Trolls and fjords in one long day? That is the fun of this Ålesund shore excursion. I love getting big mountain viewpoints without needing a rental car, especially the Trollstigen plateau outlook, and I also really like the variety, from fjord photo stops to Gudbrandsjuvet gorge. One thing to keep in mind is that the most famous Troll Road drive can be affected, since Trollstigen is closed for the 2024 season, so your route may shift and some stops may be skipped.

This is a guided, full-day ride that starts right by the port at Storneskaia. You meet your guide about 15 minutes early, then settle into an air-conditioned vehicle for lots of scenery breaks, short walks, and timed viewpoints. The guides can be terrific, and I noticed names like Giulia, Claudia, and Lulu popping up in feedback, with real storytelling about the myths and local life (including why some houses have grass roofs).

Key highlights worth planning for

• Trollstigen plateau outlook time, with a proper view over the Troll Road valley
• Gudbrandsjuvet gorge stop, built for photos and quick orientation to the area
• Stigfossen waterfall photo stop, short but dramatic
• Trollveggen Besoksenter timing, which may be affected when the route changes
• Guides with strong local stories, including troll legends and farm traditions
• Lunch option that changes the length, from about 6.5 hours to about 7.5 hours

From Storneskaia Port to the fjord photo stops that set the mood

Most shore excursions try to cram in a few highlights. This one starts by setting the tone fast, right after you meet at Storneskaia near the port. If your ship is in port for a while, that matters, because the timing here is built around getting you out of Ålesund and into the fjord country before the day gets too busy.

Your first meaningful pause is at Kokarsteinen, a photo stop by the Storfjord. This is not a sit-down attraction. It is more like a quick “get your bearings” moment, so you can later appreciate what you are driving through. I like this approach. You do not just arrive at scenery, you learn how to read it.

Then the day accelerates. You keep moving, with short viewpoint stops and a guide talking along the way. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the tour caps out at a maximum of 45 people, which usually keeps it from feeling like cattle herding. Still, expect a day where most time is spent riding, not wandering.

Kokarsteinen and Gudbrandsjuvet gorge: where the scenery gets specific

After the Storfjord photo moment, the tour heads toward Gudbrandsjuvet, which is where the views start getting sharper and more “Norway documentary” in the best way. This stop is scheduled around 15 minutes, and that is enough time to move to the best angles without feeling rushed.

Gudbrandsjuvet is an impressive gorge, and the value here is partly practical: the guide helps you understand what you are seeing so it does not blur into generic mountains. You get a sense of how the water and the valley shape travel through the region, and you can connect the dots later when you look down from higher points.

One detail I appreciate is the tour’s rhythm. You are not waiting for hours between stops. You get the feeling that you are constantly earning the next view, not just watching the bus window.

A note for your planning: the included package mentions Valldal, including the strawberry area, and Romsdalshorn as part of the overall mountain region you are traveling through. Even if you do not get a long stop at every named place, you will still feel like you are moving through a real corridor of fjord life, not a random loop of roads.

Trollstigen plateau: the best payoff if the road is closed

Here is the headline your brain will remember: Trollstigen. But you should also read the fine print. Trollstigen is closed for the 2024 season due to falling rock risk. That means you may not get the stomach-churningly steep drive that the tour name hints at.

What you should still expect is access to the Trollstigen plateau. That is the viewpoint where you stop for about 30 minutes and look down over the Troll Road and the valley below. This is the “see it from above” experience, and it can still be spectacular. Even without the full drive, it is one of those places where your photos will look better than your memory, because the scale is tough to grasp any other way.

There is also a second layer to this stop: it is built for perspective. You can watch how the road climbs and imagine what the switchbacks would feel like from the driver’s seat. The guide typically adds troll legend context here too, which helps the whole thing feel more than just geology.

Stigfossen waterfall and Trollveggen Besoksenter: what you might see today

After Trollstigen plateau, you head to Stigfossen waterfall. This stop is brief, around 5 minutes, and it is primarily a photo moment. If you love waterfalls, think of it as a “glance that sticks with you” rather than a long hike. The timing is short, but the waterfall itself is usually enough to justify the stop.

Next up is Trollveggen Besoksenter, also called the Troll Wall. The scheduled visit is about 10 minutes. This is where the day leans into the troll theme, literally, because Troll Wall is one of Europe’s tallest vertical rock faces.

But here is the practical catch: due to route changes connected to the Trollstigen closure, the tour info you were given states that the excursion will not be able to visit Trollveggen on this tour. In real life, that means you should treat Trollveggen as an optional bonus when conditions allow, not as a guaranteed “must see.”

So how should you think about this day? If Trollstigen is closed, you can still get the big viewpoint payoff from the plateau and you still get the gorge and waterfall stops. If Trollveggen is skipped, the tour is more of a fjords and viewpoints day than a full troll-theme package, and it may feel a little less complete for people who booked specifically for the Troll Wall.

Drive along the Rauma River and Rose Church stop before heading back

The tour does not end with mountains and water. On the return, you drive along the Rauma River back toward Ålesund. That segment matters because it gives you a calmer kind of scenery between big stops.

Near the end, you make a photo stop at Stordal Gamle Kyrkje, also known as the Rose Church. It is scheduled for about 10 minutes. This is not a long museum visit. It is more of a “Norway has history in its buildings too” moment, the kind that makes the day feel grounded.

Then you loop back to Storneskaia, ending back at the meeting point. If you are traveling with a cruise ship, this is part of the choreography: the tour aims to bring you back with enough time to get onboard.

Lunch option, timing stress, and how to pick what fits your ship

Lunch is offered as an option, and it changes the experience length: without lunch it runs about 6.5 hours, with lunch it runs about 7.5 hours. That difference sounds small on paper, but on a shore day it can be the difference between relaxed and “please don’t get stuck in traffic.”

From the feedback, lunch can be a highlight when it happens well. People praised a buffet-style lunch at a spot outside town, sometimes described as a local farm setting with choices like salmon. That said, lunch timing can get sensitive because the tour is built around road conditions and stop sequencing.

The key practical point for you: do not assume the day stays exactly on schedule. Trollstigen closure and other road issues can reshape timing and reduce or cancel elements. If you are booking this for a cruise day, I would lean toward planning your day with the idea that the operator will prioritize returning on time, even if that means you lose some planned minutes elsewhere.

If you want the simplest experience and your ship has tight boarding windows, the lunch-excluded version is often the lower-risk choice. If your port time is comfortable and you want a full day feel, the lunch version can be worth it.

Getting around: comfort in the bus, plus the real-world walking

This kind of excursion is mostly seated time with short stops. You should still plan for uneven footing and quick movement. The viewpoints usually require getting out and walking a bit, and the tour involves a mix of photo moments, which often means standing, repositioning, and moving around for the best angles.

One concern that came up in feedback is physical effort. Some people noted steep steps getting into the bus and steep hills during stops. Another person mentioned their seat position reduced window views. That tells me the experience can vary slightly depending on where you sit.

My advice: if you book, and the vehicle seat map is offered, choose a seat that keeps you close to the front and not too high. Bring shoes you trust for quick transfers, even if you are not planning any long hikes. Also, because you are out photographing, dress in layers. Norwegian weather can shift quickly, and a cool wind at an overlook feels colder than you expect.

Price and value for a $187.53 fjords-to-trolls day

At $187.53 per person, this is not a bargain-bin excursion. But the price starts making sense once you consider what you are getting: a full guided day across multiple named scenery stops, transportation by a dedicated vehicle, and a focus on major “big Norway” sights without the stress of driving yourself.

You are essentially paying for three things:

1. Time savings and route management from Ålesund to the mountain areas and back.
2. Guided context so the scenery feels connected instead of random.
3. Convenience for cruise days, including returning to the port area on a fixed timeline.

Where the value can wobble is exactly where you already see the word closure in the details. When Trollstigen is closed, the most thrilling road component may not happen, and Trollveggen may be skipped. In that situation, you are paying for the fjord and viewpoint package plus waterfall, with fewer troll stops.

Still, even in altered form, the day can be strong. People consistently praised the guide quality and the photo-stop timing, and the overall variety got repeated. If you are the type of traveler who values variety over one single “icon,” this tour fits well.

If you are the type who booked specifically for the full Troll Road drive and the Troll Wall visit, you should mentally budget for the possibility that not all pieces land exactly as advertised.

Who should book this Ålesund excursion?

Book it if you want:

• A guided overview of the fjord and mountain region around Ålesund in one day
• Photo stops that change the scenery often, not just one long drive to one spot
• A tour with strong storytelling, including troll myths and local traditions

Consider skipping or choosing a different day trip if:

• Your top priority is driving Troll Road itself and visiting Trollveggen, because closures can change the route
• You need a low-impact day with minimal stepping and minimal walking, since a few stops involve short but real movement and some vehicles may have higher steps

Should you book this tour?

I think this is a smart booking for many cruise and non-cruise visitors because it hits that sweet spot of big views, a guided story thread, and a schedule that works on a shore day. If you are flexible about the exact Trollstigen drive experience, you will still get worthwhile payoff from the Trollstigen plateau viewpoint, Gudbrandsjuvet gorge, and Stigfossen waterfall.

My final test question for you: do you want a day trip that feels like a guided sightseeing route, or do you need the one specific thrill of the steep Troll Road drive and Troll Wall visit at all costs? If it is the first, book with confidence. If it is the second, check current seasonal conditions and be ready for the itinerary to adjust.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Storneskaia in Ålesund and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off is not included.

How long is the excursion with and without lunch?

Without lunch, the excursion lasts about 6.5 hours. With lunch, it lasts about 7.5 hours.

Is this tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Can Trollstigen and Troll Wall stops change?

Yes. Trollstigen is closed for the 2024 season, and the route change means the tour may not be able to visit Trollveggen on this tour. The Trollstigen plateau is still accessible.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.