Trollkirka (Trollkyrkja) Norway Hike and Waterfall Cave: Everything you Need to Know 2024
Trollkirka (Trollkyrkja) Norway Hike
Norway has many amazing hikes, such as Pulpit rock and another troll-related walk Trolltunga, but this hike feels like one of Norway's hidden gems.
We completed this hike in September 2023, it was a wet day and we ended up being the only people in the car park and the only people on the hike. Therefore, this made Trollkirka a highlight of our 2 month Norway road trip and making it one of the best hikes near Bergen and the Atlantic Ocean Drive. Trollkirka aka Trollkyrkja translates to the Troll's Church. This name is given due to the spectacular marble cave you can explore at the top of the walk. There is a cascading waterfall inside the cave system which is marble-lined - it really feels as though you're in a fairy-tale.
Oh and if you only get one thing from this blog post, take a torch, the caves are DARK!
Contents:
How to Get to the Trollkirka Caves and Hike
There is a trail head carpark for Trollkirka. You can park for free and when we arrived we were the only people there. It is quite a large car park, with large spaces for campervans but I'm sure it gets filled up in summer with people wanting to explore the marble caves of Norway.
The car park is off the Norwegian County Road 64 that runs between Kristiansund and Andalsnes. The parking is easy to find and well signposted.
Once at the carpark head towards the main road and join onto the Trollkirka signposted path. The path starts of quite muddy and walking shoes are a must. The path takes you over a small stream then it's uphill through a forest. Once you emerge from the forest you still have quite a bit of the mountain to climb which is loosely marked with red Ts. We recommend you take a map of follow the route on AllTrails to stay on track.
At the top of the hike you will find a signpost explaining the three different cave systems you can explore. The entrance to the first cave is directly opposite the sign. The first cave is the largest and the one with the waterfall. You will need a torch it is pitch black.
We didn't attempt the second and third caves due to poor weather but from recent reviews these seem to be harder and more dangerous to navigate.
Trollkirka Hike Difficulity and Length
The walk from the carpark to the first cave takes about 90 minutes, and it is all uphill. I would say you need a good level of fitnes for this walk, but there are a few benches on the way up for breaks if needed.
The trail is rocky and at times boggy so you will need good waterproof hiking shoes. There is also water in the cave system meaning you need waterproof shoes. My shoes however decided this was a great hike to break and the front of the sole fell off. I managed to complete the hike but I did have very wet feet.
The Marble Caves of Norway and How to Navigate Them
The real star of this hike is the waterfall at the end of Cave 1. Cave 1 is found opposite a singpost. As we were the only ones on the hike we were pretty unsure if we should enter the cave (it looks ominous) so i've pictured it here so you can be confident it's the right entrance. You will need to clamber into the first cave, for me, this was the hardest part of the cave system and once past the entrance it was a little easier albeit dark.
Once in the cave it is about a 10 minute walk in pitch black to the waterfall which falls 14 metres into a marble lined cave. The pool of water at the bottom is crystal clear and it makes an epic place for a photo.
You will need to return the way you came to exit the cave. Once out continue walking up the mountain and you will come to a ladder over the waterfall that leads you to Cave 2. Here you can explore the second cave system.
Due to bad weather we didn't make it to Cave 3, we also read online it was difficult to find and small. We would love to hear if you made it to cave 3, as we are a little bit sad the adventure ended for us as this walk is a Norway road trip highlight.
Tips and Tricks for the Trollkirka Hike
Take a torch - The caves are pitch black and each person needs their own torch
Wear waterproof shoes - Some of the path is through river bed and inside the cave systems there is water
Come early to beat the crowds or go in Autumn
Cave 1 is worth the cave bouldering
The walk is all uphill so be prepared
Overall, the Troll's church did not disappoint and should be added to everyone's Norway bucket list.
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