Guide and Review: Ålesund Shore Excursion: From Fjords to Trolls (Norway)

I found that planning this multi-generational family cruise was tough in that I had to balance varying ages, fitness levels, interests, etc to consider so I went with a number of bus tours including for our Ålesund port day. Why? First is that transportation is covered which can be challenging for big groups but I like that in picturesque locales like Norway, being able to relax and just admire the views makes the experience more enjoyable. Secondly, we were able to see and learn so much from fun and engaging tour guides to really maximize our time in port.

And I am so happy that I chose this tour as it was the perfect way to experience this part of Norway’s legendary landscape from sweeping fjords and thundering waterfalls to dramatic mountain passes! This is an activity that I recommend to anyone visiting Alesund as it is a perfect itinerary for cruise passengers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts to see some of the most iconic views in the country, including the world-famous Trollstigen mountain road.

I created this as a hybrid post that is part guide that covers everything you’ll see and what to know about the tour including practical tips, FAQs so you can make the most of your Norway adventures. This is also a review of the actual tour to help you make an informed decision.

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Choosing the Right Tour and Tour Company

Always read reviews of the company/tour and posts like this one! to help make guided decisions. If you don’t like long port days or bus rides, this is not the one for you. Want to see as much as you can especially for those that may not have a chance to return? Definitely consider this one.

Especially important for cruise ship passengers: book with a company that routinely books and accounts for cruise ships (you will know if you are required to put your cruise ship info in when booking!) One of the concerns that comes up with booking an excursion that isn’t with the cruise line is that the ship will not wait for you if you are late. Norway Excursions has a back-to-ship guarantee that is offered for cruise passengers provided that information (name of the cruiseship) is registered during booking. The tour must end 1 hour prior to your ship’s departure

This is done by ensuring that their buses are ahead of the NCL tour buses with the guides and driver constantly monitoring where the buses were- this is something that I saw on both of our tours with the company. In addition, the guides explained that the company would get us to our next port if we ever did miss the boat!

The tour operator, Norway Excursions, was wonderful to work with as they patiently went through my questions like: we were due to arrive at 7, the tour would start at 730 so what happens if the boat is late? Also what are the chances that the tour would run long as we really wanted to see the city and this would give us a few hours in port.

Trollstigen Mountain Road (Troll’s Path)

The highlight of the tour is seeing and later being driven on Trollstigen, one of Norway’s most thrilling roads with 11 sharp hairpin bends, waterfalls, and spectacular mountain walls surrounding you. The engineering of this road is a masterpiece yet the landscape feels wild and untouched. I loved being able to be a passenger and not have to concentrate on driving and could just admire the incredible views.

Fun fact: Trollstigen is named after legendary trolls believed to roam the mountains.

Good To Know for Ålesund Shore Excursion: From Fjords to Trolls

Ålesund Shore Excursion: From Fjords to Trolls

Tour Details

• Overview: Journey from Norway’s fjords into the mystical heart of troll country on this full-day shore excursion from Ålesund. Drive along the spectacular fjords, stopping to visit the strawberry-growing town of Valldal and the Gudbrandsjuvet gorge. Take in the views of the Stigfossen waterfall and hear stories about Norway’s mythical trolls as you zigzag down the steep Troll Road (Trollstigen). See the Trollveggen (Troll Wall), the highest vertical rock face in Europe, before traveling back to Alesund.
• Details – Duration:
  • This excursion without lunch lasts 6.5 hours, while the version with lunch lasts 7.5 hours. If your ship is in port for at least 8 hours, you can join the tour without lunch and return in time for your ship’s departure. For ships in port for 9 hours or more, you may choose either the lunch-included or lunch-excluded tour.
• Important Notes:
  • At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking “ship name”
  • All terrain are wheelchair accessible with all All vehicles support foldable wheelchairs
  • Service animals are not allowed by default as other customers may have allergies, in case a service animal is needed please contact us
  • Bring child/infant seats with you
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travelers
• Includes:
  • Option to include lunch for a seamless experience but otherwise all other food/drinks are not included

Meeting Point

From the booking: the meeting point is within walking distance from the port/pier and most of the hotels. Look for our staff on the pier, yellow jackets, carrying our company logo. Be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Please note that “gate” means “street” in Norwegian.

As advertised, our guide was waiting for us on the pier and quickly checked us in and we boarded the comfortable coach to begin our journey. I found the bus to be modern and it was also climate-controlled. As we drove along, our guide shared stories about Norwegian nature, culture, and folklore including the origins and importance of Norway’s trolls.

Drive to Stordal via Sjøholt

Our first stop was in the village of Stordal @ Kokarsteinen (restaurant).

Here we were treated to an incredible view of Storfjord. One thing you will learn to appreciate about Nordic countries is that they are practical people especially when it comes to names: Storfjorden or Storfjord means“big” or “great fjord” which is an apt name for this 110-kilometre (68 mi) long fjord. A fjord is is a long, narrow sea inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by a glacier.

Drive from Stordal to Gudbrandsjuvet via Valldal

Our next stop was to see Gudbrandsjuvet, a 5 m narrow and 20-25 m deep river gorge in the river Valldøla. This section of the river showcases some sharp angles as the water runs through the cracks and gullies of the gorge.

Here you are able to see all of the action from multiple viewing platforms as well as being able to walk over a bridge from one side of the ravine to the other. For photographers, this stop allows for some gorgeous shots as you capture long-exposure shots of the turquoise rapids

There is a cafeteria (we grabbed some coffee here since the restaurant at the first stop wasn’t open yet). Note that there are also free toilets available at this stop.

As we were driving on the road along the Storfjord from Stordal we passed Valldal, famous for its strawberries. Whilst we did not stop here, we lucked out with the fruit stand at Gudbrandsjuvet opening as we were leaving and we were able to try these. The long nights of winter in Norway are balanced by the equally long midnight sun days and the literal fruits of labor here should not be missed – they were so sweet and delicious!

Drive to Trollstigen plateau; visit

From here the bus will drive through the National Park Reinheimen, to the Trollstigen plateau where you are presented with the amazing view over the Trollstigen (Troll Road).

Here you will find two view points: the first you will reach after 5 minutes of walking but I suggest that you go to the second which is about 10 minutes of walking from the bus. The path to the view points is along a concrete path with safety rails.

A cafeteria, souvenir shop and free toilets are also available in Trollstigen.

Drive down Trollstigen (Troll Road)

When driving down the Trollstigen (Troll Road), the driver will amazingly drive the bus through 11 hairpin bends.

I suggest sitting on the right side of the bus for this tour for the best views: here looking down at what our talented bus driver will have to navigate in our large motor coach!

The nice part about not driving is being able to enjoy the incredible views!

As you descend the mountain, you’ll see Stigfossen, a powerful waterfall dropping more than 300 meters. This is one of the most dramatic waterfalls along any fjord road in Norway.

It’s such a great drive with so much to ooh and aah over!

Being on the right side of the bus afforded this view of Stigfossen: this photo was from the bus as we tranversed Trollstigen.

Drive to Trollveggen (Troll Wall)

Next up is a visit to the Trollveggen (Troll Wall), Europe’s tallest vertical rock face,

and the impressive Romsdalshorn – both places beloved by climbing enthusiasts.

We had booked the tour with lunch included. Pro tip: Add the lunch buffet. When we booked it was only $11 more vs about $45 if you were to pay for it here

Another troll – with ice cream (no surprise that the subliminal advert worked and we got cones) but this photo is mainly to showcase the grass roof. You will see them around Norway and they serve a number of purposes: the roofs are heavier with the grass so they help weigh down houses which is helpful against strong winds plus the turf also help insulate the houses.

Drive back to Ålesund

Drive along the Rauma River back to Alesund and stop to take photos at Stordal Gamle Kyrkje, also known as the Rose Church, before returning to the original meeting point.

I was really impressed with Norway Excursions but the end of our tour really solidified my rating of the company. The bus was scheduled to bring everyone back directly to where we started near the ship but our guide and driver were willing to accommodate two itinerary changes. For those that wanted to get off and visit Ålesund, we were dropped off close to the food festival happening in town. And she also made an offer to do a mini tour around the neighboring islands (I am not sure if anyone took this offer and where they went to)!

Duration

There’s no getting around the fact that this was a long bus tour at seven and a half hours but it was in a large motor coach with comfortable seats. After completing the tour, I am confident that this was by far the best tour for us – the thinking was that for many if not all of us that this would be our only opportunity to visit the area. I did find the tour a bit more rushed than we would have preferred but that’s balanced against seeing more places and being in a big group but we felt the value was great vs how much we would have paid for a private tour for 15!

Tips and FAQs for Ålesund Shore Excursion: From Fjords to Trolls

• Book your tour early especially during summer as tours fill up quickly.
• I am paraphrasing of my favorite Norwegian phrases here: there is no such thing as bad weather, there is only wrong clothing – so be prepared with layers including waterproof jackets (and for some, water proof pants) and appropriate footwear!
• Is Trollstigen open year-round? No. Trollstigen normally opens late May and closes in October due to snow. There have also been times that it is closed due to falling rocks/safety concerns.
•  Is Trollstigen road scary or dangerous? The road is steep with sharp bends, but it is well-maintained and driven by highly experienced professionals.
• Do I need hiking experience? No hiking experience is needed. Most stops involve short walks to viewpoints on well-maintained paths.

Final Thoughts – Best Tour/Way to Maximize Time for Iconic Sites Near Ålesund!

Whether you’re a cruise traveler, a nature enthusiast, or simply looking for unforgettable views, this tour delivers an iconic Norwegian adventure you won’t forget.

The Norway Excursions’ Ålesund Shore Excursion: From Fjords to Trolls is a must-do for anyone visiting this part of Norway. You’ll experience dramatic landscapes, fascinating folklore, and some of the most incredible road engineering in the world and all in one seamless, guided experience from a reputable company. After having been back to Ålesund now three times, I am even more confident that this was indeed the perfect tour for visitors to maximize their time here!

Why I Chose to Book This Tour Via Viator

What I Really Spent

• Tour: $141.99 The tour was $153.99 and I used $2 in Viator Rewards towards the booking and received an additional $10 off using a Chase Offer!
• TOTAL SPENT: $141.99

I booked via Viator as I was able to triple stack on this spend: #1 – getting rewards on my credit card, #2 – getting Viator rewards (when I booked this was when it was 10% on the booking that can be used towards a future booking! Now that has been changed to 5%) and honestly, #3 – getting miles (using the AA shopping portal at 12 Miles/$1) was the biggest reason I used Viator!

If You Want to Book This Tour Via GetYourGuide Instead?

Interestingly this exact same tour from the same tour company is actually cheaper on GetYourGuide but note that there is not an option to add lunch, book Ålesund Shore Excursion: From Fjords to Trolls through GetYourGuide here

Why You Should Choose to Book Via GetYourGuide