Trollstigen

Trollstigen ('The Troll Ladder') ; is made up of eleven hairpin bends on county road 63 at the end of Isterdalen valley in the Rauma municipality. The Trollstigvegen road connects Valldal in Sunnmøre to Romsdalen and Rauma. The road is only open during the summer, usually from mid-May until the first snowfall in the autumn. After being under construction for almost eight years, the road was opened by King Haakon VII on July 31st 1936. The road was constructed following approximately the same path as a more ancient path called Kløvstien. This old traffic artery between Romsdal and Sunnmøre has been restored and signs have been put up, including signs indicating the footpath. The biggest challenge was the steep gradient at the edge of Isterdalen where the road zigzags its way up to Stigrøra. The eleven hairpin bends each have a radius of about 10 meters. Below the 180 metre high Stigfossen waterfall there is a bridge, and when the water flow is high, water splashes across the bridge. Because of repeated rock avalanches, especially in the winter, and parts of the road being destroyed, part of the road was rerouted in 2005. Two new bridges had to be built across the river Istra. The Trollstigvegen road is one of Norway's most visited tourist attractions. At the summit of Stigrøra, there is a large car park and a viewpoint.