Is this the most epic hike in Europe?

JUMP DOWN: See the sensible recommendation for attending to Trolltunga and climbing for the day

So far as walks go, this is likely one of the most epic I’ve ever finished. The Trolltunga hike is an all day spherical journey – up muddy hills, throughout rocky slopes, by means of snowfields and alongside cliff edges.

And on the finish of the route is the final word payoff. The Troll’s Tongue!

That is the Trolltunga hike in southwestern Norway, just a few hours drive from Bergen. It's troublesome, it's lengthy, and it's spectacular.

It’s probably the greatest methods to expertise the gorgeous landscapes of this nation.

In a second, I’ll undergo a number of the sensible particulars of this hike, as a result of it may be a bit tough. (You might favor to do it as a tour as an alternative – and this can be a nice guided tour, if you happen to’re in a bunch.)

One of many pretty issues about it's that it’s not too busy. You’ll positively see plenty of folks alongside the monitor, nevertheless it’s not a vacationer attraction, as such.

Meaning there’s not as a lot data accessible as you would possibly like and it may be somewhat tough to work out some particulars prematurely. So I might like to share with you what I realized from my Trolltunga hike.

However first I want to set the scene.

The vacation spot for the hike is a rock known as Trolltunga, which is Norwegian for Troll’s Tongue.

The title is pretty apparent if you see the rock for your self – it appears like an extended pointy tongue, jutting out from a cliff face into the air.

Beneath this rock is nothing – simply vacancy – for about 700 metres till the bottom. And on the bottom is a big and dramatic fjord.

The electrical blue water winds its method by means of the valley with the dramatic steep cliffs rising up from it. The cliffs are chilly gray rock with simply small traces of motion – an occasional waterfall, as an illustration.

On the high of those cliffs, although, a layer of inexperienced foliage seems. On high of that, a layer of white snow.

Standing on the tip of the Troll’s Tongue, I can really feel the breeze round me in each route. Not surprisingly, it’s scary to be out on this small piece of rock with a 700 metre drop beneath me.

One step within the fallacious route or one slip and… properly, let’s not give it some thought. However the rock feels very sturdy and it’s a lot wider than it appears from afar.

From this vantage level on the rock I cease for a second, breathe in, and go searching me. Distant snowy mountains line the horizon, that putting fjord water beams at me, and every thing appears so recent and vibrant.

It was an extended journey to reach right here, although. Trolltunga, the rock, would be the vacation spot and the spotlight of this trek, however the journey to get right here ought to be as a lot of a drawcard as the ultimate view.

It takes me and my mates about 4 hours to stroll from the beginning of the trek to the rock at a quick tempo. The trail takes us by means of totally different environments and weather conditions.

A lot can change on the Trolltunga trek in an hour.

It’s comparatively sunny after we begin the primary leg, which is a steep climb up a muddy hill monitor. Then there’s a flat stretch with little creeks to leap over, earlier than one other steep scramble up rocks to the primary white slope.

That is the place the snow begins and, despite the fact that it’s nonetheless summer time, there’s a stable layer stretching out in entrance.

So the journey from right here continues by means of snow banks, throughout slippery rocky paths, alongside a slender cliff edge, up some extra muddy inclines after which, finally to the ultimate vacation spot.

There are moments alongside the best way the place I get fairly out of breath as I energy up a hill. There are different moments the place the views take my breath away.

The views throughout the mountains are stunning – however there are additionally wonderful sights within the particulars alongside the best way.

That it's laborious to get to the beginning of the trek provides to the expertise.

That's is troublesome to climb up a few of these hills and trudge by means of the snow makes the problem much more rewarding.

That the views are gorgeous makes the journey worthwhile.

Which you can stand out on the Troll’s Tongue and look right down to the fjord is likely one of the most unbelievable journey experiences you possibly can have.

The logistics of planning a visit to Trolltunga can really be fairly tough and it’s essential to have the fitting gear. That’s why it's possible you'll favor to do the hike with a information in a small group tour.

I might suggest this guided tour if you're in a bunch already (it makes it fairly good worth).

Or there are another nice choices right here:

I liked this hike and I wish to be sure you have the chance to expertise it as properly, even if you wish to prepare it your self.

So let me know share with you a number of the sensible data that would aid you plan your individual journey there.

Table of Contents

Tips on how to get to the beginning of the Trolltunga hike

Attending to the beginning of the hike is just not straightforward and I really discovered this to be more durable than the stroll itself!

The simplest method is solely to drive. You have to get to a small city known as Skjeggedal which is about 17 kilometres outdoors of Odda and about 190 kilometres from Bergen.

The final 7 kilometres to Skjeggedal from the closest city, Tyssedal, is on a steep and slender mountain street the place it's possible you'll want to tug over to let different automobiles move. (It’s a good suggestion to remain in Odda and I might suggest the Hardanger Lodge.)

Public transport is restricted and tough. So, if attainable, I extremely suggest hiring a automotive from both Bergen or Voss and driving to Skjeggedal. If you wish to get there by public transport, nonetheless, you should get to the city of Odda first.

From there, you possibly can take bus quantity 995 to Tyssedal. The tough bit is getting the final stretch to Skjeggedal.

Though it's possible you'll hear some experiences that the 995 retains going, I couldn’t affirm this and the official timetable doesn’t embrace it as a cease.

You possibly can verify for your self for the dates you need on the bus web site right here. In any other case it's possible you'll must hitchhike or get a taxi the final bit.

The Trolltunga hike route

The Trolltunga hike begins on the principal carpark in Skjeggedal and the start of the monitor is clearly marked.

Though there was once a funicular up the hill right here (and you may nonetheless see it), it’s not in operation any extra and it’s not protected to climb up the previous wood building.

You’ll must take the steep muddy path which could be very slippery if there’s been current rain. There are ropes that will help you with the climb. Don’t fear, although, it will get a bit simpler after this.

The full spherical journey is 22 kilometres – so, 11 kilometres every method. The monitor going to Trolltunga is uphill and can take longer than coming again. I did the stroll in eight hours whole: four hours to get there, 1 hour on the rock, and three hours again.

That is in all probability the quickest you would do the trek, although. My mates and I walked shortly, barely stopped, and we overtook lots of people. Should you favor to stroll at a average tempo, it might take 10 hours or extra.

The route is properly marked alongside the best way. There are signposts that time you in the fitting route and provide the distance you've walked.

In a number of the areas the place the trail is just not utterly apparent, there are small piles of rocks that it's best to stroll between to remain on the right route.

In all probability, there will likely be different folks trekking the identical time as you and you may simply comply with them.

In your personal planning functions, right here is the route that you'll stroll.

What to tackle the Trolltunga hike

The stroll itself is troublesome however not essentially the most strenuous hike you'll ever do. Nevertheless, you do want to pay attention to security.

It is because the climate situations can change in a short time and when you’re on the trail, the one method out is to show round and stroll again. There's hardly any cell phone reception both.

For these causes, it's best to take sufficient garments to deal with sizzling, chilly and moist situations.

This will likely sound apparent (however you by no means know), however there aren't any outlets or bogs alongside the best way. It's a lengthy stroll so take loads of meals to get you thru the day.

You don’t want to fret about water, although. The water that flows by means of the little creeks alongside the best way is completely drinkable so simply carry a bottle you can refill and you'll be okay.

To be ready, you must also carry just a few security issues that you'd tackle any lengthy hike like this – so a torch, a primary help equipment, a map, a compass, one thing to maintain you heat, and a few further meals.

These are simply precautionary, although. Hopefully you received’t want to make use of any of these issues.

Security whereas climbing Trolltunga

Typically, that is fairly a protected hike however there is no such thing as a actual infrastructure alongside the best way so that you do have to be smart.

You possibly can solely actually do the trek simply between June and September as a result of there may be an excessive amount of snow the remainder of the time, so be very cautious of doing it outdoors of these months.

The most important security challenge is the climate situations, which I’ve already mentioned. It could possibly all of the sudden develop into very chilly and moist so be ready.

There are fairly just a few components the place the monitor is tough and alongside the sting of mountains so that you additionally have to be cautious the place you’re strolling. It could be a good suggestion to have good sneakers and a strolling stick for these components.

There's the potential for slipping and breaking a leg, as an illustration (it does occur) and in that case you would need to wait till somebody can get a message to the authorities to return and assist.

It’s one of many good causes for going with a guided tour, quite than doing it your self, particularly if you happen to’re alongside and haven’t finished a variety of climbing.

There are some actually enjoyable choices right here:

On the precise Trolltunga rock, there may be additionally a security challenge. From the pictures, it appears fairly harmful however the rock is extensive and secure so it’s not as dangerous as you would possibly suppose.

However a hiker sadly fell to her loss of life when she slipped whereas ready to exit onto the rock. It's the first recognized loss of life on the web site however it should hopefully function a warning for those that it may be harmful and you should take precautions.

General, although, if you're ready for the hike you shouldn't have any issues. It’s some of the epic climbing experiences you possibly can have in Europe.

The monitor alongside the best way takes you thru some unbelievable landscapes and the views on the finish are breathtaking. If you're heading on the market your self, simply bear in mind two issues – have a very good time and don’t overlook your digital camera!