#NordicNews on experiences and Norway
Natural masterpieces and architectural wonders along the Norwegian roads
In the 2024 season, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration will complete a multi-year modernization and expansion of three iconic tourist attractions: Torghatten, Gjende and Vøringsfossen. Further openings will take place along the Sognefjellet, Lofoten and Varanger National Tourist Routes.
Over 30 years, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration has developed eighteen selected routes through the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in Norway. Innovative architecture along the roads, such as rest areas, viewing platforms and service buildings, together with thoughtful art, inspire and fascinate both domestic and international visitors. Promoting tourist travel from Jæren in the south to Varanger in the north contributes to value creation in the tourism industry and is in line with the aim of the initiative.
In 2024, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration will complete five new architectural projects and reopen an old rest area after necessary upgrades. Among these, Torghatten, Gjende and Vøringsfossen are considered beacons in the Norwegian tourism product due to their high natural qualities, interesting stories and significant impact on the tourism industry:
Torghatten, Helgelandskysten National Tourist Route
Service building, parking lot, paths, stairs and rock protection: The spectacular hole in Torghatten resembles a mighty cathedral, with a height of 41 meters, a length of 166 meters and a width of 18 meters. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration works in collaboration with Brønnøysund Municipality and receives contributions from Nordland County to develop the area around Torghatten. A new architect-designed service building made of wood and glass will contain toilets, information and exhibitions, with roof beams that filter the daylight and create a varied play of shadows.
The building serves as a natural starting point for hikes through the hole on well-prepared paths and stairs. Necessary rock protections and the rerouting of the path to avoid avalanche-prone areas have been installed, and a new parking lot with good capacity has been set up. The planned opening is in June.
Gjende, Valdresflye National Tourist Route
Phase 2: service building with café and toilets: Gjendeosen is a lively meeting point at the entrance to Jotunheimen National Park. Here, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration is completing a comprehensive tourist facility at Gjende with a new 350 square meter wood and glass service building containing a kiosk, café and toilet facilities. The surrounding outdoor areas are simple and aesthetically designed.
With the new building, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration is completing its multi-year effort to elevate Reinsvangen/Gjende to a fully-fledged national tourist facility. This also includes a new concrete dock, a service building with bench seating under one roof for waiting for the Gjende boats and technical rooms for boat operations. The existing parking lot in Reinsvangen has been significantly expanded. A new service building with toilets and associated technical rooms, benches for travelers with shuttle buses and covered bicycle parking spaces for rental bikes was built. The opening is planned for June.
Vøringsfossen, Hardangervidda National Tourist Route
Phase 3, Fossatromma: viewing point, path and toilets: Vøringsfossen is perhaps the most famous waterfall in the country, where large volumes of water plunge 182 meters from the Hardangervidda plateau into the Måbødalen valley. Following the development of the Vøringsfossen destination, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration is completing the attraction this year with a large parking lot, public toilet, viewpoints and landscaping work on Fossatromma.
Tourists will have the opportunity to experience Vøringsfossen and Måbødalen from new perspectives on safe viewing platforms and paths, also on Fossatromma. The planned opening is in September.
Liasanden, Sognefjellet National Tourist Route
Reopening: modernization of the service building, new rest areas and two bicycle shelters: Liasanden was closed for several years for the restoration of toilets, new outdoor areas with seating and improved facilities for cyclists with two bicycle shelters. The rest area has been popular since it opened in 1997 and has therefore been subject to heavy traffic and camping, resulting in damage. As an environmentally friendly measure, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration closes the forest to car traffic and points to shared parking to the east, from where travelers can easily walk into the recreation area. The modernized rest area has new wooden benches and two shelters with roofs that provide protection from the weather; a recurring request from cyclists. The originally designed toilets from 1997 remain modernized as a historical artifact. The planned opening is in June.
Hamningberg, Varanger National Tourist Route
Two service buildings with restrooms, parking lot upgrade: Along the Varangerfjord, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration has developed a series of bird hides where Arctic birds gather and rest. The furthest north and east is Hamningberg, where a significant increase in birdwatchers and other interested visitors has created a need for better rest facilities. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration is building two toilets and a new parking lot. The toilet buildings are made of block elements, with hats that catch the light and reflect the surroundings. The large parking lot is divided into smaller zones, with sheltered fire pits for motorhome tourists. The planned opening is in September.
Hauklandstranda, Lofoten National Tourist Route
Café and service building, parking lot and paths: Hauklandstranda has long been used as a recreational area and bathing spot in Vestvågøy. There is a small grassy rise in the large landscape just southwest of the parking lot on Uttakleivveien. From this elevation there is a magnificent view of the beach, the sea and the mountains to the southwest. The new service building therefore crowns the elevation and extends towards both the parking lot and the view. The rectangular shape of the building houses a terrace, café and kitchen functions to the west and changing rooms for wetsuit rental to the east. At the end, towards the parking lot, is the toilet facility. The exterior wall in the café space has an upper part where light enters through slits, while the lower part is an open glass solution. This is intended to give the café space a special character of intimacy and a view.
More on the new attractions of Statens vegvesen.
Header: © Statens vegvesen, KAP
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