Åndalsnes is the “Hub” in Romsdal, and is situated in the middle of all the things that is worth seeing and doing in the Romsdalsfjord area.
Åndalsnes is a great place to stay if you want to see and explore Trollstigen, Trollveggen, the Rauma Railway and the Romsdalseggen Ridge.
Visit Northwest
Visit Northwest is the official destination company for the Romsdalsfjord, Romsdal and Nordmøre area.
A story from Peru in 1988. I was sitting at a bar talking to an American. The young man had traveled the world for four years and was on his way back to the States. The parents believed that all young people needed such a journey, a formative journey. I asked him what he remembered best from his adventure. Something that had stucked with him.
There were three places he would never forget, he said. The first was a lagoon on an island in the Pacific Ocean. Then there was Nepal. The third was as follows:
– I took the night train from Oslo, to a small place called Andalsness. I didn’t sleep that much on the train and that was fortunate. At end of the journey, the train went down a narrow valley called Romsdalen. The sun was coming up and set color on the mountains. I’ve never seen anything like it. Maybe the most beautiful place I’ve ever been…
The young Mr. Grøvdal becamed moved when he replied … “That’s where I’m born” ❤
Roger Grøvdal – from Åndalsnes
Some highlights from Åndalsnes and the surrounding area
Åndalsnes is a great place to stay if you want to see and explore Trollstigen, the Rauma Railway and the Romsdalseggen Ridge.
The Romsdalen Valley and the Åndalsnes area (Norway’s Tirol) and well known mountains Troll Wall (Trollveggen), Romsdalshorn and Vengetind. The National Tourist Route Geiranger – Trollstigen.
Take the Romsdal Gondola up to the city mountain Nesaksla or hike the Romsdalstrappa Trail or the Romsdalseggen Mountain Ridge, one of Norway´s hiking icons. Romsdalsstigen Via Ferrata is also a must when you are in the area. The hike to Mt Litlefjellet is short, but the view you get at the summit is great.
The mountains in Romsdal, all of them “delivered” with fjord-view, are great for hiking, mountaineering, climbing, cycling and skiing, and attracts visitors from all over the world.
Visit Romsdal
Visit Romsdal is the local Tourist Information for Åndalsnes and Romsdal. The Tourist Information is located at the center of Åndalsnes, at Skysstasjonen in the same building as the Railway Station.
Travel to Åndalsnes
You can reach Åndalsnes by car, six hours from Oslo or four hours from Trondheim. By train to the end-station Åndalsnes at one of Norways most spectacular railways, Rauma Railway. The Rauma Railway between Dombås and Åndalsnes is voted as Europe´s most scenic Rail Journey by Lonely Planet. The nearest airport is in Molde, then one hour by bus or car to Åndalsnes.
Grocery Stores and Petrol Stations at Åndalsnes
There are several grocery stores at Åndalsnes. Coop Extra is located in the center of Åndalsnes. Kiwi, Rema 1000 and Bunnpris are located at Øran, just south of the city centre. Look at the stores’ websites for opening times and maps with location information. There are also several petrol stations with options for charging of electric cars at Åndalsnes.
Travel green with Rauma Railway to Åndalsnes
The Rauma Railway between Dombås and Åndalsnes is voted as Europe´s most scenic Rail Journey by Lonely Planet. Take the train to the end-station Åndalsnes at one of Norways most spectacular railways.
Romsdalen – the valley that nothing can compare to
Romsdalen valley is unique. The wild nature with Rauma river, the cultural landscape and the vertical mountains on both sides of the valley are a major tourist attraction and one of the reasons why people visit Romsdal and the Romsdalsfjord. The entire Romsdalen valley is wild and beautiful, and very varied. One of the wildest areas in Romsdalen is where the rivers Rauma and Ulvåa meet. Another area, between the Trolltindene mountains and Mt Romsdalshorn, is if possible even wilder, but in a completely different way.
On either side of the Rauma river, the vertical mountains tower almost 1,800 meters above the narrow valley. These are mountains that also tower over Norway’s alpine history. Trollveggen is probably one of the most famous mountains in Norway, and probably the most famous Norwegian mountain in the world. At least among the climbers. Trollveggen is Europe’s highest vertical cliff. From the bottom of Romsdalen up to the top of Trollveggen is almost 1,800 metres. Of this, more than 1,000 meters are vertical with more than 50 meters overhang.
The video below is from a drive down Romsdalen, from the Gravdefossen waterfall near Flatmark to Trollveggen Camping, which is located below Trollveggen. The last part is a short detour, along the old road that runs from the exit at Romsdalshorn along the Rauma river with Trollveggen in the background.
The Romsdal Gondola
From fjord to mountain in four and a half minutes. From Eggen Restaurant at the top of Mt Nesaksla you have a fantastic view down to Åndalsnes and the Romsdalsfjord. The Romsdal Gondola opened in the summer of 2021. The gondola goes from the fjord station at the center of Åndalsnes to the mountain station at Mt Nesaksla, 694 maf (meters above the fjord).
Trollstigen
Trollstigen is one of our tourist icons. It is part of the Geiranger-Trollstigen National Tourist Route, 18 kilometer from Åndalsnes. The Mountain Road with it´s 11 hairpin turns is closed during winter, it usually opens late May. From the Trollstigen Mountain Platou there is a short walk to the two new Viewpoints which is great for taking pictures. Five to ten minutes walk from the parking.
The Troll Wall (Trollveggen) in Romsdalen
From Åndalsnes, drive eight kilometers up the Romsdalen Valley to the base of the Troll Wall (Trollveggen) and Romsdalshorn. From here there are great views to the surrounding mountains, to the valley and to Rauma River. Trollveggen is the tallest vertical Rock Face in Europe (more than 1000 meters vertical cliff with and 50 meters overhang). The highest peaks at Trollveggen rage almost 1800 meters above the Romsdalen Valley. Trollveggen can be seen from Trollveggen Visitor Center down in the Romsdalen Valley.
Hiking Romsdalseggen
Romsdalseggen in Romsdal has in short time become one of the most popular hikes in Norway. The hike starts in the Vengedalen Valley in Isfjorden and ends in the city center of Åndalsnes. The prize is a fantastic view over the Romsdalen Valley and the Romsdalsfjord.
The Norwegian Mountaineering Centre at Åndalsnes
Norsk Tindesenter is a visitor centre at Åndalsnes, in the heart of Romsdalen Valley. The centre accommodates the Norwegian Mountaineering Museum, Norway’s highest indoor climbing wall, a restaurant and a gift shop. The centre is starting point for the spectacular climbing experience Romsdalsstigen Via Ferrata.
Salmon Fishing below the Troll Wall, in the river Rauma
In Norway, salmon fishing in the rivers has been important to people since the dawn of time. At the end of the 19th century, the salmon rivers also became an important source of secondary income for those who owned the rivers. That was when the English tourists discovered Norway, and the Salmon Lords became a well-known phenomenon. It was people from the English upper classes that travelled to Norway and the fjords to fish for Atlantic Salmons in the rivers.
The river Rauma, which runs through the Romsdalen Valley and past the Troll Wall, was one of the rivers which the salmon lords liked. Today, Elveguiden offers salmon fishing in 26 fishing spots in the Rauma river, several of the spots are located just below the Troll Wall.
Romsdalsstigen Via Ferrata
Romsdalsstigen Via Ferrata consists of two adventurous climbing trails: the Intro wall and the West wall, both of them are tailored with steel wires and iron steps. Challenge yourself by climbing up the rock wall without being a mountaineer. It is highly recommended to go along with one of the highly skilled via-ferrata guides. Starting point at The Norwegian Mountaineering Centre. Video by Tarjei Husøy.
Fjord Fishing on the Romsdalsfjord
Skipper and fishing guide John Kofoed takes you on an exciting fishing adventure after large fish or specific species of fish, all according to your wishes. The fishing banks are very close by Åndalsnes, and the Romsdalsfjord can offer the chance of big fish and a wide variety of species. All the fishing trips depart from the city center at Åndalsnes. Season all year. In the video below, John Kofoed’s fishing boat is on its way to Åndalsnes after a fishing trip on the Romsdalsfjord.
The Summer Boat on the Romsdalsfjord
The North West Experience’s summer boat takes you on unforgettable experiences on the Romsdalsfjord. The boat runs between Molde, Hjertøya, Veøya, Åndalsnes, Vestnes and Midsund. You can go on and jump off where you want. They also offer other boat trips that can be booked on request.
Hiking to Rampestreken Viewpoint at Åndalsnes
Part of the Romsdalseggen Ridge between Isfjorden and Åndalsnes in Romsdal. You can do the long hike along Romsdalseggen, and you will pass Rampestreken Viewpoint on the descend down to Åndalsnes. Or you can hike upwards from Åndalsnes to the viewpoint at 537 meters above the Romsdalsfjord (1-2 hour trip each way, steep and heavy hike).
Isfjorden at the innermost part of the Romsdalsfjord
Isfjorden is a village at the innermost part of the Romsdalsfjord, close to Åndalsnes. Easy arrivals to the surrounding valleys and mountains which are great for adventures.
Vengedalen Valley in Isfjorden
There are many valleys that are claimed to be “Norway’s most beautiful”. Vengedalen Valley is one of them. What is certain is that the Vengedalen is right up there in the lead. Vengedalen has been a favorite destination for both locals and tourists since the dawn of time. It is primarily the sport of climbing that has put Vengedalen in Isfjorden on the map of Norway. Today, Vengedalen is best known for being the starting point of the Romsdalseggen and Litlefjellet hikes.
Hike to Mt Litlefjellet
Do the 30 minutes hike up to Mt Litlefjellet, a mountain ridge (660m – 790 masl). Fantastic view down to the Romsdalen Valley and the surrounding mountains; Mt Trollveggen, Romsdalshorn, Vengetind and Blånebba. You can also see the beautiful Rauma River down in the Romsdalen Valley, meandering down to Åndalsnes by the Romsdalsfjord.
Hiking to Kavliheian Mountain Pasture
Drive to Isfjorden in Romsdal. Keep driving east, approximately 2.5 kilometer to Øvre Kavli. From there, around three kilometer (tollroad) to parking lot at the end of the road. From the parking lot you have a great view towards the Romsdalsfjord and Åndalsnes. Between one and two kilometers easy hike to Kavliheian.
Torvika/Klungnes by the Romsdalsfjord
A short detour by car (approximately 2.5 kilometer) from Riksvei 64 at Torvika between Åndalsnes and Åfarnes in Romsdal. Beautiful view towards the Romsdalsfjord and Innfjorden with it´s surrounding mountains. View from the road, no hiking necessary. But we recommend you to park the car at Torvika and walk along the road to Klungnes to get an even better experience.
Tarløysa in Romsdal
Mt Tarløysa is located in the middle of the Romsdalsfjord. From the summit there is a great view towards the alpine mountains in Romsdal, towards the Romsdalsfjord and all the way to the Atlantic Coast outside Molde. Tarløysa is a popular hiking destination, there you get to see Romsdal in all its glory.
Rødven Stave Church in Rødven
Rødven Stave Church is situated in Rødven down by the beautiful Rødvenfjord which is a branch of the Romsdalsfjord. It is believed that Rødven Stave Church was built around year 1300 AD, but the stave church has older wood-materials and is probably from between year 1100 and 1200 AD. Rødven Stave Church is one of two stave churches that have exterior wooden pillars to support and to stiffen the building structure.
Romsdalsfjord – What to See and Do
From snowy mountains to beautiful coastline of islands and reefs. Experience all this in one day due to the short distance from mountains to coast. Ona Island and Lighthouse, The Atlantic Road and Midsundtrappene are attractions facing the Atlantic Ocean. Trollstigen, The Troll Wall, Romsdalseggen, Rampestreken and Litlefjellet are great places to visit in the inner part of the Romsdalsfjord, where the fjord meets the spectacular and alpine Romsdal mountains. Travel green to Åndalsnes with Rauma Railway, a wild, beautiful and unique experience regardless of season. From Åndalsnes Railway Station, you can walk straight from the train and over to the Romsdal Gondola that takes you up to the city-mountain Mt Nesaksla and Eggen Restaurant. From there you have a fantastic view towards Isfjorden, down to the Romsdalsfjord and up towards the Romsdalen Valley which you have just experienced from the train ride along the Rauma Railway. The Romsdalsfjord is located in the county of Møre og Romsdal, north in Western Norway.
Accommodation at Åndalsnes and Romsdal
Grand Hotel at Åndalsnes
Frich´s Ekspress Hotel Åndalsnes
Aak Hotel in Romsdalen by Åndalsnes
Åndalsnes Vandrerhjem at Setnes at Veblungsnes
Åndalsnes Camping by Rauma River at Åndalsnes
Mjelva Camping at Mjelva at Åndalsnes
Soggebru Camping at Sogge at Åndalsnes
Trollstigen Resort at Sogge at Åndalsnes
Trollstigen Gjestegård og Camping in Isterdalen below Trollstigen
Trollveggen Camping by the Troll Wall in Romsdalen
Accommodation in Isfjorden
Åndalsnes and Romsdal – Useful Links
Online Booking Romsdalseggen Bus
Romsdal.com – Hiking Guide to the mointains in Romsdal
Norsk Tindesenter at Åndalsnes
Fjords.com – Åndalsnes in Romsdal
Fjords.com – Trollstigen in Romsdal
Fjords.com – The Romsdalsfjord
Fjords.com – Romsdalseggen
Fjords.com – Romsdal Gondola
Fjords.com – Rauma Railway