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Outdoors

Trolltunga Day Hike

You climb from Skjeggedal to Mågelitopp, then steeply up to the Gryteskaret pass, over Trombeskar and past Store Floren and the waterfall area at Endåen to the rock ledge of Trolltunga, 700 m above Ringedalsvatnet lake. You return the same way.

For The Reps · Updated

hike scenery for Trolltunga Day near Vestland
Photo: Trolltunga At Sunset by Robin Stumm, CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0). Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Vestland, Norway
Distance
27 km return
Climb
1,200 m
Time
8-12 hours
Difficulty
Very hard

The route

Trolltunga from P2 Skjeggedal, out and back.

The main trailhead is the P2 car park at Skjeggedal, above Tyssedal in the Hardangerfjord region. Shuttle buses run from the P1 car park in Tyssedal to P2 and P3.

When to go

From June to September experienced hikers can go on their own; from October to May the official site recommends going with a guide.

Permits and fees

No permit is needed, but parking is paid: P2 costs NOK 550 for the day, and the 30-space P3 at Mågelitopp (open 8 June to 30 September in 2026) costs NOK 600 and must be booked in advance except in September. All vehicles pay, including rental cars.

Before you go

  • Start early: queues for photos on the rock peak from 12:00 to 15:00 between mid-June and August, with waits of 30-45 minutes on weekdays and 60-90 minutes on Saturdays.
  • Streams along the trail let you refill water.
  • Emergency shelters at Floren, Endåen and Tyssehøl hold sleeping bags, blankets and supplies.
  • Parking at P3 Mågelitopp cuts the hike to 20 km return and 800 m of climbing; book it early.

What to bring

  • Shoes with grip that you have already worn in
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Food you will actually want to eat
  • A warm or waterproof layer
  • The route, saved offline
  • Sun cream and a hat

Getting ready for it

Plan for a long day: 8-12 hours.

Build up with a few walks of four hours or more first, ideally with climbing and the pack you will carry. Step-ups and lunges twice a week make the descents easier on your knees.

Staying safe

  • Do not set out in strong wind, heavy rain or fog, and start early enough to get down before dark; wet rock is slippery on the descent.
  • The ledge is 700 m above the lake; the official advice is to stay well back from the edge.
  • Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
  • Turn around if the weather turns or the footing gets sketchy. The trail will still be there.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against trolltunga.com, trolltunga.com and visitnorway.com. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.