Norway is considered to be a fabulous country with many legends. It attracts tourists with amazing nature, beauty of fjords, fresh air, crystal clear water. The visiting card is the Troll’s Tongue rock. This is a unique and dangerous rock ledge that offers an incredible landscape.
A long time ago I had a dream – to climb and take a photo on the top of a cliff, and for my birthday I decided to make it happen.
Interesting facts
The original name is Skjeggedal, but the name Trolltunga is more common, it is this word in translation that means the Troll’s Language.
It wasn’t until 2009 that Trolltunga gained great popularity, when a review article was published in a well-known travel magazine. And only after that, tourists from all over the world rushed here. Before that, there were about 10 people there per year, but now this number has grown hundreds of times.
There is one very famous legend in Norway that justifies such a name “Troll’s Tongue”. A long time ago, a huge Troll lived in those places. He was not very smart and was constantly testing his luck. He often risked his life by jumping over gigantic chasms, diving deep into the water and trying to reach the rainbow. The troll was considered a twilight creature, which means that sunlight could greatly harm him. And then one day the Troll decided to check this fact. At night he hid in a cave, and with the first appearance of the sun’s rays he stuck out his tongue and turned to stone forever. Here is such a legend.
How to get to the Trolltunga
It is necessary to start preparing for the trip by studying the question – how to get to the Trolltunga in Norway. The road is not easy and you need to think it over carefully.
You can get to the Odda settlement by different roads:
– from Oslo follow the Oslo – Voss train and the Oslo – Odda bus;
– from Bergen it is most convenient to go by regular bus number 930;
– there is a bus from Stavanger.
The most convenient route is from the city of Bergen. The city of Odda will be an intermediate transit point. Next, from Odda, you need to get to the small village of Thyssedal, which is located 6 km north of the city, early in the morning local bus 995 runs to Thyssedal. There is a parking lot, from which tracking is.
Where to stay
For more comfort, you can stay at a hotel in the village of Tissedal, there are also hotels in Odda. For those who like camping with a tent, there is a camping in Odda, where we stayed. From here in the morning buses go to Trolltunga. Buses leave twice in the morning at 6:10, 7:10 and pick them up at 19:10 and 20:10 back.
How to prepare for the ascent
The round trip to Trolltunga takes 22 kilometers. The equipment for this climb is very important and is almost half the success. The first thing to look for is a trekking shoe with a grooved sole and a waterproof membrane on top. The second is a waterproof jacket or raincoat with a lining that will not stick to the body. It is better if you have waterproof trekking pants with you, in case it rains for 10 hours. The route is quite specific, so trekking poles only complicate the path in some places.
Products. I recommend taking energy bars to recuperate and save time. Given that the path is long and difficult, water will be required on the road. The route runs along lakes and rivers where you can replenish your drinking water supply.
Climbing
The total height of the Troll’s Tongue rock is approximately 1100 meters, and the cherished ledge, where all travelers aspire, is at an altitude of 700 meters. To reach the goal, you need to overcome 11 km in one direction. Depending on weather conditions and physical fitness, this can take from 5 to 10 hours.
The road is marked and after every kilometer there are signs how long it is to Yazyk and back to the parking lot. The first kilometer is considered the most difficult, so a funicular was built to overcome it. But he hasn’t worked for ten years now and you have to walk.
On the route, there is a house on the lake shore where you can stay overnight or hide in bad weather. The distance between this transshipment point and the destination is 6 km.
A crowd of people will warn about the proximity of the cherished ledge – about twenty minutes will have to be spent on overcoming the queue, and now the last spurt – a jump in the Language.
The entire path traveled is breathtaking beauty, but the ending is almost a stopped heart. It seems that everything is unreal. The landscape that tourists see with their own eyes cannot be compared with any description and photographs. The thought that you have reached Trolltung causes an extravaganza of emotions and an unforgettable sensation.
Although it is prohibited, some tourists are in no hurry to go down to the parking lot, and stay overnight next to Trolltunga. In the evening, in the rays of the setting sun, a special atmosphere of calm and tranquility reigns here.
Best time to visit
The recommended period for climbing Trolltungu on your own is from mid-June to mid-September. At this time, there is good weather and optimal conditions for climbing – there is no precipitation, the sun is shining and there is a long daylight hours.
From October, the rains begin, during which the road to the top becomes dangerous – slippery and wet.
In winter, the route is covered with snow and the climb is prohibited, you can only get to your destination with a professional guide.
Accidents
The rock is already well-worn over time and does not represent a strong natural structure. In addition, it can break off at any time. But this fact does not really stop modern travelers, on the contrary, it instills in them even greater interest.
For tourists who are afraid to go to the rock, a hook is hammered in to secure the belay.
Unfortunately, there have been some fatal accidents that can be caused by sudden gusts of wind or loss of balance.
Nearby attractions
Lotefoss Waterfall
Since we need to start climbing early in the morning, we stopped for two days in Odda. Having a whole day, I recommend to go to the very beautiful Lotefoss waterfall, which is located 15 km from the city. You can only get there by car or by taxi.
