ÅNDALSNES, Norway:
Trolls, Mountains, and Epic Hikes
Welcome to Andalsnes, Norway, where towering mountains, legendary trolls, and thrilling outdoor adventures await. On our first cruise here, we explored the port, the town, and uncovered some exciting activities with a few unexpected twists along the way.
Overview of Andalsnes
Andalsnes sits at the mouth of the Rauma River in the Romsdalen Valley, home to some of Norway’s most breathtaking landscapes. The town is nestled between Mount Nesaksla, towering above the town and fjord, and Trollveggen, Europe’s tallest vertical rockface, famously known as the Troll Wall. This small town also happens to be the mountaineering hub of Norway—perfect for those seeking outdoor adventures.
Whether you're a hiker or prefer a more relaxed pace, there's plenty to explore here. The town itself is small and charming, but it’s the surrounding scenery that truly steals the show.
Getting Around the Port
The Andalsnes port is both a docking and tender port, and the disembarkation points are conveniently located right next to the town. The docking port features a smooth, flat concrete sidewalk and a security hut with a helpful town map. There are also benches for those waiting for ship tours or buses.
If you’re coming from the tender dock, it’s just a few minutes' walk along flat cobblestone sidewalks to reach the main shopping district. While Andalsnes lacks a formal terminal, it does have the Norsk Tindesenter (Norwegian Mountaineering Center), which serves as a visitor center, museum, public restroom, café, and gift shop. More on that later.
Getting Around Town
By Foot
Exploring Andalsnes on foot is the best way to experience the town's cozy vibe and local shops. You can take a leisurely walk through the town’s small shopping district, or if you’re up for a challenge, hike up Mount Nesaksla. This hike is no joke—it takes over two hours one way if you’re in good shape. Alternatively, you can ride the gondola up to the peak. While it’s pricey, the gondola saves your legs and time. At the top, there’s a café and a trail to the famous Rampestreken viewpoint, perfect for that epic Instagram shot.
By Bus or Train
If you want to explore beyond the town, you’ll need wheels. Renting a car is an option (Avis is about 10 minutes by foot), but with limited time and narrow, bus-filled roads like the Trollstigen (Troll Road), a local taxi or bus tour might be the better choice.
One scenic option is the Rauma Railway, considered one of Europe’s most beautiful train routes. The ride from Andalsnes to Dombas takes about 1.5 hours each way and passes stunning landmarks like the Kylling Bridge and Troll Wall. The train station is just a few minutes' walk from the port.
Exploring Andalsnes
The town of Andalsnes is small but picturesque, with plenty of outdoor stores and souvenir shops (not surprising given the town’s reputation as a mountaineering hotspot). Facing the tender dock is the town square, where you’ll find restaurants, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a local bank ATM, and a pharmacy. Just a bit further, you’ll find the large X Extra 7-23 grocery store, which has just about anything you need.
The Norwegian Mountaineering Center
Our first stop was the Norwegian Mountaineering Center, an interactive museum and climbing wall that really impressed us. The museum dives deep into Norway’s mountaineering history, and all exhibits are in English. But it’s not just about reading and looking—there’s plenty of hands-on fun, too.
You can test your climbing skills on a practice wall, crawl into a portaledge hanging tent (imagine sleeping there on a cliff!), and learn the essential knots and harnesses used in mountaineering. There’s also a massive climbing wall that you can try for an extra fee. My son stuck to the smaller wall, and while his climbing was impressive, we were in awe of the local Norwegian kids scaling the heights like pros!
The Troll Road (Trollstigen)
For our second adventure, we hopped on a local bus tour to the Trollstigen Plateau, a scenic yet hair-raising drive up the legendary Troll Road. The landscape here is straight out of a fairy tale—giant, imposing cliffs that look like they could be home to trolls, frozen in stone by the sunlight.
The bus ride up took about 1.5 hours, weaving through jaw-dropping scenery and numerous hairpin turns. If you get motion sickness, this ride might be a challenge, but the views make it worth it. One particularly tight turn required our driver to stop and negotiate with an oncoming bus to pass through—it was a tense but memorable moment!
At the Trollstigen Plateau, you’ll find public bathrooms, a gift shop, and a scenic walkway leading to several viewpoints overlooking the waterfalls. Even in the cold rain (which is quite common at this altitude), it was a fantastic experience. We also made a stop at a Troll Road gift shop and restaurant facing the Troll Wall, where I couldn’t resist buying a Viking figurine that looked uncannily like Che Guevara!
Final Thoughts
Andalsnes offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and thrilling adventures. Whether you’re hiking Mount Nesaksla, riding the Rauma Railway, or braving the Troll Road, you’ll leave this town with unforgettable memories. And with its relaxed pace and friendly locals, Andalsnes is a lovely place to unwind after a day of exploring.