Romsdalsgondolen: all the beauty of Romsdal in one adventure
Following the tremendous success of the Loen Skylift, the Romsdalsgondolen in Åndalsnes opened on May 28, 2021. At 1,676 meters, it is the longest cable car in Norway and the first of its kind. It took thirteen months to construct the gondola and the accompanying viewpoint. The gondolas can accommodate 45 people and are also accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
Romsdals’ gondala
With the electric(!) gondola, you can reach the top of Mount Nesaksla, standing at 700 meters, in just 10 minutes—optionally with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee in hand. From the summit, you have breathtaking views of all the beauty Romsdal has to offer, but there’s even more to experience. In the summer of 2022, I was invited by the Romsdal gondola team to take a trip to the top. And of course, I’m taking you along on this adventure!
Golden hour in Åndalsnes
From the parking lot—conveniently located right next to the boarding point—you can already see the end point of the cable car. I’m not afraid of heights, but I still get a little flutter in my stomach whenever I embark on an adventure involving heights. My best friend and I had the gondola all to ourselves and made sure to look out of every window. Since we arrived at the Romsdalsgondolen towards the end of the day, we were treated to beautiful sunlight cascading over the mountain peaks. The dramatic contrast of the towering mountains and deep fjords is something you could gaze at forever, isn’t it?
The best of Romsdal in one place
When you step off the gondola after a brief 10-minute ride to the top, you immediately find yourself on the viewing platform. From this spot, you have a 360-degree view of all the beauty Romsdal has to offer: Åndalsnes, Isfjord, Romsdalsfjorden, Rauma, and all the surrounding mountain peaks. You can even see Romsdalshorn and Litlefjellet clearly, as long as there are no clouds in the valley. Whether you settle down on the terrace or wander around, you’ll be treated to a visual feast.
A trip to Rampestreken
You can, of course, choose to conquer the mountain on foot, as I’ve done several times. But from the viewpoint on Nesaksla, you can descend to Rampestreken in just 15-20 minutes, saving yourself quite the workout! Personally, I’m more into hiking in Norway, but I think it’s really cool that the mountain has become more accessible, especially in bad weather and snow. Naturally, we also took a short hike down to visit an old friend. Hei, Rampestreken!
It’s worth noting that it’s not recommended to hike the Romsdalseggen from this point, as you would be walking against the flow of traffic on the narrow ridge. If you do decide to embark on this adventure, make sure you’re well-prepared. Of course, you can always stop on your way back for a well-deserved meal and then take the cable car down.
Dining in the clouds
Because I enjoyed the view so much, I went back up the mountain with the Romsdal gondola a week later to have dinner in the clouds at Eggen Restaurant. I highly recommend it, but be sure to bring a well-stocked wallet… Though it’s no secret that dining out in Norway is expensive.
The menu was quite limited—something the restaurant does to reduce food waste—and not particularly vegetarian-friendly, but fortunately, I was able to get a delicious vegetarian risotto. We finished with a cheese platter, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
An evening at Mount Nesaksla
This place is not just amazing for its great food and delicious wine, but especially for the incredibly unique experience of watching the clouds constantly move around you. The restaurant is mostly made of glass, so you can endlessly gaze outside. It’s such a special experience! No wonder we were the last ones to leave the restaurant.
On the way down, it was even more special to watch the evening fall over Åndalsnes, a sight you don’t often get to see in the summer. Despite the rain that suddenly reached us, we could still enjoy the twinkling lights below.
Pricing for Romsdalsgondolen
Planning to visit the Romsdalsgondolen? Make sure to check the opening hours in advance (they vary by season) and easily purchase your tickets online on the Norwegian Travel website. It’s a significant amount, so you might also consider getting a one-way ticket and walking down the mountain. The descent takes about 40 minutes.
- Round trip adults: 440 NOK;
- Round trip children (ages 5-17): 220 NOK;
- One-way ticket adults: 300 NOK;
- One-way ticket children (ages 5-17): 150 NOK;
- Children (ages 0-5): Free.
Also, check out the family deal, day pass, and multi-day passes. Dogs, skis, and bicycles can be brought along free of charge.
