Ah, exploring Norway! It is the country with the hike to Trolltunga and the beautiful fjords and mountains. Let me tell you about something great for people who love nature. The hike to Trolltunga is one of the things you must do while in this Scandinavian paradise. Believe me, every step is worth it.
Trolltunga: A Natural Marvel
Trolltunga, which means “Troll’s Tongue” in English, is a jaw-dropping rock creation that sticks out of a mountain in a horizontal line, creating a strange platform 700 meters above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. It is one of Norway’s most famous landmarks and a draw for both thrill-seekers and nature fans. The trip can be dangerous, though! Make sure you know about it before you go there.
About the Hike to Trolltunga
You’ll see two small cabins spread out along the road as you walk to Trolltunga. These are useful to know about for when you need them most. Check the weather before you go on this walk. If you don’t have a tour guide, you need to do this when you hike this path. On their official website, you can find out what the weather is like in Trolltunga.
In any case, the trail to Trolltunga is one of the most well-known in Norway. Because of this, start your trip early to get away from some of the crowds. Also, make sure you have the right gear before you go on this path. Take this road, and you’ll see that there are hills and valleys in every direction. It’s important to watch your step on this path because it’s made of bedrock and there are sometimes loose rocks. Also, make sure you stay on the road! Going on a hike when there is a lot of snow can be hard.
Hike to Trolltunga
Difficulty: Demanding
Distance: 28 km (17.5 mi.) roundtrip
Duration: Approx. 8 -12 hours
Address: main trailhead at P2 in Skjeggedal
Transport: Train or Rent a car
Let’s talk about how to do this. It’s not easy to walk to Trolltunga. It’s a difficult hike that lasts all day and goes about 28 kilometers (17.5 miles) round trip. The trail is rough, with steep climbs and descents, rocky ground, and weather that changes all the time.
Even though the walk is hard, it’s also fun. When you finally reach Trolltunga, you’ll feel like you’ve done something amazing. Just remember to bring things like rainproof layers, a backpack, and, most importantly, a water bottle. Wear clothes that are comfortable and sturdy hiking boots.
Our Experience Hiking Trolltunga
The hike up Trolltunga with my hubby, dog, and I seemed to last forever. We kept going up and down, and there was snow all over the ground. But the views were priceless, and the cool breeze made me feel great! Every step I took made the snow crunch under my feet, which added to the beauty of the scene. Once we reached the top of a hill, we could see the lake below, which looked like something out of a fairy story. There is a strong blue color to the water that looks almost black. It looks like it could get you. The white snow that covered the area made it stand out even more, which added to the mood.
We brought a backpack with us to carry our dog. To carry him when he got tired, we put him in the bag. He did really well until the hike was over. After that, he did fall asleep in the bag. He’s an Australian farm dog, so he’s not small. For his safety, we thought it would be best to have that backpack, and it worked great!
How to Get There?
The trail to Trolltunga is in Skjeggedal, which is close to Tyssedal. This is close to the Hardanger town of Odda. You can get to the summit in a few different ways. You can either drive or take an express bus to get to one of the parking lots. You may not be able to park in all of them because of bad weather at certain times the year. That is what took place for us. We hiked from the parking lot at the bottom! Besides that, the shuttle cars might not run. Check out Trolltunga’s webpage to find out what’s going on in the area.
Like we did, you should start your hike at the P2 parking lot in Skjeggedal. The 27 km (16.8 mi.) round-trip walk to Trolltunga should take you about 8–12 hours. Starting at P3 Mågelitopp, this 20 km (12.4 mi) hike will take you 7–10 hours to complete.
You can catch a shuttle bus between Odda, P1 Tyssedal, and P2 Skjeggedal. The highest parking, P3 Mågelitopp, is where you can start your walk. You can get there by taking another shuttle bus from P2 Skjeggedal.
Getting to the Main Trailhead
From the Odda, the walk to Trolltunga is about 17 km (11 mi).This place is about 190 km (120 mi) from Bergen, a beautiful city.
To begin the walk to Trolltunga, go to Skjeggedal, which is about 7 km (4.3 mi) from Norwegian National Road 13 in Tyssedalen. There is a small parking lot with bathrooms available.
GOOD TO KNOW: If you want to park at Skjeggedal, the lower lot costs 500 kr per day.
We didn’t have much luck when we went to the hike trail. The main road that led to the extra-high parking area was shut down. Our hike began at the bottom of the winding road that went up. We had to walk for about a mile or two before we reached the start of the track.
The Best Time to Visit
It’s very important to know when to go on the hike to Trolltunga. The trail can usually be used from the middle of June to the middle of September, when the snow has melted and the weather is mostly safe. You can go ahead of that, just like we did. But some people say you NEED a tour guide because it’s dangerous. Since at this time , it can be dangerous now because of the ice and bad weather.
You may find the best time if you go in July or August. The weather will be warmer, the days will be longer, and there’s a better chance that the sky will be clear for those pictures. The bad thing about these months is that there will be a lot of walkers. Given that many people go on this walk, it will take a lot longer to take a picture of Trolltunga, the famous rock formation.
Our Trip to Hike Trolltunga
My husband, our dog, and I went up this in the middle of May. People say you SHOULD have a tour guide on this trip, but we didn’t have one. Do not make the same mistake we did; hire a tour guide at this time.
Troll Tongue, Norway
We went on this walk to Trolltunga at this time, so there weren’t many other people there. About 30 people were there. I’ve heard that during busy months, you might have to wait up to two hours just to get a picture on Trolltunga!
Considering a Tour Guide
While hiking Trolltunga by yourself is a fun adventure, many tourists choose to go with a trained tour guide. These guides know the area well and have experience with the difficult parts of the trail. This can help us learn a lot about the past and ecology of the area. Having a helper can also make you safer, especially if you have never been hiking before. With a guide, you’ll be more likely to find any secret gems along the way. Tour guides also often take care of the details, like getting you to and from your destination and finding you a place to stay. But it’s very important to pick a tour company that is well known. To make sure you have a good time, do a lot of study and read reviews. In the end, Trolltunga offers an unforgettable adventure whether you go with a guide or hike on your own.
Essential Gear for Trolltunga
Bringing the right gear on the epic walk to Trolltunga is very important. First, buy a strong pair of hiking boots with good ankle support and soles that grip the ground. The trail can be rough and steep. Besides that, make sure they can handle water. I recommend Gore-Tex hiking boots. Layer your clothes so you can adapt to changing weather, and don’t forget to bring a waterproof jacket and pants for when it rains in Norway.
An Osprey hiking daypack (this is the brand I use) that is comfortable and has all the things you need to take. That includes extra clothes, a first aid kit, a water bottle, and food. On steep descents, hiking poles can save your life, and I know a lot of people who depend on them. Also, bring a map or GPS with you to help you stay on the trail. Last but not least, make sure you bring a fully charged cell phone, a power bank, or foldable solar panels in case of an emergency. Cell service can be spotty in the mountains.
Is it Family Friendly?
If you want to bring the whole family, now – If you have young children, Trolltunga is not the best walk for families. The trail’s length and difficulty can make it hard to walk, so it’s important to find out how fit and experienced your family is with climbing. As long as your kids are experienced hikers and up for the task, it can be a great family trip. But if it’s their first time, you might want to think about other trails that aren’t as hard. I wouldn’t take my 2-year-old son there now that I have one. We’ll do that when he’s a lot bigger and if he wants to!
Places to Stay
Now, where should you rest your tired legs after you beat Trolltunga? The nearby town of Odda has a variety of places to stay, from hotels and hostels to camping grounds. A lot of hikers choose to camp close to Trolltunga so they can see the beautiful sunrise over the rock creation. Always make sure to book your lodging ahead of time, especially during the busiest climbing season.
Hike to Trolltunga!
The walk to Trolltunga is an adventure you’ll never forget. It takes you deep into the beautiful landscapes of Norway. Even though the trip is hard, the views and feeling of accomplishment are out of this world. So, get your bags ready and get ready to see Norway’s natural beauty, starting with Trolltunga!
Troll Tongue, Norway
Explore Norway
Check out some of the beautiful places and things to do in Norway while you’re there. Visit Norway can help you find your way! You could also try the Pulpit Rock if you want to go on another walk. Along with the rock formations, this walk has some dreamy views.
Travel
Don’t forget the important things when you’re getting ready to travel. On my Travel page, I list the things you should do before you go on a trip. Besides that, I have a lot of writing about the places I’ve visited. You can get ideas for your next trip this way!
Dani and Hubby
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