Sunndalsøra is an industrial town in a spectacular setting, at the head of the Sunndalsfjord, where the steep valley of Sunndal opens out to the sea between mountains that rise more than 1500 metres on either side. It is dominated by the large aluminium plant of Hydro, one of the biggest and most modern in Europe, which has been the town's main employer since the mid-twentieth century and is powered by the hydroelectric stations in the mountains around it.
The town is a practical place, with shops, schools and housing for the workers, but the landscape around it is extraordinary. The valleys of Sunndal and Litldalen are steep and narrow, with waterfalls, rivers and old farms clinging to the slopes. To the east lies the Dovrefjell plateau, with its musk oxen and wild reindeer, and to the north the Trollheimen mountains, where the valley of Innerdalen is often called the most beautiful valley in Norway.
The Driva river, which flows through Sunndal to the fjord here, is among the most famous salmon rivers in Norway, and anglers come from far away to fish it in summer. Sunndalsøra also has a reputation for unusually warm winter weather, when warm, dry winds come down from the mountains and can push temperatures far above normal, although in summer the valley can be cool and rainy.
For riders, Sunndalsøra is a hub. The Aursjøvegen climbs from here into the mountains, a narrow, partly gravel road over the high plateau to Lesja, open only in summer. The main road through Sunndal follows the river up the valley toward Oppdal, with good surface, gentle curves and spectacular scenery, and the coastal road follows the fjord west toward Molde and Kristiansund. You will have the road mostly to yourself, except for the main road in summer.
Sunndalsøra has fuel, groceries and beds, which makes it the natural halt before or after the mountains. Take time to look at the mountains around the town, and if you have a few hours, ride up toward Innerdalen or the Aursjøvegen. The light in the valley in the evening, when the sun catches the peaks, is lovely.