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Norwegian fairy tales: roads, trolls and fjords. Troll Road (Norway): photos and reviews Let's go further into the mountains along the troll paths

Literally translated from Norwegian, the name of this road is translated as “stairs” and if you look at it from above, you can understand why the Norwegians call it that way.

“Troll Staircase” (Trollstigen, in Russian sources the name “Troll Road” is also common) is one of the most popular and visited tourist places in Norway. Located in the northern part of western Norway. The road is located 15 km south of the town of Åndalsnes in the province of Møre og Romsdal. Construction of the road began in the beginning. XX century The road was opened on July 31, 1936. King Haakon VII of Norway was present at the opening, who gave the name to the new road - “Troll Staircase”. This popular tourist road, connecting the Valldal and Romsdal valleys, rises to a height of 858 meters above sea level and is considered an example of engineering art.

The breathtaking serpentine road with 11 sharp turns stretches for 6 km. The road, surrounded by high mountains and waterfalls falling from great heights, looks enchanting.

The greatness of nature is also emphasized by the names of the local mountain peaks: King (Kongen), Queen (Dronningen), Bishop (Bispen). Rising to the highest point of the road and going out to the observation deck, you can admire a beautiful view of the Valldal valley, Stigfossen waterfall, and the city of Åndalsnes.

The old pedestrian road, the Kløvstien trail, is also interesting. For hundreds of years it was used by local people as the only way to get from the Romsdal valley to the Sunnmøre region. After the opening of the Troll Road in 1936, suitable for motor vehicles, this trail is still in use. The walk starts in the dense forests of the valley and ends in the rocky area at the Stigfossen waterfall (height 180 m).

Even today, the Troll Staircase can serve as an example of engineering and design art. During the ascent, the road makes 11 sharp turns, the height of the rise is sometimes 9%. About halfway up the climb there is a bridge over the Stigfossen waterfall (Norwegian: Stigfossen). At the very top (858 meters above sea level) there is a large parking lot and many souvenir shops. A short walk from the parking lot, there is an observation deck with views of the winding Troll Staircase and the 180-meter-high Stigfossen waterfall.

In some places, the width of the road does not exceed 3.3 meters, so the passage of vehicles longer than 12.4 meters is prohibited.

During the autumn-winter period, the Troll Staircase is closed to traffic. Typically this section of the road opens in the second half of May and closes in October, but depending on weather conditions these dates may shift.

In the summer of 2005, repair work was carried out on the road, during which approximately NOK 16 million was spent on protecting against rockfalls and ensuring the safety of motorists.

History of construction

Road acceptance certificate signed by King Haakon VII of Norway

In the period from 1533 to 1875. There was a Romsdal fair on Devold in Romsdalen. It was the main reason why the inhabitants of the Valldalen Valley wanted more convenient communication through Trollstigen. The population of Romsdalen was also interested in building a road to Walldalen. In 1891, an 8 km road was built from Veblungsnes to Kvernbroa in Isterdalen. Then she went to Knutseter, located in the depths of the valley. In the same year, the county authorities of Nordahl and Grütten agreed to approach the amtman with a request to develop a plan and build a road through the mountains. The head of the Amta decided in 1893 to apply to the Construction Department to consider the possibility of construction and draw up an estimate of its cost. The director of the department, Krag, commissioned engineer Nils Hovdenak (Norwegian Nils Hovdenak) to develop a plan for laying a road through the mountains. In the summer of 1894, Hovdenak explored the entire area between Evstestøl (Norwegian Øvstestøl) and Knutseter. In his opinion, the road was worth building from Evstestöl to Stigfjällröra, since it could later become a highway. However, in the Stigen area, building a highway would be too expensive. However, the site was quite suitable for building a trail for the movement of people with horses. Director Krag did not believe in the possibility of a road through Trollstigen, but a new survey carried out in 1896 confirmed this. In subsequent years, Hovdenak did a lot to make the message through Trollstigen a reality. This work bore fruit, and in 1905-1906. 4,000 crowns were allocated from the state budget for the construction of the road.

Work began in 1905, and the road was completed in 1913. And although the road was ready, Niels Hovdenak had more extensive plans, namely the construction of a road from Walldalen to Romsdalen. In particular, he wrote: “Among other things, the road through the mountains between Valdalen and Åndalsnes will become an important tourist route and, above all, because this pass in terms of natural landscape is the best that our country has.” Hovdenak developed a new plan and drew up cost estimates for the construction of a highway from Walldalen to Romsdalen. In a letter dated October 5, 1916, the director of the Construction Department reported that the Department of Public Works (Norwegian: Arbeidsdepartmentet) had given permission to begin construction of the road. The first bridges to be built were Gudbrand (1919), Hohl (1921) and Kriehe (1926-27). On the Romsdal side, work began in 1928. Construction took a long time. Summer was short and the area was mountainous, so rockfalls and avalanches threatened construction. However, on July 31, 1936, the road was ready and consisted of 11 turns on steep mountain slopes with numerous artificial structures in the form of natural stone walls and bridges. King Haakon personally accepted the surrender of the road between Walldalen and Romsdalen.

The Troll Staircase is part of the Norwegian national road RV63, connecting the towns of Åndalsnes in the municipality of Rauma and Valldal in the municipality of Norddal in the county of Møre og Romsdal. This road was opened by King Haakon VII on July 31, 1936 after 8 years of construction. Even today, the Troll Staircase can serve as an example of engineering and design art. During the ascent, the road makes 11 sharp turns, the height of the rise is sometimes 9%. About halfway up the climb there is a bridge over the Stigfossen waterfall (Norwegian: Stigfossen). At the very top (858 meters above sea level) there is a large parking lot and many souvenir shops. A short walk from the parking lot, there is an observation deck with views of the winding Troll Staircase and the 180-meter-high Stigfossen waterfall.

In some places, the width of the road does not exceed 3.3 meters, so the passage of vehicles longer than 12.4 meters is prohibited.

In the summer of 2005, repair work was carried out on the road, during which approximately NOK 16 million was spent on protecting against rockfalls and ensuring the safety of motorists.

History of construction

In the period from 1533 to 1875. There was a Romsdal fair on Devold in Romsdalen. It was the main reason why the inhabitants of the Valldalen Valley wanted more convenient communication through Trollstigen. The population of Romsdalen was also interested in building a road to Walldalen. In 1891, an 8 km road was built from Veblungsnes to Kvernbroa in Isterdalen. Then she went to Knutseter, located in the depths of the valley. In the same year, the county authorities of Nordahl and Grütten agreed to approach the amtman with a request to develop a plan and build a road through the mountains. The head of the Amta decided in 1893 to apply to the Construction Department to consider the possibility of construction and draw up an estimate of its cost. The director of the department, Krag, instructed engineer Nils Hovdenak (Norwegian Nils Hovdenak) to develop a plan for laying a road through the mountains. In the summer of 1894, Hovdenak explored the entire area between Evstestøl (Norwegian Øvstestøl) and Knutseter. In his opinion, the road was worth building from Evstestöl to Stigfjällröra, since it could later become a highway. However, in the Stigen area, building a highway would be too expensive. However, the site was quite suitable for building a trail for the movement of people with horses. Director Krag did not believe in the possibility of a road through Trollstigen, but a new survey carried out in 1896 confirmed this. In subsequent years, Hovdenak did a lot to make the message through Trollstigen a reality. This work bore fruit, and in 1905-1906. 4,000 crowns were allocated from the state budget for the construction of the road.

How to get there

Troll Staircase

Åndalsnes

Eiranger

Distance

-Åndalsnes 480 km
Otta Åndalsnes 140 km
Dombos-Åndalsnes 105 km
Molde Åndalsnes 50 km
Ålesund-Ådalsnes 120 km
Eiranger Åndalsnes 85 km

from Dombås (Nor. Dombås) (Oslo)

along the E136 west from Dombas through the Romsdal valley (Norwegian Romsdal) towards the city of Åndalsnes (Norwegian Åndalsnes)

from Ålesund (Norwegian: Ålesund)

Troll Road (Norway) is one of the country's many natural attractions. Due to its history and unique landscape, the trail is considered Norway's most popular hiking route. The harsh landscapes of Scandinavia, steep descents and ascents - this is what tourists come from all over the world in the summer.

What is the Troll Trail famous for?

The route, known to the whole world as the Troll Staircase in Norway, is actually part of the national road Norwegian County Road 63. The section of interest to us connects Oldansnes and Valldal. The cities are located in two different valleys, which for centuries were separated by gorges and mountain rivers.

The people of Norway call the troll ladder Trollstigen. The road is located in the southwest of the country in the Westland region. The route stretches for 106 kilometers and is a narrow serpentine road with 11 sharp turns. The roadsides are fenced with small fences made of natural stone. The track is so narrow that in some places its width reaches 3.3 meters. A trip along such a road is not for the faint of heart. But the locals quite calmly overcome even the sharpest turns, albeit slowly.

But tourists are interested not only in the trail itself. After driving along it, you will be able to appreciate all the delights of Norway's wild nature. Picturesque views of hills and fjords, park areas and sharp rocks will leave few people indifferent. The troll trail can easily be called a harmony of nature and architecture. Although the route was created by man, it fits incredibly organically into the local landscapes.

The history of the creation of Troll Road

The construction of a road that would connect the cities and settlements of Norway between the gorges and allow comfortable movement between them was thought about back in the 19th century. The need arose due to the difficulties of travel between Valldal and Romsdalene, where the largest fair in the region regularly took place.

The first project was published in 1894. But it was never implemented due to the complexity of the landscape and the confidence of local authorities in the impossibility of building such a complex path. Only at the turn of the century the road began to be built, and was completed in the 30s of the twentieth century, during the reign of Haakon VII.

Now the route is notable for its perfectly smooth surface, just like most roads in Norway. The popularity of the Troll Staircase among travelers necessitated the construction of a visitor center, observation deck, cafeteria and souvenir shops near the trail. These buildings were erected at the top of the rise.

In some sections the road slope reaches 9%.
Due to the narrowness of most of the route, passage on it is prohibited for vehicles longer than 12.4 m.
The staircase is open to tourists from late May or early June until late autumn. Specific dates depend on weather conditions. During other months the road is closed because the government has deemed it too dangerous to travel in winter.
The road is called a staircase because of the steep serpentine, each turn of which resembles a step of a staircase.
The mountain serpentine rises to a height of 858 meters, where the observation deck is located.
In summer, there are about 2,000 cars at the observation deck, which is approximately equal to one car every 10 seconds.

What to pay attention to when traveling along the road?

In addition to the uniqueness of the road itself and the incredible views that open from it, it is worth visiting two places that are located right along the route of the trail. Approximately halfway along the road, at the highest point of the road, there is a parking area with shops, a restaurant and souvenir shops. It is from here that you can get to the main attractions of the Troll Staircase.

Observation deck

It offers a view of the serpentine road, only from here you can see its incredible curves and how organically it looks among the Norwegian hills. It is from this observation deck that most of the photos of the Troll Road in Norway are taken, of which there are so many on the Internet. But the place loses its attractiveness in bad weather; due to the high fog, nothing is visible from the observation deck. Therefore, you should choose exceptionally clear days to travel along the Troll Road.

Stigfossen waterfall

Not far from the observation deck there is a bridge from where tourists can see a large mountain full-flowing waterfall. Its height is 180 meters.

For those who like hiking, you can go down from the waterfall along a walking trail. Stigfossen becomes fullest in the spring.

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How to get to the Troll Staircase?

Considering that in fact the Troll Trail is, albeit not quite an ordinary, but paved road, it is best to go here by car.

Automobile

Traveling by car will allow you to leisurely admire all the beauties that open from the road. You can rent a car in one of the major cities. But traveling on your own also has its drawbacks. Firstly, the trail is dangerous for an unprepared driver. Secondly, the high cost of renting a car.

If you drive from the north, about 5 km before reaching Åndalsnes, you need to turn onto the fv. 63, which will lead you to the desired mountain route. If your trip starts from Oslo, then take the E4 or E6 highway to Lillehammer. From there, take the E6 to Dumbos, where you need to turn onto the E136 highway, and in the same way, before reaching Åndalsnes, take the fv. 63.

The car route to the attraction and the places mentioned in the text are marked on the map:

Tourist bus

The second option for traveling along the Troll Trail in Norway is by bus. Tourist bus services on this route operate from Åndalsnes bus station. As a rule, the trip is accompanied by additions from the guide and the bus makes a 25-minute stop at the observation deck so that travelers can see the views and calmly photograph the Troll Staircase from favorable angles.

You can also get to the nearest cities by train, and from there take a bus or car along the Troll Staircase. But still, most passenger and tourist buses come from Åndalsnes. The cost of such a trip will cost from 1000 Norwegian kroner (for the 2019 season).

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Troll Road (Norway) is one of the most successful projects carried out jointly by man and nature. The result was so organic that, despite the fact that the road is man-made, it seems as if it had been there from time immemorial. Tourists from all over the world come to see the crazy curves of the serpentine road. We remind you once again that you can see all the delights of the Troll Trail only in the summer months, since due to the complexity of the section, the road is closed most of the year.

In conclusion, watch the video - not for the faint of heart, but you can see the beauty of the area.

Trolls are more to Norway than bears are to Russia. This is a national symbol. This is understandable - where else can trolls be found if not in a country with so many bizarre rocks and mountains. You look at them and involuntarily begin to believe that these are gigantic creatures that did not have time to hide in caves before sunrise and therefore turned into stone.

The Troll Staircase or Troll Road is one of the most interesting structures in Norway. Back in the 19th century, the inhabitants of the Valldalen valley dreamed of having a road leading to another valley, Romsdalen, where there was a fair, one of the largest in the region. However, between the two valleys lay inaccessible mountains, and communication was possible only by way of a detour, which is more than one and a half hundred kilometers.

At the end of the 19th century, engineering research began to be carried out on whether it was possible to build a road directly through the mountains, although at first glance it was obvious that this was impossible - the climb was too steep, and also cut by mountain rivers and waterfalls. In 1894, one of the engineers proposed a possible route for the road, but his superiors thought it was too adventurous, and they sent the project for additional examination, which lasted another two years. After confirmation of the possibility of building such a road, another 40 years passed until all the work was completed - the road was inaugurated only in 1936.

Norwegian King Haakon VII personally accepted the completion of the work. He was asked to give a name to the road, and the king named it “Trollstigvegen”, that is, “Troll Staircase Road”.

This is the Romsdalen valley, sandwiched between mountain ranges. It was along this road that we approached the Troll Staircase:

Just before the ascent, there is a small parking lot so that people can take a breath and admire what is now in front of them. Almost everyone stands with their heads raised and looks at the dizzying rise:

The famous road sign "Watch out! Trolls!" before entering the Staircase:

A barrier blocking the passage. The troll road is open for a fairly short time - from May to October. At other times of the year it is deadly, so it is closed.

And here is the Staircase itself, or rather its first part. First, the road climbs in several turns to approximately the middle of the mountain.

Then he comes to a narrow bridge thrown over the stormy Stigfossen mountain stream, which ends in a 180-meter waterfall:

Beyond the bridge, she makes several more loops, overcoming the second half of the mountain. In total, during this climb the road makes 11 sharp turns and rises 858 meters. Moreover, in many places the width of the path is only 3.3 meters, so oncoming cars have difficulty passing each other - one is pressed almost flush against the rock, the other is hanging over the abyss. Because of this, travel along the Staircase is prohibited for vehicles longer than 12 meters, but shorter buses and trailers still make their way onto this road, sometimes causing traffic jams.

Warnings are given everywhere that this road is only for experienced drivers. I drove through it without any problems, although the girls oohed and ahhed when the abyss began right outside the car window.

What adds an interesting feeling is that the route is not fenced with any modern barriers - on the sides, marking the end of the roadway, for many decades there have been only large cobblestones. If the car falls off, then these stones, of course, will not hold it. By the way, such road barriers have historically been adopted on many mountain roads in Norway.

Now, finally, we have gone upstairs, we can stop, take a breath and see the Troll Staircase in all its splendor. Unfortunately, even a panorama does not give a complete picture of how it all looks from above. Several waterfalls rush thundering from the peaks, which eventually merge into one stream and turn into a river flowing through the valley. And the loops of the road and the bug-like cars spinning along them make you feel dizzy.

Look, the road comes from the valley (you can see the parking lot from where I took the photos from below), then it begins to wind, going up the mountain, reaches a bridge - and then climbs through several more steep loops to the level from where the photo was taken:

The road, of course, does not go to the very tops - there is no need. It continues further along the mountain plateau. However, the peaks are very clearly visible, they are called “Troll Cauldrons”:

Here Natasha is trying to push a huge boulder down onto the road. :-) Pay attention to the triangular shadows below - these are the shadows of the Troll Cauldrons.

And here Natasha is sitting by a small stone hearth and a table of trolls. One of the Cauldrons is visible in the background.

The valley remains behind and far below. On the left - "Boilers":

Here the road is no longer dangerous at all - we have gained altitude and are further moving along the mountain plateau:

Trees don't grow here, we have risen to the tundra again. It became noticeably colder.

Blue-green lakes flow from the snow. Which by the end of July had not yet completely melted.

Norway is famous as a harsh and cold country. Tourists need to be prepared for the fact that even in summer it will meet them with inhospitable weather conditions - even in June, cold winds, rain and dampness are not rare guests here. The local landscapes are just as harsh, but it is precisely in this harshness and inaccessibility that their charm for visitors lies.

Those who dare to visit the Norwegian fjords on a tourist visit will remember the rocky mountain peaks, cold sea shores indented by bays, rapid mountain rivers and waterfalls. One of the tourist attractions in Norway is the Troll Road (or Troll Staircase, as it is also called). Trollstigen is located in the northern part of Vestland - the western region of the country. It forms part of the national highway RV63, which connects the towns of Åndalsnes in Reuma and Walldall in Nordal.

Why is just a section of a mountain road so attractive to tourists?

The Troll Staircase is essentially a combination of modern engineering technology and natural beauty. In this part of the country one can see the greatness of both natural forces and man-made influences on the world.
The length of the route is 106 kilometers, during which it changes its direction more than once, rising into the mountains. During the passage of the Troll Road there are 11 sharp turns, which will become a real test for drivers.

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Throughout its entire length, the Troll Staircase rises 858 meters above sea level. The difference in height between some of its turns sometimes reaches a record level of 12%. Like any mountain road, the Troll Staircase is narrow, and in some sections it is 3.3 meters wide.

Vehicles longer than 12.4 meters are prohibited from passing through it.
Due to the difficulty of travel, as well as the specific weather conditions of this region, the Troll Staircase is not always open. Seasonality leaves its mark on its visit. The track is open from May to October, however, opening and closing dates depend on current weather conditions.

However, despite the travel difficulties, Trollstigen attracts thousands of tourists. All of them are first of all impressed by the steep bends of the Staircase - after all, when looking at it from below, from the valley, it seems that it is difficult to climb it not only by vehicle, but even with the help of climbing equipment. But this is only at first glance. In fact, the RV63 highway is famous for its excellent surface and high-quality, well-thought-out markings, like all roads in Norway.
The entrance to the Troll Staircase cannot be confused with anything - it is marked with a special road sign, which naturally depicts the silhouette of a troll. This sign is loved by tourists who leave stickers and inscriptions with their names on it to immortalize their own visit to this place. But behind the sign the real magic begins - from almost every meter of the Troll Road there are stunning views of mountains, gorges, numerous waterfalls and forests.

For the convenience of motorists, along its entire length at different height levels there are special pockets for cars - you can park in them, get out and, like from an observation deck, explore the surroundings.

From such pockets there are also often special trails leading to other viewing platforms and places intended for picnics. So, if you want to have lunch, you can do it right in the fresh air, on one of the rock ledges.
In the summer, tourists have the opportunity to swim in the stepped pools located along the attraction. The water in them is most often cool, but warms up from the sun's rays.

About halfway through the Staircase, drivers will face another impressive challenge - they will have to cross a narrow bridge spanning the Stigfossen waterfall.

A powerful stream of water bubbles under the wheels of a car when you cross this place. The highlight of a visit to Trollstigen will be a view from the top observation deck at an altitude of over 800 meters above sea level. From here you can see beautiful views of the Valldalen valley, the Romsdal fjord, the Troll Wall, see the city of Åndalsnes from above and look at the Stigfossen waterfall.

There is a gift shop at the top of the attraction. Unlike the bright shops that are found in European towns, the store here is so organically integrated into the surrounding landscape that you may not notice it at first glance.
And in general, the man-made elements of this route fit into the natural landscape, as if they were conceived by nature itself. This also applies to bridges, which you will have to cross on the way, as many as three - Gudbrand, Hohl and Kriehe, and side barriers lined with natural stone, which are carefully laid out along the entire path.

Why did the Norwegians need an unusual route in such difficult terrain?

The need for a road connection in this area arose back in 1905, when the Norwegian government decided to create a road connecting the valleys of Romsdallen, where the fair had been regularly held since the 16th century, and Valdllen, whose residents wanted to get to the fair comfortably. The first 8 kilometers were built back then.

Historical reference

By 1913, the first version of the road connecting the valley was completed. However, the architect Hovendak proposed a larger-scale option - a highway connecting these valleys. He suggested that the picturesque pass through which the future Troll Road was supposed to run would become an excellent point on a tourist route around the country.

Since the Norwegian summer is very short, construction dragged on for many years - in winter it was hampered in every possible way by avalanches, snowfalls and rockfalls, which brought the construction of the route to naught.

- this is what you need in winter.

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In 1936, King Haakon accepted the delivery of the road, and it began its existence as a tourist route. Then, at the request of the residents of the communes, he gave it a name - Troll Staircase. To get to this Norwegian miracle, tourists will need to acquire personal or rented vehicles, as this is a convenient and safe way to travel along the Troll Road.

How to get to the Troll Staircase

If you plan to start your trip from the northern part of the country, for example, from Trontheim, then on the road to Åndalsnes you should turn onto the RV63 highway at the Sogge Bridge. When traveling from the capital of Norway, you should take the E60 highway to Lillehammer, and from there take the E136 highway, which will lead to the same Sogge bridge, from where you can get on the RV63.
If the trip is planned by public transport, then you can get to the Troll Staircase from the city of Åndalsnes, from where express tourist buses run.

You can get to Åndalsnes both by regular buses and by trains that run from Oslo and Trondheim every day.

Since 2012, a tourist center has been operating for tourists at the foot of the Troll Staircase. In addition to receiving any kind of help in difficult situations, you can buy souvenirs there and have lunch in a cafe before a long trip.

The Troll Staircase is a reason to visit Norway. Any tourist who has visited this road will confirm this. The country's government deservedly considers this attraction the pearl of Norway's tourist routes.
For those who love active tourism, appreciate the beauty and harshness of the landscapes of the northern region and dream of seeing fjords and waterfalls with their own eyes, this route will be an unforgettable adventure, as well as a way to spend a summer vacation in an unusual and interesting way. And a picnic at the heights of the Troll Staircase will become the most unusual event in the life of any tourist.

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Norwegian fairy tales: roads, trolls and fjords. Troll Road (Norway): photos and reviews Let's go further into the mountains along the troll paths