SummitClimbs Field Note: Romsdalseggen is the ridge walk above Åndalsnes in Rauma, Møre og Romsdal: a line of summits about 10 km long, running parallel to lower Romsdalen with the Rauma river 1,000 m below. The marked DNT route from Venjesdalen to Åndalsnes is about 10.8 km one way, 5–8 hours and about 1,050 m of total ascent, graded demanding, with airy sections at Halsaskaret and Mjølvaskaret, some of them secured with chains. Walk it in the recommended direction, from Venjesdalen to Åndalsnes, on a day without strong wind.
The Ridge Above Romsdalen
The ridge runs between Venjesdalen and Åndalsnes. Its highest and easternmost top is Blånebba (1,320 m); further west come Mjelvafjellet, Høgnosa and finally Nesaksla above the town. All around stand the great Romsdal peaks: the Venjetindane, Romsdalshorn, the Trolltindane and Trollveggen, Bispen, Kongen and Dronninga. Deep in Isterdalen you can see Trollstigen, and to the west Molde and the Norwegian Sea.
Since 2009 the local tourism industry and the Norwegian Trekking Association have marked and developed the ridge, with cairns roughly every 50 m and chains on the steep, tricky spots, and visitor numbers have grown: 14,000 hikers were counted in 2015.
Romsdalseggen at a Glance
- Location: Rauma, Møre og Romsdal; between Venjesdalen and Åndalsnes
- Highest top: Blånebba, 1,320 m
- Route: Venjesdalen → Steinfjellet → Halsaskaret → Mjølvafjellet → Mjølvaskaret → Nesaksla → Åndalsnes
- Distance: about 10.8 km, one way
- Time: 5–8 hours
- Ascent: about 1,051 m in total
- Grade: demanding; airy sections, chains on one short steep pitch
- Season: June to October
- Getting there: the seasonal Romsdalseggen bus from Åndalsnes station to the start
- Dogs: on a lead from 1 April to 1 October
The Route, Venjesdalen to Åndalsnes
Take the bus from Åndalsnes station (reachable on the Rauma Railway) to the start in Venjesdalen, then walk back to town. The path is a signposted, cairned and marked DNT trail. Just above the tree line the ground levels out and the path runs gently across Hesteheian; this is the last chance to fill up with water, so do it before you leave the river. At a signposted junction on the flat, turn left and follow a clear ridge up to Steinfjellet (1,178 m), between Blånebba and Mjølvafjellet. It is a hard climb, rewarded with a fantastic view.
From Steinfjellet, turn right along the ridge towards Mjølvafjellet; the path follows the crest all the way. At first keep left, right on the edge above Romsdalen. The ridge then drops steeply over Halsaskaret before the climb up Mjølvafjellet, with a short steep section secured with chains. On Mjølvafjellet the terrain eases, and the path runs out to Aakesvarden, right on the edge above Romsdalen. A distinct ridge leads down to Mjølvaskaret, with an airy passage across to Høgaksla, then down to Nesaksla, where there is a stone hut and the top station of the Romsdalsgondolen.
From Nesaksla you can ride the gondola down, or follow the clearly marked path down the Romsdalstrappa stone stairs, with a detour out to the Rampestreken viewpoint, and on through the forest to Åndalsnes.
Three Ways to Walk It
- Via Mjelvaskaret: the easiest variant, suitable for families.
- “Komfort”: includes a little easy scrambling.
- “Ekstrem”: demanding, with a steep ascent of the south ridge of Blånebba.
Before You Go
- Go one way: because of the narrow sections at Halsaskaret and Mjølvaskaret, walk from Venjesdalen to Åndalsnes to avoid two-way traffic.
- Wind and weather: the airy sections are exposed and difficult in strong wind and bad weather.
- Water: fill up before leaving the river at Hesteheian; there is none on the ridge.
- Animals: you may meet old Norwegian sheep and cattle; respect the lead rules.
The SummitClimbs Take
Romsdalseggen is one of Norway’s great ridge walks: a bus to the start, a day on the crest with Romsdalen far below, and a stairway or gondola back into town. Start in Venjesdalen, carry water, and save it for a calm day.
Route facts from the UT.no Romsdalseggen route; other facts from Norwegian Wikipedia (Romsdalseggen).