Day 8: Trollstigen

Staying in Geirangerfjord, about a 15 – 20 minute drive from the Juvet Landscape Hotel, is the Trollstigen mountain road. Located on the western coast of Norway, this 55km stretch of road is one of the most visited attractions in the country – even though it is closed for much of winter and autumn months.

Trollstigen isn’t only breath-taking, it makes the list of most dangerous roads in the world. “The road has a steep incline of 9 percent with 11 hairpin bends as it snakes its way along the steep mountainside at its a highest point, Stigrøra, at an elevation of 858 meters above the sea level,” according to dangerousroads.org. “The route’s steep 10% incline, narrow width and 11 hairpin bends make it a supremely wavy ride.”

Norwegian folkore has it: trolls roam through the mountains of Trollstigen (meaning “The Troll’s Path”) every night, but change to stone in the sunlight each morning.

What an incredible roadway – spectacular, really.

My troll continues his journey. A “Trolls Crossing” sign at the foot of the route.

Emily Santos (T: @emilyjsantos) is an award-winning photographer and web developer. She has worked for almost a decade as a news and traffic announcer at stations like 680News, AM640 and Global News Toronto. She currently works at JAZZ.FM91, and hosts a Frank Sinatra podcast, “Let’s Be Frank.”