When planning my trips I like to keep it versatile between visiting cities and adding a few challenging and easy hikes in between. (I hiked Mount Olympus only a few months ago and it was amazing). I have to keep active after all and I love the nature and outdoors as much as wearing a pretty outfit while exploring cities. Hence, on this Northern Europe part, hiking Trolltunga in Norway was my mountain challenge. After all you can‘t really go to Norway without visiting the fjords.
When I first read up on the hike I wasn‘t sure I really wanted to do it. The photos on the internet look amazing and so many people have done it. But was I really ready to walk 14km one way, what read to be a very difficult and long hike (10-12hours)? I wasn‘t sure at the beginning but I did it and as always, I was glad I did. It was amazing! Stunning! I love hiking, (see all my hiking trips here) and Hiking Trolltunga in Norway was unbelievable and very very rewarding!
Hiking Trolltunga in Norway
Trolltunga is known as one of the most spectacular scenic cliffs in Norway, situated about 1100 meters above sea level and hovering 700 metres above lake Ringedalsvatnet.
The hike starts at the Skjeggedal car park (be aware of the 500NK parking fee). From the car park you can choose to walk up the 4km windy road (main route) however the parking guy told me about a nice walk through the forrest so I went for this option. What a start! It was 1km, 400m ascending, straight up the hill. It cut my trip short by 3km avoiding the windy road but I walked the steep path. The first hour got my heartbeat up but once I was up, at approx. 850m altitude, the path opened up to a mountain platform with amazing views. From there the walk was further 9km, with additional 250m ascent in altitude (less steep in contrast), hence a nice trail to walk on top of the platform.
The weather was perfect too. It was a sunny day but it was still quite windy and I was wearing two layers most of the time. I definitely wouldn‘t recommend this hike on a rainy or bad weather day. The perfect weather makes the long walk more rewarding. While in Sweden I kept an eye on the weather for a week and luckily I could be spontaneous. So I drove 10hours the day before, from Gotheburg (Sweden) across the hilly Norway, through storm and rain, to get here for the hike on the Sunday. It was the only sunny day that week and made the walk even more enjoyable!
Trolltunga
It took me 3.5 hours to get to the famous Trolltunga mountain. I thought it might be busy (it was Sunday after all) but not soo busy. The most popular spot to take photos from is the actual rock that hangs over the cliff (hence the name Trolltunga) but it also meant that there was a long queue to wait to have a photo taken. At first I lined up but after 20min I gave up and couldn’t be bothered to wait.
I noticed two smaller rocks behind the main rock, with the same view, and so decided to take my photos there (rather than wait forever). No queueing and the photos ended up as stunning. Agree?
Tips for hiking Trolltunga in Norway
Make sure you have plenty of food with you and a full waterbottle. There are plenty of mountain streams to fill up your water supply so you are never too thirsty. However there are no toilet spots throughout the whole hike. And not many spots to hide behind the bush either. (That makes it always interesting). In addition bring a few layers of clothing, esp. a wind protecting jacket and wear very comfortable and waterproof hiking shoes.
It is a long (and sometimes wet) trail! I started around 8.30am and was back at 4pm. (Less than the 10-12 hours everybody is talking about but I skipped the queue so therefore made my return quicker (smiley face)).
And above all take lots of photos but that goes without saying. Did I mention the view was breathtaking? Hiking Trolltunga in Norway was definitely a success! You should do it!
My Summary
If you are fit you will definitely enjoy the hike. That said if you would like to get fit, do the walk. Hiking Trolltunga in Norway it will push your boundaries!! Maybe I will do Loch Ness in Scotland next?! (Well, ok, I did it)
