Andalsnes

Trolls, Turf Roofs, and the Epic peaks of Romsdalen

Well, hello and welcome to Tom and Dom Travel! If you have ever wanted to cruise somewhere that makes you feel utterly insignificant in the most beautiful way possible, Norway has to be on your radar. Today, we are taking you to the undisputed mountaineering capital of Norway: the breathtaking port of Åndalsnes.

Nestled at the very end of the Romsdalsfjord and surrounded by towering, vertical rock faces, rushing rivers, and cascading waterfalls, Åndalsnes is a dream come true for cruise travelers.

We visited this stunning destination during a Norwegian Fjords cruise, and we were absolutely blown away by the dramatic scenery. Here is our ultimate, hands-on guide for cruise tourists looking to make the absolute most of their day in Åndalsnes—from uncovering secret port viewpoints to riding the wild Troll Road and dodging the infamous Norwegian downpours!

Stepping Off the Ship: The Port of Åndalsnes

Unlike some of the tiny ports in Norway where you have to tender, Åndalsnes is incredibly convenient. The ship docks right alongside the town, meaning you can walk straight down the gangway and start exploring. While the port is relatively small, it is highly functional and sits right in the shadow of the spectacular mountains.

As soon as you step off the ship, we have a top-secret Tom and Dom tip for you that almost everyone else on our ship completely missed:

The Secret Port Viewpoint

Immediately after disembarking, look for the port security office. Right above this building is a small, elevated viewing platform. It is signposted, but the sign is incredibly tiny and it actually looks like you are about to walk straight into a restricted security zone! Don't let that put you off. You are fully allowed to go up there, and it is completely free. We climbed up and managed to take some of the most sensational, unobstructed photos of the fjord and our cruise ship. It is the perfect first stop of the day!

Quirky Highlights and the Chapel on Tracks

Once you leave the immediate port area, you are just a flat, five-minute walk from the town center. One of the first things you will run into next to the modern railway station is a beautifully preserved, vintage train carriage.

At first glance, it looks slightly abandoned, but if you walk around to the side, you will find an open door inviting you inside. We stepped on board and were met with the most wonderful surprise. The carriage has been lovingly converted into a tiny, fully functioning public chapel!

Inside, the train seats have been rearranged to form rows of church pews, complete with a beautifully crafted altar at the end. It is such a unique, peaceful, and quirky use of space. We spent a few quiet minutes admiring it and taking photos. It is an absolute must-see and represents wonderful, free local value.

Conquering the Heights: The Romsdalen Gondola

Right next to the train station and the chapel car is the entrance to the state-of-the-art Romsdalen Gondola (cable car). This is one of Norway's proudest, most sustainable eco-projects, built to transport visitors up to the summit of Mount Nesaksla.

If you are lucky enough to visit Åndalsnes on a bright, clear day, booking a ticket for the cable car is highly recommended. It sweeps you up the mountainside in a matter of minutes, offering 360-degree views of the fjord and the town below.

The Tom and Dom Cloud Warning: However, if you look up from your cruise ship and see heavy cloud cover resting halfway down the mountains, do not waste your money on the cable car! On the day we visited, the peaks were heavily shrouded in thick, gray clouds. We spoke to several passengers (and even our cruise director!) who paid to go to the top, and they literally could not see more than two meters in front of them all day. Save your money for a sunny day!
The Active Alternative: If you are feeling highly energetic and want to work off that massive cruise breakfast, there is a famous hiking trail that snakes up the mountain to the same summit, passing the famous Rampestreken viewpoint (a steel platform that juts out over the abyss). The hike takes about three hours up and three hours back down. It is incredibly steep, so only attempt this if you have excellent fitness and sturdy hiking boots!

Electric Norway and a Safety Warning!

One thing that immediately struck us about Åndalsnes (and Norway as a whole) is how incredibly forward-thinking they are when it comes to the environment. The town is absolutely packed with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations—not just for cars, but for electric bikes and scooters, too.

Virtually every local vehicle is electric, which is wonderful for keeping the fjord air clean and silent. However, this does bring a very real safety hazard for tourists: you cannot hear the traffic coming! Because these cars are virtually silent, make sure you look twice before crossing any roads in town.

Exploring the Town and the "Secret" Beach

Åndalsnes has a beautifully developed, modern town square lined with cozy cafes, modern architecture, and a lovely high street filled with tourist boutiques. It is incredibly easy and pleasant to wander around on foot.

When we disembarked, we were handed a tourist map that showed a beach area located just on the edge of town. Being the explorers we are, we decided to track it down.

What the map doesn’t tell you is that the route to get there takes you directly through a rather dry, uninspiring industrial estate! For about fifteen minutes, we were convinced we had taken a wrong turn, but we kept following the other wandering cruise passengers and eventually hit the jackpot.

The Hidden Gem

Tucked away past the industrial units is a gorgeous, lush green picnic area that opens up onto a beautiful pebbly beach. The views looking across the fields and the glassy waters of the fjord are absolutely stunning. The local community has set up an amazing public space here, complete with:

A trampoline set directly into the ground (we obviously couldn't resist having a bounce!)
Communal brick barbecues
Cozy hammocks strung between the trees
Wooden picnic benches

It is a fantastic, completely free place to stretch your legs, relax in nature, and escape the crowds. After enjoying the beach, we walked back to the ship along a different coastal path, completing a lovely scenic loop of the town. On our way, we even spotted our very first stone troll of the day—perfect for an obligatory selfie!

The Main Event: The Troll Wall and Troll Road Excursion

After popping back on board the ship to grab a quick, delicious ham and cheese croissant from the International Cafe, we headed back ashore for our highly anticipated afternoon excursion: The Troll Wall and Troll Road Tour.

We gathered at the striking, modern Mountaineering Center (Norsk Tindesenter) in the town center, which served as our tour pickup point.

A Crucial Booking Tip: If there is a specific excursion you want to do in Åndalsnes, you must pre-book it before your cruise. We saw several disappointed passengers trying to book tours on the day, only to be turned away because every single coach was completely full.

The Mountaineering Center & The Bus Drama

Our tour began inside the Mountaineering Center with a fantastic, 15-minute cinematic presentation. The film introduced us to the dramatic history of mountaineering in the region, alongside the rich local folklore and myths surrounding the Norwegian Trolls.

Once the film ended, we headed out to the coach park—and this is where things got rather "interesting." The boarding process turned into a bit of a chaotic free-for-all. We witnessed a sudden stampede of passengers rushing the coach door. Surprisingly, about ten different people all suddenly shouted to the guide that they suffered from extreme travel sickness and absolutely had to have the front seats! It was a bit stressful and messy, but once everyone was on board, there was actually plenty of space for everyone to get a great view.

Stop 1: The Mighty Troll Wall (Trollveggen)

Our first stop was the legendary Troll Wall, the tallest vertical rock face in Europe, rising a staggering 1,000 meters above the valley floor.

Even on a cloudy day, the sheer, epic scale of this mountain wall is completely unbelievable. Standing at the base in the glacial valley makes you feel like a tiny ant. There is a lovely modern visitor center here where we stopped to take photos. We also saw a poignant memorial dedicated to the brave (and sometimes foolish!) climbers who have lost their lives attempting to conquer this deadly peak.

Stop 2: Turf Roofs and Goat Lawnmowers

Next, we drove a short distance to a famous local valley campsite. The cabins here are built in the traditional Norwegian style, constructed from dark timber with thick layers of soil and growing grass on the roofs.

Our guide explained that these grass roofs are brilliant for keeping the cabins insulated and controlling humidity. But the best part? They don't use lawnmowers to cut the grass—they literally hoist local goats up onto the roofs to eat it!

The visitor center here is an absolute paradise for troll lovers. They have giant troll statues outside—including a troll riding a motorcycle and a three-headed troll—which made for some brilliant, fun photos.

Stop 3: Stigfossen Waterfall

As we neared the base of the infamous Troll Road, we pulled over to admire the spectacular Stigfossen Waterfall.

The water here was a brilliant, luminous, almost tropical blue color. Our guide explained that this unique hue is caused by the rich minerals suspended in the fresh glacial meltwater flowing down from the high peaks.

The Tom and Dom Lesson: At this stop, the weather began to turn quite wet. Tom, foolishly thinking we would only be off the bus for a few minutes, left his coat on the coach. Naturally, the heavens opened, and he got absolutely soaked! Always, always carry your waterproof coat with you in Norway, even for a quick photo stop!

Conquering the Trollstigen (Troll Road)

From the waterfall, our coach began the thrilling, slightly nail-biting ascent up the Trollstigen (The Troll Ladder).

This world-famous mountain road features eleven dramatic hairpin bends that cling to the side of the vertical cliffs. Each of the hairpin turns is named after a key individual who helped construct the road.

Riding in a massive tour bus as it weaves and squeezes past oncoming traffic on these narrow, steep bends is a genuinely thrilling experience. As you climb higher and higher, the views down into the valley are absolutely magnificent—even as we began to disappear into the thick cloud cover near the top!

The Summit Visitor Center

At the very top of the Troll Road sits a stunning, ultra-modern visitor center. Under normal circumstances, you can walk along architectural steel pathways to two dramatic viewing platforms jutting out over the gorge.

Unfortunately, when we reached the summit, the Norwegian weather showed its true colors. It was absolutely hammering down with rain, sleet, and even a bit of snow! The visibility was down to about ten meters, and the wind was howling. We braved the walk to the furthest viewing platform, but we couldn't see a thing through the dense fog.

Despite the terrible weather at the top, the entire excursion was still an amazing, memorable experience that we wouldn't have missed for the world. It represents fantastic value for a day of drama and adventure.

Warming Up and Sailing Away

Back in town, we scrambled back onto our warm cruise ship, absolutely drenched and shivering. After a quick run to our stateroom to hang our wet gear on the tiny shower washing line (which was seriously struggling to hold two heavy coats, jeans, and jumpers!), we headed up to the pool deck.

Nothing warms you up faster after an Arctic downpour than a slice of fresh, hot pepperoni pizza, followed by a portion of hot, crispy cheesy bacon fries from the pool grill.

That evening, as we sat by the window in the main dining room, the ship began its gentle sailaway down the Rías-like Romsdalsfjord. Watching the misty, jagged peaks slowly slide past our window as we enjoyed a beautiful lamb shank and a glass of Pinot Noir was pure magic.

Tom and Dom’s Golden Rules for Åndalsnes

To ensure you have the absolute best experience in this dramatic port, keep our tried-and-tested golden rules in mind:

🧥 Never Leave Your Coat on the Bus: The weather in the Norwegian mountains changes in a heartbeat. Even if the sun is shining when you board your tour, always carry a high-quality waterproof jacket with you.
🚠 Check the Peaks Before Buying Gondola Tickets: If the top of the mountain is covered in heavy cloud, skip the Romsdalen Gondola. You will pay a premium to stare into a wall of gray fog!
🚶‍♂️ Hunt Down the Secret Viewpoint: Don't miss the elevated platform right above the port security building. It is completely free, open to the public, and offers the absolute best photo angles of your ship.
🚌 Pre-Book Your Trollstigen Excursions: Coach tours to the Troll Road and Troll Wall sell out weeks in advance. Do not rely on booking on the day at the pier, or you will likely be left behind.
🤫 Watch Out for Quiet Cars: Norway’s incredible infrastructure means almost all vehicles are electric. Keep your eyes peeled when crossing the streets in town, as you won't hear them coming!

Our Final Verdict on Åndalsnes

Åndalsnes is a truly magnificent Norwegian port of call. It perfectly blends the ease of a flat, highly walkable town center with some of the most dramatic, wild, and rugged mountain excursions in Europe. Whether you are bouncing on a ground-trampoline at the hidden beach, exploring the quirky train chapel, or winding your way up the hair-raising bends of the Trollstigen, it is a destination that promises endless adventure.

Author: Tom and Dom Travel

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