The Trollheimen Mountains of central Norway are one of many nation\u2019s most numerous mountain ranges<\/a>. Located within the transition zone between marine and alpine environments, Trollheimen options historical woodlands, lush river valleys, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and jagged rocky peaks. Complementing the pure wonders is a wealthy and assorted human historical past. From Stone Age settlements to Iron Age burial websites to characterful turf-roof farmhouses, Trollheimen has a millennia-spanning fusion of environmental, cultural, and historic parts that’s all its personal.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n From a climbing perspective, Trollheimen stays comparatively unknown exterior the Norwegian outside neighborhood. <\/span>An under-the-radar gem whose title interprets to \u201chome of the trolls,\u201d an evocative moniker that<\/span> was coined within the latter a part of the nineteenth century as a solution to drum up vacationer curiosity within the area (apparently with middling worldwide outcomes).<\/span>\u00a0<\/em>I visited Trollheimen within the fall of 2022 as a part of an prolonged journey to the Nordic area. During the journey, I did a sequence of shorter hikes\u2014together with the Trollheimen Triangle\u2014which ended up being included in my e book Wanderlust Nordics: Exploring Trails in Scandinavia <\/a>(2023). The article beneath consists of pictures, primary trekking notes, together with logistical and GPS info.<\/em><\/p>\n The Litlsvartaa River in Svart\u00e5dalen Valley.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n At a Glance:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Distance<\/b><\/span>: 58 km (36 mi)<\/p>\n Duration<\/span>:<\/b> 2-3 days<\/p>\n Difficulty Level<\/b><\/span>:\u00a0 Moderate<\/p>\n Total Elevation Gain<\/strong><\/span>: 2,720 m (8,924 ft)<\/span><\/p>\n Start\/Finish<\/span>: Gjevilvasshytta mountain hut<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Crossing the Minnilla River.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Highlights:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Kamtjonnin Lake<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Planning Information<\/strong><\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n GaiaGPS Overview Map<\/a> of the Trollheimen Triangle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gjevilvasshytta Hut \u2013 The beginning and ending level of the Trollheimen Triangle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Vang Burial Site is positioned on the crossroads of historical commerce routes<\/a>, linking collectively Sunndalen and the M\u00f8re coast to the west, Trondheim Fjord to the north, and the Dovrefjell crossing within the south.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Woolly guardians of historical treasures<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Accommodation:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Campsite close to the headwaters of the Gj\u00f8rd\u00f8ldalen Valley (Shelter pictured is the Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Trail Notes:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Trollheimen Triangle begins and ends on the historic mountain hut of Gjevilvasshytta (est. 1819), positioned a 30-minute drive from the regional hub of Oppdal. Walking in a counter-clockwise route, the primary stage to J\u00f8ldalshytta Hut extends for 21 km (13 mi) and takes a median of 5 to seven hours to finish. Setting out from Gjevilvasshytta, the trail winds its method up by way of the birch forest of Gj\u00f8rd\u00f8ldalen Valley, rising above treeline after 5 kilometers (3.1 mi).<\/p>\n Turf-roofed cottage close to Gjevilvasshytta Hut.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The path then crosses a large saddle, passing beneath H\u00f8gh\u00f8a Peak (1,308 m\/4,291 ft) because it descends progressively into the marshy, lake-dotted H\u00f8gh\u00f8dalen Valley. At the 11 km (6.8 mi) mark, you\u2019ll attain a footbridge over the Minnilla River earlier than persevering with northwards over rolling fells to Skrikh\u00f8a Peak (1,061 m\/3,481 ft). From right here, you\u2019ll be afforded far-reaching views over the Gammels\u00e6terdalen Valley, in the direction of which the path continues its lengthy and largely gradual descent to J\u00f8ldalshytta Hut, superbly located overlooking J\u00f8lvatnet Lake.<\/p>\n Crossing the wind\/rain-swept saddle near H\u00f8gh\u00f8a.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Footbridge over the Minnilla River.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n J\u00f8ldalshytta Hut (photograph taken early the next morning, throughout an all-too-brief window of sunshine).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The second stage to Trollheimshytta Hut gives hikers three alternate routes. If situations are clear(ish), it\u2019s laborious to go previous the excessive traverses over Geith\u00f8tta Top (1,316 m\/4,318 ft) or Trollhetta (1,616 m\/5,302 ft). The third route is a 16 km (9.9 mi) primarily low-level affair that traces the course of the Svart\u00e5a River. With heavy rain on the playing cards, I opted for the latter choice. It ended up being a stunning valley stroll, resplendent with storybook bridges, luxuriant meadows, charming turf-roofed cottages, and peak fall foliage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Trollheimshytta Hut is positioned within the coronary heart of \u201ctroll country.\u201d When I arrived, it was closed for the season, however the adjoining day\/emergency shelter was open and offered welcome respite from the rain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Enjoying a protracted (and dry) lunch within the Trollheimshytta day shelter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The third and ultimate stage of the journey measures 21 km (13 mi) and is the hardest of the path\u2019s trio of sections. Leaving Trollheimshytta Hut, you\u2019ll quickly cross a footbridge over the Slett<\/span>\u00e5a <\/span>River earlier than commencing a protracted and steep climb.<\/span><\/p>\n Zig-zagging up by way of a sequence of rocky terraces, the path positive aspects round 700 m (2,297 ft) in elevation over the course of the next three kilometers (1.9 mi). After some huffing and puffing, you\u2019ll prime out at Skallen Peak (1,226 m\/4,022 ft). In nice climate (I\u2019ve heard), your efforts will probably be rewarded with beautiful vistas over the rivers, lakes, and woodlands of Svart\u00e5moen Nature Reserve. In chilly, wet, windy, and cloudy situations, I had an ironic chuckle, wolfed down some chocolate, placed on an additional layer, and stored shifting.<\/span><\/p>\n Departing Skallen, proceed south over Mellomfjellet, a rocky, tarn-peppered plateau that feels a world away from the forested environs of Trollheimshytta and the Svart\u00e5dalen Valley. About an hour from Skallen, you\u2019ll arrive at Foss\u00e5dalsvatnet Lake. <\/span><\/p>\n Foss\u00e5dalsvatnet Lake<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Skirt its japanese shore and climb steeply as much as Riarskaret Pass (1,307 m\/4,288 ft), which is the best level of the stage. From Riarskaret, descend by way of a treeless panorama, passing the roundish Kamtj\u00f8nnin Lake earlier than rising into the expansive Gj\u00f8rd\u00f8ldalen Valley.<\/span><\/p>\n Kamtj\u00f8nnin Lake<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gj\u00f8rd\u00f8ldalen Valley<\/p>\n<\/div>\n After strolling a lot of the day in chilly, moist, and windy situations, there aren\u2019t many issues higher than a sizzling meal, adopted by crawling into your dry sleeping bag\/quilt and drifting off to the land of Nod accompanied by Mother Nature\u2019s pitter patter soundtrack.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The following morning, I awoke to blue skies. From my campsite, the path contoured across the edges of Gj\u00f8rd\u00f8ldalen\u2019s boggy flooring earlier than reaching a footbridge over the river Gravbekke. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.thehikinglife.com\/the-hiking-life-2\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_0351-1024x768.jpeg\")
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