Hiking the Trolltunga
Dreaming of hiking to the spectacular Trolltunga rock formation near Odda in Western Norway? Get our tips for a safe and memorable hike here – from where to start and what to bring to how to get the most of this incredible experience.
If you want your Norway adventure to include an extraordinary hike to one of the most spectacular viewing points in the country, put the rock formation Trolltunga – ‘the Troll’s Tongue’ – at the top of your list. The rock formation is located just a few kilometres from the town Odda, and the hike is a magnificent and intense nature experience.
The Trolltunga lies hidden in the high-mountain terrain due west of Hardangervidda National Park. The rock formation, which points straight out from the mountain at a height of around 700 metres above the Ringedalsvatnet lake, is one of the most spectacular – and most photographed – rock formations in Norway. The hiking trail is long and quite challenging, but the experience when you can finally step out onto the ‘troll’s tongue’ and look out over the beautiful mountain landscape is hard to put into words!
The Trolltunga, surrounding mountains and stunning lake far below were all carved out of the terrain during the Scandinavian ice ages, making for a dramatic and breath-taking backdrop for the unique rock formation – and innumerable photo opportunities along the hike!
Foto: © Scott Sporleder / Matador Network / www.fjordnorway.com
How to get to Trolltunga
You can reach Trolltunga from both Stavanger and Bergen, Fjord Line’s two ports of call in Western Norway.
From Bergen, the about 160-km-long drive takes around 3 hours 30 mins. The drive will take you through a spectacular scenery that includes crossing the Hardangerfjord, crossing the Folgefonna National Park, and driving through Odda, before you reach the trailhead parking lot.
From Stavanger, the drive is about 220 kilometres long and takes around 4 hours 30 mins. The drive will take you through the beautiful Fjord Norway scenery, and a true gem will await you at the end when you pass through the incredible Odda valley that is known as ‘the valley of the waterfalls’.
As it is recommended to start your hike early morning, we suggest you stay the night in the charming town of Odda. Early next morning, you can either drive your car to the parking lots at the Trolltunga trailhead or take a shuttle bus that departs from several key stops in and around Odda, including Trolltunga Camping. The bus ride from Odda to Trolltunga takes 30 minutes from the first stop to the Skjeggedal parking lot.
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The Trolltunga hiking trail
The starting point for the Trolltunga hike is the parking lot at Skjeggedal. Alternatively, you can keep going (by car or shuttle bus) to the parking lot at Mågellitop that has a few parking lots that can be reserved. This will cut around 7 kilometres off your hike.
The hiking trail from Skjeggedal to Trolltunga is a total of 27 kilometres long (13.5 km each way), and the hike usually takes around 10-12 hours round trip – so make sure to start early, so you can get back down safely before darkness falls!
The total ascent from bottom to top is around 800 metres, and the trail is at times very steep and challenging, so you should only embark on this hike if you are an experienced hiker in excellent shape and are bringing decent hiking equipment.
That aside – once you have embarked on this hike of your dreams, you can look forward to an extraordinary hike through a magnificent scenery of heather-clad mountain plateaus, impressive waterfalls, areas filled with huge boulders – and not least a string of fascinating views over the Ringedalsvatnet and the steep mountainsides that surround the lake.
Stepping out onto the Trolltunga
You will reach the climax of this breath-taking hike when you take the final steps (down a set of safe and well-placed rebar steps) out onto the unique rock formation that reaches out over the abyss.
From the tongue, you can enjoy the spectacular view of the mountains reflecting in the calm waters of the Ringedalsvatnet and the glacial formations of the Folgefonna glimmering in the horizon. Here, high up on the Trolltunga, you will feel free as a bird, several hundred metres above the clear blue waters of the lake and higher than the surrounding mountain peaks.
Depending on when you take the Trolltunga hike, you may encounter a line to step out onto the Trolltunga. Please respect your fellow climbers and stay safe – it is a long and lethal drop if you misstep.
Foto: © Terje Nesthus / www.fjordnorway.com
Tips for planning your Trolltunga adventure
As mentioned, the Trolltunga hike is challenging and only for experienced hikers in excellent condition. In addition, we strongly recommend following these guidelines:
- If you wish to hike the Trolltunga hiking trail on your own, do so during the main hiking season from 1 June to 30 September. Otherwise, join one of the guided tours.
- Be very aware of the weather conditions before you set out. If there is any risk of strong winds, fog or heavy rain, do not set out on your hike.
- Make sure to bring proper hiking equipment, warm, suitable clothing and sufficient food and drinks.
- Always familiarise yourself with the local conditions and guidelines before you set out on your hike.
Camping at Trolltunga
The area near Trolltunga offers a wide range of accommodation options. Closest are the many hotels, motels, cabins and campsites near Odda, where many have a direct shuttle bus option to the Trolltunga hike trailhead. Other camping sites include Camp Lothepus in Odda and Hildal Camping just 10 km from the town.
Let Fjord Line take you to your Trolltunga adventure
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