After a quick breakfast at the Thon Hotel Storgata we headed out for our next adventure…to drive the Atlantic Road. The Atlantic Road connects Averøy with the mainland via a series of small islands and islets spanned by a total of eight bridges over 8274 meters (5.14 miles). The road was opened in 1989 and is toll free. The Atlantic Road has National Tourist Route status and the entire stretch between Bud and Kristiansund is one continuous experience packed with coastal scenery, culture and history.
From there we headed toward Molde, planning to make the drive through Trollstigen which means Troll’s Ladder in Norwegian. This leg of our trip allowed us to cross the Langfjorden on the Åfarnes-Sølsnes/Fv64 Ferry. As we drove around the Romsdalfjord, we noticed a structure high on a mountain on the other side of the fjord which we discussed at length but couldn’t figure out what it was. As we rounded the top of the fjord, we noticed a gondola/tram suspended high above us, realizing that the structure we had seen from the other side had to be connected to this gondola, of course, we began to follow the path of the gondola as it neared the ground and drove into the town of Andalsnes. There we found the Romsdalgondolen which is the newest attraction and the longest cable car in Norway. The rope length is 1675.9 meters (5498 feet), but a ride takes just 5 minutes. The gondola will bring you to the station at 697 meters (2287 feet) above sea level with spectacular panoramic views over fjords and mountain peaks. The cable car in Åndalsnes opened in May 2021.
It was a little late to make the journey that night, so we decided to spend the night there and ride the gondola to the top the next morning. We were so lucky to get the last room at the Hotel Aak, recognized as the first tourist hotel in Norway, opening in 1860. Hotel Aak is surrounded by the most beautiful of Norwegian nature. The hotel is a small boutique hotel dating back to the 19th Century, built for the mountaineers and adventurers of Norway. And as a bonus, the bar serves delicious cocktails, including an Old Fashioned and a Gin and tonic worth the trip.
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