The hike to the famous Trolltunga rock tongue In Norway is not for sissies: 27.5km, 1000 metres in altitude. But the view is worth every step. Here all Info!
When I first saw a picture of the "Troll's Tongue", I knew immediately: that's where I want to go, I want to have that photo too.
Exposed altitude, a grandiose view over the lake, waterfalls, glaciers and mountains ...
and the adrenaline rush when standing on the narrow rocky spur is not to be sneezed at either. This perfect picture has to be earned hard: whoever tackles the 27.5km hike to the Trolltunga in Norway also has to overcome 1000 metres in altitude at the same time. Nevertheless, the path, which is rated "black", is well visited with about 100,000 visitors a year.
Often a motif that you have seen 1000 times in photos is somewhat disappointing in reality - Trolltunga is definitely not one of them.
The 10-metre-long rock tongue, which narrows from a width of 5 metres to a few centimetres, juts horizontally out of the wall over the lake. The surrounding mountains and lake shimmer bluish in the afternoon light, and Folgefonna - Norway's third-largest mainland glacier at 214 square kilometres - gleams in the distance. We are lucky and can pose directly on the troll tongue without standing in a queue. In high season, the wait can be up to an incredible 4 hours long ...
Key Facts to the Trolltunga hike in Norway
♡-Factor: ♡♡♡♡♡ Difficulty: Hike, difficult
Walking time: 8-10h
Altitude difference: 1100Hm
Length: 27,5 km
Accessible by public transport: yes
Hut on the trail: no
Best time: without mountain guide from mid-June to mid-September
Starting point: Hikers' car park to Trolltunga (420 hm): Skjeggedal 20, 5770 Tyssedal. Chargeable parking.
Public transport between Odda and Skjeggedal (starting point of the hike): Trolltunga Shuttle: (15 June - 15 Sept) Pick-up service from most accommodation sites in Odda, www.oddataxi.no.
Info:
The route to Trolltunga is described at www.visitnorway.de
Equipment: Hiking boots, wind- and weatherproof jacket and trousers, change of clothes, cap, scarf and gloves, enough provisions and drinks for the whole hike, headlamp, hiking map, compass, first aid kit, a charged mobile phone.
Mountain guide:
Trolltunga-Active offers guided hikes to Trolltunga also with overnight accommodation near the rocky outcrop. Two-day hike incl. guide, overnight stay in a specially built plastic dome, dinner and breakfast from 400 euros.
Skjeggedal 20, 5770 Tyssedal, Tel: +47 99 11 2121, trolltunga-active.com.
How to get there:
By own vehicle by ferry from Hirtshals/Denmark to Kristiansand/Norway. 2h15 journey time, directferries.co.uk. By plane with one change to either Stavanger or Bergen. From there, continue by public transport or rental car. From 1 July to 31.8 there is an express bus between the starting points for the hikes to Preikastolen and Trolltunga, gofjords.com.
Sleeping:
The Trolltunga Hotel in Odda offers accommodation in 4-person dormitories or double rooms. The shuttle bus also runs from here to the starting point of the hike. Double room with breakfast from 124€.
Trolltunga Hotel, Vasstun 1, 5750 Odda, Tel: +47 400 04 486, www.trolltungahotel.no/en
Lofthus Camping offers normal pitches for tents and campers as well as bungalows for 2-8 people. The location directly above the Hardanger Fjord is spectacular. Tent pitch from 15 euros, 2-person bungalow from 40 euros.
Lofthus Camping, Hellelandsvegen 120, 5781 Lofthus, Te: +47 53 66 13 64, www.lofthuscamping.com