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If you want scenery, few roads beat Norway's Atlanterhavsveien (Atlantic Road). One UK newspaper voted it the world's best scenic route. Stretching between Averyøy and Eide, the Atlantic Road spans eight bridges and several landfills, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding fjords, mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. En route to the Atlantic Road we travel from Norway's capital, Oslo, via Lillehammer to the cathedral city of Molde.

ESSENTIAL INFO

Suggested route

The Atlantic Road itself is surprisingly short, a mere 5.4 miles (8.7km) long. But, because it isn't close to any major airports, we start out journey in Norway's cosmopolitan capital Oslo, at the historic Royal Palace.

From Dronningparken turn right onto Henrik Ibsens Gate and take the third exit on the roundabout onto Løkkeveien. Continue on to Dronning Mauds Gate and turn immediately right onto Festingstunnelen (E18) for 2.1 miles (3.4km) and continue onto the 190 for 3.6 miles (5.8km) and onto the E6 for 92.3 miles (148.5km). Around 80 miles (128.7km) outside Oslo you will reach Lillehammer. Famous for its winter sports (the Winter Olympics were held here in 1994), Lillehammer is also home, each May, to the largest literary festival in the Nordic countries.

When you reach a roundabout on the E6, take the first exit and continue for a further 115 miles (185km) and you will then hit another roundabout. Again you take the first exit and continue on the E6 for 48.9 miles (78.7km).

You then want to join the 70, taking the second exit at a roundabout. Continue for 42.6 miles (68.6km), take the second exit on a roundabout, and continue for a further 41.7 miles (67.1km) and follow signs for Kristiansund Nord. Parts of the 70 are also labelled E39, don't let this confuse you.

Kristiansund is a pleasant town of 22,000 inhabitants build on five islands. Once the global centre of the dried fish industry (it still has consulates for Britain, Finland, Latvia, the Netherlands and Portugal), you can still sample bacalao, the dried salt codfish that is produced in the town.

The region's cultural centre, Kristiansund is famous for its opera house and was the birthplace of former Manchester United footballer Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

From Kristiansund take the 64 to Averøy - 14.6 miles (23.5km). The first part of the journey is by car ferry, but a new tunnel, Atlanterhavstunnelen, is expected to open later this year (2009).

The Atlantic Road itself is the stretch between Averøy and Vevang, Eide. Voted Norway's "Construction of the Century" the series of bridges across the archipelago is both a wonder of nature with its views over the enclosed fjords and mountains, and a tremendous feat of civil engineering. You'll want to drive over the structure, back and forth, to take in all its majesty. Though watch out for parked cars: the route is very popular with photographers and anglers.

While the Atlantic Road has no tolls, there are tolls as the 64 continues to our destination - the cathedral town of Molde 31.6 miles (50.9km) further down the road.

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TRIP

Worth getting out of the car for

• Munch Museum - Norway's most famous artist, Edvard Munch is celebrated in this Oslo Museum. His best known work, The Scream, was stolen from this museum in 2004 but recovered in 2006. It sustained some damage but the restored work is back on display.

• Hunderfossen Family Park - A family theme park (the theme being Norwegian folklore, particularly trolls), Hunderfossen is built near the site of the luge and bobsleigh runs from the 1994 Winter Olympics. The park is especially suitable for families with children under ten. Lovers of extreme thrills should look elsewhere.

• Kirkelandet Church - Kristiansund has a number of churches of architectural interest but none is as unconventional as the Kirkelandet. Built in 1964, its architect vowed to break all conventions of religious architecture and he succeeded in making this church look quite unlike any other.

• Kvarnes Stave Church - One of the oldest buildings in Norway, this quaint wooden church was originally built in the early 14th century. The church is on the island of Averyøy, close to the Atlantic Road.

Events

• June 20-21, 2009 Oslo Medieval Festival - Longbow shooting, horseback jousting, medieval music and wandering jesters are among the many entertainments to be had at this annual celebration of all things medieval.

• March 11-12, 2010, World Cup Lillehammer Ski Festival - Watch men and women defy nature and common sense, as they barrel down the Olympic ski jumps on skis. There are few more graceful exhibitions of human bravery and athleticism.

• July 13-18, 2009, Molde International Jazz Festival - Since 1961, Molde has played host to a major international jazz festival. This year's event features British piano-crooner Jamie Cullum, experimental electronics from DJ Food, classic jazz from Mingus Dynasty and hip-hop from Swedish rapper Timbuktu, among others.

Useful links

• Oslo Tourism

• Atlantic Road

• SAS Scandinavian Airways

Have you done this trip? Got advice on the route? Know some unmissable stop-offs? Help others by adding ideas and comments below.