Trolltunga is one of Norway’s most iconic hikes, and getting yourself to the correct trailhead is half the job. The rock sits high above the Hardangerfjord near the small town of Odda, with a few different parking areas and seasonal shuttles that can make the approach smoother if you know how they work. Whether you plan to drive from Bergen, Oslo, or Stavanger, or you are relying on buses and a shuttle, the key is understanding where to start and when the roads are open.
In short, you will base yourself around Odda and then reach the main trailhead in Skjeggedal. Most hikers park at P2 Skjeggedal and begin there, or book a seat on the shuttle that continues up the private road to P3 Mågelitopp when it is open. If P2 is full, P1 Tyssedal serves as the overflow, with a shuttle up to P2. Public transport users ride to Odda or Tyssedal, then connect to the same shuttle system. In winter and early spring, the upper road to P3 is usually closed and the hike should be guided.
If this is your first visit to Hardanger, do not worry. I have lived and hiked here for years, and once you understand the parking names and seasonal timings, it all clicks. Let’s take a deeper dive into how to get to the Trolltunga trail the smart way.
Understand the Trolltunga Trailheads and Parking
There are three names you will see everywhere. Think of them as steps up the mountain.
P1 Tyssedal. This is the lowest and largest parking area near the fjord. It is your fallback when the upper lots are full. From here you take a shuttle up to P2 or drive if capacity rules allow it that day. Starting the hike from P1 adds a lot of road walking and elevation, not ideal.
P2 Skjeggedal. This is the main trailhead for most hikers and the default place to park. From P2 you can either start hiking immediately or take the seasonal shuttle up the private road to P3. Knowing where P2 is and getting there early solves most logistics.
P3 Mågelitopp. This is the highest parking area on a steep private road with limited spaces. It cuts distance and elevation from the hike. Access depends on road conditions and a capacity system. You must prebook if you want to drive to P3, and spaces go fast in peak season. If you do not have a booking, use the shuttle from P2.
My rule of thumb from years of guiding friends: plan for P2. Treat P3 as a bonus if you secure it, and keep P1 in your back pocket for busy weekends.
Getting Yourself To Odda First
Odda is your gateway. The town sits at the inner end of Sørfjorden, an arm of the Hardangerfjord, and it has accommodations, groceries, and buses. Driving times in normal summer conditions are roughly 3 hours from Bergen, 5 to 6 hours from Oslo depending on route, and about 5 hours from Stavanger with a ferry crossing. Add time for traffic, roadworks, or weather. Summer weekends can be slow through Hardanger’s scenic bottlenecks, so build in a buffer.
Driving From Bergen To Trolltunga
From central Bergen, follow E16 east to Trengereid, then take route 7 toward Norheimsund and the Hardanger Bridge. Cross the bridge and continue on route 13 south along Sørfjorden toward Odda. The drive hugs the fjord and passes waterfalls and fruit farms. In Tyssedal, look for signs to Trolltunga. If you are heading straight to P2 Skjeggedal without stopping in Odda, follow the brown Trolltunga signs up into the valley. The final segment is narrow with a few meeting places. Early morning starts mean calmer traffic and easier passing.
Local tip: On sunny days the traffic around Norheimsund and the bridge can back up late morning. Leave Bergen before 7 a.m. if you can, or travel the evening before and stay in Odda.
Driving From Oslo To Trolltunga
You have two popular choices. The scenic inland route goes via E16 to Hønefoss, then route 7 across Hardangervidda toward Eidfjord, crossing the Hardanger Bridge, and south on route 13 to Odda. The alternative heads west on E134 through Kongsberg and Røldal, then north on route 13 to Odda. The E134 option can be quicker if the plateau has wind or fog, while route 7 is stunning in clear weather. I switch between them based on forecast and traffic. If you are nervous about mountain weather, E134 via Røldal is usually the safer bet.
Driving From Stavanger To Trolltunga
From Stavanger, drive E39 north to the Arsvågen Mortavika ferry, continue to Aksdal, then E134 east toward Røldal, and route 13 north to Odda. This route includes a ferry and several tunnels. The last section into Odda is curvy and can feel slow, but the views pay you back. Check ferry times but do not stress, departures are frequent in summer.
From Odda or Tyssedal To The Trailhead
Once you are in Odda, it is simple. Drive or take a local bus to Tyssedal. From Tyssedal you either continue up to P2 Skjeggedal in your car or board the shuttle that runs up the valley. Signage is clear and in English. The drive from Odda to P2 is usually 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic and meeting points on the narrow sections. Aim to arrive at P2 as early as possible, ideally before 7 a.m. in July and August. That one choice saves you parking stress and buys you daylight on the mountain.
Taking Public Transport To Trolltunga
Public transport is absolutely doable, it just takes a couple of steps.
- Get yourself to Odda. From Bergen there are direct buses in season. From Oslo you can combine train to Voss or Bergen with a bus to Odda, or go via Haugesund and E134 to Odda. From Stavanger the usual pattern is bus to Haugesund, then on toward Odda. Schedules change by season, so check timetables close to your date.
- From Odda or Tyssedal, use the local shuttle to P2 Skjeggedal. The same shuttle continues up to P3 Mågelitopp when the upper road is open.
- Return the same way. Shuttles typically run early morning to mid or late evening in peak season to match hikers’ long days. Keep the last departure time on your phone. I have met a few folks who missed the final bus and were not thrilled about the extra road walk.
If you are relying on buses, consider staying two nights in Odda. Arrive the day before, hike early, and leave the day after. That cushion makes public transport feel easy rather than tight.
How The Shuttle Works In Practice
Think of the shuttle as your elastic link between the fjord and the mountain. It connects P1 Tyssedal, P2 Skjeggedal, and, when conditions allow, P3 Mågelitopp. You can buy a ticket on the day if space is available, but booking ahead is wise in July and August. If you manage to snag P3 seats, you shorten the hike significantly. If not, P2 to P3 is a short ride and removes a steep tarmac climb.
Important: Shuttles and parking systems adjust to weather and demand. Road closures for rockfall protection or heavy rain are not unheard of. Build a Plan B. If the P3 road is closed, simply start from P2. If P2 fills, drop to P1 and shuttle up.
Seasonality, Road Openings, and Winter Rules
The Trolltunga hiking season runs roughly from mid June to mid September for independent hikers starting from P2. Outside this window the mountain is snow covered, the weather is more volatile, and daylight is short. From about October to late May, you should only go with a certified winter guide, using snowshoes or skis depending on conditions. The private road to P3 opens late and closes early depending on snow and maintenance, so never assume it is available in shoulder seasons.
Early summer has lingering snow patches on the plateau. Late summer has more stable footing and longer shuttle hours. Autumn brings crisp air and fewer crowds, but also shorter days. Choose your window with eyes open.
Should You Try To Park At P3 Mågelitopp
If you can prebook P3, it saves your legs and time. The road is steep with tight hairpins and strict capacity. Do not attempt to drive up without a confirmed booking, you will be turned around. Personally, unless I have a guaranteed P3 spot, I do not waste energy chasing it. I head straight for P2 and focus on starting early.
What To Expect At P2 Skjeggedal
P2 functions like a small trail village on busy mornings. There are toilets, information boards, and staff in summer who can answer questions in English. The marked trail leaves from the end of the lot. You will see time estimates and distance signs along the way. The classic round trip from P2 is roughly 20 to 28 kilometers depending on your exact start and finish points, with 800 to 1200 meters of elevation gain. Most hikers take 8 to 12 hours. This is why your transport plan matters. You want a parking place, a clear exit, and a realistic return time for the last shuttle if you used it.
Taxis and Private Transfers
If you are traveling without a car and your accommodation is outside Odda, a prebooked taxi can be a good bridge to P2 for an early start, especially in shoulder season when shuttle frequency is lower. Ask your hotel or guesthouse to arrange it. Prices are fair by Norwegian standards but can sting if you come from farther afield. Sharing rides with other hikers is common.
Navigation Tips So You Actually Reach The Right Place
Use “Trolltunga P2 Skjeggedal” as your search term in your navigation app rather than just “Trolltunga,” which can drop a pin on the viewpoint itself, miles from the road. For P3, the name “Mågelitopp” works, but remember access is restricted. If you navigate to “P1 Tyssedal,” you will land at the lowest car park near the fjord, handy if P2 has closed gates.
Signal is decent around Odda and Tyssedal, but can be patchy up in Skjeggedal. Download offline maps before you drive into the valley.
A Simple Sample Plan For Each City
From Bergen: Drive to Odda the evening before, stay in town, then drive 25 to 35 minutes to P2 before 6.30 to 7 a.m. Park, hike, return, and if you are not staying a second night, start the drive back around dinner time. If you prefer public transport, take the seasonal bus to Odda, overnight, then shuttle to P2 at first light.
From Oslo: Choose route 7 via Hardanger or E134 via Røldal. Overnight in Odda to avoid a pre-dawn city departure. Early the next morning, P2 by 7 a.m., hike, and either stay another night or drive back the next day.
From Stavanger: Drive via E39 and E134, overnight in Odda, P2 early, hike, and return the following day. If you are tight on time, consider a private transfer to P2 to catch the earliest possible start.
If The Weather Turns Or Plans Change
Norwegian mountains can be blunt. If the forecast deteriorates, your best decision might be to enjoy the Hardangerfjord instead and come back another time. There are waterfalls to visit, glacier hikes, and short fjord walks that shine on gray days. Never force Trolltunga in strong wind, thunderstorms, or heavy rain. Transport is only helpful if the mountain is hospitable.
My Local Advice To Keep Logistics Easy
Arrive the day before, not the morning of the hike. Book accommodation in Odda or Tyssedal so you have a short hop to P2. Eat a hearty breakfast, fill your water, and be in the lot early. Prebook any shuttle or P3 spot you think you will use, screenshot the tickets, and write down the last shuttle time. If you are driving, keep some coins or a card that works offline for barrier systems, though most accept standard cards. Bring a dry change of clothes for the car or bus after the hike. It sounds small, but it makes the ride home a lot nicer.
Quick Answers To Common Questions
Is the road to P3 open all season? No, it depends on snow and maintenance, and capacity is very limited. Treat P3 as a bonus.
Can I start from P1 Tyssedal? Yes, but it adds a significant amount of distance on tarmac. Most hikers avoid it unless P2 is full.
Is public transport realistic in one day from Bergen or Stavanger? It is possible in peak season but tight. An overnight in Odda makes it far more comfortable.
What time should I be at P2? In July and August, before 7 a.m. is wise. In shoulder season, daylight is the limiting factor, so plan around sunrise and the last shuttle.
Do I need a guide in summer? Not if you are experienced and the conditions are normal. In winter and early spring, use a certified guide.
With a clear plan for P1, P2, P3, and the shuttle, getting to the Trolltunga trail is straightforward. Hardanger does the rest. Enjoy the fjord light, pack your patience for the narrow roads, and give yourself the kind of start that makes a long mountain day feel easy.