Trollstigen

Trollstigen is the stretch of the Geiranger–Trollstigen National Tourist Route where the road climbs out of the Isterdalen valley in eleven hairpin bends, with the Stigfossen waterfall falling beside it. It is a summer road: Statens vegvesen closes it each winter and reopens it once the snow is cleared, and in recent years that reopening has come anywhere between 29 April and 12 June. There is no toll, the drink-drive limit is 0.02%, and buses over 13.3 m may not use the hairpins.

Quick Facts

Top 5 Highlights

1. Trollstigen Viewpoint

Platforms at the top of the climb with a view straight down the eleven hairpins

2. Stigfossen Waterfall

The waterfall that drops beside the hairpins, at its fullest during the early-summer melt

3. Trollveggen (Troll Wall)

The sheer wall above the Romsdalen valley, visible from the approach road out of Åndalsnes

4. Gudbrandsjuvet Gorge

A narrow river gorge near Valldal with a dizzying viewing bridge

5. Valldal Strawberry Fields

Norway’s strawberry capital — roadside stands sell them fresh in July

Road Conditions & Terrain

Terrain: Steep mountain road with eleven hairpin bends climbing out of Isterdalen beside the Stigfossen waterfall

Road type: Narrow two-lane road (Fv63, part of the Geiranger–Trollstigen National Tourist Route). Buses over 13.3 m are barred from the hairpin section.

Best Time to Drive

Best months: June–September

The road’s season is set by the snow, not the calendar. Recent closures fell between 5 October and 7 December, and reopenings between 29 April and 12 June, so a trip in May or October needs a check of the road status first. Early summer brings the most snowmelt in Stigfossen; July and August bring the most traffic.

Key Driving Rules

Outside built-up areas Norway’s default limit is 80 km/h, but on the hairpins the bends set the pace, not the sign. Dipped headlights are required at all times, and Norwegian speeding fines are among the highest in Europe.

Speed Limits

Required Equipment

• Warning triangle
• Reflective vest

A first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher are recommended, not compulsory.

Estimated Costs

Practical Tips

• Drive uphill for the most dramatic reveal — the hairpins unfold beneath you as you climb
• The viewing platforms at the top are free to walk out on — allow at least 30 minutes
• Buses longer than 13.3 m may not use the hairpin section; long campervans are not covered by that rule but should expect tight bends — the E136 is the alternative
• Combine with the rest of the Geiranger–Trollstigen National Tourist Route (104 km, with the Eidsdal–Linge ferry) for a full day, or head north from Åndalsnes to the Atlantic Road beyond Molde
• Morning is best for photography — afternoon sun casts the hairpins in shadow

Sources

• Nasjonale Turistveger — Geiranger-Trollstigen (Statens vegvesen) — eleven hairpins, 104 km route length, Eidsdal–Linge ferry, recent closing and reopening dates and the 13.3 m bus length restriction.
• Statens vegvesen — Norway’s road authority, for Fv63 road status and general driving rules.

Related Guides

• Driving in Norway — Complete Guide
• Norway Tyre Laws
• EV Driving in Norway
• Motorhome Guide: Norway