AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Trollskogen — meaning "The Troll Forest" — is a nature attraction tucked among the cabin landscapes of Kvamskogen, the mountain plateau that Route 7 crosses between Bergen and the Hardangerfjord. It is a local family favourite, best reached on foot through the Røyrlia cabin area, and offers a simple woodland escape at altitude with the wide-open feel of the Hardangervidda fringe.↗↗
Where It Sits
Kvamskogen is a high plateau ranging roughly 400 to 1,300 metres above sea level, long used as a recreational area by families from Bergen and the surrounding fjord communities. Trollskogen sits at the Norheimsund end of the plateau, along Route 7 (Rv7 756), the road that threads over the mountain down toward the Hardangerfjord. The coordinates place it at a moderate elevation on the plateau's southern slope, where boreal forest meets open mountain terrain.↗↗
Getting There
By car, Trollskogen is about 60–75 minutes east of Bergen via E16 toward Voss, then Route 7 over Kvamskogen toward Norheimsund. The area is well known to locals: you need to walk through the Røyrlia cabin field (hyttefelt) to reach the forest, so park at the roadside near the Røyrlia area and follow the footpaths between the holiday cabins. From Bergen, the Skyss bus also runs between the city and Norheimsund via Kvamskogen, with stops along Route 7.↗
What to Expect
Trollskogen is a short, easy forest walk listed among Kvamskogen's top family activities alongside swimming holes, trout fishing, and winter skiing at nearby centres. The name — "Troll Forest" — evokes Norwegian folklore and the sense of stepping into a storybook woodland. The plateau setting gives it a particular atmosphere: even on summer days the air can feel cool and clean, and the surrounding cabins make it feel like a quiet village that empties when the season changes.↗
It is not a ticketed theme park or a large organised trail complex. It is more accurately described as a named patch of forest that local families know and return to — a natural playground at altitude with the kind of easy-going charm that makes Norwegian cabin-area walks so appealing. Expect woodland paths rather than engineered attractions, and bring a sense of curiosity about what hides between the birches.
Combining with Nearby Stops
The drive down Route 7 from Trollskogen toward Norheimsund passes one of Norway's most popular waterfall attractions: Steinsdalsfossen, where a path leads dry-shod behind the cascade. Norheimsund itself offers the Hardanger Maritime Museum (Hardanger Fartøyvernsenter), a living boat-building workshop, and a pleasant fjord-side harbour. If you're heading toward Bergen on the return leg, the Tokagjelet gorge — the dramatic old road carved into the rock — is another memorable roadside stop.↗↗
Seasonal Notes
Kvamskogen is a year-round recreation area. In winter, the plateau's ski centres (Eikedalen, Furedalen, Mødalen, Sjusete) draw families from Bergen, and Trollskogen becomes part of the broader snow landscape — a magical forest in white. In summer and autumn, the forest is at its most accessible and pleasant for children to roam. The cabin areas fill on weekends and school holidays, making Trollskogen especially lively when Bergen residents drive up to escape city weather.↗
What makes it special
The name Trollskogen translates to "The Troll Forest"
Accessed on foot through the Røyrlia cabin area along Route 7
Listed as a family activity by the local Kvamskogen community organisation
Part of a plateau used for over a century as a day-trip destination from Bergen
A little planning goes a long way
- Park roadside near the Røyrlia cabin field and walk through — there is no large formal car park at the forest itself
- Wear sturdy shoes even for short walks; the plateau terrain can be damp and uneven
- Combine with Steinsdalsfossen (about 10 minutes further down toward Norheimsund) for a half-day outing
- Bring food and drinks; cabin-area forests like this rarely have on-site cafés
- Check Statens Vegvesen road conditions before driving Route 7 in winter, as weather and snow clearing can cause delays
About this guide
Compiled with AI assistance from the sources below; this is not a first-hand visit. Place details collected October 5, 2026. Hours, access and ratings can change; confirm with the venue before visiting.
