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.
Hotels and accommodation in and near Åndalsnes
The area at and around Åndalsnes in Romsdal has a large selection of hotels and other accommodation options.
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.
Below you can see some photos from Åndalsnes and the surrounding area from the innermost part of the Romsdalsfjord and Romsdalen valley.
Travel green with Rauma Railway to and from Åndalsnes by the Romsdalsfjord
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. Tom Cruise used the Rauma Railway when filming Mission Impossible 7.
The Rauma Railway is one of the country’s most beautiful and wildest railway sections. It starts at Dombås and ends 114 kilometers further west, at Åndalsnes down by the Romsdalsfjord.
The area through which the Rauma Railway runs houses some of Norway’s most famous tourist attractions. Trollveggen, Romsdalshorn and Rauma Elv are the most famous.
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.
Uteguiden – Guiding and activities at Åndalsnes
Uteguiden at Åndalsnes guides you to fantastic adventures in the area around Åndalsnes and the Romsdalsfjord, they offer guiding through all four seasons. Uteguiden has an office in the center of Åndalsnes, down by the harbour. There you can also rent kayaks and e-bikes in the summer season and ski equipment in the winter season.
In summer, you can take part in a guided hike over Romsdalseggen, scrambling to the top of Store Trolltind, climbing on Romsdalshorn, combined el-bike and mountain hikes and kayak tours on the Romsdalsfjord.
Romsdal is at “the top of the world” when it comes to the combination of snow, skiing, mountains and fjord views. Mt Kirketaket, Kjøvskardtind, Galtåbotn, Skarven, Blånebba, Smørbotn and Tarløysa are just some of the many mountains that are wonderful to experience on skis or splitboard.
Uteguiden organizes basic avalanche and ski-touring courses, and organizes guided ski-touring trips to the mountain that you want to go on. Uteguiden also offers rental of ski- and avalanche equipment, note that this must be ordered in advance.
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 at Åndalsnes
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 gondola goes from the fjord station at the center of Åndalsnes to the mountain station at Mt Nesaksla, 694 maf (meters above the fjord).
On the way up to the mountain station you have a fantastic view inwards to Isfjorden and the mountains behind, down to Åndalsnes and to the Romsdalsfjord. The mountain station is a great starting point for adventures in beautiful and wild nature. Season and opening hours; see Romsdalsgondolen Website.
Trollstigen in Romsdal
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.
Trollstigen is together with Geiranger and the Geirangerfjord one of the most visited attractions in Norway. The mountains which encircle the Trollstigen road are enormous. The Stigfossen Waterfall gushes down the mountainside towards the luscious Isterdalen Valley and in the middle of all this the Trollstigen Road winds its way up the mountainside.
From the Trollstigen Mountain Platou there is a short walk to the two Viewpoints which is great for taking pictures. Five to ten minutes walk from the parking.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TROLLSTIGEN MOUNTAIN ROAD
Trollstigen Mountain Road is closed in winter. Many of the roads in Western Norway are prone to rockfalls, landslides and avalanches, especially in rainy and snowy weather. Trollstigen Mountain Road is one of these roads and may therefore be closed during periods where the risk of rockfalls is high. See Vegvesen.no for information on whether Trollstigen Mountain Road is open or closed (in Norwegian only).
NOTE – TROLLSTIGEN MOUNTAIN ROAD CLOSED THROUGHOUT 2024
On 20 June 2024, it was decided that the Trollstigen Mountain Road will be closed for the whole of 2024 due to the high risk of rockfalls. The road at the back of Trollstigen, between Valldal and the Trollstigen Plateau, is open during the summer season.
Below you can see a 360 panorama from the highest point on the Trollstigen road, between Trollstigen and Slettvikane. At the bottom of the panorama, you will find navigation buttons that allow you to “travel” around and focus on places you want to take a closer look at. Some panoramas allow you to “jump” to other locations. The 360 panoramic pictures are provided by 360 Aircam by Arild Solberg.
The Troll Wall (Trollveggen) in Romsdalen
From Åndalsnes, drive eight kilometers up the Romsdalen Valley to the base of 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 and 50 meters overhang). The highest peaks at Trollveggen rage almost 1800 meters above the Romsdalen Valley.
One gets an idea of the great dimensions when a rockslide in the autumn of 1998 measured 2.2 on the Richters scale for earthquakes in Finland . Still, it is impossible to see with the naked eye where this happened, one has to be acquainted with the locality.
Trollveggen can be seen from Trollveggen Visitor Centre down in the Romsdalen Valley.
The Romsdalseggen hike
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 view from the Romsdalseggen ridge is fantastic, you can see mountains like Romsdalshorn, Vengetind and the Troll Wall (Trollveggen) around you.
You can see straight down to the Romsdalen Valley, and if you turn 180 degrees you will see the Romsdalsfjord and all the way out to the Atlantic Coast.
Romsdalseggen is a challenging hike. We recommend you to join a Guided Hike. Norsk Tindesenter at Åndalsnes organizes Guided Hikes over Romsdalseggen.
The prize is a fantastic view over the Romsdalen Valley and the Romsdalsfjord. From Romsdalseggen you can actually see all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
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.
Norsk Tindesenter is starting point for the spectacular climbing experience Romsdalsstigen Via Ferrata and deliver tailored guiding in the Romsdal mountains.
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 several fishing spots in the Rauma river, some of the spots are located just below the Troll Wall.
NOTE – For various reasons, rivers may be closed for fishing for all or parts of the season at short notice.
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.
The species fished for are usually pollock, cod, haddock, ling, tusk, halibut, whiting, mackerel, herring, various flounder species, several deep-water species, various gilt species and skate 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.
Hiking to Rampestreken Viewpoint at Åndalsnes
Romsdalstrappa at Åndalsnes is a popular hiking-trail among locals and tourists. It is “mandatory” to have a stop for a selfie at the Rampestreken Viewpoint at 537 masl.
Romsdalstrappa and Rampestreken is part of the hike on 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 (long and heavy hike).
The normal way to visit Rampestreken is to hike upwards from Åndalsnes to Rampestreken at 537 meters above the Romsdalsfjord (1-2 hour trip each way, steep and heavy hike).
You can also take the Romsdal gondola to Eggen Restaurant and hike down to Rampestreken.
From Rampestreken there is a fantastic view towards the Romsdalsfjord, down to the Rauma river and towards the Isterdalen valley and Trollstigen.
Isfjorden at the innermost part of the Romsdalsfjord
Isfjorden is a village at the innermost part of the Romsdalsfjord, close to Åndalsnes in Møre og Romsdal county. From Isfjorden there are easy arrivals to the surrounding valleys and mountains which is great for adventures.
Some of Norways most famous mountains are located in Isfjorden and nearby: Romsdalshorn, the Troll Wall (Trollveggen), Vengetind, Blånebba, Juratind, Kirketaket and Torshammaren are some of them. The Romsdalseggen hike is one of Norway´s most scenic hikes, and starts in Vengedalen valley in Isfjorden.
The fjord also invites you to activities; swimming, kayaking and fishing trips in idyllic surroundings. The rivers Isa and Glutra are great rivers for salmon and trout fishing.
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 is one of several side valleys in Isfjorden in Romsdal. The nature experiences are there for everyone, whether you choose to walk, cycle or drive along the road into the valley, or to experience the valley from all the mountains that lie there like pearls on a string.
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 in Vengedalen
Drive to Isfjorden and continue to Liabygda. In Liabygda, at the start of the road to Vengedalen, there is a toll road. Continue for about seven kilometers along Vengedalsvegen, past lake Vengedalsvatnet, to the foot of Mt Litlefjellet.
It takes about 30 minutes to hike up to Mt Litlefjellet, which is a mountain ridge at around 660m – 790m above sea level.
From the mountain ridge at Litlefjellet there is a fantastic view down to the Romsdalen valley and to all the mountains that surround you; Trollveggen, Romsdalshorn, Vengetind and Blånebba are some of them.
From there you can see straight down to Rauma river, which meanders far down in Romsdalen and all the way down to Åndalsnes by the Romsdalsfjord.
Hiking to Kavliheian Mountain Pasture in Isfjorden
The hike to Kavliheian in Isfjorden is a short and easy hike, and is a great hike for families with small kids. Fjord view towards the Romsdalsfjord is included.
Drive 2.5 kilometers eastwards from the center of Isfjorden to Øvre Kavli. From Øvre Kavli, at the crossroads where Romsdal Lodge is located, it is around three kilometers to drive to the parking lot at the end of the mountain road (toll road).
From the parking lot you have a great view towards Åndalsnes and the Romsdalsfjord. Turn around and you see eastwards towards mountains like Mt Juratind which is one of the most beautiful and majestic.
It is one a kilometer easy hike in flat terrain to the mountain pasture at Kavliheian. This is also a great starting point for more demanding hikes in the Isfjorden mountains.
Kavliheian is also a popular goal for cross-country skiers in winter. Usually there are well prepared ski tracks to Kavliheian and further into the valley. You can start your ski trip from the car park at Skytebanen (Shooting range) or from Hellerøra at Stormyra in Isfjorden.
Einangsetra – Fantastic view towards Åndalsnes
The hike to Einangsetra is short with fantastic view down to the Romsdalsfjord, Åndalsnes and to Romsdalen. Drive nine kilometers west from the center of Isfjorden. Turn to the right at Vikabukta and drive up the toll road to the parking lot at Skorgedalen.
The hike to Einangsetra starts from the parking lot at Skorgedalen. Cross the bridge and follow the gravel road eastwards to the end. The trail is marked from there to Einangsetra. The hike is easy and will take you around 40 minutes.
You walk in the forest until you reach Einangsetra and can enjoy the wiew towards the Romsdalsfjord, Åndalsnes, the Romsdalen Valley and the surrounding mountains like Romsdalshorn and the Troll Wall (Trollveggen).
Torvika/Klungnes by the Romsdalsfjord
Klungnes is an idyllic fjord village with a great view towards the inner part of the Romsdalsfjord and the Romsdal mountains.
Take a short detour by car (about 2.5 kilometers) from Riksvei 64 at Torvika between Åndalsnes and Åfarnes in Romsdal.
From the start at Torvika, you have a view towards the inner part of Romsdalsfjord, towards Isfjorden with Mt Kirketaket and Juratind, and towards Åndalsnes and Romsdalseggen.
Further out towards Klungnes and the outer part of the road you can see straight across the Romsdalsfjord to Innfjorden and the beautiful mountains that surround the village.
Here you can see everything from the road, so you don’t have to walk to get the great view. But we recommend that you park the car and walk along the road to get an even better experience.
Lerheimskollen – one of the best views in Romsdal
Lerheimskollen, or Kollen, is a nice mountain hike where the prize is a fantastic view over the Romsdalsfjord, the Rødven Peninsula and Rødvenfjorden. The view from Lerheimskollen is out of this world and one of the most beautiful views in Romsdal.
From Lerheimskollen you can see almost the entire Romsdalsfjord and the entire Rødvenfjorden with Klungnes, Gjerdsetvatnet, Innfjorden, Måndalen, Eidsbygda, Rødven and Holmemstranda.
You can see Molde in the distance and actually all the way to the islands at the far end of the Romsdalsfjord, where the fjord and the Atlantic ocean meet.
Lake Herjevatnet and Mt Tarløysa in Romsdal
Mt Tarløysa is located in the middle of the Romsdalsfjord. From the top there is a fantastic view inwards towards the mighty Romsdal mountains, across the entire Romsdalsfjord and all the way to the Atlantic coast. Here you can see Romsdal and the Romsdalsfjord in all its glory.
The hike to Tarløysa starts from the car park (376 m) at Nysetra at Holmemstranda. Take the main road and follow the 3.5 kilometer toll road that starts four kilometers southeast of Åfarnes.
From Nysetra it is also nice to go for a walk around Lake Herjevatnet, which is located at 438 meters above sea level. A nice walking trail has been created around the lake, from the car park at Nysetra it is about two kilometers to walk to lake Herjevatnet. If you take the round trip around Lake Herjevatnet, there is a total of 10 kilometers to walk.
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.
Rødven Stavkirke is open for guided tours in the summer and by appointment. See the website of Rødven Stave Church for season and opening hours.
Road Trip Geiranger – Trollstigen – The Atlantic Road
If you want to see the best of the fjords, the mountains and the ocean in western Norway, this is the road trip for you.
The route between Geiranger via Trollstigen to the Atlantic Road, Kristiansund and Molde includes one UNESCO World Heritage (the Geirangerfjord), two National Tourist Routes (Geiranger – Trollstigen and the Atlantic Road) and one “construction of the twentieth century” (the Atlantic Road).
This is a 200 kilometer long stretch of road in a landscape varying from deep and narrow fjords, steep and dramatic snowcapped mountains, cascading waterfalls and rivers, green valleys, numerous isles and a weather-beaten ocean landscape.
You can drive this stretch of road in one day, the drive alone is a great experience. But we recommend that you spend a few days, so that you can see and experience all the detours, the great places and the spectacular nature.
Road Trip Åndalsnes – Geiranger – Sæbø
The Romsdalsfjord, Geirangerfjord and Hjørundfjord are the three most beautiful and best-known fjords in the fjord county of Møre og Romsdal.
Here you can read about a road trip from Åndalsnes via Geiranger to Sæbø and what you can see and do in the three fjords that you will experience on the trip. You can do this drive in a day, but if you spend a week or two, you will get so much more.
This road trip starts at Åndalsnes by the Romsdalsfjord and ends in Sæbø by the Hjørundfjord. You drive through some of the wildest and most beautiful landscape we have in Norway.
You get to experience the alpine mountains by the Romsdalsfjord, the National Tourist Route Trollstigen – Geiranger, the fantastic ferry trip out of the Geirangerfjord from Geiranger to Hellesylt and the beautiful and wild Norangsdalen valley on the way to the village of Øye and the Hjørundfjord.
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.
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.
Drive to the viewpoint Varden at 407 masl and take in the spectacular Molde Panoramic View towards the Romsdalsfjord and the 222 snowcapped mountains. Ona Island and Ona Lighthouse, The Atlantic Road and Midsundtrappene are attractions facing the Atlantic Ocean.
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 Mt Nesaksla 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.
Hotels and accommodation in and near Åndalsnes
The area at and around Åndalsnes in Romsdal has a large selection of hotels and other accommodation options.
Åndalsnes and Isfjorden are the largest towns in the area, which lies deep in the Romsdalsfjord.
There is a large selection of different types of accommodation, from great hotels and campsites to cozy houses and cabins with fantastic fjord views. Here you can see a list of places to stay in the area around Åndalsnes and at the inner part of Romsdal.
Åndalsnes and Romsdal – Useful Links
Online Booking Romsdalseggen Bus
Romsdal.com – Hiking Guide to the mountains 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