Surrounded by the Romsdal Alps, this Norwegian railway terminus and cruise port sits where Rauma River meets Romsdalsfjord. A starting point for climbing Trollveggen cliff.
From Åndalsnes, you can climb the 21-meter indoor wall at the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre, walk the Romsdalseggen ridge with its 1,320-meter elevation gain, or watch the Rauma Railway train wind past Trollveggen's 1,100-meter cliff face. The small town of 2,500 people sits where the Rauma River meets Romsdalsfjord, with mountains rising directly from the valley floor.
Hiking Around Åndalsnes
The Romsdalseggen ridge trail runs 10 kilometers across exposed mountain terrain, with views extending to the Trollveggen cliff and Romsdalsfjord. A shuttle bus departs daily at 8:30 AM from the town center to the trailhead. The hike takes 8-10 hours and involves some scrambling over rocks. The shorter Litlefjellet trail climbs 440 meters over 1.5 kilometers, taking about 30 minutes to reach a viewpoint overlooking the town and fjord.
Climbing and Indoor Activities
The Norwegian Mountaineering Centre houses Norway's tallest indoor climbing wall at 21 meters, with routes ranging from beginner to expert level. Certified instructors lead daily climbing sessions. The center's main exhibition documents local climbing achievements and mountain rescue operations, while a curved screen displays a 20-minute film about Norwegian mountain folklore.
Getting Around by Train and Road
The Rauma Railway connects Åndalsnes with Dombås through 100 kilometers of mountain terrain. Trains run twice daily and take two hours each way, slowing down at Trollveggen for photos. The summer-only Golden Route train includes audio commentary about the 1940 wartime transport of Norway's gold reserves along this railway line.
Trollstigen and Trollveggen
The Trollstigen mountain road climbs 850 meters through eleven hairpin bends, each numbered and marked with a stone barrier. Stop at the Trollveggen Visitor Center to see Europe's tallest vertical rock wall through floor-to-ceiling windows. The center includes exhibits about local geology and climbing history.
Winter Activities
From December through March, ski tourers ascend Mount Kirketaket's 1,439-meter peak. The Romsdalsgondolen cable car runs year-round, carrying visitors to the 708-meter Nesaksla summit where you'll find marked winter hiking paths and viewing platforms above the fjord.
