Andalsnes

Setting off from the beautifully situated village of Åndalsnes, you’ll head along the Rauma River as mountains rise up dramatically on both sides. Mount Romsdalshorn, at 5,000 feet is on one side, with Trolltindane opposite at 5,100 feet on the other. You’ll drive close to the famous ‘Troll Wall’ with its vertical, overhanging wall.

Crossing the Sogge Bridge, you’ll approach the Isterdal Valley, surrounded by impressive mountains with majestic names, such as The King, The Queen and The Bishop. Further up the valley, reach the Trollstig Road (Path of the Trolls), which winds and climbs in a series of 11 hairpin bends to reach the top of the Trollstig Road. A photo stop will be made in the valley to admire the lovely, cascading 590 foot Stigfoss Waterfall.

At the head of the pass stands the Trollstigheimen Mountain Lodge. Refreshments of coffee, tea and cakes will be served while you enjoy the magnificent views over the wild, unspoilt mountains and the Isterdal Valley.

Embark on a panoramic train journey full of sights and dramatic scenery. The railway follows the Rauma River, where you can enjoy views of Mount Romsdalshorn, the Trolltindane and the ‘Troll Wall’. The Rauma River descends from the Lesjaskog Lake and forms many attractive waterfalls along the way. Crossing over the Kylling Bridge there is a dramatic view of the foaming river down in the canyon. This bridge is an impressive work of engineering, only natural stone is used, with each piece fitting together perfectly.

At Bjorli Station your mode of transport changes. A coach drive will take you through what is considered to be one of Norway’s most beautiful valleys, with impressive peaks rising straight up from the valley floor. A photo stop is made at the Slettafossen Waterfall viewpoint and the ‘Troll Wall’, the highest vertical and overhanging wall in Europe.

This spectacular scenic drive takes you along the Romsdalsfjord, turning into the Innfjord. The road follows the shoreline through several villages to Tresfjord, where there’ll be a photo stop before leaving the fjord and continuing up the Skorge Valley to Ørskogfjellet mountain plateau. Descend to the Storfjord and across a mountain pass to the Norddalsfjord and the village of Valldal. There will be a photo stop at the magnificent Gudbrand Gorge, with its foaming waterfall deep below.

Enter the mountain world as you arrive at Trollstigheimen. Soon after, descend the famous Trollstig Road via a series of 11 hairpin bends to the valley below. From here, you’ll arrive in the small fertile agricultural plain around Åndalsnes. On your return drive, a short detour is made up to the ‘Troll Wall’ the highest perpendicular mountain wall in Europe.

During the tour enjoy a Norwegian buffet lunch, featuring both hot and cold dishes and including a choice of a low-alcohol beer or soft drink.

As you travel out of Åndalsnes you’ll pass the villages of Isfjorden, known for its many small clothing and woodworking factories, Torvikeidet and Leirheim before reaching the ancient, medieval stave church of Rødven.

The Rødven Stave Church, now the property of the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments, dates back to 1300 and is still located on its original site. The wooden stave churches of Norway are the most famous and characteristic achievements of medieval Norwegian architecture. The distinguishing feature of their construction is the inner and outer frame of wooden columns or ‘staves’ supporting the weight of the many steep roofs one above the other. In the 14th century, it is believed that there were more than 1,000 stave churches in Norway. When the country was depopulated by plague most of them fell into decay and later were demolished because they were too small for growing congregations. You’ll have the opportunity to discover the unique architecture and atmosphere of this pretty church, which is one of only 30 surviving stave churches in Norway.

Before heading back to the port, you’ll drive up close to Trollveggen (Troll Wall), with its 3,300 foot vertical and overhanging wall it is Europe's highest perpendicular rock face.