New attractions along Norwegian Scenic Routes in 2025
This year, the NPRA will be completing seven Scenic Route projects along five of the 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes.
Through determined efforts for more than 30 years, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) has made Norwegian Scenic Routes a unique tourist attraction. The development of the 18 selected routes, from Jæren in the south to Varanger in the north, is making more people choose Norway as a holiday destination. This contributes to value creation, in line with the purpose of the initiative.
The work to facilitate positive travel experiences continues in 2025. With their innovative and site-appropriate architecture and art, the 18 Scenic Routes will continue to inspire and fascinate.
"Even though the architecture has undergone significant changes and development over the years, it is still important to maintain high quality standards when we plan and build new projects," says Silje Myhre Amundsen, Project Director for NPRA Norwegian Scenic Routes.
Scenic Route attractions should all be unique, with forms, functions, sizes and facilities that are adapted to the landscape.
"The installations must be able to age with dignity and retain their originality and attractiveness also over time," says Silje Myhre Amundsen.
Here are this year's new projects:
Hauklandstranda, Lofoten
Café and parking
Haukland is a small village on the outer side of Vestvågøy, a detour from Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten. Here is a well-sheltered sandy beach that a number of times has been voted Norway's finest beach.
The increasing tourism in Lofoten is calling for more extensive facilities at popular destinations such as Hauklandsstranda. In the spring of 2025, a new service building will open, containing a café, sanitary facilities and room for equipment for the activities offered.
With defined trail systems, areas for rest and recreation and a designated car park, the goal is to reduce wear and tear on the terrain and at the same time help make the visit a good experience for everyone. Buildings, parking and other infrastructure have been established gently in the terrain to avoid major interventions in the vulnerable and unique coastal landscape.
Hauklandstranda is a government-protected outdoor recreation area owned by the Norwegian Environment Agency and managed by Vestvågøy Municipality. This will ensure that attractive nature remains accessible outdoor areas for everyone.
The project is a cooperation between Nordland County Administration, Vestvågøy Municipality and NPRA Scenic Routes.
The project will open in the spring of 2025.
Architect: Arne Henriksen Arkitekter AS
Contractor: Thore Magnussen & Sønn AS
Ørteren and Vardestopp, Hardangervidda
Rest areas
Ørteren and Vardestopp rest areas are beautifully situated along National Road 7 by the dammed Lake Ørteren in the east of Hardangervidda. The rest areas have been upgraded with parking facilities and a floor cast in low-carbon concrete.
The concrete floor is shaped like a collar, meandering in an organic soft line towards the terrain and mediating the transition from the man-made road structure to the natural landscape. This shape creates a variety of unique little places to hang out. A simple gravel path runs between the rest areas and Lake Ørteren. The rest areas have been designed in the same mould, softly expressing the motto "LET IT BE ".
The project will open in the spring of 2025.
Landscape architect: Bjørbekk & Lindheim AS - Nuno Almeida and Katrine Brekke Ellingsen
Contractor: GTS AS
Hamningberg, Varanger
Service building and rest area
Hamningberg is an abandoned fishing village in Båtsfjord municipality, at the end of Norwegian Scenic Route Varanger. The place is quite unique, with intact buildings from the 19th century.
Hamningberg's unofficial status as "the end of Europe" has made the place a favourite destination for travellers from Norway and Europe. Every year, many people find their way here in order to experience the midnight sun, nature and silence.
To handle the increased traffic and offer an attractive stop at the end of the route, the facilities will be supplemented with toilets and an improved car park.
The project will open in the spring of 2025.
Architect: KAP – Kontor for Arkitektur og Plan
Contractor: Finnmark entreprenør AS
Vangdal, Hardanger
Renovation of rest area
Vangdal rest area is located on County Road 49 between Norheimsund and Tørvikbygd. Next to the rest area is the Salthammaren rock carving site, a protected cultural monument that attracts a lot of visitors.
The area has previously been developed with improved access and lighting of rock art. The work was a joint effort among the Directorate for Cultural Heritage, Vestland County Administration, Kvam Municipality, the University Museum of Bergen and the NPRA.
To give the place a coherent expression, new efforts are needed. The rest area itself, with tables and benches, will be renovated, and an old brick wall towards the view of the Hardangerfiord will be replaced by new railings. The project is part of the work to perform required renewal and continuous maintenance.
The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2025.
Description and work drawings have been made by Brian Perktold of Dipl.-Ing. Florian Kosche AS.
Contractor: Not selected
Kvelven, Ryfylke
Rest area and viewpoint
The road through the Brattlandsdalen valley between Sand and Røldal was one of Norway's first scenic routes. Along what is now National Road 13 and Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke, the NPRA will be building a rest area with a viewpoint in connection with an old, 600-metre-long protected stretch of road.
The project will enable more people to experience this historic road and the dramatic landscape in a safe way. From the new viewpoint, visitors can experience gorges, giant potholes and the spectacular river that rushes by. A short walk along the old road will take visitors to the Kvelven tunnel, which is one of the first road tunnels that were built in Norway.
The project will open in the autumn of 2025.
Consultant: ATSITE as
Contractor: Not selected
Måbø Bridge, Hardangervidda
Rest area
Måbø Bridge is a stone arch bridge from 1910 across the river Bjoreio in the valley of Måbødalen. The bridge and the old road were taken out of service when the new route for National Road 7 was ready in 1986.
The rest area on the lower side of the bridge is now being upgraded with distinctive seating areas, planting and universally designed access. From the rest area there is a good view of Måbø Bridge and the rapids at the outlet of lake Måbøvatnet.
In the design of the project, the architect has greatly emphasised the reuse of stone.
The project is part of the work to upgrade Norwegian Scenic Route Hardangervidda in Måbødalen and at Vøringsfossen to become a unified travel experience with old travel routes, cultural history and the Scenic Route projects as important ingredients.
Måbø Bridge rest area will open in the autumn of 2025.
Architect: 3RW arkitekter by Architect Sixten Rahlff
Contractor: Not selected