Trolltunga ((literal translation from the Norwegian “Troll Tongue”) “Язык Тролля”) – is a rocky horizontal ledge on the Skjeggedal, which rises above the Ringedalsvatn Lake at a height of 350 meters. Because of this rock Troll’s Tongue is considered one of the most beautiful and dangerous places in all Norway.
The year 2009 was a turning point in the fate of Trolltunga. An article in a famous travel magazine allowed the local legend to go public. After that, those wishing to see the natural wonder has increased several times, and to visit the very edge of Troll’s Tongue and take unique photos, you even have to stand in line.
The year 2009 was a turning point in Trolltunga’s fate. An article in a famous travel magazine allowed the local legend to go public. After that, those wishing to see the natural wonder increased several times, and you even have to stand in line to visit the very edge of Troll’s Tongue and take unique photos.
The town of Odd is 135 kilometers southeast of Bergen. From the bus station in Bergen (next to the railway station) there are three buses to Odda: 8:20, 11:50 and 20:55.
After a three-hour drive, transfer to the ferry and back to the bus, we drop off at the bus station in the tourist town of Odd. But that’s not the end of the journey. You have to take a local bus or a cab 6 more kilometers to the north to Tyssedal village. Here is the terminus of the shuttle bus and ahead is another 7 kilometers on asphalt to the cable car. If you take a cab, you can drive right up to the start of the hike to Troll’s Tongue – Skjeggedal.
Troll’s tongue is about 1100 m above sea level, and we are only 300-400. For the sake of cherished photos and a unique experience we need to gain 700 m and walk 12 km on the mountain trail. It is not that easy. The whole hike to Troll’s Tongue will take about 5 hours one way.
The first thing that catches our eye at the beginning of the trail is the pile of worn-out shoes under the map stand. The “remnants” of past hikers eloquently show us that sandals and lightweight sneakers are not the way to go up there. Trekking shoes are the classic and best option.
Behind the booth you can see an old wooden cable car with rusty rails going up. Unfortunately, after 2010 it ceased to function, so you have to climb the forest path along it. This part of the ascent is the steepest and hardest. Gather your willpower in your fist and believe that the climb will end at some point.
At the top of the cable car you can see the road that leads tourists further along the plateau, along high-voltage lines and wooden houses. After a while, the road begins to climb. Water supplies are easily replenished in cool streams along the way.
Very soon a cabin near a small lake with one modest room appears. It serves as a tourist shelter and everyone can stay here for the night. It’s six kilometers from the lodge to the finish line.
Еще через полчаса похода к Языку тролля открывается головокружительный вид на озеро Рингедалсватн. Заветный Язык Тролля уже можно разглядеть, но до него еще 4.5 километра хода. Пару подъемов и спусков, последний рывок перед финишем иии… вот он! Фотографии, описания и рассказы очевидцев меркнут в сравнении с наблюдением этого чуда воочию. Теперь можно собою гордиться. Теперь ты сам стоишь на Языке Тролля и впитываешь в себя первозданные пейзажи вместе с местными легендами…
Stand in line, take a few pictures, take a minute or two, and go down, because you have to get down to the track before it gets dark. That’s what 97% of tourists do, but not us. We stay overnight not far from Troll Tongue and return to it at sunset – when the scenery around lit up by the gentle orange rays of the receding sun and there is not a soul around. Trolltunga is at our disposal until dark and then at dawn. Our hike to Troll Tongue continues bypassing Lake Ringedalsvatn, but that’s another story and the route is described in detail in another article.
The Norwegians are a people with a fertile imagination and the Trolltunga could not have escaped the notice of Scandinavian folklore. One of them says that the huge Troll was childishly kind and playful – he couldn’t sit still in one place: he would dive into deep and dangerous waters, jump over chasms or try to catch a rainbow over a cliff. And on sunny days, dangerous for his life, he would hole up in a cave until dark. One day he wanted to see if he could do what he loved in broad daylight. What would happen if he challenged the sun itself? So the Troll stuck his tongue out of the cave…
So the Playful Troll’s tongue still hangs over the lake as a petrified protrusion. And it reminds all tourists of one thing: you must always challenge even the greatest fears. One must at least try. But you must assess the degree of danger objectively, otherwise you have a chance to turn into a tourist attraction…
Have a great hike, everyone, and don’t be stony!
