Why the Arctic Circle is my ultimate road trip destination

If you were asked to name an epic road trip, there are a few places that would probably come to mind. Route 66 to take in some of America’s history, or down to the south of France for a luxurious grand tour. The Amalfi coast in Italy, Pacific Coast in California or even the Nurburgring in Germany are all likely choices.

But if you want adventure, excitement and breathtaking scenery everywhere you look then a Scandinavian road trip should be at the top of your list.

With heavy snow in the days leading up to the drive, icy roads and a daytime temperature of minus eight degrees this would be no simple task; it’s fair to say there were a few obstacles in the way.

Where a sunny road trip tends to be a case of ‘get in and go’, taking in some sights and getting to your next stop with ease, an Arctic road trip is a much more exhilarating affair.

Every minute of the drive is exciting, even when setting off. Instead of a drop-top summer cruise which most people go for, we looked to Scandinavia and decided to point our Mazda CX-30 north instead; a trip through the Arctic Circle, from Trømso in Norway all the way to Nordkapp – the most northerly point in Europe – with our heated seats on full.

Norwegian towns are fairly simple to drive through, but you need to get used to small things such as reading signs for zebra crossings because the stripes on the road are covered in snow.

Our planned route was straight up to Nordkapp via coastal roads, with some ferries and underwater tunnels in the mix to navigate Norway’s fjords and islands. However, Mother Nature had other ideas, and the snowfall was so heavy that the tunnels were closed and ferries had been relegated to their docks.

Unfazed, we took an inland route instead – heading east into Finland before correcting north towards the town of Alta and carrying on towards the North Pole. The new route was absolutely breathtaking, and it certainly kept us on the edge of our seats.

Twisty mountain roads covered in so much snow that you couldn’t see the guard rails, maniacal lorry drivers kicking up plumes of snow which effectively blind you, sheet ice covering fast roads for hundreds of kilometres at a time… Arctic driving is far from easy, but if you keep your wits about you the experience is incredibly rewarding.

Part of that reward comes from the landscape surrounding you. Dense pine forests, navy blue cliff faces, snowy tundras and frozen waterfalls make the Arctic one of the most beautiful places on earth; National Geographic can’t prepare you for how stunning it all is.

You may not carve through corners as you would in a hot climate, but the adrenaline of keeping a car moving swiftly in treacherous conditions is thrilling – and there’s definitely a sense of pride associated with being able to say that you’ve completed a tricky drive.

Driving 1000km through incredible vistas in challenging conditions was enough to cement an Arctic trip as one of the best experiences you can have in a car. Charming locals and pleasant hospitality only added to the trip.

Dress warm, get the tunes on and pack a healthy appetite: reindeer is absolutely delicious.

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