Corporate News

What Makes Atlanterhavsveien One of the Most Beautiful and Most Dangerous Roads

Words Chris Danielson | September 30, 2015
The road itself isn’t long- just over 5 miles, but this short Norwegian road has a reputation rivaling even some of the most iconic American roads such as Route 66 and the Loneliest Road
Words Chris Danielson September 30, 2015

You my remember the Atlanterhavsveien,also knows as the Atlantic Ocean Road, from the launch of the Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell launch. The road itself isn’t long- just over 5 miles, but this short Norwegian road has a reputation rivaling even some of the most iconic American roads such as Route 66 and the Loneliest Road. Built in the 1980s, the road and its 8 breath-taking (and sometimes terrifying) bridges has become one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions.

The road itself isn’t long- just over 5 miles, but this short Norwegian road has a reputation rivaling even some of the most iconic American roads such as Route 66 and the Loneliest Road

The road itself isn’t long- just over 5 miles, but this short Norwegian road has a reputation rivaling even some of the most iconic American roads such as Route 66 and the Loneliest Road

The Atlantic Ocean Road connects a chain of Norwegian islands with the road seeming to hug the sea. During its construction the sea seemed to almost challenge the idea of the road invading its space, sending 12 European windstorms to deter its completion. Man, however, won out over Mother Nature and the road was opened to travelers in 1989.

Originally a toll-road, the roller-coaster-ish road has now more than paid for itself and is toll-free today with thousands of motorists and motorcyclists basking in its twists, turns, and stunning views. When the weather is fair you may spot whales and seals, but it’s when the weather turns nasty that the Atlantic Ocean Road really becomes a photographer’s dream…

Norway recognizes the road as an official “Cultural Heritage Site” and “National Tourist Route,” but its biggest honor came when the road was named the “Norwegian Construction of the Century.”