Pros and Cons: Overnight Hike to Trolltunga, Norway
My friends and I started our trip in Oslo, where we rented a car and drove almost 6 hours along the Norwegian Fjords and across the mountains. The hike to Trolltunga is only 10kms but a guide is recommended between October and June. We decided to book an overnight tour which meant the walk was very relaxed and we didn’t need to worry about where to go, when to leave or how long to spend at the top. Here are my pros and cons of booking an overnight tour of Trolltunga.
Cons
Consider Your Fitness Level
Unless you’re booking a private tour, it’s hard to predict the fitness level of the other hikers in the group. Our group had people of varied levels, which meant some needed more time to get up the mountain. We made stops almost every kilometer, sometimes for food, other times just to let others catch up and rest. While it was nice to make our way up to the mountain at a slow pace and enjoy our surroundings, my friends and I felt it was a bit too slow. It took almost six hours from the parking lot to the Trolltunga viewpoint and almost another 2 hours for photos and the walk to our camp. In peak seasons, there might be more tours offering a faster pace, but in May, we were the first tour of the season and the only group camping on the mountain.
Time-Constraints
For us, our number one reason for going to Norway was to do the Trolltunga hike, so we didn’t mind spending over 24 hrs doing something that could easily be done in half the time. If you’re looking to see more of Norway, an overnight tour probably isn’t the right choice. The hike itself is only 10 kilometres and it’s estimated to take anywhere between 8-12 hours return. We began our hike at about 12 pm and passed many hikers on their way down in our first hour. In the summer, you can experience up to 24 hours of sunlight, so it’s very achievable to venture to the viewpoint and back, without having to worry about losing daylight.
Pros
Try the Local Cuisine
Everything was provided by our tour guides, including meals and snacks along the way. We stopped for sandwiches made by a local vendor, delicious Norwegian hot chocolate, and a particular highlight for me was our dinner, reindeer stew.
Camping Overnight on the Mountain
Nothing beats sleeping under the stars, except sleeping under the stars on the edge of the Norwegian Fjords. We were very comfortable, aside from a bit of a downpour just as we were getting ready for bed, making our hiking boots and packs a little wet for the return the next day. Our sleeping bags were warm, and the tour had recently upgraded its tents, so we felt very protected from the wind and rain in the middle of the night. In the morning, we unzipped our tent to be greeted by a rainbow at sunrise and shortly after, our tour guides delivered a warm, hearty breakfast to us. Even the most mundane experiences, like brushing our teeth in a nearby stream, felt surreal.
Visiting the Viewpoint Outside of Peak Times
One concern we had with doing the hike in one day was the potential crowds at the viewpoint. During peak seasons, there can be a wait time of up to three hours to take a photo on Trolltunga. We reached the viewpoint at about 6 pm, which meant the day hikers were long gone. It also meant we could spend plenty of time exploring without the pressure of having to get back to the carpark before dark.
Ideal for Groups and Solo Travellers
I was lucky enough to travel with some friends, but almost half of our group was travelling on their own. If you’re not a confident hiker, doing this on your own might seem overwhelming. The tour guides were very friendly, encouraging all members to mingle with one another. By the end of the second day, we had all gotten to know each other very well, and it was a bit of an emotional goodbye!
Relying on Experienced Guides for Directions
The was a short shuttle bus journey at the start and end of the hike. The tour guides acknowledged that there wouldn’t be enough room for the whole group to be transported at once, so they allowed us to walk ahead if we wanted to. I took a wrong turn and ended up on the wrong side of a rapid stream. Without the tour guides I got lost very quickly and was only able to find my way back as this was the return route, and I knew I wasn’t on the right path. It was comforting to know we had guides who had walked the route hundreds of times.
Time for Multiple Visits to the Viewpoint
While we were lucky with the weather, the view can be obstructed by cloud and rain. If you only had a short window to visit the rock, you might miss the iconic view depending on the weather. We had plenty of time to return to Trolltunga, although we got plenty of time there on the way up the mountain and didn’t feel it was necessary to return a second time.
