Trolltunga is a rock formation about 1,100 metres above sea level in Odda in Hordaland county, Norway. The magnificent cliff is jutting horizontally out from the mountain, into free air about 700 metres above the north side of the lake Ringedalsvatnet. This is one of the most grand gorgeous fjords in Norway and is one of the most famous hike views in fjordland. This is one of the most gorgeous fjords in Norway and most epic hikes. This is my favorite hike I have ever done and it was challenging even being a pretty avid hiker.
Read my top list of fjords to hike in Norway here.
How to get there by Car
1. Fly into Bergen, Norway (day 1)
2. Rent a Car in Bergen/ take the bus to Odda (day 1)
3. Camp in Odda & hike Troll Tunga early AM the next day (day 2)
How to get there by Public Transit
- Fly into Bergen, Norway (or Oslo)
- Take the train from Bergen to Voss
- Take the bus from Voss to Odda
Odda is the main town and point of reference near the fjord. It is at the southern tip of the Sørfjorden fjord, and you can reach there from Bergen or Oslo by bus, train or car rental. You can take a 1.5 hour long train ride from Bergen to Voss, and then a bus 2 hours to Odda. From Odda, you take a bus through Tyssedal and then to the mountain area of Skjeggedal. This bus is 48 NOK and is the cheapest and only other way besides car to get to the trailhead. Plan your bus routes in Norway with this resource. The trailhead for Trolltunga begins in Skjeggedal. Bergen Norway is about a 3 hour car ride from Odda the town near Trolltunga fjord. The car ride however includes some tolls and a ferry you must catch as well at the end of the journey from Tørvikbygd to Jondal. The ferry has a schedule that you must catch with your crossing. This journey by bus is apparently possible and some do that, however everything has to be timed so well and it would make the trekking trip very hard. You must get to near the ferry crossing at night so you can camp and get some sleep before waking up very early to catch the ferry and be one of the first in the parking lot that fills up fast to hike Trolltunga.
Once you arrive in the small mountain town of Odda, Norway, you are in the backyard of the fjord. There is about a 40 minute gorgeous drive outside of town along the bay with colorful cottages reflected in the water. This whole area feels like a national park with unbelievable views all around. The whole trip is about 4 hours in total to drive from Bergen and get to Trolltunga fjord hike.
Renting a Car at Bergen Flesland Iternational Airport
There are several rental agencies to choose from in the airport that are a convenient way to start your journey. The average cost of renting a car with standard insurance will be around $70 a day to rent the car for around 3 days. We were charged around $400USD to have the car three days to go out and hike the fjord. We drove from Odda after hiking the next day to Alesund and returned the car there when we flew out from the airport. The average gas cost in Norway is 0.629 €/L –>0.92 €/L. We car camped to save money since there is almost no places to stay in Odda and they are expensive and yet it was too much winter still to camp really outdoors. We saved a lot of money by camping and with a car rental.
Trail Stats
Miles:
22 kilometers (13.6 miles) round trip
Elevation gain:
900 m (2,950 ft).
Length:
Day hike or overnight camping on the trail allowed (2 nights allowed parking)
Time:
6-11 hours depending on your fitness level and the time of year and weather
We started our trek at 7:30 am and were in Odda to rest by 3pm. The hike took us about 3 hours both ways and with rest at the top for around an hour to an hour and a half so the whole journey took us 7.5 hours approximately. The weather is pretty marshy and cold in September when we did our trek. The weather plays a huge role in your hike and timing as well as fitness level. Plan accordingly to when sunset is and your season of year and the weather. Make sure to safely lay out your day and get back well before sundown.
Trolltunga Hike Parking
Skjeggedal Car Park, Old Start to Trolltunga
The trailhead for Trolltunga begins in Skjeggedal. The name of the parking lot for Trolltunga hike is called Skjeggedal. This is the old parking lot. This is the old starting point of Trolltunga that includes brutal 200 meter switchbacks to add onto the hike from the beginning. Mågeliveien, “the Trolltunga road” has 17 hairpin turns and a maximum inclination of 17%. Four wheel drive cars are highly recommended for this hike. The road opens daily at about 6 a.m. Attendants will tell you where and how to park and you will pay them. If you are looking for more of a challenge and are an avid hiker you can start from the bottum and add the intense Mageliveien road into your Trolltunga hike make sure to calculate that in your timeline.
Mågelitopp, New Upper Parking Lot
The new starting point for the hike and upper parking lot is called, Mågelitopp. Parking in the upper lot and skipping the switchbacks on a dirt road with no views going up the hill will save about 3 hours in total (1-1,5 hour each way). This is the parking lot at the top of the 17 hair pin turns road. The parking fee is NOK 600 per day. Parking over to next day, you will be charged for 2 days but are allowed to park up to two days for camping overnight if you like. Only the first 30 cars of the day get to park at the top lot to hike the rest have to use the old lot at the bottum and hike up the extra few hours the 17 hairpin turns. Get there early! Be there before 6 am. The lot was already half full for us getting there at 6 am!
TrollTunga Hike Directions
- From the trailhead parking lot, you climb the entire first kilometer up stone steps. Occasionally there are points where there is a slick rock face, and a large, dirty rope is in place to help you climb up. The first kilometer is pretty brutal overall so be prepared and don’t let your morale fall. There are cool views of the lake and morning fog during that section.
- 1km- 2km mark, the trail gets easier and levels out more coming through a mountaintop valley. It was very marshy during our September hike, and the path is very stony and difficult to walk on taking longer because of the loose ground that is hard on the ankles. There are a few cold creeks here, this is the spot to fill your water bottle for the rest of the journey. There are several remote cabins along the path. There is about a 45 minute walk through this valley, before the trail starts to climb up again.
- There is slick rock face so be careful and watch your step. This portion brings you around a lake and past an emergency cabin filled with heat blankets and other emergency gear inside.
- This is the area of the trail that you see your first view of lake Ringedalsvatnet. There is a picturesque view along the trail and this is a great spot for a snack or break with a view. At this point you have done the most intense part of the hike and it has some small ups and downs from here.
- Then you will weave through a rocky field and come around the bend to the beautiful site of the fjord and the jutting rock out over the lake from high above! You can get an epic picture now to celebrate your hike.
What to Pack /gear
- Daypack
- Water bottle and water (best to bring camelback and hold at least a couple of liters of water)
- Solid hiking boots
- Clothing Layers (it is cold and unpredictable weather), bring fleeces, rain jacket, outer warm shell, gloves and a hat
- Protein snacks for the trail and at least one meal
- Extra socks
- Hiking poles (this hike is very rocky and this trail poles would have been helpful)
Weather Conditions
The weather is very unpredictable on the fjord and especially hiking outside the summer seasons be very careful and check conditions many times before you hike the days before and the day of your hike. Be prepared for all weather with gear and layers.
Trolltunga Trail Information is an amazing safe resource run by professionals who share trail conditions, weather, road closures and other hazards. I definitely used their advice and listened to when they were saying was safe to hike. Read their updates!
Accomodations /Camping
- Camping is allowed anywhere along the trail, but be sure to employ Leave No Trace practices while camping. Many people do camp up at the top. If you are unfamiliar with Leave No Trace, read about it here.
- Norway is also a part of the Right to Roam that has been in existence for hundreds of years. The land is public and available for camping anywhere within a few simple rules this resource discusses. This makes camping not only an amazing experience in the beauty here but also free and the best way to save money on your trip and have an amazing experience.
- Besides tent camping you can car camp as well and if its in colder weather that can be a more livable option.
- Trolltunga Guesthouse and Hostel is $114USD/night, and is in central Odda as the cheapest option. Trolltunga Hostel book here. There are only a handful of other hotels all around $160-$200USD per night. Tyssedal Hotel is an amazing historic and modern hotel with sweeping views of the mountains that is a more comfortable experience. The hotel is $160USD per night, book here.
Tips
- Carrying water and enough for your hike is way too heavy for the first difficult part of the hike. Bring only a small amount of water to start and refill at the creeks that are clean streams along the way. You can bring a water filter but this is all clean glacier water.
- It is a good idea to pack another pair of socks in your daypack to change into once you get to the top of Trolltunga because it is a very wet marshy and muddy hike where your feet get wet and make you more uncomfortable and cold.
- Be careful and check the weather. Listen to professionals and what they are saying about the trail and conditions. There is a weather udpates page. If in doubt turn around if the weather takes a nasty turn. Always tell someone about your hike and location and estimated time to check up on you.
- The trail follows what are called “cairns,” tall rock piles with the Trolltunga symbol marking the correct path. Keep an eye out for these to stay on path. The trail does get a bit harder to follow with all the rocks on trail so be careful.
- Start your hike as soon as possible in the morning. People are nice and will help you get your picture for you from the viewing area as you walk out onto the cliff. The picture line is very long and will lengthen your fjord hike time. Be prepared for this.
- The best time to hike is between May and September when the snows gone. We hiked the first week of September and the hike was very cold, muddy, marshy, cold and wet.
