driving times from Ålesund:
Hareid: 55 min
Ulsteinvik: 1 hr 5 min
Flø: 1 hr 15 min
Runde: 1 hr 45 min
Fosnavåg: 1 hr 30 min

Travel tip: Stay over night by the ocean in Sandsøya, Tunheimsfjøra, Ulsteinvik, Fosnavåg or one of the smaller coastal communities. Catch the winter light from viewpoints such as Flø, Runde, Mulevika or Hidsneset.

6. Smøla and Veiholmen

Far out by the ocean, north of Kristiansund, lies Smøla – a prairie-like island landscape with thousands of small islets and skerries. Cross Smøla via bridges and protective breakwaters, and you’ll reach Veiholmen, one of Norway’s most inviting fishing villages. Along the way you’ll meet local culture, seabirds, fishing boats and shifting winter light that sets the mood for the journey.

Road fv 680 takes you from Kristiansund across Tustna, while fv 669 leads you all the way to Veiholmen – deep into one of Norway’s most beautiful archipelagos.

Recommended stops on your journey to Smøla:

1. Veiholmen fishing village
2. Edøya and the Gurisenteret
3. Smøla audioguide
4. The Norwegian Marshland Museum
5. 2-hour Eagle Safari with Smøla Naturopplevelser
6. Kristiansund

Driving times to Veiholmen:
Ålesund–Veiholmen: ~4 hrs 45 min
Molde–Veiholmen: ~2 hrs 50 min
Åndalsnes–Veiholmen: ~3 hrs 45 min
Kristiansund–Veiholmen: ~2 hrs

Travel tip: Get close to nature with an overnight stay at Speilet on Grautaneset, Tustna, or enjoy peaceful seaside accommodation at Olsen’s Guesthouse on Veiholmen.

Safe winter driving in Møre og Romsdal

Slippery roads, snow, wind, darkness and reduced visibility make winter driving more demanding. Before setting out on your winter road trips, preparation is key. If you lack experience with winter driving, consider alternatives such as hiring a car with a driver or using public transport.

Important to know:

• Winter tyres or studded tyres are mandatory from 1 November to Easter Sunday on Norwegian roads. Ensure your car or rental has the correct tyres with sufficient tread depth. More information about tire requirements can be found here.
• Clear all snow and ice from your car before driving. Lights, mirrors, windows and wipers must be clean and ice-free. It is illegal to drive with snow on the roof or poor visibility.
• Always check the weather forecast before departure. Drive carefully and wait out strong winds or difficult conditions such as heavy snow or poor visibility – or when the road authorities advise postponing unnecessary travel.
• Roads and ferries can close during extreme weather. This happens a few times each winter and usually lasts from a few hours to a full day. Check traffic updates from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
• EV charging: Good coverage along E39 (Ålesund–Molde–Kristiansund), less frequent in rural areas. Plan your charging stops in the towns.

Checklist for your car:

• Ice scraper and a small shovel
• Extra equipment such as quick-fit snow chains
• Warm clothing, food and drink in case of delays
• Enough fuel or battery power, plus washer fluid