Trollstigen is an impressive road crossing that winds through 11 hairpin bends along steep mountain sides in Romsdalen. The Trollstigveien connects Åndalsnes with Valldal on Sunnmøre.
The trip up the Trollstigen shows a masterpiece of engineering. But it is the magical nature that impresses the most. Surrounded by mastodons such as Bispen (1462 m), Kongen (1614 m) and Droninga (1544 m) in the west, and Stigbottshornet (1583 m) and Storgrovfjellet (1629 m) in the east, it is easy to feel small in the face of this mountain massifr.
Historically speaking, Trollstigen is an old mountain pass between Åndalsnes at the bottom of Romsdalen and Valldal on Indre Sunnmøre. An important reason for the connection over the Stega mountain was a large annual market at the farm Devoll. But it was only after the road opened in 1936 that Trollstigen became a favorite place to visit.
Each turn in Trollstigen has its own name, often named after the foreman at the facility that built the turn. Then there is also skilled craftsmanship that is visible along the steep mountain side, which means that today you can drive up by car. In some places the road is carved into the mountain, in other places it is built up with stone walls. However, one turn stands out from the others – namely the Nikkasvingen. Nikka is a former cook for the construction workers at Trollstigen. In 2020, she was the first woman to have a wizard’s ladder turn named after her.
Opening hours
The Trollstigen is normally open from mid-May until the first snow falls in the autumn and there is no charge for driving the section. See opening times and statistics on closures and openings here: Winter-closed mountain passes
You can drive, cycle and walk to the Trollstig Plateau
It is 15 km from Soggebru in Romsdalen to Trollstigplatået. In the high season, around 2,000 vehicles travel past the Trollstig Plateau. In other words, every ten seconds a car, bus or motorbike passes this popular lookout point, filled with spectacle-seeking tourists.
It’s not just motorized vehicles you meet on your journey in Trollstigen. More and more people choose to cover the distance by bicycle. If you choose to cycle the Trollstigen, we recommend avoiding the busiest times, such as the month of July. In Åndalsnes you can rent an electric bike or sign up for a guided tour on an electric bike .
If you want to walk the Trollstigen, you can follow the old road Kløvstien. The path has been restored and is a favorite and exciting walking trail for those who want to experience the Trollstigen on foot. The hike is 5 km and it takes around 3 hours to go up to Trollstigen from the car park in Isterdalen. On foot and by bike, you really get to feel the elements of nature on your body when you make your way through the veil to Stigefossen on your way up to the lookout point.
World-class architecture in close interaction with nature
On the Trollstig Plateau itself, you will find two architect-designed viewpoints that give a full view of the landscape, as well as a service building with both a cafe, a souvenir shop with local handicrafts, toilets, parking, beautiful water mirrors, as well as bridges and paths to viewing ramps. Everything designed by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter. The architecture is built in steel and glass and provides good protection against weather and wind. The construction is made so that it blends in with its surroundings, carved into the rock in some places, while other parts are built up with stone walls.
One of Norway’s leading tourist road icons
Trollstigen is one of Norway’s leading tourist route icons. National tourist road Geiranger-Trollstigen starts at Soggebru camping in Romsdalen and goes to Langvatnet in Geiranger. The tourist road goes through western Norwegian nature at its most powerful and the highest point on the road is at 852 m above sea level. A dizzying view of steep mountain sides, high waterfalls, deep fjords and fertile valleys makes the stretch of road one of Norway’s most dramatic and most visited attractions.
The National Tourist Route from Geiranger to the bottom of Romsdalen is 106 km, and you have a lot to look forward to on the way. We recommend allowing plenty of time for the trip. Take the time to stop at lookouts such as Gudbrandsjuvet and Ørnesvingene. Enjoy the sight of high mountains and lush valleys with waterfalls and gorges. Or bring hiking boots and include a great mountain hike on the way.