Geiranger – Trollstigen National Tourist Route, Norway

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Experience the UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord and the Trollstigen Mountain Road, two of Norway’s most dramatic and most visited attractions.

Location

Geiranger – Trollstigen National Tourist Route is a 106-kilometre-long stretch of road between Lake Langvatnet on Strynefjell and the Sogge Bridge in Romsdal in Fjord Norway.

The road

Geiranger – Trollstigen is a road through west Norwegian nature at its most powerful, with a dizzying view of sheer mountainsides, waterfalls, deep fjords and fertile valleys. Since tourism was in its infancy, tourists from all over the world have visited Geiranger and Trollstigen.

The Trollstigen Mountain Road has a steep incline of 9 percent and consists of 11 hairpin bends. Encircling the road are lofty mountains. Names such as Kongen(the King), Dronningen (the Queen) and Bispen (the Bishop) confirm their majesty.

Trollstigen has been a magnet for tourists since the road opened in 1936. Being able to drive up these steep mountainsides from Trollstigfoten to Stigerøra is thanks to the skills of engineers and road builders. They also set their mark on Geiranger, where Ørnevegen, Geirangervegen and the road to Dalsnibba all offer some elevating drives to unique viewpoints.

See 360 degrees photo of Trollstigen from a bird’s eye view. It is almost like being there  and experiencing the real thing.

Viewpoints along the road

There are six panoramic view- and rest areas along the Geiranger – Trollstigen National Tourist Route:

For centuries, travellers have stopped at Flydalsjuvet to enjoy the view. Here you will find a rest area with services and a viewing platform towards the Geirangerfjord.

Ørnesvingen too has been widely used by travellers as a place to stop and enjoy the view. The location offers a magnificent view of Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord.

You will also find a service building at the ferry landing at Linge. Ferry connection to Eidsdal.

Gudbrandsjuvet has a viewing platform, a bridge over the Gudbrandsjuvet Gorge, commercial and service facilities and a new parking lot.

Juvet Landscape Hotel aims to be different from other design hotels in that it showcases the nature that surrounds it rather than focusing on its own architecture.

Trollstigplatået features two viewpoints with great views over the Trollstigen Mountain Road.

What to see

Ørnevegen (the Eagle Road) is the name given to the steepest stretch of road up the mountainside from Geiranger to Eidsdal on road fv. 63. The road turns through 11 hairpin bends up from the Geirangerfjord to the highest point, 620 metres above sea level. At Ørnesvingen you can take in the magnificent panorama over Geiranger, the Geirangerfjord, the waterfall “De syv søstrene” (the Seven Sisters) and the alpine farm Knivsflå.

Dalsnibba (1,500 metres above sea level) and Flydalsjuvet are among the absolute favourite attractions in the area. Experience calm, raw nature and clean air combined with astonishing vistas from these two famous viewpoints.

Norwegian Fjord Centre offers a unique and rewarding insight into the history, the people and the fabulous natural scenery of the Geiranger area.

Short walks to the two viewpoints with great views over Trollstigen, the Isterdalen Valley, the surrounding mountains and waterfalls, and Åndalsnes by the Romsdalsfjord. This is a “must” for anyone visiting Trollstigen.

Gudbrandsjuvet is an impressive system of whirlpools flanking a five-metre-wide and 20-metre-deep gorge. According to an old legend, a man named Gudbrand jumped the gorge with his abducted bride.

The Romsdalen Valley with the Rauma River and the Romsdal Alps is also well worth a visit. At 1,000 metres, Trollveggen is Europe’s tallest vertical, overhanging rock face. On the opposite side of the valley, Romsdalshorn towers to a height of 1,550 metres.

Read more about attractions in the Geiranger and Trollstigen area.

 

What to do

Join a fjord cruise and experience the fjord and waterfalls such as Brudesløret (the Bridal Veil) and De syv søstrene (the Seven Sisters) at close range. There are many sightseeing trips to choose from: You can take the ferry between Geiranger and Hellesylt, the longer ferry trip between Geiranger and Valldal, the one-and-a-half-hour sightseeing trip on board M/S Geirangerfjord Sightseeingthe Geiranger & Norway in a nutshell trip or the Fjord Experience trip.

FjordGuiding offers sightseeing trips in open RIB boats on the Geirangerfjord.

Hiking is a great way to explore the fjord landscape, and a must for everyone visiting the area. Choose between short easy walks or summit hikes offering you the most stunning view. There is a wide variety of trails, and all are marked. Good maps are available. More information on hiking in the Geirangerfjord and Trollstigen area.

If you want to enjoy the beautiful nature in the Geirangerfjord area, you can drive to Westerås Farm (four kilometres from the centre of Geiranger). From there you have easy walks to viewpoints or to the glorious Storseterfossen Waterfall, behind which you can walk.

The old Kløvstien Track at Trollstigen has for hundreds of years been an important link between Romsdalen and Sunnmøre before the Trollstigen Mountain Road was opened in 1936. The two-hour walk up Kløvstien Track begins in thick woodland, before opening out into impressive territory with wild views towards the mountains and the Stigfossen Waterfall. Some parts are steep, but they are well secured. Nevertheless, the walk is not recommended for small children.

Kayaking on the Geirangerfjord is a great way to get close to nature. Kayak rental is available in several villages along the Geirangerfjord, and in Geiranger you may join Coastal Odyssey for a guided kayak tour.

There are great fishing opportunities in the area. From fishing in the fjords or easily accessible rivers and lakes in the lowlands, to multi-day hikes in the mountains with a fishing rod in your backpack. Read more about fishing in the Geirangerfjord and fishing in the Romsdalsfjord area.

Feel the adrenalin rush in your body as you go rafting down the Valldøla River near the village of Valldal.

Romsdal Aktiv, one of the first eco-tourism companies in Norway, offers canoe trips on the Istra River below the Trollstigen area.

Read more about what to do in the Geiranger and Trollstigen area.

Where to stay

Enjoy a stay at the family-run Hotel Union Geiranger which is situated on a hill just above the centre of Geiranger. From the hotel there is a fantastic view of the fjord and mountains.

From Utsikten Hotel & Restaurant you have a great view of the Geirangerfjord.

The Juvet Landscape Hotel was the winner of the Norwegian Tourism Award (Reiselivsprisen) in 2010. Stay at Juvet and you can almost feel the spray from the Valldøla River on your face.

In the Isterdalen Valley below Trollstigen, you will find Trollstigen Camping & Gjestegård.

Trollstigen Resort is situated at the bottom of the Isterdalen Valley, between Åndalsnes and Trollstigen. Cabins are available, and tents and camping cars are welcome.

Read more about where to stay in the Geiranger and Trollstigen area.

Where to eat

At Herdalssetra you can try goat cheese and goat milk caramel, made in the traditional way.

Take a short detour from Eidsdal to Nordal and find the traditional restaurant Petrines Gjestegiveri in an old house dating from 1916. The restaurant was voted “The best place to eat along the road in 2006”.

If you want to buy jam and lemonade made from local berries, you should stop at Norsk Bærindustri in Valldal.

Trollstigen Camping & Gjestegård has a new restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also a picnic area with barbecue pits.

Facts

  • Road: Fv. 63 between Lake Langvatnet on Strynefjell and the Sogge Bridge in Romsdal.
  • Length: 106 kilometres.
  • Ferries must be used on parts of the route, between Eidsdal and Linge.
  • Parts of Geiranger – Trollstigen National Tourist Route are closed in winter. The stretch between Langevatnet – Geiranger  is normally closed in November and reopens in May. The Trollstigen Mountain Road is normally closed in October and reopens in May. The opening dates depend on the amount of snow in the mountains.
  • Restrictions on buses: On the route at Trollstigen the maximum permitted length for buses and coaches is 12.4 metres.

Getting to Geiranger – Trollstigen National Tourist Route

The Trollstigen Mountain Road and the road between Lake Langvatnet and Geiranger are closed in winter.

Distances from Bergen, Oslo and Trondheim:

  • From the south (Oslo) via Valderesflya (in summer) and Strynefjell
    Distance: 435 kilometres (around 7 hours and 30 minutes)
  • From the south (Oslo) via Gudbrandsdalen and Strynefjell
    Distance: 445 kilometres (around 7 hours and 30 minutes).
  • From the south (Oslo) via Gudbrandsdalen and Romsdalen
    Distance: 470 kilometres (around 8 hours).
  • From the west (Bergen) via Førde and Stryn
    Distance: 315 kilometres (around 5 hours and 30 minutes)
  • From the west (Bergen) via Voss, Lærdal and Stryn
    Distance: 390 kilometres (around 7 hours)
  • From the north (Trondheim) via Nordmøre and Molde
    Distance: 270 kilometres (around 5 hours and 30 minutes)
  • From the north (Trondheim) via Dovrefjell and Romsdalen
    Distance: 348 kilometres (around 6 hours)

Read more about getting to Geiranger and Trollstigen and around.

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