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Writer's picturePiero Romoli
Oct 30, 20215 min read

Trolltunga, Vestland, Norway

Updated: Feb 6, 2023


Intro & Summary

Trolltunga is one of the most beautiful rock formations in Norway. From the top, you have a gorgeous view above the lake Ringedalsvatnet.


Hiking Trolltunga is really challenging and but at the same time very rewarding. You will go through high mountain terrain with creeks, streams, boulders, mud puddles, marshes, and water at several spots on the hike. Here’s everything you need to know.

  • Distance: 28km

  • Time: 7h45m moving time

  • Elevation gain: 1,500m

  • Difficulty: Hard

  • Best time: June to September (without guide)

  • Type: Single Day, Out and back

Best time of the year to hike

Trolltunga is accessible for experienced hikers from mid-June to mid-September, depending on when the snow melts in the Spring.


I'm not fully sure about the regulations but it is recommended that experienced hikers don't hike before June and after September. from mid-June to mid-September. Should you intend to hike without a guide outside this window, you might not be allowed.


I hiked Trolltunga in late May 2018 just before the recommended time, taking advantage of a Bank Holiday in the UK; I did it with no guide and I was really lucky with the weather.


Having said that, I would not recommend hiking it before mid-June because most of the trail is still covered with snow and unless you had great weather conditions for a prolonged period of time, you won't be able to make it.


Duration

This is a single day hike and it takes approximately 10-12h including breaks to complete it.


It is a very long hike and anticipate being quite exhausted when you reach the end. I didn't stop in any hut, but I had a few lunch and picture breaks; the overall elapsed time was 11h51m.


Starting Location and how to get there

Trolltunga is located 17km (11mi) from the town of Odda. The city of Bergen, is about 190km (120mi) from the site via main road, and Oslo is circa 370km (230mi) away from the trailhead. Below is an overview of how to get to the Trolltunga hike starting point:

  • By Car: Follow route 13 to Tyssedal, 6 km from the centre of Odda. Then I would recommend parking your car in 'P2 in Skjeggedal' which has 180 spaces and the parking fee is NOK 500 (same day until midnight).

  • By Bus: Shuttle buses between Odda, P2 Skjeggedal are operated by two companies - Odda Taxi and Odda Buss (Season: 13 May–26 September; more information: here https://trolltunga.com/plan-your-trip/parking-and-transportation/). Several daily bus connections to/from Voss, Bergen, Stavanger and Oslo: 'National journey planner' (en-tur.no) and 'Vestland County journey planner' (reise.skyss.no).

  • By Train: I don't think you can travel by train.

  • By Air: Although it’s not possible to fly directly to Trolltunga, four airports exist within a six-hour drive: Haugesund (2.5 hours), Bergen (3 hours), Stavanger (4 hours), and Oslo (6 hours).

I flew to Olso from London early in the morning and then drove the remainder of the day to Odda. It was quite time-consuming and not cost-effective, but overall the most economically advantageous way to get there.


Day to day Itinerary

  • The trailhead is located by a small parking area at Skjeggedal.

  • Near the parking area at Skjeggedal there is a funicular called Mågelibanen (it is not in operation). The trail to Trolltunga begins here, on the left side of the funicular.

  • For the first 1.5km (0.93mi), up to the Måglitopp, the trail rises about 450m (1,480ft). This is probably the least enjoyable part of the hike as it is very steep and on asphalt.

  • From here the track surfaces slightly out before it gets steep again, rising another 330m (1,080ft) up from Gryteskaret to Trombåskåret. This section is the steepest part of this hike.

  • After this 4-kilometre (2.5 mi) steep climb from the parking area, the next section slopes down towards Store Floren. The trail continues over Hesteflåene and the dried out river Endåno, before it gets steeper up to Endanuten and crosses the dried river to Tyssestrengene.

  • From here the trail goes on past glacial potholes, then continues past Tysshøl, and finally approaches Trolltunga, about 13.5km (8.4mi) from the starting point at Skjeggedal.

  • Upon reaching Trolltunga, where pictures with the projecting rock are a must, you will need to take again the same path back to the car park.


Cost and trip type

There is no cost associated with this trip apart from the parking fee of €50 and the cost of the travel to the place, which is not included.


Gallery

 

Gear

Hiking is one of the best ways to discover the beauty of the natural world around you.


The simple trick to stay warm during any season is to layer your clothes.

Below I listed the range of hiking clothing designed specifically to make sure I'm comfortable and protected against the elements when exploring the outdoors.


  • Pants (Jeans) / Shorts + Over-trousers: What pants to wear hiking depends on the climate as well as what fabric best fits your needs. I usually hike with JEANS or SHORTS depending on the season and temperature. the jeans are always a safe option; since they are not waterproof, for multiday hikes I usually take with me the WATERPROOF OVER-TROUSERS.

  • Merino wool t-shirt and/or Flannel shirt: Always bring a long/short-sleeved MERINO WOOL T-SHIRT or a FLANNEL SHIRT shirt to keep you comfortably warm. These are always my first layers depending on how hot/cold it is.

  • Fleece and/or Insulated jacket (down): Over the Merino wool t-shirt / Flannel shirt I would always wear either a FLEECE, a long-sleeved LIGHT DOWN, or both depending on the weather. Ideally, the insulating jacket should be lightweight and fit in your pockets.

  • Waterproof & Windproof layer: Insulation won’t work if your jackets get wet, especially if it’s down material. I always bring with me a light, packable, highly versatile GORE-TEX PRO shell jacket. I use this jacket for multiple activities such as skiing, hiking, walking, mountaineering, etc. It is very important to have a helmet-compatible hood.

  • Hiking shoes and Socks: Good HIKING SHOES and MERINO WOOL SOCKS are key for a comfortable hike.

  • Hat / Cap, Neck warmer and Gloves: Depending on the season I usually take with me either a CHASMERE HAT or a CAP to protect myself from the cold or sun respectively. Go for moisture-wicking GLOVES in wet or cold weather. When it comes to neck protection, a WINDPROOF NECK WARMER can be lifesaving.


Camera, Travel and Backpacking gear

I'm a keen photographer and I love taking pictures of nature and landscapes. Below I listed what I usually carry with me on holiday. If you are interested to check my full camera gear, including all my accessories, this is my Kit: https://kit.com/pieroromoli/camera-gear

 

I hope you enjoyed this blog.

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