Trollstigen (Troll’s Path)
Eleven turns that separate drivers from tourists
Trollstigen earns its name—the Troll’s Path—through sheer audacity, its 11 hairpin bends clawing up a near-vertical cliff face with gradients hitting 10 percent and turns so tight you can practically shake hands with yourself. Built in 1936 by convict labor, this engineering impossibility connects Åndalsnes with Valldal through some of Norway’s most savage mountain terrain. The route passes directly beneath Stigfossen waterfall, where 1,000 feet of glacial meltwater crashes beside the road, and crests at 2,800 feet with views across the Romsdal Valley that’ll stop your heart.
This is expert-level mountain driving on narrow tarmac with minimal guardrails and no margin for error—RVs and trailers are banned for good reason. Any confident driver in a capable vehicle can manage it, but ice, fog, and tourist traffic create deadly combinations. Open only May through October, with parking at the summit viewing platform and camping available in Valldal. You tackle Trollstigen for the pure adrenaline rush of conquering one of the world’s most intimidating mountain roads—and earning permanent bragging rights among serious drivers.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Paved |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Scenic, Technical |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 20 km |
| Duration | 1-2 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2844 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Any capable vehicle |
| Nearest town | Åndalsnes, Norway |
| Land manager | Norwegian Public Roads Administration |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | visitnorway.com |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can any vehicle drive Trollstigen, or are there size restrictions?
Vehicles over 12.4 meters (about 40 feet) in length are prohibited. Caravans and large RVs regularly get into trouble on the hairpins — if your rig is long or wide, know your dimensions before you commit.
When does Trollstigen actually open and close each year?
Typically opens in mid-May and closes in late October, though exact dates shift year to year depending on snowpack and road conditions. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration posts opening dates at vegvesen.no — check it before you go, not after you drive two hours toward it.
Is there a fee or permit required to drive Trollstigen?
No permit or toll required to drive the road itself. Parking at the visitor center at the top costs a fee, currently around 100 NOK — bring cash or card, it varies by season.
What's the hardest part of Trollstigen and what makes it genuinely difficult?
The 11 numbered hairpin switchbacks are extremely tight, with steep gradient throughout — the road averages a 9% grade with sections hitting 12%. The challenge isn't raw terrain, it's the combination of narrow lanes, sheer drop-offs with minimal guardrails, oncoming tourist buses, and wet pavement from waterfall spray that coats the road even on dry days.
Is there any place to camp near Trollstigen, or do you need to book lodging in Åndalsnes?
There's no camping directly at the top. Åndalsnes, about 20 km north, has campgrounds and is the logical base — Åndalsnes Camping sits right on the fjord. Dispersed camping is possible in the surrounding valleys under Norway's allemannsretten (right to roam), but the terrain around the road itself is steep and limited for flat ground.
Trail track
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