Experiences
Trolltunga hike: how to reach Norway’s famous rock ledge
Twelve hours, 27 kilometres and a tongue of rock jutting out over Ringedalsvatnet. How to plan the Trolltunga hike, and where to stay in Odda and Hardanger.
You have been walking for five hours. Your legs ache, and you have passed the third plateau that was not the top. Then you round a ridge, and there it is. A tongue of rock jutting straight into the air, with Ringedalsvatnet lake 700 metres below. The queue for photos is long, but nobody complains.
Trolltunga is one of Norway’s best known hikes, and one of the toughest. Here is everything you need to do it safely, and the hotels in Odda and by the Hardangerfjord where you can rest your legs afterwards.
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How to hike Trolltunga
The hike starts in Skjeggedal, just outside Odda, or from the car park at Mågelitopp further up. From Skjeggedal it is about 27 kilometres return, and most people take 10 to 12 hours. From Mågelitopp it is roughly 7 kilometres shorter.
Season: mid June to mid September without a guide. Outside the season, only with a guide.
Start early: set off by 8am at the latest so you are down before dark.
Gear: sturdy hiking boots, extra layers, rain gear, a head torch, food and plenty of water.
Parking: book a space in advance in high season, or take the shuttle bus from Odda.
Trolltunga is a mountain hike, not a stroll. Turn back if the weather turns.
Book the experience: See guided hikes and activities in Odda
More to see in Hardanger
With a few more days, Hardanger is one of Norway’s most beautiful regions. In spring the fruit trees blossom along the fjord, and in summer cherries and cider are sold by the roadside. Vøringsfossen, one of Norway’s most famous waterfalls, is a little over an hour’s drive from Odda, with a stair bridge across the gorge.
Read our story about a Norwegian wedding on Trolltunga.
Where to stay for the Trolltunga hike
Stay in Odda the night before to avoid a long drive in the morning. Afterwards, reward yourself with a couple of nights by the Hardangerfjord.
Trolltunga Hotel
The river and mountains outside Trolltunga Hotel.
Trolltunga Hotel
Trolltunga Hotel sits by Sandvinvatnet lake in Odda, a short drive from the trailhead. The staff are much praised, and the restaurant is open when you come down tired from the mountain.
Book your stay: See rooms at Trolltunga Hotel
Hardanger Hotel
Hardanger Hotel is in the centre of Odda, with breakfast included and a bar on the ground floor. A practical choice for the night before the hike.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hardanger Hotel
Hotel Ullensvang
The pool with fjord views.
Hotel Ullensvang
Hotel Ullensvang in Lofthus sits right on the Hardangerfjord, with orchards behind and the fjord in front. It has three indoor pools and a spa, the perfect place to rest after the hike.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Ullensvang
Utne Hotel
Utne Hotel by the ferry quay in Utne.
Utne Hotel
Utne Hotel is one of Norway’s oldest hotels, a white wooden house by the ferry quay in Utne, where the Hardangerfjord splits in two. Breakfast and parking are included, and it feels like an old coaching inn.
Book your stay: See rooms at Utne Hotel
When is the best time to hike Trolltunga?
The best time is from late June to early September, when the snow has gone and the days are long. July and August bring the most stable conditions, but the most people. In June there may still be snow on the highest sections.
Trolltunga hike FAQ
How long is the Trolltunga hike?
From Skjeggedal the hike is about 27 kilometres return and takes 10 to 12 hours. From Mågelitopp it is around 20 kilometres.
When is the Trolltunga season?
From mid June to mid September you can hike without a guide. The rest of the year you should only go with a certified guide.
Where does the Trolltunga hike start?
The hike starts in Skjeggedal outside Odda. You can also drive or take a shuttle bus up to Mågelitopp to shorten the hike.
Is the Trolltunga hike difficult?
Yes, it is a long and demanding mountain hike with a lot of ascent. You should be fit and have done long hikes before.
Where should I stay for the Trolltunga hike?
Stay in Odda the night before, for example at Trolltunga Hotel or Hardanger Hotel. After the hike, Hotel Ullensvang and Utne Hotel by the Hardangerfjord are lovely places to rest.