Restrooms along the Norwegian Scenic Routes
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Photo:
Harald Chr. Eiken / www.vmproduksjon.no
Restrooms along the Norwegian Scenic Routes
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Photo:
Harald Chr. Eiken / www.vmproduksjon.no
When you have to go, you have to go.
But luckily, a bathroom break is not necessarily the worst part of an adventure on four wheels.
Some restrooms along the Norwegian Scenic Routes actually invite you to take your time and enjoy the scenery – even if you don’t have any business to take care of.
Skjervsfossen, Norwegian Scenic Route Hardanger
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Photo:
Steinar Skaar / Statens vegvesen
Video: Harald Chr. Eiken / www.vmproduksjon.no
Architect: Fortunen v. Nils J. Mannsåker
Landscape architect: Østengen og Bergo as
Skjervsfossen, Norwegian Scenic Route Hardanger
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Photo:
Steinar Skaar / Statens vegvesen
Video: Harald Chr. Eiken / www.vmproduksjon.no
Architect: Fortunen v. Nils J. Mannsåker
Landscape architect: Østengen og Bergo as
The loos at the Stegastein viewpoint in the Sognefjord region is one of the world’s 10 best public toilets according to DesignCurial.
“Norway has opened what might be the most idyllic public convenience in the world.”
The Telegraph
A lot of people agree with The Telegraph, as the wave-shaped Ureddplassen on the Helgeland coast has been featured in several publications.
“Ureddplassen” means “the place of the fearless.” Quite fitting, as a nearby memorial pays tribute to those who lost their lives when the Norwegian submarine “Uredd” sank right off the coast during the Second World War.
The toilets along the Norwegian Scenic Routes are architectural masterpieces. All except one are designed by well-known or up and coming Norwegian architecture firms.
The Eggum pit stop in Lofoten is the smallest design created by the internationally acclaimed Snøhetta, while the loo in Selvika along Scenic Route Havøysund is signed Reiulf Ramstad.
Some are located above the Arctic circle in Northern Norway, others by the popular fjords in the west. You can also find sleek restrooms in remote areas on mountain plateaus in Fjord Norway. Note that many of them are only reachable during summer, as some roads are closed in winter.
The weather can be really harsh that time of the year, and at Oscarshaug along Scenic Route Sognefjellet they even had to reinforce the loo with a steel construction. But it looks cool, right? Almost like a Viking helmet.
Norway’s portfolio of spectacular toilets is, as you can see, filled with great examples of how something as boring as a loo can become a tourist attraction. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration is responsible for developing the Norwegian Scenic Routes and their conveniences, and they still have an ace or two up their sleeve.
They can, for instance, share that they’ve started the work on a forest-inspired restroom, which uses dried wood from around 60 to 70 trees. When completed, it will look like an upside-down tree trunk with roots holding the roof. Just look at this architectural drawing!
Restrooms at Tyrvefjøra, Norwegian Scenic Route Hardanger. Photo: Helen & Hard Arkitekter
We can’t wait to stop here at Tyrvefjøra on a road trip to the Hardangerfjord region, or along the other Scenic Routes for that matter.
Before you start planning a road trip with pit stops at stylish lavatories, however, please remember this: Don’t be that person. You know, the one who leaves a mess, ruining the experience for others.
Make sure you “hit goal” as you take care of business, flush when you’re done, and throw paper towels in the bin after washing your hands.
Get ready for the pit stop of your life and we’ll see you soon. Toodeloo!
The video in the top of the article shows the restrooms at Selvika at Scenic Route Havøysund (architect: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter), Allmannajuvet at Scenic Route Ryfylke (architect: Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner), Utsikten at Scenic Route Gaularfjellet (architect: Code arkitektur) and Bukkekjerka at Scenic Route Andøya (architect: Morfeus Arkitekter).
Check out the 18 roads and find out where you want to go.
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Norwegian Scenic Routes
Along selected roads in Norway, natural wonders are amplified by art, design, and architecture meant to bring you closer to nature in new and surprising ways.
Norwegian Scenic Route Lofoten is 230 kilometres long and travels between Å and Raftsundet. Detours to Nusfjord, Vikten, Utakleiv, Unstad, Eggum, and…
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Norwegian Scenic Route Hardanger comprises four sections, with a total length of 158 kilometres: Granvin–Steinsdalsfossen, Norheimsund–Tørvikbygd,…
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