The Call of the Trolls

The allure of the unknown has always beckoned me, much like the decaying remnants of Soviet-era cities that I often find myself drawn to. This time, however, the call came from the land of the trolls, a place where nature’s raw beauty intertwines with the whispers of ancient folklore. Ålesund, a city cradled by fjords and mountains, was my destination, and the Trollstigen Excursion promised an adventure unlike any other.

Upon arrival, I was greeted by Trond, our guide, whose presence was as commanding as the landscape itself. His small, ice cream-loving troll assistant added a touch of whimsy to the day. As we set off, the air was thick with anticipation, the kind that only comes when one is about to uncover the secrets of a place steeped in history and myth.

Our first stop, the Skodje Bridges, was a testament to human ingenuity and nature’s artistry. The reflections of the bridges against the water were like ghostly apparitions, a reminder of the past that lingers in the present. Walking through the short tunnel to meet the van on the other side felt like stepping through a portal into another world, one where the echoes of history reverberate through the air.

Whispers of the Fjords

The journey continued to the Liabygda Ringsetskiftet Viewpoint, where the sea stretched out like a canvas painted with the hues of the sky. To the left, a salmon fish farm lay nestled in the water, a modern intrusion in this ancient landscape. To the right, the town of Stranda stood, its presence a reminder of the ever-present march of time.

Gudbrandsjuvet, a river gorge carved by the relentless flow of the Valldøla River, was a place where nature’s power was on full display. The water danced between gorges and cracks, meeting at unexpected angles before plunging further down the valley. The platforms and bridges, crafted from glass and rust-corroded iron, seemed to be an extension of the landscape itself, a blend of the natural and the man-made.

Trond’s storytelling brought the place to life, weaving tales of the land’s history with the present. As we sampled local strawberries and raspberries, their sweetness a stark contrast to the rugged beauty around us, I felt a connection to this place, a bond forged through shared stories and experiences.

The Heart of the Trolls

The old bridge by Krikebrua, built in 1891 from rocks alone, was a marvel of engineering and a testament to the resilience of those who came before us. The waterfall along the short hike was a symphony of sound, a reminder of nature’s unyielding force. Here, amidst the serenity of the river and the goats grazing along the trail, I found a moment of peace, a respite from the chaos of the world.

The Trollstigen Viewpoints, the crown jewel of our journey, offered a panorama that was both breathtaking and humbling. The road, built in the 1930s, was a feat of engineering, a testament to human determination and ingenuity. As I stood at the top, the wind whispering tales of trolls and ancient kings, I felt a sense of awe at the majesty of the landscape.

Our final stops, Valldal and the Aksla Viewpoint, were a fitting end to a day filled with wonder and discovery. The lake and old church at Valldal were serene, a place where time seemed to stand still. The Aksla Viewpoint offered a bird’s eye view of Ålesund, a city that felt both familiar and foreign, a place where the past and present coexist in harmony.

As the day drew to a close, I found myself reflecting on the journey, the stories shared, and the landscapes explored. The land of the trolls had revealed its secrets, and in doing so, had left an indelible mark on my soul. This was a place where history and myth intertwined, a place where the echoes of the past could still be heard, if one only took the time to listen.