If you’re going on a road trip in Møre og Romsdal, you’ll of course immediately think of the famous Trollstigen and the at least equally famous Atlantic Road. But hidden between all these crowd-pullers are mountain roads that are just as beautiful. Like the gravel road Aursjøvegen, for example. 100 kilometers of – mostly – unpaved adventure. Better keep your camera at the ready!
How do you get to Aursjøvegen?
We drove from Sunndalsøra to Eikesdal via the Aursjøvegen. Don’t let Google Maps tempt you into taking the tunnel to the left, because the route may not be paved, but it’s a true feast for the eyes. The mountain road winds up through Torbudalen and Litldalen to the dramatic landscapes of Finnsetlia. Each hairpin bend is even more adventurous than the last. As soon as you start climbing seriously and leave the valley behind, looking back gets more and more dizzying.
Dirt road, gravel road, bumpy road, toll road
Aursjøvegen is a toll road, so before you start your road trip, you’ll pass a barrier. Here you pay 100 NOK in tolls. You can easily ride the road on a motorcycle too, but this adventure isn’t suitable for caravans. So just leave yours at one of the nearby campsites. Along the Eikesdalsvatnet, for example!
The possibilities are endless
Once you drive onto the Aursjøvegen, you can only go forward or back, but you definitely won’t get bored along the way. You’ll come across tunnels, hiking trails, viewpoints, rapids, lakes and parking areas with picnic spots. The surroundings are fantastic for hiking, fishing and canoeing. So take plenty of time for this adventure and park the car every now and then. Do make sure you stop in a safe spot, though, because the road is quite narrow in places and that can lead to dangerous situations.
Taking a breather at Aursjøhytta
Along the way you’ll pass beautiful mountain lakes such as Holbuvatnet, Langevatnet,Torbuvatnet and Aursjøen. Halfway along the route, at the end of the lake Aursjøen, lies Aursjøhytta. You can have lunch and eat waffles here, but you can also stay the night! In summer the hut is run by the Kristiansund tourist association, but the rest of the year it’s unstaffed.
A tip from someone who learned the hard way
This special toll road is open from early June until the first snowfall in October. When that snow melts again, a lot of water is left behind. Including standing water. And standing water? Exactly, it attracts mosquitoes. Do yourself a favor and bring DEET. In 2016 I was bitten by knott (black flies) by one of the lakes, and an allergic reaction completely ruined the first three days of our vacation. Forewarned is forearmed!
The Osbumagasinet power station
For me, one of the highlights of the Aursjøvegen was the Osbumagasinet power station and the Aursjøen dam. The Osbumagasinet, also known as Osvatnet, is a power station of Osbu and Aura and was built after the demolition of the Osvatnet. You can park your car here very easily and walk up onto the dam for a bit. What a view, right?
The breathtaking Aurstaupet viewpoint
The first time we visited Aursjøvegen, we drove right past it, but Aurstaupet is truly one of the coolest spots along the entire route. The viewpoint is guaranteed to make your knees weak, but it’s easy to miss. Keep a close eye on the signs near the end of the road (toward Eikesdalen) and park the car there. It’s only a 400-meter walk to the viewpoint. Do be careful, though, because there are no railings anywhere and it’s a really long fall if you trip.
Side trip to Mardalsfossen
You can perfectly combine a road trip on Aursjovegen with a short hike to Mardalsfossen. This waterfall is the highest in all of Norway and can only be visited two months a year (June 20 – August 20). It’s only a 45-minute walk to the waterfall, but don’t forget your rain gear! Because you’ll get a free soaking if you get close enough. Especially when the sun is shining, this hike is highly recommended.
Personal travel advice
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