Atlantic Road, Norway
Norway’s Atlantic Road, famously known as the Norwegian Scenic Route, is an unforgettable drive that hugs the wild ocean shoreline. With jaw-dropping views at every turn, it’s celebrated as one of the most beautiful drives on the planet—but don’t let its stunning beauty fool you.
The road’s narrow, winding path and proximity to crashing waves make it one of the most thrilling—and dangerous—routes you’ll ever take.
Location
The Atlantic Road connects Averøy with the mainland via a series of small islands and islets with a total of eight bridges over 5.2 miles.
The Design
The road has a roller-coaster feel with curvy bridges that dip and arch over and around the massive ocean waves.
Creation
The Atlantic Road was started in 1983 and first opened in 1989. Construction was a major challenge as the workers experienced 12 horrific hurricanes during the project.
Dmitry Tkachenko Photo, Shutterstock
Purpose
Originally constructed to connect the islands to Norway’s mainland, the Atlantic Road quickly transformed into a must-see destination, attracting travelers from around the world with its breathtaking views and unique coastal charm.
Honorary Acknowledgments
In 2005, the Atlantic Road, Atlanterhavsvegen, was named as the building of the 20th century for its sheer size and creativity.
It is also considered an engineering marvel, considering its challenging construction process.
The Famous Atlantic Road Bridge
The Storseisundet Bridge is a drastically-curved bridge along the road, and it the longest of the eight bridges.
The Storseisundet Bridge
This bridge is often referred to as “the road to nowhere” due to the unique angle and design of the road appearing to drop off into the sea.
It is also the biggest tourist hot spot along the entire road.
Ernst Vikne, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Length & Time to Travel
Stretching 8.3 kilometers (5.2 miles), Norway’s Atlantic Road can be driven in just 10 to 20 minutes—depending on how fast you go. But if you pause to soak in the stunning views (and you definitely should), expect your trip to take much longer.
Cost to Travel
Travel along the Atlantic Road is free. Tolls were previously collected, however within ten years of its construction, the tolls paid off the road’s construction costs—making it now toll-free since 1999.
Places to Stay
There are no hotels or restaurants along the Atlantic Road, but there are many nearby towns and villages that offer beautiful coastal experiences.
Tatiana Bashinskaya, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Scenery
The scenic beauty is the top reason tourists make the drive. The Atlantic Road offers breathtaking views of the Norwegian coastline, the North Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding fjords and mountains.
Clementp.fr, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fishing
The Atlantic Road isn’t just a scenic drive—it’s also a paradise for anglers. Along the route, you can fish right at the water’s edge, surrounded by open sea rather than vast stretches of land.
One favorite spot is the Myrbærholmbrua bridge, which features a dedicated pedestrian walkway perfect for casting a line and soaking in the ocean views.
Bird Watching
Avid bird watchers visit the Atlantic Road to spot sea eagles, Atlantic puffins, gulls and a variety of other sea birds.
Zairon, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Cycling & Walking
Vehicles are not needed to experience the Atlantic Road. Many tourists take in the fresh ocean air while riding or walking the route.
Rest-Stops
There are several rest-stops and viewpoints along the Atlantic Road, with the biggest of these being on the island of Eldhusoya, which has a service building, café, bathroom facilities and a mobile home parking lot.
Olaf Meister, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Weather Conditions
The Atlantic Road is renowned for its dramatic exposure to the raw power of nature. Fierce storms and crashing waves often batter this coastal route, and when conditions turn dangerous, the road is temporarily closed to keep travelers safe. It’s a reminder that here, nature truly calls the shots.
Benjamin Zocholl, Shutterstock
Opening Dates
The road is typically open all year round, aside from during extreme weather conditions. Conditions are said to be challenging in winter months.
pavlanecasova.com, Shutterstock
Traffic Reality
One of the downsides to the Atlantic Road is the traffic. Although these photographs give the illusion of a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, in reality this road is quite popular and often experiences heavy traffic.
Dangerous Conditions
Traveling this road in dangerous conditions is obviously advised against. However, unexpected weather can occur while you’re already on route, such as wind.
It is advised to stay in your car during heavy winds (and other bad weather conditions) to avoid any accidents involving people chasing their belongings over the edge.
Benjamin Zocholl, Shutterstock
Vehicle Accidents
Despite its dramatic dips and winding curves, the Atlantic Road experiences relatively few accidents each year—around 15 to 20. Most incidents are linked to speeding or distracted driving, making caution essential on this breathtaking but challenging route
Tourism
As previously mentioned, the Atlantic Road is a top tourist attraction in Norway, bringing in around 250,000 visitors each year.
Tourism: Rest Stops
The scenic rest stops are the top choice for tourists, making it busier than you might expect. The hot spots for photography and fishing are often said to be “jam packed”, especially during good weather.
Tomsickova Tatyana, Shutterstock
Tourist Fatality
There is only one reported tourist accident, involving a fatality. Apparently, an Israeli tourist fell into the water while standing next to its edge and was quickly carried off by the current.
A. Aleksandravicius, Shutterstock
Norway Roads
Norway has held the title of Europe’s safest country to drive in for eight consecutive years, boasting the lowest number of road traffic fatalities per million residents.
Even with the challenge of roads like the Atlantic Road, Norway’s commitment to safety remains unmatched.
Nick from Bristol, UK, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Final Thoughts
The Atlantic Road in Norway stands as both one of the most beautiful drives in the world, and one of the most dangerous drives in the world—and it fits both titles.
With stunning, edge-of-the-world views along terrifying, steep twists and turns over the treacherous ocean waters, the Atlantic Road is a popular tourist attraction drawing in visitors from all over the globe.
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