Quote: The trollstigen, also known as the Troll road, is one of Norway's somewhat less known attractions, and one that we found, many guide books failed to make mention of, even though it claims to be Norways most visited road.

Now, you may wonder why people would flock to travel along a road. Well, this is not an average road. Instead, this road contains 11 hairpin bends, as it winds up the side of some looming mountains. The road has been cut into the rockface in places, and in other sections, simply built upon the natural stone foundations.

In fact, the road climbs almost 3000 metre, before levelling out and then taking drivers down another windy road on the other side of the mountain.

The road itself is closed in winter, and reopens in May, right through to mid October.

Although the road is drivable in both directions, you must be prepared to stop quite frequently to allow tour buses and caravans more room to maneouvre up or down the road bends. Well, when I say prepared, you don't really have a choice. If you are unlucky enough to meet a tour bus heading in the opposite direction, all you can do is pray that they will get past in the space allowed without touching you car. In our case, a hire car.

As you climb up the road, appraoching from the town of Andalsnes, there is a layby, where drivers can stop and take photographs. At this point, a very grand waterfall can be photographed, that goes behind the road. There are warning signs about the steep gradient of the road, and if you look closely you will even spot a red triangular warning sign with a troll in the middle.

As you slowly climb the mountain, you will gradually be able to look back (you the passenger - not the driver!) and see the winding bends that you have just driven up- quite frightening really.

Further along the road, you come to a bridge, a spot where some tour buses decide to stop to allow for pictures of the waterfall that cascades behind it.

Upon reaching the plateau of the moutain, you will encounter numerous tour buses. If you are lucky enough to find somewhere to park, you can visit a little eatery, a gift shop and the washrooms (there is a fee though!). If you look carefully you may even spot the local troll Stig, who lives at the top of the mountain, and he will pose for pictures with visitors if you ask kindly!! There are also little short walks out to view points from where you can take photographs of the hair pin bends, and take shots down the valley.

If you enjoy the legends that the norwegians tell about Trolls, and you aren't particularly scared of heights, then a little trip along the Trollstigen is definitely worth it!
From journals An Independent Tour of Norway on a Modest Budget!