The Atlantic Ocean Road & Kvernes Stave Church

by coach & on foot

This scenic experience combines sightseeing along the Atlantic Ocean Road with a visit to the historic Kvernes Stave Church.

Departing from the pier, take a short drive through Kristiansund to the Krifast Road System, which opened in 1992 as the first ferry-free mainland connection from Kristiansund. It is a 25km (15 mile) stretch of road, including the 5km (3 mile) long undersea Freifjord Tunnel and seven bridges. Among them are the Bergsøysund Pontoon Bridge and the Gjemnessund Suspension Bridge.

The Atlantic Ocean Road is 8.3km (5 mile) long and is built across islets and skerries. It is linked by bridges, and zigzags its way across low islands providing fabulous views of dramatic seascapes and nature at its wildest. The Road was opened in 1989 and is classified as one of the most scenic Norwegian National Tourist Routes.

Reaching Averøy Island, you will visit Kvernes Stave Church. During the Middle Ages there were more than 1,000 stave churches in Norway, but today only 28 remain. Kvernes Stave Church is situated in a scenic location; once an ancient holy site where Norsemen came by boat from the surrounding islands to worship. Built in 1432, several repairs and reconstructions have been carried out through the centuries and the richly adorned interior, decorated with paintings and carvings dates back to the 17th century.

After your visit, return to Kristiansund via the Atlantic Ocean Tunnel, an undersea tunnel opened in 2009 as an extension of the Atlantic Ocean Road between Averøy Island and Kristiansund Town. The tunnel reaches a depth of approximately 250m (820ft) below sea level, making it one of the deepest undersea tunnels in the world.