The amazing Bonneville Salt Flats are situated in the north west corner of Utah. It is a vast, salt covered expanse, known for its flat white surface. The salt crust is a remnant of an ancient lake that dried up, leaving a breathtaking landscape also known as “the temple of speed” and is a sacred place for all petrolheads around the world. During most of the year the flats are covered in water but in late summer the water dries up and leaves an immaculate flat salt surface used for racing all things on wheels. It was here that sir Malcolm Campbell raced the Blue Bird in 1935 to over 300 mph for the first time, in 1960 the 400 mph limit was broken by Mickey Thompson and in 1970 the Blue Flame reached 622 mph! Countless other records have been set by motorbikes and cars during the annual Bonneville Speed Week.

For us Norwegians, salt flats are a rare thing to see, in fact this was the first time we had set foot on such a surface. The drive to the Bonneville salt flats was exciting enough in itself, the signage is epic and the causeway into the salt flat itself was mesmerizing. We have never seen such a landscape, Norway is filled with nooks and crannies, not anything near as flat and endless as the Bonneville salt flats. It was truly amazing!

We visited in May, and the flats were all flooded with water, it made it almost eerie to see the water disappear into a mirage at the horizon. Wading in the brine like water was very cool, we had a taste, and yes, it was super salty.

A small word of warning, we saw a 4X4 having fun in the water, and he must have been a local petrolhead that knew what he was doing but do not be tempted to drive into the salt or into what looks like dry salt bed on the drive into the causeway. The idiot we saw driving a Tesla (!) into the mud, got well and truly stuck, and I am guessing he ruined his car, and had to pay a hefty fee to the towing company. So in other words, do not drive off the tarmac!

The Bonneville Salt Flats are unlike anything we have ever seem. It is hard to describe the vast horizon and endless landscape. It is not necessary with a long visit but to drive the causeway until the end and just take in the alien landscape is totally worth it!