Leaving the Trollstigen car park on the way to climb the Bispen.
Above the Trollstigen road in Norwegian Romsdal three steep mountains arise. Their distinguished names are Bispen (1462 m), Kongen (1614 m) and Dronninga (1544 m) which translate to The Bishop, The King and The Queen. The area sees many hikers, climbers, base jumpers and wingsuit flyers during the summer months. The summits can be reached both by easy and harder routes. Generally the rock is loose.
Trollstigen
The Trollstigen road as seen from the East Ridge of Bispen.
The easy access to Bispen is due to the Trollstigen (The Troll Ladder) being one of the most visited attractions in Norway. Inclined ten percent with eleven hairpin curves the Trollstigen road connects Åndalsnes in Rauma and Valldal in Norddal. The road was opened in 1936 but as early as in 1766 there is a written account of taking horses along a track up the mountain sides.
To Get There
The East ridge of Bispen to the right.
The closest town is Åndalsnes located at the mouth of the river Rauma.
From Oslo E6 Northward to Dombås 375 km
From Trondheim E6 Southward to Dombås 160 km
From Dombås E136 Westward to Trollstigen 115 km
From Trollstigen the road continues to Valldal and futher to the famous Geiranger with its steep roads, its deep fjord and beautiful views. Passing the Jotunheimen area the loop is completed in Otta on E6, 40 km south of Dombås.
Show larger map
Climbing routes
Three routes on Bispen. North ridge (Red), South ridge (Blue) and East ridge (Green).
Starting from the Trollstigen car park there are basically three routes up the mountain to choose from.
The North Ridge (red line) is the easiest way to get to the summit. It is more like a scramble but losing the correct path you can end up in much steeper terrain. This route is often used in descent.
The south ridge (blue line) is the shortest route from the car park. Easy climbing on loose rock. The ridge between the fore summit and the real summit is exposed.
The East Ridge (green line) involves some real climbing. The route is graded Norwegian 4 and 5 (crux), corresponding to YSD 5.5 and 5.6. After seven pitches of climbing the last part to the summit is easy scrambling. Beware of loose rocks and try to avoid having parties above you. Allow 4 to 5 hours to get to the summit.
On the way to climb the East Ridge.
Looking over to the South Ridge from the East Ridge.
On the East Ridge route. Note the Trollstigen road.
On the summit.
Climbing the East Ridge route
´
´
Maps and Books
The rest is by foot.
Romsdalen Turkart, 1:80.000
Climbs, Scrambles and Walks in Romsdal by Toni Howard
Klättring in Romsdal (Climbing in Romsdal) by Anne Grete Nebell and Bjarte Bo.
Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.
Page Type:
Lat/Lon:
Activities:
Season:
Elevation:
Leaving the Trollstigen car park on the way to climb the Bispen.
The Trollstigen road as seen from the East Ridge of Bispen.
The East ridge of Bispen to the right.
Three routes on Bispen. North ridge (Red), South ridge (Blue) and East ridge (Green).
On the way to climb the East Ridge.
Looking over to the South Ridge from the East Ridge.
On the East Ridge route. Note the Trollstigen road.
On the summit.
The rest is by foot.