Åndalsnes is THE mecca for climbers, mountain hikers, mountain bikers, cyclists, swimmers, kayakers.. Every outdoor lover can enjoy themselves to their heart’s content here. Winding rivers, blue-green fjords, thundering waterfalls, dizzying hairpin bends and rugged mountain peaks take turns in the heart of fjord Norway. That makes Åndalsnes the perfect base for adventures in nature. I’ve collected endless tips from travel guides, the Lonely Planet, travel blogs and Tripadvisor, tried everything out and came to the conclusion that these are the most fun things to do in Åndalsnes (in random order)!
Åndalsnes – a playground for grown-ups
Åndalsnes is a small town (or really more of a village) with 3000 inhabitants, located in the county of Møre og Romsdal, where the Rauma river and the Romsdalsfjord meet. The place is surrounded by inviting mountain peaks and is home to, among others, the famous Trollstigen, Romsdalseggen and Rampestreken.
“Then he told him about Åndalsnes, a tiny settlement up in Romsdalen valley, surrounded by high mountains which were so beautiful that his mother had always said that that was where God had started when he was creating the world, and that He had spent so long on Romsdalen that the rest of the world had to be done posthaste to be finished by Sunday. ”
– Jo Nesbø, The Bat
(source: www.visitnorway.com)
1. Romsdalseggen
The first one right away is one of the most special: Romsdalseggen. This is my favorite hike of all the hikes we’ve ever done in Norway. You walk along a mountain ridge – sometimes on hands and feet – with views on all sides. It’s a tough 10.3-kilometer climb with an elevation gain of 970 meters that takes about 8 hours (I usually take around 10 hours myself, with breaks and photo moments). Make sure you’re well prepared before you start this hike, and at the very least wear the right shoes. If you have sensitive knees, hiking poles are indispensable for the descent. You can take a bus to the end point of the hike and then hike back over the ridge, super handy! You’ll find more information on my blog about Romsdalseggen.
2. Litlefjellet
Litlefjellet (literally ‘little mountain’) is hands down my favorite spot in the Åndalsnes area. I love coming here to stare at the sunset, drink tea and eat chocolate, and of course to take photos. Because it’s super photogenic here! And you don’t have to work that hard at all to get here. Whatever you do, don’t enter ‘Litlefjellet’ in Google Maps! Because then you’ll end up somewhere completely different.. From Riksveg 64, follow the signs to Isfjorden and continue on to Liabygda. After 2 kilometers, turn left toward Vengedalen and keep following the Vengedalen signs. Take the toll road (and don’t forget your credit card) to Vengedalsvatnet and park your car just past the lake. Then you can head up the mountain on the right to Litlefjellet! Within 20 minutes you’ll be standing on top of this romantic spot. Don’t forget your picnic basket!
3. Norsk Tindesenter
The Norsk Tindesenter is a restaurant, terrace, museum, movie theater, little souvenir shop, climbing wall AND tourist information office all in one. Here you can learn all about the history of mountaineering, have a delicious meal, go indoor climbing or book a guided mountain hike or Via Ferrata adventure. The center is in the middle of Åndalsnes, right next to the train station. With its striking pointed roof, you practically can’t miss the building.
4. Eating burgers at Sødahlhuset
The interior is cozy, quaint and quirky, there’s no table service (it’s self-service) and the art on display has to be your thing, but the food.. Is fantastic! We love coming here for a rhubarb juice and a delicious vegetarian burger with avocado and mango. YUMMY!
5. Rampestreken
550 meters above Åndalsnes hangs Rampestreken, a viewpoint that’s guaranteed to make your knees go weak. A hike to the viewpoint takes about an hour, but it’s quite a climb. Make sure you have good shoes and a good camera! You can park your car at the little white building on your right as you drive toward Åndalsnes center. Are you planning to hike Romsdalseggen? Then you’ll pass Rampestreken on your way down anyway. Climbing Rampestreken on its own? Then consider walking another 20 minutes to Nesaksla – a little stone building that’s a good shelter from the rain and on a sunny day offers an EVEN more beautiful view over Romsdalen and Trollstigen.
6. Trollstigen
When you think of Åndalsnes, you quickly think of Trollstigen – the end point of one of the most beautiful National Tourist Routes in Norway. This winding road full of hairpin bends attracts road trip lovers from all over the world. At the top of Trollstigen there’s a viewpoint that hangs above the Stigfossen waterfall and – provided it’s not cloudy – gives you a view over the entire Isterdalen valley and of course Trollstigen. At the top you can also have a cup of coffee, buy souvenirs and see a mini exhibition of photos of the construction. You’ll find more information and photos in my blog about Trollstigen.
7. Mannen
Do you like a bit of excitement and thrills? Then you definitely shouldn’t skip Mannen. This mountain is as notorious as it is famous. From the top you have a stunning view over the Romsdal valley, but at the same time this mountain could break off at any moment, crash down into the valley and cause a major flood. Luckily the mountain is constantly monitored with all kinds of measuring equipment. That way people can be evacuated well in time. Until then, you can climb the mountain and see the measuring equipment up close! You start the hike just after the famous Trollstigen viewpoint (or before it, if you’re coming from Geiranger) and climb about 666 meters in total. You can park along the road by Alnesvatnet, cross the little bridge and start the hike. Want to read more? Check out my blog about Mannen.
8. Eiafossen/Trollveggen
One of the biggest eye-catchers of Åndalsnes is Trollveggen. This pointy mountain peak is the top of Europe’s tallest vertical rock face and a recognizable landmark in the area. From every mountaintop you can climb in the area, you look at this Lord of the Rings-like sight from a different angle. But you can also look at it from below! And then it suddenly seems VERY high. A hike along Eiafossen is only three kilometers long and the elevation gain is no more than 40 meters. So within an hour and a half you’re back at the car! Which, by the way, you can perfectly park at the Trollveggen Visitor Centre. Want to read more about the hike? Then read my blog about Eiafossen.
9. Kammen
Believe it or not, even in Norway it sometimes gets SO hot that the best thing to do is lie down on the beach. That’s how we ended up at Kammen last year when it was 29 degrees. A cute little beach on the Isfjord in Åndalsnes. Water shoes are no unnecessary luxury here, but the view is amazing. From the center you can simply follow the ‘Kammen’ signs to the parking lot. From there, follow the footpath until you reach the little beach. There are restrooms and a shower, and a few picnic tables here and there. Perfect for a day of recovering after an adventure on Romsdalseggen, for example!
10. Raumabanen
Raumabanen is a 114-kilometer train journey along and across the Rauma river. This river winds from Åndalsnes to Dombås via several rapids and waterfalls, through vast lakes and deep gorges. The train journey passes 18 special highlights along the river in just 1 hour and 40 minutes. Thanks to the train’s extra-large windows and the audio commentary, you learn all kinds of things about (the history of) the area in a short time. According to Lonely Planet, this is one of Europe’s most beautiful train journeys! Want to know more about the journey or reserve your train tickets already? Then read my blog about Raumabanen.
11. Bispevatnet
A hike to Bispevatnet is a popular way to spend an afternoon. The climb is only 290 meters, because you already start at an altitude of 747 meters. In total the hike takes about 2 hours. You can park your car in the large parking lot at the Trollstigen viewpoint or just a bit further, past the bridge at Strupen. From there, follow the road for 30 meters, cross over and take the path marked with a red T. (There are lots of cairns that tourists have built over the years. This can be a bit confusing.) At the top you can enjoy a stunning view over Trollstigen and all the mountain peaks in the area. From here you could continue along the path between Bispen and Kongen. That is a somewhat tougher hike, though, and even a little dangerous when it rains. Keep that in mind!
12. Romsdalsgondolen
In 2021 Romsdalsgondolen opened its doors. With this cable car you’re on top of the mountain Nesaksla, 708 meters above sea level, in no time. From here you can walk (down) to Rampestreken within 20 minutes, but you can also have a lovely dinner up there or simply enjoy the stunning view.
You can find more information and order tickets on the website of Romsdalsgondolen.
Want more adventure? Then consider a trip to Geiranger, Ålesund or a road trip over Aursjøvegen combined with a hike to Mardalsfossen!
