Google Maps™ – Åndalsnes in Rauma

The town Åndalsnes in the Rauma municipality seen from the north side of the fjord (Isfjorden). The distant mountain on the left side is Romsdalshorn and on the right side the raggy ridge Trolltindene can be seen above the closer and less spectacular mountain Norafjellet. Between Romsdalshorn and Trolltindene runs the main valley Romsdalen and to the right, in front of Norafjellet, is the mouth of the valley Isterdalen (leading to Trollstigen).
(2010-09-09)

A street in Åndalsnes with the mountain Romsdalshorn to the left and a glimpse of Trolltindene top right. The town itself has a little more than 2000 inhabitants, while the total number in the municipality is above 7000, but during the summer tourist season these numbers may increase considerably. The town itself is quite tranquil and spacious, and there is free parking everywhere.
(2010-09-09)

A sunny day in September at the harbor and town center. The train station is discernible on the left.
(2010-09-09)

The railway down the valley Romsdalen to Åndalsnes, Raumabanen, was opened in 1924. This 114 km side line from the main line between Oslo and Trondheim was never electrified. Most side lines have been found uneconomical and are closed down, but this one is a tourist attraction. Three–four passenger trains are leaving Åndalsnes every day, but freight traffic seems to have terminated lately, just have a look at the picture.
(2010-09-09)

Åndalsnes town, bridge across the railway.
(2010-09-09)

Another street in Åndalsnes
(2010-09-09)

And another house in Åndalsnes
(2010-09-09)

The name of the river running down the valley Romsdalen is Rauma. It might not be evident, but the name of the valley was once derived from the name of the river. The name of the river was also taken as the name of the municipality. The mountain in the middle is Romsdalshorn (alt. 1550 m). Although surrounding mountains are higher, Romsdalshorn is very conspicuous and the natural 'trade mark' of this district.

With the risk of adding to the name confusion, it should be mentioned that Romsdal used to be the name of a much larger administrative district extending all the way to the coast. The district Romsdal still exists and its 'capital' is Molde, but it's just a part of a larger administrative unit (Møre og Romsdal). Repeating: Romsdalen (the valley) – Romsdal ('large' district).
(2010-09-09)

The footbridge seen in the previous picture leads to one of several tourist camps in the area. The mountains beyond are (from the left) Bispen (1462 m), Kongen (1614 m) and Dronninga (1544 m). They stand on the west side of the valley Isterdalen. This valley has an abrupt end that is climbed by a part of the road called Trollstigen, see below.
(2010-09-09)

The mountain Bispen (the Bishop) with the uppermost stretch of Trollstigen. Behind Bispen stands Kongen (the King) and, close to Kongen and less visible, Dronninga (the Queen). To the left the upper part of the waterfall Stigfossen. It's autumn and the sun doesn't shine on lower parts of Trollstigen.
(2004-10-01)

Trollstigen (the Troll Ladder) is climbing the mountain through eleven hairpin bends. The waterfall is called Stigfossen, and the old (1936) stone bridge across it can be seen. This road was opened in 1936, but is usually closed in winter. To accommodate the increasing traffic, particularly the heavy tourist traffic during the summer season, the road has been widen a bit in some places and of course asphalted. In the autumn of 2005 the lowest part of the road was rebuilt to reduce the risk of rocks hitting travelers; the bend closest to the camera is evidently quite new. However, many tourist feel rather uncomfortable driving here, in particular on the upper part.
(2007-06-21)

This sign in the upper part of Trollstigen has been removed (the tourists are sufficiently scared anyway). The risk of being hit by falling rocks is extremely small, at least after a recent and thorough cleanup of the cliffs above.
(2004-10-01)

Entering the administrative district of Rauma on the road Valldal–Trollstigen–Romsdal (Åndalsnes), a bit beyond the top of Trollstigen. The district Rauma is characterized by high and jagged mountains as the coat of arms indicates. The mountains shown are Bispen (the Bishop) (right) and Kongen (the King). This road is closed during the winter season. Poles like the one seen below the sign are useful when the snow is cleared away in spring. It's the first of October, the autumn colors have turned less vivid, and the tourist hordes are gone.
(2004-10-01)

North of the lower end of Romsdalen is an uninhabited high valley (alt. 5–600 m) called Venjedalen. It ends at the west slope of Romsdalshorn seen to the left. There is a narrow pay road all the way to its inner end and some tourists find the way here, at least those that want to climb Romsdalshorn (which isn't too difficult, but the usual ropes and hardware are required). An extension of the Romsdalshorn massif, a low ridge called Litjfjellet, is seen to the right. Beyond this ridge Trolltindene on the opposite side of Romsdalen show themselves. Yes, there are power lines on the right side of the picture, see below.
(2010-09-09)

View across Romsdalen towards Trolltindene from Litjfjellet (alt. about 750 m). As most pictures taken on this site, the peaks are shown reflected by the pond. The rightmost and highest peak is Store Trolltind (1788 m) and the left rounded peak mirrored is Trollryggen. It's the first day of October and snow on the peaks is normal.
(2004-10-01)

Another view from Litjfjellet, showing the bottom of the valley Romsdalen with the river Rauma. On the opposite side of the valley resides Trolltindene and in their center, and on the left side of the picture center, is Trollveggen (the Troll Wall), the highest vertical cliff in Europe (more than 1000 m). The rock here is fragile and dangerous, as proved by the enormous scree below. During the last Ice Age the glacier removed all debris from the valley, so this scree is formed during the last ten thousand years or so. The low gap in the middle of the picture, on the right end of the vertical wall, is called Bruraskaret (the Bridal Gap). It has been used for BASE jumping into the valley, but the winds here are treacherous and there have been several accidents. The same winds and loose rock also make helicopter rescue operations risky, therefore BASE jumping has been prohibited on this site. (Read about the 'Bride' that fell into the valley on the 'size M, or 'size L' page.)
(2004-10-01)

A part of Litjfjellet seen from Venjedalen. This is one of three close power lines running into Romsdalen. The peak to the right is Store Trolltind (1788 m).
(2010-09-09)

Troll mountains and troll roads, no wonder we find some man-made trolls around. For the tourists to enjoy. Real trolls have diverse looks and moods, and apart from being big to huge and uglier than most of us, they are quite similar to people. Yeah, I forgot, only four fingers or toes on each limb. Maybe they use the octal numeration system – nonsense, trolls are assumed to be quite primitive.
(2010-09-09)

Throwing in for good measure, the mistreated troll warning sign below the most scaring part of Trollstigen. Maybe the road authorities have some sense of humor after all.
(2010-09-09)

Romsdalshorn 1867. Johan Fredrik Eckers (1822–1870) paintet this picture. View from the north side of the fjord. (A very large size picture on this page. Click on the left thumbnail.)

changed 2011-02-24