Norway – Vestfjord

A stroll through Kristiansund in the midnight sun. Even before the route starts here, you have already crossed over three islands. The fishing port spreads out across all three, adapted to the natural conditions. Between them, bridges that make the islands into city districts. Nature in Norway demands respect, but since Viking times this respect has best been paid by seeing it as a challenge. And that is true for all those who set out to experience the incredible natural spectacle that Norway has to offer. After half an hour already, the route on the first day again finds itself in the middle of open waters, hopelessly exposed to the view of the Bremsnesfjord. The Atlantic road leads over eight islands to the mainland so incidentally and elegantly that no struts or structures block the view. The countryside here is still deceptively gentle and the roads without any surprises. It is only when you reach Åndalsnes at the end of the first stage that the dramatic giant rock formations outlined against the low sun in the south show that Norway also has a very different side. After a few miles, the route on the second day reaches the heart of Scandinavia, concentrated into a rugged, tree-covered valley. A few long drawn-out hairpin bends lead up the pass, while the centre line in the road disappears into thin air. And then it is downwards all the way on the highlight of the route: the Trollstigen with its eleven hairpin bends, which lead down the southern side of the pass like a giant ladder, crossing the Stigfossen waterfall. Between the rock walls at the Geirangerfjord, the route is again at eye level with cruise liners. The road returns to the fjord a second time later on. But first, there is a pass with the most demanding section of the route. Tight hairpin bends, bends framed by rock formations and more hairpin bends. It is harder to imagine a more beautiful setting for a Sports Car. The mountain range of Jotunheimen separates this landscape from the rest of the world in the south. The only way through the »Home of the Giants« leads quite literally into the underworld: through the world's longest tunnel at Lærdal. Over 15 miles and a whole age later, the route then ends on Aurland on the other side. And in every direction of the compass: the start of Norway's next challenge.