Trolltunga Norway: Complete Hiking Guide

Trolltunga is one of the most spectacular hikes you can do in Norway. This rock resembles the tongue of a troll and is located 700m above the Ringedalsvatnet lake. You have a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. In order to get to Trolltunga, you will have to hike 10km one way, a strenuous hike that requires some preparation. Here you will read all the information you need to do this amazing hike. 

If Trolltunga is already on your bucket list, you’ll love discovering even more epic places in Norway. Check out my guide to the 15 best things to do in Norway for extra inspiration when planning your trip.

 

Trolltunga hike in short 

• Distance: 20km round trip (from P3 Magelitopp) or 27/38km from P2/P1 
• Total duration: 7-10 hours hike (from P3) or 8-12/15h from P2/P1 
• Altitude difference: 320m (from P3) or 800/1040m from P2/P1 
• Difficulty: medium to difficult 

When to hike Trolltunga (best months and weather) 

The real hiking season for Trolltunga is from June 1st until September 30th. Shuttle buses are going between Odda and P2 from mid-May until the end of September. The shuttle buses between P2 and P3 run from the beginning of June until the end of September.  

It is best to reserve a few days to do the hike so you can choose the best day depending on the forecast. I would recommend avoiding doing the hike (if possible) on weekends or public holidays. There will be a lot of people then, making it less comfortable to hike. And on top of that, you will have to wait in line to take THE picture.  

Also, start the hike as early as possible, not only to avoid the crowds, but also so you don’t have to walk in the dark. We took the second shuttle up and started the hike at 6:45 am in June. We were back down at 3:20 pm, but we saw a lot of people still going up because it was light almost 24 hours a day. 

 

Can everybody hike to Trolltunga? 

The hike is 20km round trip and will take between 7 and 10 hours to complete. Because of this length, it is a pretty difficult hike, but if you have some hiking experience (and a good general fitness), it is very manageable. The hike itself is not very technical, and the path is well-maintained and easy to navigate. If you want, you can even do the hike in two days and camp along the way. The most important part is being well-equipped: wear the right gear for the conditions, bring plenty of food and water, and keep an eye on the weather conditions. The weather can turn very quickly in the mountains, so you will have to be prepared for everything. 

How to get to Trolltunga (parking and transport) 

Trolltunga is close to the town of Odda and is easily reached by car or public transport. We visited Trolltunga as part of a larger adventure through the country. If you’re planning to explore Norway by car, this detailed Norway road trip itinerary will help you build the perfect route and stops.

If you’re going to the start of the hike by car: there are 3 parking areas near the start of the hike. These parking areas will also determine the length and difficulty of the hike. For the most up-to-date information about prices, opening times, and shuttle options, you can visit the official website.

These are the options: 

Tyssedal parking P1 (220 spots): This is the first car park you will pass when driving up to the start of the hike, and also the furthest from the starting point. If you are driving a camper, you will need to park here because the road is too narrow to drive further. You can take a shuttle to get closer to the start point of the hike. If you are driving a car, you can park at P2 or P3. 

Skjeggdal parking P2 (180 spots): This is the parking lot where most people park their cars. You can either take the shuttle to the starting point or do the 1-hour hike. This 1-hour hike is easy but hard: it is a constant climb of about 3.5 k and 400m altitude. It’s a rather boring hike, so it is better to save your energy and take the shuttle to the starting point (from June 1st until September 29th).  

You can book your seat on the shuttle beforehand via the website. You will need to pay for parking before starting your hike.  

Magelitopp parking P3 (30 spots): This parking is located next to the starting point of the hike. It’s a steep road with a lot of turns to get to here from parking P2. You will need to make a reservation. You will need to pay for parking at P2 first before driving up to P3. 

After the hike, there will be a shuttle to take you back down (check the shuttle hours beforehand). You can pay the fare when you arrive at P2. 

If you don’t have a car, you can always take the shuttle bus from Odda (Odda taxi or Odda bus). This will not include a ticket for the shuttle up to the starting point of the hike. 

How to hike Trolltunga: guided or independent? 

You can do the hike yourself, via a guided tour, or via the via ferrata. 

If you do the hike on your own along the trail, you can choose to do it as a day hike or spread it over two days and camp at the top. If you want to hike between June and September, experienced hikers can definitely do it.  

If you are not comfortable doing the hike by yourself or during the winter months, you can always book a guided tour. Organisations that offer guided tours are Trolltunga Active and Trolltunga Adventures. The guides know the local conditions and know what to do when the weather changes. They can also provide you with a lot of information about the hike itself and the surrounding area.   

If you want a magical adventure, you can book a guided tour with a glamping experience.  

If you like a bit of adventure and don’t mind a challenge, you can hike to Trolltunga via the Via Ferrata route before going on the final 3km to Trolltunga itself. You will return to the parking via the normal trail. This is always a guided tour that you can book here.

 

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The hike itself: what to expect on the trail 

The entire hike is marked with the red letter “T,” so it’s really hard to get lost. And some signs will show you how far you still need to go. You can always download the route beforehand on your mobile phone and use the GPS. There is cell phone service the entire way.  

The first part of the hike is fairly flat with some river crossings over bridges. After that, there is the first climb of the hike, and also the biggest. There are stone steps that are well placed by Nepalese sherpas, making the climb a little bit easier.  

 

The next part is again flat with a few hills to cross. At the beginning of the season (in June), there can still be some snow in some places. You will walk in a beautiful landscape of mountains, rocks, waterfalls, and amazing views. There are some places you will need to walk through some water, especially when it’s raining.

The last couple of km, you will see the beautiful Ringedalsvatnet lake and the surrounding mountains. This last part is mostly flat, so you can enjoy the views.  

 

And then you’ll arrive at Trolltunga. It’s even more spectacular in real life than it is in pictures. It’s pretty big and not as scary to walk over it. There is a short ladder that will bring you to the rock itself.  

 

When there are a lot of people, you can use the time you have to wait for your picture on the rock to have your lunch. Keep in mind that on busy days, waiting can be as long as 1 hour.  

You will go back the same way as you came. Be careful when it’s raining: the rocks can be slippery, especially when going down. 

 

Packing list for Trolltunga 

As mentioned before, you will need to be prepared for any kind of weather when hiking Trolltunga, as the weather can change very quickly.  

• Backpack of at least 30l 
• Wind jack 
• Hiking pants or leggings 
• Rain gear (jacket, pants) 
• Fleece  
• Hiking shoes 
• Hat and gloves 
• Wool socks (merino) 
• Head light 
• Sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen 
• Thermo clothing (in winter) 
• Food and snacks 
• Water bottle of a minimum of 1 liter (you can refill along the way) 
• Hiking poles 

 

Trolltunga in winter 

Between October and May, there is snow along the trail, and it is much more difficult to do the hike. So, the only way to do it is with a professional guide on snowshoes. It can even be more spectacular, and there are a lot fewer people. 

Where to stay if you want to hike Trolltunga? 

The best place to stay is Odda, a small town located near Sorfjorden. You will find hotels, Airbnb, restaurants, supermarkets, … in the town, making it perfect to stay for a few days. You can find an overview of hotels here, but there are also Airbnb and camping options. 

 

Our favorite restaurants were Thai takeaway (their pad thai is amazing to have the evening before hiking Trolltunga) and Ferskvaren (for amazing food with local products). At E’s kakeri, they have amazing baked goods. 

 

Staying in Odda a little bit longer? Go see the twin waterfall Latefossen. It’s about 20km south of Odda and a spectacular sight. The water goes under the bridge, so you literally are driving over the waterfall itself. There are some parking spots to see the waterfall up close.  

 

An easy hike near Odda is going to Bondhusvatnet, a beautiful glacier lake. It’s about a 20min drive from Odda and located in the Folgefonna national park. You will need to pay for parking, but it’s definitely worth it, even when it’s raining. 

 

Another place close by is Tyssedal, which has fewer options for hotels or Airbnb. 

Some final tips 

• Don’t underestimate this hike. Although it is not technically difficult, it’s a long hike. 
• There are no toilets along the way. The last toilet is at P2, so definitely go before starting the hike. During the hike, you can always go when nature calls, but stay away from rivers and other water sources. And always take the toilet paper back with you (in a ziplock bag). 
• Start your hike early so you don’t have to hike in the dark.  
• On sunny days, wear sunscreen and sun protection. You will hike continuously in the sun 
• Leave nothing but footprints. Take all your garbage back with you! 
• Drones are not allowed! 

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