The Atlantic Road in Norway – and smoked salmon in Bud

Text and photo: Helena Bergström

There are roads that just take you from A to B. And then there are roads that are the destination itself. The Atlantic Road on Norway's west coast is only just over eight kilometers long, but offers dramatic bridges, ocean views and several nice stops along the way. Add to that the charming fishing village of Bud, where we ate fantastically delicious smoked salmon and spent the night in our camper van, and you have a perfect excursion destination.

The Atlantic Road – one of the world's most beautiful roads

The Atlantic Road (Norwegian: Atlanterhavsveien) runs between Kårvåg on Averøy and Vevang on the Norwegian mainland. The road is known for its dramatic views and the spectacular Storseisund Bridge, which from some angles appears to plunge straight into the sea. We drove here in our camper van one day in July, which was a very nice experience.

Our best stops along the way

The drive across the road itself is quite quick, but if you want to experience the place properly you can make several different stops. Here are some tips on some places to check out and discover.

Storseisund Bridge

The Storseisund Bridge is the most photographed bridge along the Atlantic Road. When approached, it appears, from certain angles, to bend in an almost unnatural and dizzying way.

Eldhusøya

Eldhusøya offers a nice stop with a long metal bridge that goes around the entire island. A walk here gives fantastic views. In the summer there is also a café here.

Parking/Viewpoints

Along the way there are several small parking spots where you can stop and take photos. It is almost impossible not to want to stop ”just one more time” – each spot offers new views.

Vevang Cultural Trail

Adjacent to a slightly larger parking lot at Vevang is an easier two-kilometer walking trail. The walk offers beautiful coastal views and an artwork called Transatlantic Column, and which consists of a large number of pieces of marble columns, which have been scattered throughout the landscape.

Fishing on the Atlantic Road

The Atlantic Road is also a popular spot for anglers. There are many different places to fish along the road, but the most popular seems to be from a high bridge in the middle of the road, where you fish straight down into the deep water. The challenge is that it is difficult to get a parking space, as there is only room for a small number of cars, and the parking lot fills up quickly.

In the end we finally got a spot, and Peter was able to try fishing for a while. He got a hook, but lost the fish on the way up. Other fishermen, who had been fishing for a long time, had caught both mackerel and cod.

Boat trips and other activities

For those who want to experience the area from the sea, there are several options. From Geitøya, there are regular boat trips out to the small island of Håholmen in the summer. The boat trip itself takes no more than 5-7 minutes and the island visit should be really nice.

In addition, boat trips run from Bud to Bjørnsund and Ona, and there is also the opportunity to rent a boat or go on fishing trips.

Parking and camper

We have to say we were surprised by how many parking spaces there are along the road. Some spaces are quite large, while others are just small pockets with space for one or two cars. During high season it can get crowded, but you can usually find a space somewhere. If you want a slightly quieter experience, you can choose to come early or late in the day.

Many campervan drivers choose to stay overnight in the parking lots, and most places have no restrictions against staying overnight. However, check the signs – in some of the places it is forbidden to stay overnight.

Bud – a charming fishing village by the sea

Just a few kilometers from the Atlantic Road lies Bud. This small coastal town has long lived off fishing, and there are still small boats, charming boathouses and a genuine feel here. Bud also has a historic hilltop fort and a museum.

Drågen Smokehouse – smoked salmon that we're still talking about

When you visit Bud, you don't want to miss checking out Drågen Smokehouse, which is a popular smokehouse and at the same time a Nortrip host, for travelers with a camper.

The biggest draw here is the fantastic smoked salmon, but the place also offers a few other surprises. We were impressed by a large and incredibly beautiful exhibition of different types of stone, both from different regions in Norway and from all over the world.

There is also a nice shop with everything from souvenirs to Norwegian outdoor clothing suitable for the windswept climate.

We met the owner Petter Aune, who has worked on fishing boats in Alaska, the USA, Russia and Antarctica, and who over time became driven by the ambition to produce smoked salmon and trout of really high quality. The smokehouse, which started on a small scale, is now impressively large and has recently moved to large and very modern premises in the middle of central Bud.

We got to taste several different kinds of smoked salmon and then ate a really good salmon sandwich. Choosing which kinds of products to buy for the camper was not easy, but the choice fell on whiskey smoked salmon and aquavit smoked salmon – and this is truly the best smoked salmon we have ever eaten. ever.

Overnight stay with a camper via Nortrip

We stayed overnight at Drågen Smokehouse through Nortrip – a concept that means you can stay overnight for free at 300 affiliated farms/local hosts, while also getting local experiences.

The RV parking at Drågen Smokehouse is still located at the old smokehouse – a scenic and quiet place, without service or staff. When you download the Nortrip app, you can immediately see current information about the place, now and in the future. Right now, until July 26, we can offer a discount on the app here:

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

It was a really nice visit to the Atlantic Road and cozy Bud, before we continued our adventure in Norway. Do you want more tips on things to see and experience nearby? Read here:

• Vinnufossen in Norway
• Troll's Path
• Geirangerfjord