National Tourist Routes Norway

:: Photo via Turistveg.no

I have already touched on the Norwegian National Tourists Routes when I blogged about the Aurland lookout, nonetheless this subject deserves another entry. Norway has some of the most majestic scenery in the world, from fjords to rolling highland tundra and rocky beaches covering 25,000 kilometers of coastline. One way tourists can experience the richness of the country is to take a series of scenic drives through these landscapes.

:: Photo via Turistveg.no

Several years back the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPA) looked to enhance this road network and make the experience of driving the scenic routes even more fulfilling. Together with the Architectural Council for the National Tourist Route Project, the NPRA looked to create unique, high quality experiences by combining the landscape with creative architectural projects.

::Photo via VisitNorway

:: Photo via Turistveg.no

According to VisitNorway.com, as of today there are 6 completed National Tourist Routes but by 2016 there will be a total of 18. These routes lead tourists to the fjords, the coasts, mountains and waterfalls and the journey is punctuated by architectural wonders that compliment and highlight the natural surroundings.

From the Norwegian Trade Portal:

"In addition to these aesthetic niceties, practical tourist needs have been taken into account with the installation of car parks with capacity for summer traffic, pull-off and scenic points that allow travellers to fully appreciate their journey, picnic areas, overnight parking, hotels, restaurants – in effect, everything that you would want on a journey through the scenic wonderland of Norway."

Left: 6 existing Routes. Right: 18 planned routes
::Maps via VisitNorway and Turistveg

The most recent addition to the National Tourist Routes is a lookout by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter.

:: Image via ArchDaily

From the website:

"The project will enhance the experience of the Trollstigen plateau’s location and nature. Thoughtfulness regarding features and materials will underscore the site’s temper and character, and well-adapted, functional facilities will augment the visitor’s experience. The architecture is to be characterised by clear and precise transitions between planned zones and the natural landscape. Through the notion of water as a dynamic element –from snow, to running and then falling water- and rock as a static element, the project creates a series of prepositional relations that describe and magnify the unique spatiality of the site."

:: Image via ArchDaily

:: Image via ArchDaily

Future additions to the National Tourists Routes by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter are available in the work section of their website.