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Trollstigen Road

Trollstigen is one of Norway’s most iconic mountain roads, famous for its eleven dramatic hairpin bends climbing steep mountainsides. Part of the Norwegian Scenic Route Geiranger–Trollstigen, it is a key stop on journeys through Western Norway.
Written by
The Fjord Tours team
3 min readUpdated: Sep 30, 2026
Person standing on metal viewing platform with arms outstretched, overlooking winding road and waterfall, with sunset lighting the sky.

About Trollstigen

The Trollstigen Road is one of Norway’s most popular National Tourist Routes – a spectacular serpentine drive between Åndalsnes and Valldal.
The road is not particularly long, but twists through 11 hairpin bends up to Stigrøra, 858 meters above sea level. At the top of Trollstigen, there is a platform offering spectacular views, with 2 viewpoints along the road. Both viewpoints were designed by the Norwegian architecture firm Reiulf Ramstad Architects to blend into the natural surroundings.
Construction of the road started in 1916, but there had been a path or bridleway between Åndalsnes and Valldal for centuries. You can actually still see parts of the original packhorse track in some places alongside the current road.
Each bend has its own name, most of them after the foremen who led the construction gangs that built the road.
Aerial view of Trollstigen with dramatic hairpin bends winding through steep mountains and a deep green valley in western Norway.

Facts about Trollstigen

  • The road was opened on 31st July 1936 by King Haakon VII. Before that, farmers on both sides of the mountain had worked hard on the construction and improvement of the cart track that existed before the road opened
  • The road is narrow with a gradient of about 9%
  • Vehicles longer than 13.1 meters are not allowed to drive on the road
  • The road is closed during the winter months, but it is a very popular tourist attraction during summer
  • There are several great viewpoints and passing pockets offering spectacular views along the road

Experience Trollstigen without driving

Driving Trollstigen is a unique experience, but the steep hairpin bends can also be challenging. Let professional drivers handle Trollstigen's most demanding hairpin bends, while you relax and enjoy the views.

Combine Trollstigen on your journey through the fjords

Trollstigen lies between Åndalsnes and Geirangerfjord, and is a natural part of many fjord itineraries. If you have more time, you can include Trollstigen as part of a longer journey through Western Norway.

2 or 3-day journey including Trollstigen

Experience the Geirangerfjord, Trollstigen, and Åndalsnes on a shorter trip. Choose your own start and end points to fit your travel plans.
  • This tour includes: Trollstigen, Rauma Railway, and Geirangerfjord
  • Start from: Oslo or Bergen
View tour

5-day journey including Trollstigen

Travel through some of Norway’s most famous landscapes, including Trollstigen, the Rauma Railway, Flåm Railway, Geirangerfjord, and Nærøyfjord. This tour combines fjords, mountains, and scenic rail journeys in one complete itinerary.
  • This tour includes: Trollstigen, Rauma Railway, Flåm Railway, Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord, Flåm, Ålesund, and Bergen
  • Start from: Oslo or Bergen
See 5-day tour

What to expect at Trollstigen

As you make your way up the road, the Stigfossen waterfall drops 320 metres down the mountainside, flowing alongside the steep bends.
At the summit, the viewing platform extends out over the landscape, offering a clear view of the winding road below. The visitor centre includes a café, restrooms, and exhibitions about the history and construction of Trollstigen.
  • Time needed: Around 30 minutes at the top is enough to enjoy the viewpoints, take photos, and visit the café.
  • Weather tip: The temperature at the summit is often around 10°C cooler than in Åndalsnes, even in summer – so bring an extra layer.
  • Photo tip: For the classic view of the hairpin bends, head to the main platform. Walking to both ends gives you different perspectives, and the lower viewpoints are ideal for capturing the waterfall.

Activities near Trollstigen

Most Trollstigen visitors pass through Åndalsnes - the gateway town at the base of the mountain road. Here are popular activities in the region:
A cable car travels above a lush green mountain, with fields, villages, and winding roads below, and towering mountains in the distance.
The Romsdalen Gondola
Åndalsnes • 1 hr 30 min
No available price
Available all year
A stone bridge spanning a river with a lush green forest and steep cliffs on either side, capturing the majesty of nature.
Golden Train
Åndalsnes • 2 hr 40 min
No available price
Available all year
People at Trollstigen viewpoint overlooking the valley and hairpin bends in overcast weather
Trollstigen bus
Multiple locations
No available price
1 June - 30 September
A modern building with a geometric facade, located near a dock with steep, snow-capped mountains in the background.
The Norwegian Mountaineering Centre in Åndalsnes
Åndalsnes • 2 hr
No available price
Available all year
Two young children climb an indoor bouldering wall with colorful holds, including animal shapes, in a safe, padded play area.
Intro to climbing at the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre
Åndalsnes • 1 hr
No available price
Available all year
Climber ascends cliff above valley, town and river below.
Romsdalsstigen via ferrata - Intro wall
Åndalsnes • 4 hr
No available price
1 June - 20 October
Climber smiles on cliff with valley and fjord below.
Romsdalsstigen via ferrata - West wall
Åndalsnes • 6 hr
No available price
1 June - 20 October
Smiling woman sits on a cliff edge near a sign reading "Høgaksla 981 m.o.h.", cityscape below.
Romsdalseggen - Guided hike
Åndalsnes • 6 hr
No available price
1 July - 30 September
Four people paddleboarding on a crystal-clear river surrounded by lush greenery and mountains.
Stand up paddling on the Istra River
Åndalsnes • 3 hr
No available price
1 July - 31 August
Person standing on metal viewing platform with arms outstretched, overlooking winding road and waterfall, with sunset lighting the sky.
Trollstigen & hike to the Bispe lake
Åndalsnes • 4 hr
No available price
15 July - 30 September

Frequently asked questions about Trollstigen

Answers to common questions about visiting Trollstigen, including tour options, driving conditions, opening dates, and what to expect at the summit.

Continue your journey in Western Norway

Trollstigen is often part of a longer journey through Western Norway. From dramatic mountain roads and scenic railways to fjords and charming villages, these nearby highlights fit naturally into the same route and travel rhythm.
Group on viewing platform overlooking fjord with waterfall, green mountains, and clear sky in the background, vibrant greenery.

The Geirangerfjord

Geirangerfjord is a 15 km-long fjord in western Norway, known for its steep mountains, waterfalls, and historic mountain farms where families once lived high above the water. Together with another fjord in western Norway, the Nærøyfjord, it’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the West Norwegian Fjords, inscribed in 2005. The Seven Sisters waterfall is one of the fjord’s most famous attractions. From viewpoints like Flydalsjuvet and Ørnesvingen, you can also see the fjord and surrounding mountains from above. In this guide, we share our recommendations on what to see, how to get there, when to visit, and how to experience Geirangerfjord by boat or as part of a longer journey through Norway.

Train on stone arch bridge over rocky gorge, forest in autumn colors and mountains behind.

The Rauma Railway

The Rauma Railway (Raumabanen) runs 114.2 kilometers from Dombås to Åndalsnes in about 1 hour and 40 minutes, past the steep Trollveggen mountain wall and Kylling Bridge. The stretch is one of Norway's wildest and most photographed train journeys, and is known far beyond Norway's borders, thanks to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It was also on this track that 50 tons of Norwegian gold were transported to avoid it falling into wrong hands during World War II. In this guide, we will tell you all about the route, the most famous destinations, and how to travel, including the Golden Train as a separate optional experience.

Sunset panorama view of Ålesund from Aksla viewpoint with Art Nouveau buildings and fjord

Geirangerfjord & Norway in a Nutshell® in five days

Norway is dramatic, peaceful, wild, and calm, all at the same time. Towering fjords, tiny villages tucked between mountains and sea, and trains that climb through landscapes that feel unreal.

Rampestreken in Åndalsnes is a popular hiking spot and amazing view point and at 537 meters above sea level which will give you an stunning view of fjord and mountains.

Rampestreken Viewpoint

If you want the best view of the alpine town of Åndalsnes, take a hike up the Romsdalstrappa to the Rampestreken view point. This amazing view point at 537 meters above sea level will give you butterflies in your stomach!