Industrious villages and skyscraper peaks
This round takes you through the heart of the alpine Sunnmøre mountains, and it can be done as a one day trip, or if you prefer, why not stay over in Stranda or Sykkylven. As some of the route takes your through the mountains, this round is recommended during late spring, summer and early autumn, though in this region you can get any weather at all seasons. The first part from Ålesund through Sykkylven is mostly on flat roads, combined with a free ferry across Storfjorden, but at the end of the valley Velledalen you’ll have to climb 500 meters before you can let yourself fall back down again to Stranda. The return follows the same road back up from Stranda, but I recommend a detour by Fjellsetra and Ramstaddalen.
I did this trip a warm summer day in June, starting from the coastal town Ålesund in the morning. Ålesund is situated on a row of narrow islands, and it takes some time to get out of the city. When you get on the ferry, why not fill up with the local “svele”, a kind of thick pancake filled butter and brown cheese, or a special butter cream.
Across the fjord you’ll soon enter Sykkylven, home to the Norwegian furniture industry. This is where they produce the armchair “Stressless” from Ekornes, widely sold in China, Germany and the United States. And from this cluster of factories in this small place, they export a whole range of sofas, chairs and beds.
To get off the main road, cross the bridge across Sykkylvsfjorden just after the little town centre. Continue inwards, heading towards the characteristic peak rising straight from the fjord on your left. This is a rich farmland harvesting from the good soil brought here by the glaciers during the ice age. The climate is mild and there is no lack of water. The story also goes that this was home to viking kings and an important centre during the viking age.
I followed a narrow road at the end of the valley turning more into a path as it climbed up to a mountain farm through a forest. From the farm I was rewarded with a great view overlooking the landscape. Still this was not the highest point.
From here the next part is on the main road, still climbing a bit. You’ll pass Strandafjellet Ski Resort before you can enjoy rolling the road all the way down to Stranda. This is a beautiful village situated in a green slope by Storfjorden, between snowy mountains. If you’re lucky you’ll find the cafe Hygge open. This is a meeting point for mountaineers, alpinists, climbers, hikers and bicyclists.
Stranda is most famous in Norway for it’s production of the most popular frozen pizza in the country. But it is also the municipal centre in a popular tourist area, Throughout the summer cruise ships pass here every day on their way to and from Geiranger. This is part of a World Heritage landscape, where fjords and mountains were used for fishing and farming. Small farms can still be seen high up in the steep mountainsides, though many of them are left and taken back by nature.
From Stranda it is possible to head further, to Geiranger or Åndalsnes, though there are some long tunnels which might be challenging. On this route we are heading back to Ålesund, taking a detour. From Stranda climb up again where you just came down, and cross the highest part. On the descend on the other side, look for the sign to Fjellsetra. This will take you through an area with mountain cabins and chalets, and after this down the wild valley Ramstaddalen, facing the fjord in a distance. This is a low traffic road, taking you along farms and great views. Follow the road back to Sykkylven where you might find time for another meal, or head back to the ferry and the way back to Ålesund.
This route can be found here: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/50804400?privacy_code=pisEIOndJufVOLpf
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