Arctic Dreams and Open Roads

In June, we embarked on what would become our greatest challenge to date in our beloved MX-5. Over the years we have enjoyed some incredible road trips, from Alpine passes and the Dolomites to adventures across the UK and Europe, but this one was on an entirely different scale.

The Arctic Highway Challenge promised 27 days on the road, nearly 6,000 miles of driving and a destination that had sat firmly on our bucket list for many years: Nordkapp, one of the most northerly points in Europe accessible by road.

The appeal wasn't just the destination. It was the opportunity to drive through Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark, experiencing some of Europe's most spectacular scenery from behind the wheel of an MX-5.

By the time we returned home, we had covered 5,851 miles, crossed eight countries, negotiated countless ferries and tunnels, and once again proved that the MX-5 is capable of far more than many people imagine.

There are some places on the map that almost seem mythical. Places you've read about and seen in photographs but never quite believe you'll visit yourself. Nordkapp was certainly one of those places for us.

The adventure began with the familiar crossing to France before heading through Germany and Denmark towards Norway. Months of planning had finally become reality and all that remained was to point the MX-5 north and start driving.

Everything changed when we reached Norway.

The scenery became bigger, the roads more dramatic and every bend revealed another postcard-perfect view. The roads felt purpose-built for the MX-5. Sweeping bends, perfectly engineered corners and stunning scenery combined to create some of the finest driving we have ever experienced.

Driving in Norway requires patience, but not because of traffic. Every few miles there seems to be another waterfall, viewpoint or photo opportunity. What should have been a two-hour drive often became four.

Not that we were complaining.

The fjords were every bit as spectacular as we'd hoped. Geirangerfjord in particular was breathtaking, surrounded by towering mountains and dramatic cliffs. Photographs simply don't do it justice.

One road high on our wish list was Trollstigen. Looking down from the viewing platform, the famous eleven hairpin bends appear almost impossible as they twist through the landscape below. It is the sort of road that makes you smile before you've even started driving it.

Norway's troll folklore was impossible to ignore. Throughout the trip we encountered troll statues, troll souvenirs and enough troll-themed merchandise to convince us that trolls might actually exist. We never saw a real one, although after several days surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and mist-covered valleys, it certainly felt like the sort of place where they might be hiding.

As impressive as the scenery was, the engineering was equally remarkable. Ferries connect remote regions; bridges link islands and tunnels disappear deep into mountains and beneath fjords.

The tunnels became a memorable part of the adventure. Some were short, while others seemed endless. The most famous was the Lærdal Tunnel, stretching for 15.2 miles and holding the title of the world's longest road tunnel.

On one particular day we calculated that we had driven almost 60 miles underground. By the end of the day, I never wanted to see another tunnel again. The following day we entered a tunnel around two miles long and my first thought was, "Is that all you've got?"

Only in Norway could a two-mile tunnel start to feel disappointingly short.

Travelling with a Scenic Car Tour group added another dimension to the journey. Every evening brought stories from the day's adventures, photographs of incredible scenery and plenty of laughter as we compared notes on roads, weather and occasional navigational challenges.

Meanwhile, the MX-5 continued to perform flawlessly. Despite carrying enough luggage for nearly a month on the road, it remained comfortable, reliable and enormous fun to drive.

As we travelled further north, the distances increased and the roads became more remote. Crossing the Arctic Circle felt like a major milestone and brought home just how far north we had travelled.

Being from Wales, we're used to sheep wandering onto the road. Scandinavia introduces a different set of roadside hazards.

Reindeer quickly became part of daily life. Sometimes they grazed peacefully at the roadside; other times they wandered casually into the carriageway with absolutely no sense of urgency. More than once, we found ourselves braking while a reindeer stood in the road looking completely unconcerned.

We had been warned about moose, but despite covering 5,851 miles through Norway, Finland and Sweden, we never saw one.

The Lofoten Islands were another highlight. Even with mixed weather, the scenery was spectacular. Jagged mountains rise directly from the sea, colourful fishing villages cling to narrow strips of land and every road offers another unforgettable view.

Driving through Lofoten with the roof down whenever conditions allowed reminded us exactly why road trips are so special.

As we pushed further north, thoughts increasingly turned towards Nordkapp.

For many people it is simply another tourist attraction. For those who have driven there, it represents something much more significant. The distances involved are immense and every mile has to be earned.

The final approach was filled with excitement. After thousands of miles on the road, we finally saw the famous globe monument standing proudly above the Barents Sea.

After seeing photographs of it for years, standing beside it with our MX-5 felt almost surreal.

There was excitement, satisfaction and perhaps a little disbelief. After all the planning, preparation and driving, we had actually made it.

Standing beside the globe and looking out across the Arctic Ocean, we reflected on everything that had brought us there. The mountain roads, the fjords, the ferries, the friendships and the shared experiences all combined into one unforgettable moment.

What many people perhaps don't appreciate is what an achievement reaching Nordkapp really is. Looking at a map is one thing. Driving there is something entirely different. On three consecutive days we averaged around 300 miles per day, often on roads where average speeds were much lower than many drivers might be accustomed to.

Yet every mile was worth it.

After leaving Nordkapp, our journey turned south through Finland and Sweden.

Finland offered a completely different landscape. Vast forests, crystal-clear lakes and roads stretching endlessly towards the horizon replaced Norway's dramatic mountains and fjords.

It also provided one of the most unexpected adventures of the trip.

The drive from Inari to Rovaniemi included a recommended scenic route along Seututie 955. Unfortunately, we only discovered that the road included 25.5 miles of gravel once we were already committed to it.

Suddenly our Arctic road trip had become a Finnish rally stage.

The MX-5 took it all in its stride, although I'm fairly sure it was questioning my life choices at several points. By the end, the car was covered in what can only be described as half of Finland. Thankfully, a jet wash eventually restored it from "Finnish Forest Brown" back to its usual bright orange.

One of the highlights of Finland was visiting Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi and crossing the Arctic Circle once again. After driving thousands of miles into the Arctic, it seemed rude not to call in and see Father Christmas.

As two fully grown adults, we naturally behaved like excited children.

Sweden provided another contrast, with long sweeping roads allowing the miles to pass comfortably while still offering plenty of enjoyment behind the wheel.

By now we had settled into a routine of breakfast, driving, sightseeing, coffee stops and the daily challenge of finding room for yet another souvenir inside an already packed MX-5.

Remarkably, we always found a way.

After crossing back into Denmark, we began to notice a noise from the rear brakes. When you're several thousand miles from home, any unusual sound quickly gets your attention.

Fortunately, a local Mazda dealership came to the rescue. Despite having no appointment and being told they normally had a two-week waiting list, they immediately understood our situation. Within two hours the fault had been diagnosed, new rear brake pads fitted and we were back on the road.

The level of service was exceptional and transformed what could have been a major problem into little more than a brief pause in the journey.

One of the more unusual highlights came during an overnight stop in Germany. The hotel featured a car lift that allowed guests to park directly outside their room, even if that room happened to be on the fifth floor.

Naturally, the MX-5 enjoyed penthouse accommodation for the night.

Many MX-5 owners will understand the temptation to glance out of a hotel window just to check their car is still there. This time we simply looked out of the window and found it parked a few feet away.

The MX-5 now seems to think fifth-floor parking should be standard on future road trips.

Another statistic that impressed us was the fuel economy. Over the entire 5,851-mile journey, the MX-5 averaged an excellent 43 mpg. Denmark delivered the most expensive fuel at the equivalent of around £2.51 per litre, while Sweden was considerably kinder to the wallet at approximately £1.09 per litre.

When we finally added everything together, we discovered we had spent £990 on fuel, almost exactly matching our original £1,000 budget.

As the trip drew to a close and the familiar roads of home came back into view, we reflected on what had made the Arctic Highway Challenge so special.

Yes, reaching Nordkapp was undoubtedly the headline achievement.

But the real story was everything in between.

The roads. The scenery. The friendships. The laughter. The unexpected moments.

This wasn't simply a road trip. It was an adventure in the truest sense of the word.

Over 27 unforgettable days, we experienced some of the finest driving roads in Europe, explored landscapes unlike anything we had previously encountered and created memories that will remain with us forever.

Most importantly, we did it all in our beloved MX-5.

Completing the Arctic Highway Challenge with Scenic Car Tours has only encouraged us to look for the next adventure. Next year we hope to head in the opposite direction and visit Punta de Tarifa, the southernmost point of mainland Europe.

That's one of the wonderful things about these cars. Whether you're heading for the top of Europe or the bottom of it, the journey is always just as important as the destination.

Would we do the Arctic Highway Challenge again?

Absolutely.

After all, adventures like this are exactly what the MX-5 was built for.

Kevin and Deb Reader

South Wales Area

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