Trolltunga - all you need to know about hiking the "Troll's tongue"
Trolltunga (Troll's tongue) is a rock formation and a popular hike in Norway. The hike takes about 7 -12 hours depending on where you start from.
Tucked away between fjords, villages and towns, you will find some of the most beautiful and breathtaking rock formations in Norway, like Trolltunga (Troll's tongue). They have been here for thousands of years, shaped and battered by the Ice Ages and the elements.
Hiking in the mountains gives you a feeling of freedom, a feeling of overcoming and conquering. Each mountain and each summit has its own personality, charm and identity. Trolltunga rock in Norway has all this in abundance; there is no other rock formation quite like this one, it is without equal.
For each step you take, it is as if you are getting closer and closer to a kingdom of the trolls, carved in stone and ready to welcome you. Mythical, majestic and with a magical atmosphere – far up in the mountains.
Photo: Sveinung Klyve / www.fjordnorway.com
You do not need to travel for days to enter Western Norway's mountain country. If you are looking for bigger challenges than you will find in the mountains around Bergen, we recommend a trip to the Hardanger region, and more specifically to the Skjeggedal valley, not far from the industrial town of Odda.
It is here that you start the hike up to Trolltunga rock, one of the most spectacular rock formations in Norway. It is situated at 1,180 metres above sea level and around 700 metres above Ringedalsvannet lake in Skjeggedal.
People come here from all over the world to go on the impressive walk, a walk that has become world famous in recent years as a result of international media coverage. Roughly 80,000 people a year choose to do this hike.
Bergen to Trolltunga:
Starting from Bergen, we highly recommend that you head for Odda or Tyssedal the day before and stay overnight. It's also recommende that you stay locally the night after the tour because of how long and demanding the tour is.
The trip from Bergen is roughly 150 km and the journey is an experience in itself. It takes you through Hardanger, Norway's orchard, and alongside the beautiful Hardangerfjord and into the Sørfjord. The drive from Bergen to Odda will take you about 2.5 to 3 hours.
If you are travelling from Bergen to Odda for the Trolltunga hike, you can take bus number 930 from Bergen Bus Station (bay O). The bus takes about 3 hours. Please note that it is not possible to take the bus from Bergen and do the hike up Trolltunga on the same day. If you have the Bergen Card, the bus journey is free. Passangers are free on the ferry crossing between Tørrvikbygd and Jonal.
Trolltunga tour: 8-12 hours from P2 or 7-10 hours from P3.
You need to be in good shape to do this hike. You have to allow plenty of time, because it is a long and demanding walk that will take you between 7 - 12 hours there and back. (4-6 hours each direction)
If you start the hike at the parking lot P2 in Skjeggedal, you can calculate a total of 8-12 hours. From here the trip is about 27 km. You can also start from P3 Måglitopp. From there the trip is 20 km and about 7-10 hours. There is a shuttle bus between Odda, P1 Tyssedal and P2 Skjeggedal and another bus to P3 Måglitopp.
The height difference from P2 Skjeggedal to Trolltunga is about 800 meters and from P3 Måglitopp about 320 meters. Photo: Scott Sporleder / Matador Network / www.fjordnorway.com
From P2 Skjeggedal, the trip starts on a narrow paved road up to P3, about 400 meters above sea level. You spend about 1 hour on this stretch which is 4.3 km long. From P3 Måglitopp it is 10 km to Trolltunga.
The trip to Trolltunga is well marked and goes via Gryteskaret which is perhaps the most demanding part of the trip. Then follows a steep climb up to Trombeskar and a descent to Store Floren. Here is also the emergency hut called Floren. Here you can seek shelter in the case of an emergency.
The route is signposted where there are forks in the path. You will also pass signs telling how far you have come and how far you have left.
Then, after a long and magnificent walk lasting 4-6 hours, you have finally arrived at your destination. And what a sight it is. There it stands, a magical rock outcrop, protruding into thin air, ready to show you a view of Norwegian nature the likes of which you have never seen before.
Trolltunga juts out at right angles to the mountainside, like a huge troll's tongue carved in stone. It has been there for thousands of years, just waiting for you to make your way to its edge, to admire the view, breath out and congratulate yourself for having climbed onto one of the most famous and unique mountain plateaus in Norway.
If you lift your gaze towards Folgefonna, one of the biggest glaciers in Norway, and if you dare to peek over the edge, you will see 700 metres straight down to Ringedalsvannet lake and the Skjeggedal valley.
If you suffer from a fear of heights, then you will probably find it more than enough just to take a few steps onto the rock and take a selfie, just to prove to your friends and acquaintances that you have been there. They are guaranteed to be impressed. Whatever you do, you have to be careful, because here it is the forces of nature that are in command.
Trolltunga season: From mid June - mid September:
If you are doing the hike without a guide, it is only possible from mid June to mid September. However, we do recommend a guide for a safer and even more enjoyable experience. Outside the main season it is not possible to hike without a guide.
You need to plan well before starting, and remember to take good mountain clothing, sturdy footwear, sticking plaster, food, drink and a map and compass with you. Start the walk early in the day and check the weather forecast beforehand. Read our 10 practical tips on hiking in Norway.
There is partly no mobile phone coverage (Telenor) on the route, and if you are planning to stay overnight, then bringing your own tent is the only option.
Depending on snow and weather conditions, the season will vary from year to year. Here is a guideline:
1 June - 30 September: Recommmend with guide. (Experienced hikers can walk without guide. Start before 08:00. In June July you can start a little bit later.)
1 October - 31 May: Only with guide
Guided tours with Trolltunga Adventures:
The hike to Trolltunga is long and challenging, even for experienced hikers. We therefore recommend going on a guided tour as well as spending the night in the mountains along the way. If you havn't slept in a tent before, this is a great experience. Also knowing that the guide will take you safely there and back is a great reassurance and you can just focus on enjoying the beautiful scenery. Another bonus is that you avoid the crowds and you get plenty of time at the "tongue" itself. (Very nice, because you would want to take a lot of pictures!)
The guided tour is provided by Trolltunga Adventures who provides the guide, tents, food and all equipment required.
If you are looking for a hike out of the ordinary, then try hiking Trolltunga in winter. It can be quite magical to experience Trolltunga when everything is covered in snow. During winter and spring, Trolltunga is a unique experience with few or no tourists in the mountains, crystal clear air, and several meters of snow. Trolltunga Adventures will provide snowshoes and poles if required. Read more about Trolltunga winter hike here.
Photo: Trolltunga Adventures
Trolltunga weather:
Check the weather report before you go, and be prepared for changing weather!
All nature based activities are at your own risk. You will need sturdy hiking boots, bring extra warm clothing, rainwear and be prepared for bad weather. Bring map and compass, plenty to eat and drink, a torch and a simple first aid kit. Weather in the high mountains can change quickly - check the latest weather forecast before heading out. DO NOT attempt this hike in strong wind, heavy rain or in foggy weather. It is always colder in the mountains than down by the fjord. Respect the nature.
Every year there are search and rescue operations for hikers in serious trouble. Prepare well and be a responsible and safe hiker. Start early in the morning. Norway is far north, meaning daylight is short from September and nights are very cold. We recommend starting at latest 8:00 in the morning. Read more about weather in the fjords of Norway.
There are two companies that run shuttle buses from Odda to P1 Tyssedal and P2 Skjeggedal. These are Odda Taxi and Odda Buss. They stop at different places along route. From P2 Skjeggedal you can take a separate bus up to P3 Måglitopp which is the upper parking lot. (If you take the bus here, you save about 7 km / 1-1.5 hours each direction). This is a private road and it is the Trolltunga Road-Bus that runs the shuttle bus here. You can park your own car here, but there are only 30 spaces available, so be prepared not to get a spot here.
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