Møre og Romsdal

Møre og Romsdal is a county in Western Norway. It is the most northerly of the famous west coast fjord regions and its northern location possibly cuts visitors - but it yields to none of the others in its scenery. It is an area of iconic fjords but also of alpine mountains rising directly from the ocean, countless waterfalls, myriad of islands, rugged coast and great valleys. There are also interesting man-made sights such as the unusual city of Ålesund and the Trollstigen mountain road.

Regions of Møre og Romsdal

Møre og Romsdal regions - Color-coded map

Nordmøre The northern coastal region around Kristiansund and the inner area around Sunndal

Romsdal The area around the great Molde fjord and the monumental Åndalsnes and Romsdal valley

Sunnmøre The southern region around Ålesund and the iconic Geiranger

Ørsta/Volda Airport ☎ |fax= GPS 62.180,6.080

• Kristiansund Airport ☎ |fax= GPS 63.1141,7.8276

By rail

The Rauma railway terminates at Åndalsnes and runs parallel to road E136, and are connected to both Oslo and Trondheim via Dombås junction. This is also a very scenic piece of railway. Rauma railway terminal station ☎ |fax= GPS 62.567,7.690

By Boat

A large number of cruise ships (mostly departing from Denmark, Britain or the Continent) visit towns and fjords every summer. Hurtigruten has daily departures from Bergen and Trondheim towards the coastal ports of Kristiansund, Molde and Ålesund.

Travel on a Bus in Møre og Romsdal

Both Nettbuss and NOR-WAY Bussekspress have bus services that can bring you in to the area.

By car

From the inland Road E136 connects the region to road E6 (Norway's main north-south road) at Dombås. About seven hours from Oslo to Åndalsnes. E136 is an all-year road and the main access by vehicle to the county.

In summer and the region can also be reached via the famous Geiranger road. Road 15 from Otta (on E6) connects to Road 63 on the mountain pass above Geiranger.

From the south On the west coast and the main entrance to Møre og Romsdal is the E39 from Bergen to Volda, Ålesund and Molde. Tourists should consider the more scenic Road 60 (connecting to E39 at Byrkjelo) across a small mountain pass, further along fjords and through Olden and Stryn to Hellesylt.

From the north The E39 is also the main entrance from Middle Norway (Trøndelag) and Trondheim. Tourists could however consider the more scenic road 70 through Sunndal valley connecting to E6 at Oppdal.

Get Around

Linge - Eidsdal ferry line on Storfjord - Norway - A trip by vehicle or bus around the county involves numerous ferry crossing

By rail

The only railway in this neighborhood ends at Åndalsnes and covers only the stretch from Dombås via Bjorli down Romsdalen valley.

Travel on a Bus in Møre og Romsdal

Frequent buses connect the towns, whereas in remote areas there may be only one or two buses daily. Search using rutebok.no.

By road

Trollstigen; Wasserfall & Brücke Norwegen - Route 63 runs through Trollstigen and passed Trollstigen waterfall File:Ørnevegen, old part, towards Eidsdal, Møre og Romsdal, Norway in 2013 June - Old stretch of route 63 can be used to circumvent tunnel Norangsdalen - "The road is the trip": Route 655 through Norangsdalen gorge also|Driving in Norway}} Your own car or motorcycle is the best way to get around and travel at your own speed and reaching and stop at the most scenic places.

Hitchhiking is a affordable way to travel the tourist routes. Many drivers won't let hitchhikers on, so don't expect immediate response.

Cycling is a nice way to move around the varied landscape, steep hills and numerous tunnels are challenging. Read maps carefully to avoid long tunnels on primary streets. In some tunnels, bicycles are not allowed.

• Iconic Road 63 (Norway) | Road 63 has only one short tunnel (which can be circumvented).
• Road 136 Dombås-Bjorli-Åndalsnes has no tunnels, but heavy traffic at rush.
• Road 136 Åndalsnes-Sjøholt has several long tunnels and often heavy traffic
• Road 64 Molde-Atlantic road-Averøya has no tunnels.
• Road 60 Ålesund-Stranda has no tunnels
• Road 655 Hellesylt-Sæbø-Ørsta has no tunnels
• Tunnels to islands are deep and steep (notably Ørsta-Ulsteinvik, Kristiansund road 64, and tunnels to Ålesund airport), not for bicycles.
• Road 650 Sjøholt-Valldal has 6 tunnels (alternative is road 60 via Stranda)
• Road 60 Stranda-Hellesylt has 2 long tunnels, not recommended
• Road 60 Hellesylt-Stryn has 1 tunnel that may be circumvented along abandoned road

Winter

The Møre og Romsdal area stretches from the shores of the mild Atlantic where there are only brief periods of frost and snow, to the high mountains and interior with heavy snowfalls and periods of deep frost. Trollstigen and Geiranger mountain passes on Road 63 (Norway) | Road 63 are always closed during winter (usually November to mid May). Ice and snow is common on all roads during the winter months December-March, in the interior and uplands from late October to mid April. Some roads are occasionally closed by avalanche. Travel in winter should always allow generous time for the unforeseen.

By Boat

Ferries like the Geiranger-Hellesylt ferry or the longer Valldal-Geiranger ferry offer opportunities to rest for the bicycle traveler.

Because of the many islands and deep fjords, Møre og Romsdal has a large number of relatively short (10-20 min) ferry crossings. Car ferries are an integral part of the road network and trips across this county always involves ferries, but these ferries are generally not a separate means of transport. Car ferries on the primary streets are rather frequent (typically every half hour), extremely reliable and operate with reserve capacity. Except for the popular Geiranger-Hellesylt and Valldal -Geiranger ferries, tourists need not worry about time tables and reservations. Tourists are however recommended to calculate plenty of time for trips involving vehicle ferries. Buses, ambulances and livestock transport have priority. On the longer crossings, ferries have cafeteria selling Coffee, beverages, sandwiches and some hot food. Menu also include the typical thick pancake ("svele") served with brown Cheese, butter or marmalade.

There are in addition a few express boats (passengers only).

For additional information regarding public transportation in Møre og Romsdal, contact the public transport information Trafikanten Møre og Romsdal or on phone number +47 177.

What to See

Atlanterhavsvegen 3 - Atlantic road, road construction Averøy-Kristiansund Kvernes Stave Church - Choir division and altarpiece - Interior of Kvernes stave church Rosekyrkja mot nord - Rose church in characteristic style. [[2012-07 Mardalsfossen - Mardalsfossen waterfall

The most important sights in Møre og Romsdal is the nature and landscape itself, although the old center of Ålesund and some charming villages and mountain farms are worth a visit. A number of interesting and impressive road constructions are perhaps the most important man-made attractions in this region. Trollstigen, Atlanterhavsveien and the Geiranger road are some of the great road constructions. There is also a number of great constructions related to hydro electric power production notably in Tafjord and Sunndal. The best way to see and experience this area is by driving your own car, taking a bus tour or by taking a cruise on the fjords and see something of the below.

Cultural

• Cities. Molde and Kristiansund were both destroyed during the second world war. Except for the church, Molde is largely not interesting in terms of architecture. After the war Kristiansund became a well-planned and functional but not particularly interesting city, except for the unusual church and a handful pretty old wooden buildings. Ålesund is by far the most interesting city in the area, also rebuilt after a complete destruction, but in the bold local variant of the Jugend-style (art nouveau).
• Churches. Møre og Romsdal is home to three of Norway's 30 remaining stave churches: at Rødven (near Åndalsnes), Kvernes (Averøya) and on Grip island near Kristiansund. The Møre og Romsdal stave churches are less conspicuous than those found in Sogn, Valdres and Hallingdal, but are nonetheless witnesses to ancient construction technique, decorative style and religious life. Møre og Romsdal also has a large number of octagonal wooden churches predominantly constructed about 200 years ago. The elongated octagonal shape is characteristic for the western areas, including the shapely churches in Aukra, Kleive, Norddal, Stordal, Stranda, Tresfjord and Ulsteinvik. The plain white exterior of the churches in Stordal and Tresfjord conceals a richly decorated interior. In the more eastern areas the regular octagon dominates, giving the churches at Åndalsnes, Ålvundeid and Sunndal the shape of a circus tent. Most old churches are wooden, except Tingvoll, Borgund (Ålesund) and Giske churches. The elegant Molde cathedral is a modern building partly with a traditional style, while Kirklandet church in Kristiansund was the first truly modern church building with complete departure from traditional style.

• Ålesund - GPS 62.4707, 6.1516 - Free Downtown Ålesund with its art nouveau (Jugendstil) buildings after the devastating 1904 fire. Ålesund is also the regional centre with shopping malls and airport.

• Dalsnibba and Geiranger road 62.0484, 7.2709

Geiranger road with countless hair pin bends. Detour on tollroad to Dalsnibba summita 1500 m (4920 ft) mountain summit. Faboulus view over the fjord and the mountain behind. Detour from road 63 (Geiranger mountain pass) direction Skjåk and Stryn (summer only). The northern access to Geiranger village via the steep Eagle's road with several hair pin bends. Iconic panorama of Geirangefjord (all year). Both roads part of road 63 Åndalsnes-Valldal-Geiranger-Skjåk/Stryn.

• Trollstigen mountain pass Road 63 Åndalsnes-Valldal 62.4549, 7.6656 Car or bus, 20 kilometers from Åndalsnes Opening Hours: summer only (late May - October) Free Trollstigen from Above - The Trollstigen, a mountain road climbing the pass between Isterdalen valley in the North and Valldal valley in the South. This road is the major attraction in this area and one of the most visited destinations in Norway. Can be visited separately or as part of Trollstigen-Geiranger national tourist route. Long taxi ride if no bus available. Parallel to the road there is an old footpath, it is well kept an a nice hike for the fit.

• Zacharias dam Tafjord 62.2011, 7.4905 Detour from Valldal (20 kilometers), road uphill from Tafjord (car needed). Opening Hours: All day, all year. Free. The Zacahrias dam in Tafjord is a 95 meter high concrete dam in a narrow river gorge. The main reservoir for the Tafjord hydro power complex. Wild nature. In Tafjord village: Tafjord power plant, first power station built 1920s, now museum.

• Rose Church - Old Stordal Church / Rosekyrkja - 62.38397, 7.01434 road 650 from Sjøholt or Valldal, close to the road Opening Hours: 11 to 16 (summer only) 35 NOK The white old church in Stordal valley is a good example of the idiosyncratic wooden octagonal churches typical for the area (similar churches in Norddal, Tresfjord, Leikong, Geiranger, Ulsteinvik, Stranda, Innvik and Tresfjord). It is known as the Rose church because of the rose paintings covering its interior. Paintings are in a naïve but striking style. Some are merely decorative, others depict characters or events from the bible. It was built in 1789 in place of an ancient stave church at the site, materials were partly reused, so the oldest pieces may date back hundreds of years. A traditional residential house typical for the area is displayed next door. It is owned by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments.

• Tingvoll Church - Tingvoll kyrkje - Tingvoll village 62.91179, 8.18138 Tingvoll Church Tingvoll kirke. Eksteriør - NB MS G4 0438 - This imposing 12th century masonry church is unusual for a small village. Tingvoll church was presumably the main church ("cathedral") for Nordmøre in catholic times. Walls are some 2 meters thick with hidden stairs and corridors. The only church in Norway with such an elaborate system. An elegant runic inscription above the altar sendes a message through the centuries from Gunnar and the church's Builder: "Remember my soul in Your holy prayers, I was Gunnar and made this house. Live well"

}} x Sunndal Trolla 1800m Skarfjellet 1790m IMG 9086 - Sunndal mountains seen from Snøhetta summit PanoramaSkodjebroene - Skodje bridges near Ålesund

Alpine Highlights - by car From Otta on E6 road 15 passed Grotli, change to road 63, make a detour to Dalsnibba (at Djupvasshytta), continue down the famous Geiranger road (don't stop in Geiranger village), continue up Eagle's Highway (short stop for photos near the top) on road 63. Take the ferry from Eidsdal to Linge (10 minutes), at Linge turn left onto road 650 for a 10 kilometer detour to Liabygda, enjoy the panorama, and return to Valldal village on road 63. Return to Valldal village and continue up Valldal valley on road 63 towards Trollstigen, short stop at Gudbrandsjuvet to look at the gorge, continue to the mountain pass and drive down Trollstigen after stop "on the edge". Continue towards Verma and look at the waterfalls there. Connect to E6 at Dombås.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Møre og Romsdal

• Fishing - In addition to a lot of possibilities for ocean fishing, both Rauma and Surna are excellent rivers for fishing. Note: Rivers are private and permission must be purchased.

• Molde International Jazz Festival - Norways largest jazz festival

• Nordic Light International Festival of Photography - Photography festival held April/May annually in Kristiansund.

• The Rauma Railroad - Raumabanen - Romsdal railway from Dombås to Åndalsnes - one of Norway's most scenic stretches of rail. The railway line itself is an engineering accomplishment. It includes two hairpin bends, one inside a tunnel and one crossing the river.

• Raumarock - Popular Rock Festival held in Åndalsnes in August every year.

• Skiing (alpine) - There are several winter sports resorts in the area. Notably the snow rich Stranda skiing centre. This is one of the few ski resorts overlooking a fjord. Deep snow and many off-piste options with a fjord view. Stranda in 2018 was ranked as the 6th best ski resort in Norway. The Stranda gondola lift also operates in summer, great panorama from summit. There are also many areas where off-pist skiing also is feasible and very common - caution: avalanches are common on steep, snow-rich off-piste slopes.

• Trekking and hiking - The area offers countless opportunities for summer hiking, from gentle valleys and islands to the most demanding rock-face climbing. Along fjords and island, short rewarding day hikes are feasible. More inland (around Tafjord, Romsdal, Sunndal, Eikesdal) there are many trekking routes along marked trails. Caution: Do not walk near or on glaciers without a guide and proper equipment.

• Whale safariing - It's feasible to do killer whale safaris in the coastal regions some parts of the winter. Caution: Do not go out in a small boat on your own.

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Halal Food

[[file:Blandaball - Fish dumplings served with cod and potatoes

The county has long traditions in fishing and is famous for its bacalao. Kristiansund in particular were pioneers in the export of dried-salted cod, klippfisk, and export to Portugal and Spain also resulted in the import of dishes such as bacalo (cod in one-pot with tomato, onion and potatoes). Another "typical" dish worth mentioning is "Raspeball" (potatoe dumpling). A particular variant in this area is potato-fish dumpling, known as mixed-dumplings (blandeball) or fish-dumplings (fiskeboller). Also try the typical thick pancake ("svele") served on ferries.

Svelerezept - Ferry meal: Coffee and svele (fluffy pancakes)

Most towns has a few or more late night restaurants, pubs etc. and decent nightlife in the weekends.

Slogen brewed in Liabygda at Sunnmøre is supposed to be a superb contest-winning local organic juice brand.

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Møre og Romsdal

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Stay Safe

Norway has in general a low crime rate. Møre og Romsdal does not have any big cities where crime is relatively more frequent. Violent crimes are very rare. Petty thefts and vandalism are the most common form of crime. Most communities in Møre og Romsdal are small, peaceful villages where everybody knows each other, and tourists do not need to worry about their safety in public places. Tourists should however watch their belongings in crowded tourist spots like Geiranger and in the busy shopping areas of Ålesund.

People generally drive carefully on mountain roads and few vehicle accidents happen even if many visitors feel unsafe. Drivers tend to use their brakes too much, causing the brake fluid to boil. Use a low gear and let the engine control the speed downhill.

Møre og Romsdal has large numbers of red deer (hart, "hjort") that can suddenly jump into the road at dusk and dawn (particularly where road is passing through dense forest). The red deer is much smaller than the moose (elk) found in Eastern Norway, but can still create a dangerous situation and cause serious damage to your car. Note the special warning sign. Call the police at 02800 (or emergency number 112) if you wound an animal.

Do not walk near or on glaciers without a tour guide and proper equipment. Do not underestimate the risk on slippery slopes (particularly near waterfalls).

Do not underestimate the power of waves along the Atlantic. Always wear a life west when in a small open boat. Keep well away from the sea in stormy weather - wave height may suddenly cause surprises.

Travel Next

• Sogn og Fjordane
• Oppland
• Trondheim
• Bergen

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