Have you ever wanted to dangle your feet off the edge of the world? Chris and I love the outdoors, adventure, nature, and don't mind spicing up life with a little bit of thrill every now and then. I don't know if you can call Trolltunga (Trolls Tongue) the edge of the world...but I think it's about as close as we'll get in our lifetime. The second leg of our adventures in Norway took us about 2 hours south of Bergen to the beautiful town of Eidfjord for a few days of exploring the fjord and surrounding area there, but mostly for the 13.6 mile hike to Trolltunga. We heard incredible things about this hike from some of our close friends here in Barcelona, and could not wait to see it for ourselves.
We got an early start, on the trail, about 7 am. This was really the perfect time to start our trek, as the morning was still cool and the rain (which is common in this area) was promising to hold off for the morning hours. Since we knew our total hiking time would be about 8 - 10 hours, we wanted to get on the trail with the first light of day to make the most of it. Although this hike is challenging, it is extremely popular. It's great to make lots of friends along your journey, but with so many people trekking this path it really beats up the terrain, especially the first kilometer which leads you up stone steps which can be extremely muddy and slippery especially after a day or two of rain.
The trail leads you through another 10 kilometers of marshy mountaintop plains, rocky slopes, snow and ice, lakes, waterfalls, gushing streams (which are good to fill up your water bottles and safe to drink), and absolutely stunning views. The terrain is so varied it feels like you've hiked 5 different hikes by the time you reach the top. In awe, challenged, and a little tired, you walk across one last rocky plain and there it is, jutting out from the mountainside 1100 meters above sea level, stretching towards the distant snow caped mountains in the distance.
If you want some time to yourself before the crowds arrive, an early start is crucial. We joined a few people who camped there the night before, but had about 45 minutes to take pictures and enjoy the view before the line started to form. As the day goes on, a huge line forms to capture a once in a lifetime photo, so the earlier you get there the better. If you have enough time to camp along the trail and make this a multi-day hike, you have a better chance of getting some quality time in with the 'trolls tongue." As others arrived, we ate a well-deserved lunch and took in the awe of what was before us.
Although challenging, this hike is more than worth it as I hope you can get a taste of from our pictures. Be sure to pack plenty of water and food, wear comfortable hiking shoes, and bring a few extra layers for the top as it can be fairly windy and cold. Check out "A Guide To Hiking Trolltounga" for some more tips.
We stayed two nights at Kjertveit Camping in Eidfjord which is about an hour's drive from Odda where you begin the hike to Trolltunga. Since we don't have any camping gear with us here in Europe, we weren't able to actually camp here, but instead slept in one of the beds of the shared attic rooms above the small apartment complex. Eidfjord is located at the end of one of the fingers of beautiful Hardangerfjord and is the perfect location to both hike Trolltunga and to explore the gorgeous Hardangervidda National Park.
One of our favorite activities in the area was our visit to the quaint Kjeasen Mountain Farm . Located high above the fjord, this little mountain farm offers a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and the fjord below. The farm is run by a Norwegian family and has been passed down from generation to generation. There are a few trails to walk on around the farm, offering a tour of their fruit and vegetable gardens, grazing pastures for their sheep, and a glimpse of everyday life on the farm. Our favorite part of our morning spent on the farm was meeting one of the local sheep who for some reason wanted us to pet him for hours on end, and our discovery of wild blueberries and raspberries, ripe and ready to be picked and sprinkled over our morning oatmeal.
The Vøringsfossen Waterfall is another must see in the area, dropping 182 meters into the valley below. It's easily accessible from the road and you can take a tour bus or drive there yourself. There are a few different viewpoints of the falls, all seemingly better than the other. A number of trails either lead you to viewpoints along the ridge, or to the valley below where you can walk along the rushing stream that begins at the base of the falls. If you're lucky you might even catch a glimpse of sun creating a stunning rainbow across the misty valley.
Labels: Kjeasen Mountian Farm Blog, Kjertveit Camping, Norway, Norway Blog, Travel Blog, Travel Photography, TRLT, Trolltunga Blog, Trolltunga Hike, Visit Norway, Voringsfossen Blog, Voringsfossen Waterfall
