Imagine driving along a road with stunning views of fjords, mountains, waterfalls and glaciers. At some point, you will arrive at a spectacular viewpoint where you can stop, get out of your rental car, and take it all in without having to concentrate on driving.

Atlanterhavsvegen © Roger Ellingsen

Along 18 Norwegian roads, this is exactly what will happen when you take the Norwegian Scenic Routes. Norwegian architecture and design interact with nature along these routes, not to detract from the scenery, but rather to enhance and enable new experiences. The Norwegian Scenic Routes combine nature, architecture and design into something greater than the sum of its parts.

The 18 panoramic drives include many of the most beautiful stretches of roads in Norway as they meander along the coast and across mountains in the northern, western and central parts of the country. They cover 1,327 miles, and, on each of the drives, there are numerous viewpoints, art installations and resting areas with amazing design-friendly toilets.

© Jarle Waehler

Norwegian architectural firms and designers who contributed to the National Scenic Routes project include Snøhetta, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, Jensen & Skodvin and Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk. A few non-Norwegians have been involved as well, among them the former French-American artist Louise Bourgeois, known for her large-scale sculpture and installation art, and noted Swiss architect Peter Zumthor.

It is expected that when the National Scenic Routes project is completed in 2024, it will include 190 various pieces of artwork and design- and environmentally friendly structures.