Trollstigen tour from Ålesund: 11 hairpin turns and Troll Wall

Mountain road with eleven hairpin turns, a 240-meter waterfall, and Europe's tallest vertical rock face

A six-hour guided bus tour from Ålesund to Trollstigen in western Norway, following a route through villages and mountain passes to the famous Trollstigen plateau and down its winding descent. The tour includes five photo stops: Kokarsteinen above the fjord, Gudbrandsjuvet's narrow ravine with a bridge crossing, the Trollstigen plateau viewpoint, Stigefossen waterfall on the descent, and Troll Wall. An English-speaking guide leads the group. The bus departs Ålesund and returns there by end of day. The road occasionally closes due to rockfall, in which case you reach the plateau from the south and see the route without driving it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sightseeing tour through Land of Trolls

• Depart from Ålesund
• Pass Sjoholt village
• Photo stop at Kokarsteinen
• Drive via Stordal and Valldal
• Photo stop at Gudbrandsjuvet ravine
• Ascend to Trollstigen Plateau
• Stop to enjoy views and buy food
• Descend Trollstigen road
• Photo stop at Stigefossen waterfall
• Visit Troll Wall viewpoint
• Return through Åndalsnes to Ålesund

The experience

You board in Ålesund and travel through Sjoholt and Valldal, a strawberry-farming village, before the bus climbs toward the plateau. The first real stop is Gudbrandsjuvet, a narrow ravine cut 20 to 25 meters deep into the rock, where a bridge lets you walk across it and stand inside the gorge itself. From there the road steepens into the Trollstigen proper, the section with the eleven hairpin turns that makes this route famous among drivers and photographers. At the top, the bus stops long enough for you to step out and take in the view across the plateau. There's a shop and cafeteria if you want to buy food or a drink.

The descent is where the landscape becomes dramatic. Stigefossen waterfall drops 240 meters down the mountainside, and the bus pulls over so you can photograph it. Below that, the road opens onto Troll Wall, Trollvegen, a vertical rock face that rises so sheer it draws climbers and base jumpers from across Europe. The bus passes through Åndalsnes on the return to Ålesund, arriving back by the end of the six hours. The operator guarantees return time for cruise ship passengers who register their ship's name at booking. If the road closes due to rockfall, you still reach the plateau viewpoint from the southern approach and see the hairpin turns from above, though you won't drive through them.

The bus is air-conditioned and seats a group. The guide speaks English and may add a second language depending on who else is on board. Arrive 15 minutes before departure, and bring a valid mobile number with country code so the operator can reach you if there's any confusion about the meeting point. The tour requires a minimum number of bookings to run. If it doesn't reach that threshold, you'll receive a refund.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned bus.
• English-speaking guide.
• photo stops at Kokarsteinen, Gudbrandsjuvet, Trollstigen plateau, Stigefossen waterfall, and Troll Wall.
• access to the Trollstigen mountain road with its eleven hairpin turns.
• back-on-time guarantee for cruise ship passengers.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 4 May 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 48 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Ålesund town center, so you don't need a rental car or a driver's license. The bus picks up from a fixed meeting point and returns you to the same place by end of day. That arrangement works for cruise ship passengers on a tight schedule and for anyone staying in Ålesund without transport.

Traveler reviews

4.19★★★★★★★★★★

175 verified traveler reviews

5 ★105

4 ★32

3 ★16

2 ★10

1 ★12

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I do this tour if I'm arriving by cruise ship?

Yes. The tour is timed to work with cruise ship arrivals and departures. Register your ship's name when you book, and the operator guarantees you'll be back on board at least one hour before departure. If you're concerned about timing, confirm your ship's arrival time at checkout.

What is Gudbrandsjuvet and what do you do there?

Gudbrandsjuvet is a narrow ravine, 5 meters wide and 20 to 25 meters deep, carved into the mountainside. A bridge spans it, and you walk across to stand inside the gorge itself during the photo stop.

How many hairpin turns does the Trollstigen road have?

Eleven hairpin turns wind up and down the Trollstigen mountain road. The bus navigates them as part of the route, and you stop at the plateau to take in the view before the descent begins.

What happens if the Trollstigen road is closed when I book?

The road occasionally closes due to rockfall or landslides. If it's closed on your tour date, you'll still reach the plateau viewpoint by approaching from the south, and you'll see the hairpin turns and the landscape from above. You won't drive through the road itself, but you'll see all the major sights except Troll Wall from that angle.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

No. The tour departs from Ålesund town center. You'll need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point. Public transportation options are available nearby.

What's the difference between Stigefossen and Troll Wall?

Stigefossen is a waterfall that drops 240 meters down the mountainside. You see it during a photo stop on the descent from Trollstigen. Troll Wall (Trollvegen) is a vertical rock face that rises from the valley floor below and is one of Europe's tallest. It's a separate stop further down the route.