Now that it’s official and we’re going back to the Romsdal area this year, it was about time I wrote about our previous adventures. Because there’s a very good reason we’re going back: the hike along Romsdalseggen was our favorite hike EVER. An exaggerated statement? Perhaps. Read on and judge for yourself!
How do you get to Romsdalseggen?
Hiking Romsdalseggen there and back in one day is very ambitious, and nobody’s keen on the awkward hassle of leaving your car behind and taking a taxi back. That’s why you can use a super handy shuttle service! You book your bus ticket online, get on the bus in Åndalsnes and get dropped off at the end point of the hike. That way you can walk the whole route back and end up where you got on the bus. Handy, right? The bus leaves every day at 09:30 from Åndalsnes, and you can order your tickets here.
Good preparation is half the work
Make sure you’re well prepared before you start this hike. Romsdalseggen is a mountain ridge you shouldn’t underestimate. The hike is 10.3 kilometers and takes 8 hours on average. The first time, we took the longer route via Blånebba (18 kilometers) and were on our way for 9 hours and 58 minutes in total. That includes breaks and photo moments. The elevation gain of the hike is 970 meters. So quite a climb!
Wear sturdy, preferably waterproof boots with good tread. Bring a backpack with rain gear, dry and warm clothes (layers), enough food and drink, sunscreen and maybe even gloves and a hat. If you have sensitive knees, hiking poles are essential for the descent. Trust me. 😉
Slogging uphill in Venjesdalen
Once you’ve arrived at the parking lot in Venjesdalen, follow the road to the starting point of the hike. It’s on the right-hand side, by a little bridge you can’t miss. Our first time on Romsdalseggen started with dubious weather conditions. It was súper foggy and we could barely see where we were walking. Luckily the trail is well marked, and we could neatly cross the river as indicated and continue our way to Romsdalseggen.
The second time we climbed Romsdalseggen, however, it was 24 degrees. That was a whole different story! The first climb was pretty tough, but here you do walk along the water. Feel free to refill your water bottle and splash some water on your face! It’s even recommended, because once you start climbing, you won’t get that chance again. At the T-junction, turn left and stumble up the steep, uneven slope to the first big reward. Don’t forget to look back now and then, because the view gets a little more beautiful with every step you take.
Feasting your eyes on Steinfjellet
After this tough climb comes a moment that impresses me so much, time after time: reaching Steinfjellet (1168 meters above sea level). This is the first time you can look out over the entire Rauma valley, and it leaves me speechless every time. The view you have here is truly one to dream about, and for me it makes Romsdalseggen the most beautiful hike in Norway.
A ‘side trip’ to Blånebba
After a short break, a well-deserved snack and a photo moment on Steinfjellet, you have a choice to make. Do you turn right and continue on to Romsdalseggen? Or do you turn left to make a stop at Blånebba (1320 meters above sea level)? Blånebba is the highest point of the Romsdalseggen hike, and from there you have an even more beautiful view over the valley. We certainly couldn’t resist the temptation!
The amazing 360º view from Romsdalseggen
And that ‘side trip’ was so worth it! There was ab-so-lute-ly nobody on this remote corner of the hike, and while we ate our sandwiches, we had an insane 360º view of, among other things, the valley with the winding Rauma river in its middle.
From the ridge you can see just about all the famous peaks in the area. In the distance you can see Trollveggen, the famous Romsdalshorn and Vengetindene. Near the Isterdalen valley you can see Kongen, Dronninga and Store Trolltind. If you look closely, you can even see the Norwegian Sea! From here you also have a view of the ‘bowl’ where Litlefjellet is.
Scrambling on hands and feet toward Mjølvafjellet
If you continue from Blånebba to Romsdalseggen, you pass Steinfjellet again. And that’s when the party really starts! Because this is the moment you really start on the ‘eggen’ (= ridge). The climb to Mjølvafjellet that’s ahead of you now is not suitable for people with a fear of heights. A few times I accidentally looked down, and it honestly gave me slightly wobbly spaghetti legs. You don’t need any climbing experience or gear for this part, but it is a hands-and-feet scramble.
The big descent toward Åndalsnes
From Mjølvafjellet the big descent toward Åndalsnes begins. And when I say big, I mean BIG. Over the 7 kilometers you cover, you descend about 1100 meters. Along the way you’ll come across beautiful vistas and a few more celebrated spots. You pass the Nesaksla shelter, the Romsdalstrappa built by Sherpas and my personal favorite: the Rampestreken viewpoint.
Stumbling to the finish
The very last part takes you through a wooded area where you really have to lift your feet. Here you can see the roots of the trees winding across the ground in a special way, but you can trip over them spectacularly just as easily. And believe me when I say that after this hike it’s hard to lift your feet at all..
During this climb I must have thanked myself out loud 100 times for wearing decent mountain boots, otherwise I would have twisted my ankles countless times that day, and maybe worse. My hiking poles also came in especially handy on the descent, although the sore knees couldn’t be avoided completely.
The most beautiful hike in Norway
Despite the sore muscles and sore feet, this really is an adventure never to forget. For me this hike went down in history as the most beautiful hike in all of Norway, and after climbing it a second time I still think so. Have you ever done the hike along Romsdalseggen? Or do you know an even more beautiful hike? Leave a message below!
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