The Troll Road (Norway) is one of the many natural attractions in the country. Due to its history and unique landscape, the trail is considered the most popular Norwegian hiking route. The rugged landscapes of Scandinavia, as well as the steep descents and climbs, attract tourists from all over the world during the summer months.
What is the Troll Trail famous for?
The road known worldwide as the Troll Staircase in Norway is actually part of the Norwegian County Road 63. The section of interest connects the cities of Oldansnes and Valldal. These cities are located in two different valleys that have been separated for centuries by gorges and mountain rivers.
The Trollstigen (Trollstigen) is called by the inhabitants of Norway. The road is located in the south-west of the country in the region of Vestland. The route stretches for 106 kilometers and is a narrow serpentine road with 11 sharp turns. The roadside is fenced with small natural stone fences. The road is so narrow that in some places its width reaches 3.3 meters. Riding on such a road is a test for the faint of heart. However, locals can easily navigate even the most challenging turns, albeit at a leisurely pace.
But tourists are not only interested in the trail itself. By following it, you can appreciate all the beauty of Norway’s wilderness. The picturesque views of hills and fjords, parks, and sharp cliffs will leave you in awe. The Troll Trail is a perfect example of the harmony between nature and architecture. Although it was created by humans, it seamlessly blends into the local landscapes.
History of Troll Road creation
The idea of building a road that would connect the cities and settlements of Norway between the gorges and allow for comfortable travel between them was first proposed in the 19th century. The need for this road arose due to the difficulties of transportation between Voldal and Rumsdalen, where the region’s largest fair was regularly held.
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.
The trail is now notable for its perfectly smooth surface, as is the case with most roads in Norway. The popularity of the Troll Staircase among travelers has led to the construction of a tourist center, observation deck, cafeteria, and souvenir shops near the trail. These structures have been built at the top of the climb.
Interesting facts about the Troll Trail
- In some areas, the road slope reaches 9%.
- Due to the narrowness of most of the route, vehicles longer than 12.4 m are prohibited from using it.
- The staircase is open to tourists from late May or early June until late autumn. The exact dates depend on the weather conditions. During other months, the road is closed because the government considers it too dangerous to travel during the winter.
- The road is called a staircase because of its steep serpentine, each turn of which resembles a staircase step.
- The mountain serpentine rises to an altitude of 858 meters, where the observation deck is located.
- During the summer, there are about 2,000 cars on the observation deck, which is approximately one car every 10 seconds.
What should you pay attention to when traveling by road?
In addition to the uniqueness of the road itself and the incredible views that can be seen from it, it is worth visiting two places that are located along the trail. Approximately halfway along the route, there is a parking area at the highest point of the road, which includes shops, a restaurant, and souvenir stalls. This is where you can access the main attractions of the Troll Stairs.
Observation deck
From here you can see the serpentine of the track, only from here you can see its incredible bends 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, which are so many on the Internet. But the place loses its appeal in bad weather, due to high fog, from the observation deck you can not see anything. Therefore, for a trip along the Troll Road, you should choose exceptionally clear days.
Stigfossen Waterfall
Not far from the observation deck, there is a bridge that offers tourists a view of a large mountain waterfall. The waterfall is 180 meters high.
For hiking enthusiasts, a hiking trail leads down from the waterfall. Stigfossen is at its most full in the spring.
How do I get to the Troll Stairs?
Given that the Troll Trail is actually a paved road, albeit a unique one, it is best to travel here by car.
Car
Traveling by car allows you to take your time and admire all the beauty that opens up along the way. You can rent a car in one of the major cities. However, there are also some disadvantages to traveling independently. Firstly, the trails can be dangerous for unprepared drivers. Secondly, renting a car can be expensive.
If you are driving from the north, you should turn off the fv. 63 highway about 5 km before reaching Ondalsnes, which will lead you to the desired mountain route. If you are traveling from Oslo, you should take the E4 or E6 highway to reach Lillehammer. From there, take the E6 highway to Dumbås, where you should turn onto the E136 highway, and then take the fv. 63 highway before reaching Ondalsnes.
The car route to the attractions and places mentioned in the text is marked on the map:
Tourist bus
The second option for traveling along the Troll Trail in Norway is by bus. Tourist bus services along this route depart from the bus station in the city of Ondalsnes. As a rule, the trip is accompanied by a guide, and the bus stops at the observation deck for 25 minutes, allowing travelers to take in the views and take photos of the Troll Staircase from different angles.
You can also take a train to the nearest cities and then take a bus or car to the Troll Staircase. However, most passenger and tourist buses depart from Ondalsnes. The cost of this trip starts at 1,000 Norwegian kroner.
The Troll Road (Norway) is one of the most successful projects created by humans and nature. The result is so organic that, despite the fact that the road is man-made, it seems as if it has been there for centuries. Tourists from all over the world come to see the crazy curves of the serpentine road. Once again, we would like to remind you that you can only see the beauty of the Troll Road during the summer months, as the road is closed for most of the year due to its challenging nature.
