The hike to Trolltunga in enchanting Norway is an unforgettable experience. Nikolas Rachiotis visited the impressive rock and shares his impressions with us.
Hiking has always been one of my favorite activities on mytravelsand a very important criterion when choosing a destination. So, unsurprisingly, many of the world-renowned routes in Europe (and beyond) were at the top of my list. The one that always stood out, though, was the hike to Trolltunga, in enchanting Norway.
What is Trolltunga?
Trolltunga, also known as «The Trolls Tongue»,is a breathtaking rocky ledge above Norway’s fjords. The trail to get there is one of Europe’s most unique and unforgettable hikes. Trolltunga sits about 700 meters above the ground, offering incredible views of the surrounding fjords, mountains, and valleys. It is located in the picturesque Hardanger region and juts out horizontally from a slope. In effect, it resembles a gigantic tongue over the striking lake Ringedalsvatnet.
How to get there
Where to base your adventure
The ideal place to stay before your hike is the picturesque village of Odda. It’s a true paradise for nature lovers. Mountains, glaciers, and fjords make it the perfect (and convenient) base before your excursion.
Getting to Odda
ΤοBergenis the nearest major city to Odda. Here are some options for getting from Bergen:
By car: The most direct way to get from Bergen to Odda is by driving. The drive takes about 2-2.5 hours. Along the way you’ll pass through stunning mountain scenery, so it’s definitely worth it if you have the option to rent a car.
By bus: If you don’t have a car or are looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can take a bus. Skyss, the local bus company (the one we used for our trip) in the Bergen area, operates several departures daily to Odda. The journey takes about 3 hours and tickets can be purchased online or at the bus station.
Skyss’s ticketing system is divided into zones, which determine your fare. The number of zones depends on the distance you travel. The trip from Bergen to Odda crosses several zones, so the cost will be higher than a one-zone ticket. Your ticket may also include a boat segment - an undeniably special experience.
Where to stay in Odda
As hiking also generates the town’s main source of income, there is a plethora of accommodation to choose from. Objectively, the most convenient is Trolltunga camping. Although it’s primarily a campground, it also offers several private rooms, but with shared bathrooms. It features a kitchen where you can cook your own meals, which is extremely convenient. The campsite is next to a lake, making it an ideal place for a stroll the day before your excursion or for recovery the next day.
How to reach the trail
Before you start your hike, you will need to reach the parking area connected to the trail. Luckily for you, there is a bus that leaves from town twice a day (05:45 and 07:10) bound for the parking area. One of the stops is the campground where you will be staying.
The bus made our journey much easier, and I highly recommend it. However, seats are limited, so make sure to book your tickets in advance. The bus will take you to Skjeggedal, also known as P2. From there, you will need to reach P3, the starting point of the trail to Trolltunga.
There, you will have two options. You can walk or take another bus. The drive takes about 10-15 minutes and will save you around 2-3 hours of hiking. The ticket price may vary depending on the season, but when we went it was about 100 NOK.
The truth is that we wanted to do the entire hike on foot, but when we realized that this section was simply a road, we took the bus too. From P3 and the start of the trail, the distance to the top is about 10 km.
The trail
The first kilometers of the trail are quite easy, and the elevation doesn’t increase much. After about 45 minutes of hiking, you will reach the famous Gryteskaret pass. This is the toughest part of the route. The elevation rises steeply, and, truth be told, the terrain doesn’t help much. Once we finished this segment, I was genuinely surprised by how little distance we had actually covered.
However, from there on, the hike becomes much easier. You will pass by lakes, streams (the water is drinkable, so you can fill your bottle), and waterfalls. Nature is truly unique.
A few hours later you will reach the iconic rock. There, you will have to wait in a long queue (depending, of course, on the time you arrive) and you will have a few minutes to take your souvenir photo. The spot is open on all sides and the view (if there isn’t fog) is simply unparalleled. There you will feel serenity, a reward for your effort. The feelings it evokes are simply unique. The return follows the same route, with the difference that it is much easier. In fact, it was also less time-consuming.
Practical tips for the hike
- Do some physical preparation: Having good overall fitness will make your outing much easier. For example, a few months or weeks before your trip, try another mountain hike or walk long distances.
- Wear hiking boots: As mentioned above, some sections of the route are more demanding and may be covered with water and snow. By having the right footwear, you will ensure stable footing, stay dry, and greatly reduce the risk of injury.
- Pack clothing for every condition: Mountain weather can change quickly, even in a few hours. Our hike started with rain, continued with very dense fog, and ended in sunshine. It would be best to always have waterproof gear and a second change of clothes. The weather is unpredictable and you need to be prepared.
- Always check the weather forecast: As I mentioned above, mountain conditions can change rapidly. You should always have checked the forecast the night before. It’s best to do your hike only if conditions allow. On our way back, we encountered a major storm that made the descent very difficult. A good idea to avoid this is to plan for an extra day in Odda. That way, you can change your hiking day if the weather demands it. You can check the Facebook page Trolltunga trail informationfor daily updates about the weather and the route.
- Don’t be disappointed if something goes wrong: Because of the fog, when we reached the rock, we couldn’t see the view we had come for. Nevertheless, the trail to Trolltunga is one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve done to date. Always keep a positive mindset, the photo isn’t everything.
- Bring plenty of food and water: It’s best to have cereal bars, bananas, and a full lunch with you. The hike to Trolltunga will take a long time and you’ll burn a lot of calories. Low blood sugar can cause many problems, so be prepared!
- Carry toilet paper and garbage bags with you: The trail has no toilets or trash bins at all. Nature is your friend, but you must respect it. Do not leave any litter on the mountain, so that other hikers can enjoy it too.
Some final thoughts
The truth is that the hike to Trolltunga was less demanding than I expected after what I had read. Although it has some tough sections, it is quite manageable for someone with basic hiking experience. The route is stunning and the view otherworldly. It is a hike I highly recommend and would do again at the first opportunity.
Want more travel ideas? Visit Nikolas Rachiotis’s bloglifessmallworldsbig.com
