Andalsnes Shore Excursion: the Troll Road and Troll Wall

The most exciting part of this Åndalsnes shore excursion is the road itself: Trollstigen’s 11 hairpin bends climb a steep mountain valley beneath waterfalls and jagged peaks. At the top, the viewing platform looks down over the road and across the Romsdal valley. The scale is startling, even before you add the trolls.

I like the mix of big scenery and local storytelling, especially the short Trollfolk film at the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre and the folklore shared by guides such as Denise, Julia, Peter, and Silvia. I also like the price: at $123.40, it has often cost less than a cruise-line excursion while still returning to the ship on schedule.

The important catch is the 2024 closure of Trollstigen because of falling-rock danger. During that season, buses could not climb the road or reach the upper viewing platforms, so the route became an alternative sightseeing drive. Confirm the operating plan for your date before you pay.

Key points before you book

• Trollstigen is the main event: In a normal season, the bus climbs 11 tight bends to a high viewing platform above the valley.
• The 2024 route was changed: Rockfall danger closed the road, so the advertised climb and upper viewpoint were unavailable.
• Stigfossen gives you an easy photo stop: You pause at the base of this powerful waterfall before reaching the mountain road.
• Troll Wall adds a second dramatic sight: Trollveggen is Europe’s tallest vertical rock face, though cloud and rain can hide parts of it.
• This is a compact three-hour tour: You see a great deal, but stops can feel brisk, especially at the upper viewpoint.
• The tour suits cruise passengers: It begins at the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre in Åndalsnes, near the port, and is planned around ship schedules.

What this Åndalsnes excursion is really about

Åndalsnes sits at the head of the Romsdalsfjord, surrounded by steep mountains, waterfalls, and rock walls. The town is a natural gateway to Trollstigen, one of Norway’s best-known mountain roads.

This is not a hiking tour. You spend most of the three hours on a coach, looking through the windows as the valley closes in and the road begins to twist upward. That makes it a practical choice if you want Norway’s mountain scenery without committing to a long walk.

The standard experience combines four elements: the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre, Stigfossen waterfall, the Trollstigen road and plateau, and Trollveggen, or the Troll Wall. A guide provides local information and the old troll legends that give the road its name.

The booking information lists a maximum of 45 people, although larger cruise groups may be divided among several buses. The guide may be multilingual because groups can include different nationalities, but English is the offered language.

Starting with trolls at the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre

Meet at the Norsk Tindesenter, or Norwegian Mountaineering Centre, at Havnegata 2. This is also the starting point for the tour, so you do not need a hotel transfer. For cruise passengers, the location is close to the harbor, which keeps the first part of the morning or afternoon simple.

The opening stop includes a roughly 20-minute showing of Trollfolk. This film introduces the myths and mountain characters connected with the area. It is short, but it helps explain why the route is filled with names such as the King, Queen, and Bishop mountains.

I would not book this tour solely for the film. It is a compact introduction rather than a museum visit, and one person found it less useful than the outdoor sights. Still, it gives the drive a sense of place. You are not just heading toward a pretty viewpoint. You are entering a part of Norway where geography and folklore have long been tied together.

After the film, you board the coach for the drive into the valley. Guides have included Denise, Julia, Peter, Silvia, and others, and the strongest reports consistently praise their clear commentary and easy manner. The quality of the guiding matters here because many of the best views pass quickly between stops.

Stigfossen: a five-minute waterfall stop

The first outdoor pause is at the bottom of Stigfossen. The stop is listed at about five minutes, so think of it as a quick photo break, not a walk beside the falls.

Stigfossen pours down the mountainside near the lower section of Trollstigen. From this point, you can appreciate the road’s challenge before the bus begins its climb. The waterfall, the narrow valley, and the road rising above it make a useful introduction to the route.

Bring your camera out before the coach stops. Five minutes disappears quickly, especially if several buses arrive at once. Rain is common in this part of Norway, and wet weather can make the falls look even more forceful, though mist may soften the mountain outlines.

Riding the 11 bends of Trollstigen

In a normal operating season, the coach then climbs Trollstigen. The road has 11 hairpin turns, steep gradients, and tight sections that demand a highly capable driver. Several drivers have received special praise for handling a large bus through the bends, and that is part of the spectacle.

You are not driving this road yourself, so the experience is less about adrenaline than about watching the skill required to build and use a route in such difficult terrain. Look out for the road curling across the mountainside, Stigfossen dropping beside it, and the peaks of Romsdalshorn and the King, Queen, and Bishop mountains.

The guide talks about the road’s history, myths, and natural setting during the ascent. Denise was singled out for entertaining commentary, while Julia, Peter, and Silvia were also praised for clear explanations. The exact guide varies, so do not book expecting one particular person.

The road is also weather dependent. Clouds can roll over the upper bends, and the Troll Wall has disappeared into mist during rainy visits. That is not a failure of the tour, but you should know that a clear brochure photograph is not a promise of clear skies.

The 2024 closure changes the main attraction

Trollstigen was closed for the 2024 season because the risk of falling rocks was considered too serious. The closure meant no coach ride up the 11 bends and no visit to the main upper viewing platforms.

Instead, the operator used revised routes designed to show as much of the area as possible. Buses could drive toward the lower section, stop for photographs, and visit other viewpoints or waterfall areas. The Troll Wall remained part of the experience, and some tours added a second stop when weather improved.

This produced mixed value. Several people still found the alternative route beautiful and appreciated the effort to adapt. Others felt the tour description was misleading because it continued to describe the full climb and upper platform. Read the date-specific notice carefully, and contact the operator if the current page still presents the standard itinerary without a clear closure warning.

The Trollstigen plateau and its famous view

When Trollstigen is open, the coach pauses for about 30 minutes at the plateau. The main viewing platform looks out over the valley and down toward the serpentine road. The design of the platform lets you stand above the drop without needing a long mountain hike.

The view is the reason to choose this excursion over a simple bus ride around Åndalsnes. You see the road as a whole, rather than experiencing one bend at a time. The mountains form a steep bowl around the valley, and the tiny buses below show just how large the setting is.

Thirty minutes sounds generous until you include the walk from the coach, photographs, restroom use, and the return to the parking area. Some people found they had only a few unhurried minutes at the main platform. Others wanted at least another 30 minutes.

My advice is to head directly to the principal lookout first. Take photographs on the way back if time allows. This is not the place for a relaxed café stop and a long browse in the gift shop unless the guide has clearly extended the schedule.

During the 2024 closure, this section was unavailable. Do not assume that seeing the bottom of Trollstigen is equivalent to standing at the upper platform. It is a pleasant substitute, but it is not the same view.

Trollveggen and the Romsdal valley

The final major sight is Trollveggen, the Troll Wall, described as Europe’s tallest vertical rock face. The wall rises dramatically above the valley and is one of the clearest reasons to visit this region even if Trollstigen is closed.

The scheduled stop is about 15 minutes, though some accounts describe only a very quick seven-minute photo break. That difference can depend on traffic, the day’s schedule, and how far the bus has already fallen behind.

Cloud matters here. In rain or fog, the wall may be partly or completely hidden. One sensible adjustment has been to stop again on the return drive when the clouds lifted. You cannot count on that extra stop, but it shows why a flexible guide can make a difference.

The area also gives you views toward Romsdalshorn and the surrounding peaks. If you have mobility concerns, ask the guide about the walking distance at each stop. Most people can take part, but the timetable is brisk and the route around viewpoints may not suit anyone who needs long, slow pauses.

Timing, buses, and the cruise-ship question

The tour lasts about three hours, but the schedule can shift. Buses have arrived late after ferry delays, and traffic has forced changes. On one occasion, a late departure led to a choice between a partial refund and taking the full tour with a later return.

That choice is important for cruise passengers. The operator aims to coordinate with ship departure times, and several departures returned on time. Still, you should leave a sensible buffer whenever possible. A mountain road, changing weather, traffic, and several buses create more risk of delay than a simple town walk.

The start can also feel disorganized when multiple buses load at once. Some people had trouble hearing bus assignments and were separated from friends at first. If you are traveling with companions, make sure the booking information places you together, and confirm which bus you should board before settling into a seat.

The company has offered compensation when delays shortened the route, but that should not be your plan. A smooth departure is worth more than trying to recover time later.

Is $123.40 good value?

At $123.40 per person, this is not a cheap bus ride. It is, however, a reasonable price for a three-hour shore excursion that includes transport into the mountains, a local guide, the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre film, Stigfossen, Trollstigen when open, and Trollveggen.

The value improves if the alternative is a cruise-line excursion at a higher price. Several bookings were made independently because the ship’s excursion was unavailable or more expensive. You also get a smaller, more focused experience than simply taking a general coach tour around the town.

The price is harder to justify during a Trollstigen closure. If the main road and upper platform are unavailable, you are paying for an adapted sightseeing route rather than the experience named in the standard program. That can still be worthwhile if the revised stops are clearly explained and your main aim is seeing the valley and Troll Wall.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The operator can also cancel for poor weather or insufficient bookings, offering another date or a full refund.

Who should choose this tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a strong first look at the Åndalsnes area, prefer coach travel to hiking, and need an excursion that fits a cruise call. It is also a good match for anyone who enjoys scenery with a bit of folklore and guide commentary.

You will get the most from it if you can move reasonably quickly at stops. The tour covers a lot in three hours, but it is not designed for lingering. If you want long walks, quiet photography, or time at every lookout, choose a longer excursion if one is available.

Families and mixed-age groups can find the format practical because most of the sightseeing is from the bus. The mountain road itself is the attraction, so you do not need to be a serious hiker. People with limited mobility should ask about the surfaces, walking distances, and front-seat arrangements before departure.

The key decision is the road’s status. If Trollstigen is open, the climb and upper platform make this a compelling half-day outing. If it is closed, book only after reading the revised plan and accepting that the main highlight will be seen from below or replaced by other local stops.

Should you book the Troll Road and Troll Wall excursion?

Book it for an open Trollstigen season if you want dramatic mountain views, an exciting coach route, and a guide who can connect the scenery with local legends. The excellent drivers, clear commentary, and cruise-friendly timing are real strengths.

For a 2024 departure, or any date when rockfall has closed the road, pause before booking. The Troll Wall, waterfalls, and surrounding peaks are still worthwhile, but the tour no longer delivers the full Trollstigen climb described in the standard program.

At $123.40, I see this as a good-value choice when the full road is operating and a fair but less certain choice during a closure. Confirm the route, allow a little schedule flexibility, and be ready to use your camera quickly at the short stops.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre, Norsk Tindesenter, at Havnegata 2 in Åndalsnes, Norway.

How long does the excursion last?

The planned duration is approximately three hours.

Does the tour include the Trollstigen road?

In a normal operating season, the tour includes a drive up Trollstigen and its 11 hairpin bends. Trollstigen was closed for the 2024 season because of falling-rock danger, so the road and upper viewing platforms were not included during that closure.

Does the excursion visit the Trollstigen viewing platform?

The standard itinerary includes about 30 minutes at the Trollstigen plateau and viewing platform. During the 2024 closure, buses could not reach those platforms.

What other sights are included?

The route includes the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre, a short Trollfolk film, Stigfossen waterfall, Trollveggen or the Troll Wall, and views connected with Romsdalshorn and the King, Queen, and Bishop mountains.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A local guide and sightseeing commentary are included. The tour may use a multilingual guide in English because of mixed groups.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You meet the tour at the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or too few bookings, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.