Trollstigen

Trollstigen. It is a renowned serpentine mountain road located in Rauma Municipality within the county of Møre og Romsdal in western Norway. The road ascends the steep valley of the Isterdalen river, connecting the town of Åndalsnes in the Romsdalen valley to the Valldal valley. A major tourist attraction, it is celebrated for its dramatic eleven hairpin bends, steep gradients, and spectacular views of the Stigfossen waterfall and surrounding peaks of the Scandinavian Mountains.

Geography and location

The pass is situated in the heart of the West Norwegian fjord region, specifically within the Romsdalen valley area. It traverses the rugged terrain between the Isterdalen and Valldal valleys, with the road clinging to the mountainside near the powerful Stigfossen waterfall. The surrounding landscape is dominated by major peaks such as Kongen, Dronningen, and Bispen, which form part of the Trolltindene massif. The area falls under the jurisdiction of Rauma Municipality and is a key segment of the County Road 63, which forms part of the Geiranger-Trollstigen tourist route. The region's geology is characterized by deep valleys carved by glaciers and steep, gneiss and granite mountain walls.

History and construction

Plans for a road across this formidable terrain were discussed for decades before construction finally began in 1916, with King Haakon VII turning the first sod. The project was a significant engineering undertaking for Norway, led by engineer Nils Hovdenak and involving considerable manual labor, including work by Swedish navvies. The road officially opened on July 31, 1936, by King Haakon VII, after nearly twenty years of arduous work. Its creation was driven by the need for a reliable connection between the Romsdalen and Norddal regions, improving postal services and local transport. The construction era coincided with major national projects like the Bergensbanen railway and development in areas such as Svalbard.

Road characteristics and engineering

The road is approximately 10 kilometers long and features eleven exceptionally tight hairpin bends, each named after the original road builders. With a maximum gradient of 10% and a width as narrow as 3.3 meters in sections, it requires careful navigation, leading to restrictions for vehicles over 12.4 meters long. The engineering solutions from the 1930s included extensive stone masonry retaining walls and bridges designed to withstand the harsh climate and heavy water flow from the adjacent Stigfossen waterfall. Modern upgrades have added safety features like guardrails and improved drainage, while maintaining its historic character. The design principles share similarities with other iconic Norwegian roads like Atlantershavsveien and Lyseveien.

Tourism and visitor facilities

It is one of Norway's most visited tourist attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, particularly during the summer season from mid-May to October when the road is open. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration operates a major viewing platform and visitor center at the summit, designed by the architectural firm Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, which opened in 2012. This facility offers panoramic views of the road, the Stigfossen waterfall, and the Isterdalen valley. The area is a hub for outdoor activities, serving as a gateway to hiking trails in Romsdalen, climbs in the Trolltindene, and visits to nearby landmarks like Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Trollveggen cliff. Local businesses in Åndalsnes and Valldal cater to tourists with lodging, guiding, and traditional Norwegian cuisine.

In popular culture

The dramatic landscape has made it a frequent subject and filming location for numerous media productions. It has been featured in several episodes of the iconic BBC television show Top Gear, where its bends were used for automotive challenges. The road and surrounding Romsdalen area have also appeared in films such as The Wave and The Last King. Its iconic status is reinforced through extensive representation in National Geographic publications, Instagram photography, and promotional campaigns by Visit Norway. The location's association with Norse mythology and folklore, including tales of trolls from the Trolltindene, further cements its place in Norwegian cultural identity, akin to other natural wonders like Preikestolen and Kjerag.

Category:Mountain passes of Norway Category:Tourist attractions in Møre og Romsdal Category:Roads in Norway