Trollheimen Triangle Route: Best hut tour in Norway

The Trollheimen Triangle Route can be found in the middle of Norway, 400 kilometers north of Oslo. This 58.6-kilometer trek is one of two classic routes in Trollheimen National Park and is put away as one of Norway's most beautiful treks. In three days you walk from hut to hut while fully enjoying the vast landscapes and diverse nature. The hike didn't get this name for nothing, as you walk in an almost perfect triangle, thus ending up back at the starting point. The long distances, combined with some steep ascents, ensure that you will be on the road all day in this breathtaking environment. In total, you cover more than 4,000 altimeters, and even 7,000 altimeters if you also climb the Snota.

But why is this particular trek known as one of the most beautiful in Norway? It is because Trollheimen National Park separates Norway's coastal and terrestrial climates. The result is diverse landscape formations that are home to different types of flora and fauna. The landscape has been shaped by glaciers and the Norwegians who have lived here for centuries, some of whose farmers continue their work to this day. Indeed, Trollheimen offers ideal grazing land for cattle, goats, sheep and reindeer. Due to the different climates, you will find quiet hills in the east of the National Park, and a rugged and less accessible mountain range in the west.

We can recommend everyone to go to Norway for a hiking trip. But is the Trollheimen Triangle Route the best option for you? The route is completely unique and differs slightly from the usual hut-trekking as you find for example in the Alps and the Dolomites. You should expect long days but this is not because the trails are technical. The distances are long, averaging 20 km per day, and you will encounter some tough ascents. If you are in good shape, you will have a nice day's work to do here. At night, you'll sleep in historic log cabins that look more like simple hostels compared to other European hut tours.

Want to take the whole family on a hike? This trek is a good option for children 10 or 12 years and older. However, because the distances are long, it is not unnecessary to already have some hiking experience.

In short, are you looking for a trip where you spend whole days on the road, rarely meet other people, find no huts or restaurants along the way, and stay in cozy Norwegian log cabins? Then the Trollheimen Triangle route might be your next hiking destination. If this is not challenging enough, add the ascent of the Snota as well to complete your experience.

Snota is one of the most famous mountains in the Trollheimen area. Although it is not the highest mountain in the province, its 1,668-meter peak makes it the highest mountain in the municipality of Surnadal. In addition, the summit, and the road leading to it, are known to get the best panoramic views of the surrounding area.

For many, the trek to the top of Snota is the most beautiful hike in Norway for this reason. However, this stage is not an official part of the triangular route. Fortunately, it can be added to your hiking trip with a simple adjustment. With an extra night's stay at the Trollheimshytta, the 5-day hike becomes a 6-day one, and this way you can be sure not to skip any of the area's highlights.

Norway is a wonderful destination for both summer and winter. In the winter, the snow and all the activities that come with it are thoroughly enjoyed. However, before the summer hiking season can start, most of this snow must have disappeared. Because of this, the season for Norwegian hut hiking falls between mid-June and mid-September, in line with other European hut hiking seasons. During this period the huts are open and staffed and the trails are easy to find. Outside of these months, the area is also accessible, but the huts are unmanned or closed, and this makes for a completely different experience. Also keep in mind that June is still a very wet month for this area. This makes for more mud on the trails and possibly more snow, or in other words, unstable ground.

Because the Trollheimen Triangle Route faces two climates, the weather can be very unpredictable. The coastal climate provides colder temperatures than the continental climate, and because of this, you can still expect some snow on the trails in June. Therefore, you will be happy with an extra overcoat. Nevertheless, Norway also has summer days where you can go out in shorts and short sleeves. On these days, don't forget your sunscreen and a cap. In short, make sure you are prepared for different situations. To help you with this, we have compiled a packing list later in this blog.

Besides the breathtaking nature, this trip also has a dash of culture to offer. This culture can be found in the log cabins where you will spend the night as Norway has perhaps the most unique cabin culture in Europe. As many hikers know, each country has its own hiking association. For example, the Netherlands has the NKBV, Germany the DAV, Austria the ÖAV, and Italy the CAI. These associations deal with trail maintenance, signage, and nature's well-being. They also oversee the provision of mountain huts and their maintenance. For Norway, these are tasks for "Den Norske Turistforening," also known as the DNT.

A total of 550 huts are affiliated with the DNT. This in itself is not so unique but of these huts only 50 are staffed by personnel. These huts can therefore be compared with huts you find elsewhere in Europe. In the remaining cabins you have to serve yourself. Food in the form of canned goods is prepared for the hikers with a price list and money box attached. The Norwegians trust their hikers to pay fairly for the products used and to leave the hut clean. Fortunately, this goes very well to this day.

During the Trollheimen Triangle Route, you will stay in staffed huts. This allows you to enjoy showers, blankets and fitted sheets, a well-kept half-board, and a piece of Norwegian culture. Many huts date back to the 19th century and this is reflected in the wooden walls, massive fireplaces, and in the simple but cozy interior. Enjoy the green surroundings and tranquility together with other hikers, while the cabin staff ensures that nothing essential is missing.

You walk the Trollheimen Triangle Route in a triangle, of course. Because of this, you start and end at the same hut. In this hut you will spend the night before the first stage and the night of the last, also overnight so you don't have to think about anything during your trek. The Gjevilvasshytta can be reached from Oppdal within 30 minutes by car so keep Oppdal as your starting point when planning your trip.

Plane
Oppdal is best reached from Trondheim. The airport is located east of the city and with a (rental) car you can reach Oppdal in just over 2 hours. By public transportation, you can travel from the airport to the city with a direct connection. From here you can continue by train or another bus. In total it will take you 2 hours and 40 minutes to 3 hours. This means that you will have to take a cab from Oppdal to Gjevilvasshytta as there is no bus connection.

Car
Would you like to travel through Norway with your own car? No problem. From most of Europe you first need to drive to Hirtshals in Denmark, from where you take a ferry to Southern Norway. Here you can start your journey or drive on to Oppdal in one go. This takes, via Oslo, about 7 hours.

A hut tour in Norway does not have to be expensive at all. Huts are usually simple, but offer everything you need to recharge your mental and physical batteries for the next hiking day(s). For 5 days in the Trollheim area you can count on about 90 EUR per hiking day. This includes route description, navigation aid, your accommodation in a log cabin and half board. For hut tours in general, we then recommend bringing 40 to 60 EUR (470 - 710 NOK) pocket money. This is for lunch and your drinks. Most of our pocket money usually goes to that ice cold drink in the next hut!