'''More og Romsdal''' is in West 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.

Regions

Cities

  • Aure
  • Alesund
  • Andalsnes
  • Molde
  • Geiranger
  • Hellesylt
  • Kristiansund
  • Valldal
  • Other destinations

  • Romsdal railway from Dombas to Andalsnes - 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.
  • The Romsdal valley from Verma to Andalsnes can easily be experienced by driving road E136. This alpine valley is possibly the most majestic in Norway. The gentle Rauma river runs through the valley from Lesjaskog to Andalsnes.
  • The Golden Route - road route only open in the summer between Andalsnes and Geiranger taking in the Trollstigen mountain pass and the Eagles' Highway and a car ferry between.
  • The Atlantic Highway, a coastal road crossing any number of islands between Molde and Kristiansund.
  • Understand

    More og Romsdal is an administrative district (county). Historically the county consists of three distinct areas, each with its own dialect: Sunnmore (around Alesund), Romsdal (around Andalsnes and Molde) and Nordmore (around Kristiansund and Sunndal valley).

    More og Romsdal county includes deep fjords, alpine mountains, gentle vallies, countless green islands, wide forrests, the wilde Atlantic coast, impressive mountain roads, numerous lakes, barren mountain plateaus, charming mountain farms, and the highest waterfalls in Norway. This region is rich in natural resources such as fisheries, natural gas and hydro electric power. The highest mountains and waterfalls are in the district around Geiranger, Valldal, Tafjord, Andalsnes, Eikesdalen valley and Sunndal valley. Along the coast and to the North (in the Nordmore area closer to Trondheim), the mountains are lower, less steep and the forrests wide and deep. Due to the deep fjords and numerous islands all parts of this region has easy access to the Atlantic and transport depends on ferries.

    Talk

    The language in More og Romsdal is Norwegian, with dialects that are distinctly different from Oslo and Bergen dialects. In the northern area (Nordmore), the dialect is similar to Trondheim dialect.

    As in the rest of Norway, virtually everybody under 60 speak or understand English. In tourist hot spots like Geiranger French and German are also common among service personnel. Due to some immigration from Poland, the Netherlands etc, don't be surprised to meet service workers that manage other languages as well.

    Climate

    More og Romsdal weather is dominated by the North Atlantic. On the islands and close the ocean it's never really hot in summer and rarely cold in winter, fog tend to emerge on warm summer days. At the end of fjords and in the long valleys, summers are warmer and gentler. In Valldal and Geiranger there is typically snow cover from December to April, frequently 50-100 centimeters heavy snow, occasionaly more than 100 centimeters in the valley.

    Note that temperature is related to altitude. In the mountains, the temperature can be close to zero C even in summer.

    Get in

    By car Road E136 connects the region to road E6 (Norway's main north-south road) at Dombas. About seven hours from Oslo to Andalsnes. E136 is an all-year road.

    In summer, 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 western side, the main entrence to More og Romsdal is the E39 from Bergen to Volda, Alesund and Molde. Tourists should consider the more scenic Road 60 (connecting to E39 at Byrkjelo) across a small mountain pass, further through Olden and Stryn to Hellesylt.

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

    Get around

    The only railway in this district ends at Andalsnes. Your own '''car''' is the best way to get around and travel at your own speed. Frequent buses connect the towns, whereas in remote vallies there may be only one or two buses daily. Hitchhiking is a cheap way to travel the tourist routes. Cycling is a nice way to move around the varied landscape, steep hills and numerous tunnels are challenging. Ferries like the long Valldal-Geiranger ferry offer opportunities to rest for the bicycle traveler.

    Because of the many islands and deep fjords, More og Romsdal has a large number of relatively short (10-20 min) '''ferry crossings'''. Ferries are an integral part of the road network and trips across this county always involves ferries. Car ferries on the main roads 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 caclulate plenty of time for trips involving car 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 marmelade.

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

    See

    The most important sights in More og Romsdal is the nature and landscape itself, although the old center of Alesund 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. 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.

    Itineraries

    '''By car''' - suggestions

    ''Alpine Highlights''

    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. From Valldal make a 15 kilometer detour to Tafjord to look at the great dam and power production. 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". At Sogge bridge turn right onto E136, look at the majestic Romsdal valley including Trollveggen, continue towards Verma and look at the waterfalls there. Connect to E6 at Dombas.

    '''By train''' Raumabanen, the Dombas-Andalsnes line, is the only railway in More og Romsdal and an attraction itself. Andalsnes is the end station.

    Do

    Eat

    Try the typical thick pancake ("svele") served on ferries.

    See information for specific destinations.

    Drink

    Stay safe

    Norway has in general a low crime rate. More 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 of More 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 Alesund.

    People generally drive careful on mountain roads and few car accidents happen even if many tourists feel unsafe. Drivers tend to use their breaks to much causing the break fluid to boil - '''use a low gear and let the engine control the speed downhill'''.

    More 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 forrest). The red deer is much smaller than the moose (elk) found in Eastern Norway, but can still create a danger 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 proper equipment and instructions.''' Do not underestimate the risk on slippery slopes (particularly near waterfalls). Do not underestimate the power of waves along the Atlantic. Wear a life west when in a small open boat.

    Get out