An impressive bridge in natural stone carries it across the Stigfossen waterfall.
T
he modernised version of Trollstigen and the Trollstigen plateau along the national tourist route from Geiranger to Trollstigen has been named one of the best tourist facilities in Europe, in competition with 18 other European attractions.
Nerve-racking view
At the top of all the hairpin bends that zig-zag up the steep mountainside, you will find a number of spectacular and breezy lookout points. The largest viewing platform is very dramatic, and overhangs a cliff with a sheer drop of over 200 metres. At the very edge there is a breezy corner with a glass fence for those with nerves of steel. From this point there is an incredible view of Trollstigen as it is winding its way along vertical mountains and up the steep mountainside. There are alternative viewing points for those of a more cautious persuasion. It took many years of work and mNOK 200 to create the ’new’ Trollstigen and the Trollstigen plateau, as well as the lookout points above Stigfossen and Trollstigen.
Dronninga (the queen). Steel and concrete
Now that the Trollstigen plateau and its modern architecture is in place, the road is no longer the only tourist magnet. The Trollstigen plateu is a major attraction in itself, with its modern architecture that unifies the buildings, paths and viewing platforms. Everything is made from steel, concrete and glass. The buildings
The main building consists of two parts that wind around each other. It contains a café and an information desk, but is also an important lookout point in the landscape. The other building is shaped as an embankment, and doubles as a flood defence when the river Istra reaches its highest levels. Inside the embankment, there is a kiosk, a souvenir shop and restrooms. Between the lookout points there are paths and stairs that allow you to wander around this impressive landscape.
Madness
Popular
The story of Trollstigen began as far back as 1916. That is when the Norwegian parliament approved the building of a road across Stigfjell, even though many people considered it to be sheer madness. The construction of the mountain pass started in 1928 and was something akin to an adrenalin sport in such a steep area prone to rockfalls. On the 31st of July 1936, King Haakon opened the new road across Stigfjell. The road was named Trollstigen. In order to boost the tourist industry, surrounding dramatic mountains were given names such as Trollveggen (the troll wall), Bispen (the bishop), Kongen (the king) and
Every year, around 130,000 vehicles drive up or down the 11 hairpin bends. This road in the heart of Romsdal has a 9% climb and zig-zags its way 825 MASL, from Isterdalen up to Stigrøra.
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Geiranger
Trollstigen and the Trollstigen plateau are part of the national tourist route from Geiranger to Trollstigen, which has been improved considerably over the past few years. Along the route you will find attractions such as Gudbrandsjuvet, Juvet landscape hotel, Flyldalsjuvet and Ørnesvingen.