Norway steals the crown for being home to many of the world’s best driving routes, and Trollstigen Road located within the beautiful Western Fjords is among the best!
Trollstigen, also known as the Troll’s Path or Troll’s Ladder, is a stunning mountain road in Norway that offers breathtaking views and a thrilling driving experience.
At its highest point, the Trollstigen Road reaches 858 metres above sea level, and consists of a whopping 14 hairpin bends.
I recently visited and wow, this road is truly an experience to remember. The sharp bends, the smooth curves, the incredible views. This is one attraction not to miss on your trip to Norway.
Best time to visit Trollstigen
Trollstigen is usually open from late spring to early autumn, typically from late May to early October. The road is closed during winter due to snow and ice. The best time to visit is during the summer months when the weather is mild, and the scenery is at its most vibrant.
Location & how to get there
The nearest major town to Trollstigen is Åndalsnes. From Åndalsnes, you can reach Trollstigen by car.
However, I travelled from Geiranger, famous for its U-shaped fjord, dramatic cliffs and lush vegetation. The morning I departed an ethereal mist covered the Geirangerfjord, proving it looks beautiful come rain or shine.
The whole drive is part of a National Trust Tourist Route Geiranger-Trollstigen and starts in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Geiranger and is a 104-km on the Norwegian County Road 63.
The route also includes a single ferry crossing over the Norddalsfjorden as it starts from Langevatn to Strynefjellet and Sogge Bru in Romsdalen.
Geiranger
Travelling around the hairpin bends
I could barely believe how narrow the road was at some points. Each time we had to pass another car, I couldn’t help hold my breath, and sigh in relief when we passed another vehicle unscathed!
Driving slowly is mandatory, especially when you need to snake around the ultra-sharp bends. If you’re in the driving seat there’s great temptation to admire the scenery of lofty mountains and lush valleys, but I should remind you to keep your eyes on the road. On this occasion, the passenger who can look out and gawp at interrupted views of the landscape has the best deal!
Viewing platforms along the way
The ethos of Norway’s National Trust Route is not merely a design to get you from A to B as quickly as possible. Rather than disrupting nature, it aims to enhance and preserve as much as possible.
As a result it helps to tell a story about the history, geology, and character of the landscape. You will find several view platforms along the way to enhance your experience.
Gudbrandsjuvet Gorge in Valldal
From Geiranger to Trollstigen you get to experience an intimate interaction with nature and enjoy the work of some of the world’s leading architects. More often than not Mother Nature and human engineering lie in opposition, but it comes together beautifully here.
The viewing platforms made of concrete, steel and glass are thoughtfully presented and the sharp hairpin bends of the road mirror the dramatic edges of the mountain tops.
This design by Reiulf Ramstad architects is a stop off point that leads to the viewing platform in Trollstigen.
As you can see The National Trust Tourist Routes find ways to enhance and respect nature.
The materials they use thoughtfully reflect the surrounding nature, as oppose to disturb.
Don’t forget to get out of your car to capture the best views of the Trollstigen Road and the unique Scandic architecture.
These platforms provide ideal photo opportunities too. Though as you can see, often the Trollstigen Road is surrounded by mist and clouds!
Whilst most people initially come to experience the hairpin pin bends of the Trollstigen Road, you soon realise that there’s so much more to experience.
The wild and breathtaking scenery that meets you along the way will make you fall in love with Norway.
6 Responses
Isn’t it always the way…these crazy snake like roads always seem to offer some of the best and most dramatic landscapes. Beautiful!
Too true! The passenger on this occasion definitely has the best seat!
This looks much like Alaska during early September with it’s jagged peaks and the colours of both water and greenery. Absolutely lovely! And that road would be such an interesting drive, not too much sightseeing for the driver or else risk driving off the road lol.
I would LOVE to go to Alaska, and walk across some of those epic glaciers! Haha yes, on bends like that, the driver must keep his eye on the road at all times – what a shame! So I guess ‘the ride of your life’ refers to the lucky passenger!
Gorgeous pictures! I’ve always wanted to go to Norway, but somehow we just never actually just do it. It’s definitely a summer trip for me though…I hate the cold!
I agree Marina, the cold is a pain in the ass – wait until summer! Due to snow this road is usually closed off during late autumn to early spring anyway!