Ørnesvingen (The Eagle’s road)
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Do you see the road dancing up the steep mountainside? That is Ørnevegen, The Eagle’s road, today it is stamped as a National Tourist Route, which takes motorists through 11 tight hairpin bends 620 metres over sea level into the small fjord village of Eidsdal. The road was first opened in 1955 and gave Geiranger a much-needed year-round road, it got its name because it passes through an area which is home to lots of eagles. Then as today, the eagles with their enormous wingspans glide majestically high in the air studying the tourists below. From day one, motorists were fascinated by the beautiful view which revealed itself at the top of the road. Soon travellers from the whole of Norway were stopping on the turns to enjoy the spectacular views and before long tourists from Europe and the rest of the world made their entrance on motorbikes, cars, campervans, and busses. The authorities gradually made things more accessible for the tourists, and improved traffic safety by regulating and extending the upper hairpin bend. It has the name the ‘Eagle’s wing’ and is perhaps Norway’s most famous viewpoint. Today, tourists can walk out onto a glass floor, where they can see the world heritage fjord under them whilst at the same time having a panoramic view towards Geiranger and the seven sisters waterfalls. Maybe they can even see the trolls in the rockface on the opposite side of the fjord. Can you?