Geiranger-Trollstigen Road

We were supposed to rent a speedboat to run around the fjords but sadly it was too windy. I was definitely bummed but it got us out onto the Geiranger-Trollstein road earlier which turned out to be great as it gets really busy. There were tons of pit stops along this road. The architecture and landscape design elements on this road were such pleasant surprises.

The first one we came upon was Gudbrandsjuvet. The café wasn't open but that just made for better photos :) The building was beautifully detailed and just as we were getting really into it we saw the rusted metal and steel path snaking through the trees. The path looks as though it is floating among the landscape giving way to otherwise unattainable views. The water here has cut deeply into the rock, it bubbles rapidly creating unique shapes and gouges that this path highlights in the most beautiful way. The railing is designed so that you are meant to comfortably lean over it and stare down at the rushing water (I was geeking out a bit at this detail!) There are cuts in the bridge at just the right places to catch a stunning rock formation, it opens up to a wider path at the waterfall view and incorporates a remaining rock precipice where you can jump off the steel path and clambor up the remaining rock. The water look is so blue and crisp that we kept joking it looked like Kings Island water (an amusement park where they dye the water bluer)

The benches had holes punched in them to allow ferns to grow through and it was cut to follow the edge of the natural rock and trees not forced into hard edges. The railings were rusted except where your hands would touch them and then they were smooth and polished so it felt right tactically. As is obvious, we stayed here quite awhile!

The other main building we came upon was the Trollstigen stop. The building slopes up opening into views between peaks while floating on the water rushing under it. Moving around the building there is a path that takes you out to overlook the intense switchback road we were about to descend. The platforms jet out from the landscape with glass railings and angles in all the right places for the best views. There was also a dirt path of the main sculpted metal path which we deeply appreciated for the walk back. They thought of everything! After we wandered onto the rock for awhile we headed to the building to grab a coffee and vafffle (waffle!) topped with yogurt and berries. You can get onto the top of the sloped building where we found benches with integrated tables for our coffee.

The road was busy but we lingered and took our time which allowed us to wait for the crowds to ebb to our liking and not feel stressed. Day wasn't over yet though, fjord hike still to go.

P.S. we bough a waffle maker when we got home :)