Trollstigen — Isterdalen Valley Floor Dispersed Camp

The Isterdalen valley runs tight and dramatic between vertical walls dropping straight off the Trollstigen plateau. Along the Istra River there are informal gravel pull-offs used by overlanders and touring rigs parking up for the night before tackling the road at dawn — or just needing to decompress after the hairpins. Scenery is proper Norwegian fjord-mountain country: waterfalls, birch scrub, mist sitting low in the canyon. No facilities whatsoever. A few rigs at a time max — this is not a campground, it’s opportunistic flat ground in a narrow valley.

Access is straightforward off Riksvei 63 between Åndalsnes and the Trollstigen visitor centre. The valley sees heavy tourist traffic July–August, so arrive early or go midweek. Snow lingers at the pass above into late May; the valley itself is accessible earlier. Cell signal is spotty at best down in the canyon. Leave no trace — local authorities have increased compliance checks along this corridor.

Canyon floor bivvy beneath the Troll's Ladder.