Often referred to as the ‘Alpine village by the fjord’, Åndalsnes was a port full of surprises for us. It’s not because the town itself was particularly fascinating, but because of what we experienced on that day. Be sure to read to the end if you want to find out what made our day so memorable!
Visiting Åndalsnes On A Cruise
In my opinion, there is no better way to visit this charming fjord town than by cruise ship, not least of all because the only place to dock is right in the centre of the town, a literal stones throw away from the visitor centre! Åndalsnes is also fairly well connected to the rest of Norway by train, but there is nothing quite like opening your cabin curtains to views like these!
Things To Do in Åndalsnes
Norwegian Mountaineering Centre
Whether you have a head for heights or not, every visitor to Åndalsnes should visit the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre. This architectural marvel is not only home to Norway’s second highest indoor climbing wall, it is also where the Visitor Centre for Reinheimen National Park is. Here you can pick up free walking maps of the area, ask for advice and book local tours such as the one we enjoyed on our visit (more on that later).
Many of the excursions which meet near the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre include tickets to watch ‘Trollfolk’ – a short 15-minute film which combines the legend of Norway’s mountain trolls and footage of highly skilled mountaineers in one entertaining movie. It is suitable for families, and tickets can be purchased separately if you haven’t got them already included. Whatever you end up doing with your day, I highly recommend watching the film first as it helps to give you a fresh perspective on the scale of the gigantic fjord mountains as well as building excitement for what you are going to see in the hours ahead.
If the weather is not looking good but you still fancy turning your hand at some climbing, the indoor climbing facilities are suitable for all ages from 3+ years and can be booked in advance or at the desk on arrival.
Trollstigen (The Troll Path)
Found on postcards and fridge magnets across Western Norway, Trollstigen is an incredible mountain pass made up of 11 hairpin bends, and its become one of the icons of the fjords. Impassable during the winter months, the Troll Road is only open when the local weather conditions are considered safe to do so. This varies each year, but typically the road is passable between mid-May and the end of October. There is a car park and a number of viewing platforms at the 700m plateau, giving visitors the opportunity to admire the view of the famous zig-zag road and the impressive Stigfossen waterfall. Worried about where to make a pit stop? Don’t be! As with many of these marvels, there is a souvenir shop and public toilets for your convenience right at the bottom of Trollstigen!
Trollveggen (also known as the Troll Wall)
According to Visit Norway, standing at 1,000 metres, Trollveggen is Europe’s tallest vertical overhanging rock face, making this breathtaking beast a truly monstrous sight to behold. When you’re standing at the foot of the mountain, it is hard to imagine what was going through the minds of the people who used to practice base jumping from the cliff edge! Trollveggen is situated around a 10 minute drive from Åndalsnes town and features on almost all excursion itineraries in the area. There is a lovely cafe and souvenir shop at the base of the wall with toilets and a beautiful play area for little ones.
Bjorli
High up in the mountains is a quaint little farm which doubles as a ski resort in the winter and camp site in the summer. Bjorli often features on cruise excursion itineraries as ‘visit a local farm’ or something of that nature. Whenever and however you visit, there is a charming shop packed full of handmade food, gifts and homewares. We visited in 2018 and thoroughly enjoyed the local ice cream [pictured below] despite there still being patches of snow on the ground! The farmer’s wife gave us a lovely insight in to what life was like for them, living a very traditional field-to-fork life, whilst trying to create a business that can provide a continual source of income year-round. They had recently turned a huge barn in to a unique wedding venue as a way of generating revenue in the quiet shoulder seasons, as well as welcoming groups of tourists visiting on cruise ships! As she spoke, her passion for her homeland shone through. That being said, every Norwegian person we have ever encountered has spoken of their love of nature, and it is in their culture to both thrive in and protect it in equal measure. Its one of the many reasons why we keep coming back to Norway.
Walking & Hiking from Åndalsnes
If you aren’t in the mood for an excursion and simply want to explore the immediate area on foot, there are plenty of options available to you. Walking and hiking maps are available at the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre, and each detail an approximate duration, distance and elevation to help you plan your day. Just remember to take plenty of water, snacks and waterproof layers as the conditions can be changeable to say the least! Fog, snow, drizzle, blazing sunshine… much like England, the fjords can offer up four seasons in a day!
Paddleboarding (SUP)
For those who want to feel the fjord as well as see it, Paddleboarding in Åndalsnes is a great option. The Istra river is so still, even I could maintain my balance! This makes a great adventure for couples and families with older children (8 years+) who love to have fun on the water. When you book with Fjord Tours, your transport, paddleboard, wetsuit, lifejacket and experienced guide are all included in the price, so it really is the full package. All you need to think about is your balance! Be sure to book your half-day adventure in advance so you don’t miss out – visit www.fjordtours.com for live pricing and availability.
Romsdalsstigen Via Ferrata – A Daring Mountain Adventure!
Via Ferrata is not for the faint of heart. Though much more secure and accessible than traditional climbing, the fixed rails and safety harnesses do little to quash the fear of falling a few thousand feet! If you do have a head for heights, there are 2 different Via Ferrata courses in operation on Romsdalsstigen. There is an Intro Wall for those willing to give it a try, and the more advanced West Wall for experienced climbers. Though there isn’t a strict age limit, participants must weigh between 40kgs-120kgs for safety reasons, so this activity is most suitable for those aged 14+. Whichever route you choose, you will be accompanied by an experienced guide, so at least you won’t get lost! To read more about Via Ferrata Romsdalsstigen, or to book, please visit www.fjordtours.com.
Our Memorable Day in Åndalsnes
We visited the local tourist information office upon arrival in to port and took a punt on booking a coach trip up to a mountain farm. This was the best decision we’ve ever made. The excursion started with a group viewing of the aforementioned ‘Trollfolk’ inside the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre before boarding a comfortable touring coach. The journey took us to Trollstigen & Trollveggen, stopping for a while to take photos and soak in the views. The coach continued up to a beautiful mountain farm near the Bjorli ski resort. As we travelled at the end of April, the skiing season had ended, and the hillside had fallen somewhat silent. We enjoyed authentic handmade lefse and coffee around a roaring fire, learned about life in rural Norway, browsed the charming farm shop and soaked in the mountain views. Even though all of this was truly magnificent, the coach driver was the real highlight. He gave us a wonderful account of what life is like in the fjords and kept us informed of what we were seeing on our journey. It was on the way back to the port that we got to experience something truly surreal… The driver stopped, pulled out his guitar, and started to serenade us with a traditional Norwegian song! Audience participation was not even an option – it was compulsory! This not only gave us a new ear-worm to take home, but an absolutely unforgettable memory which we often talk about to this day! It’s moments like this that keep us coming back to Norway again and again – the people are so incredible! Check out our Facebook page for the video, but be warned, this tune is catchy!
In Summary
If it is your first time visiting the area by cruise, my advice is to get off the ship as early as possible, march over to the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre where you will find the Visitor Centre. Ask them to book you an excursion that begins with a viewing of the Trollfolk film, then visiting Trollstigen and Trollveggen. What you choose to do in addition to that is then up to you based on what you and your travel companions enjoy. Rest assured, whether you choose to pre-book an excursion, purchase a tour upon arrival or simply amuse yourself on the day, you will find something truly awesome in Åndalsnes.
If you enjoyed this article, check out some of these:
A Day in Geiranger: Tourist Guide
A Day in Olden: Tourist Guide
A Day In Stavanger: Tourist Guide
Cruising The Norwegian Fjords
Top 5 Cruise Ports on a Norwegian Fjords Itinerary
Visiting Loen Skylift (from Olden)
Useful Links
Fjord Norway: www.fjordnorway.com
Fjord Tours: www.fjordtours.com
Visit Norway: www.visitnorway.com
Do you have any questions about Åndalsnes or cruising the Norwegian Fjords in general? Feel free to leave a comment and we’ll be sure to help where we can!
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