Photo Credit: Clementp.fr, via Wikimedia Commons
Trollstigen, one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions featuring winding roads up the mountainside, has recently closed. The closure was a result of recent rockslides in the area. In one instance, a rock the size of a football crashed through the window of a car. Fortunately, the driver of the car was unharmed and was actually a contractor who was there to check the area. At first, the hope was that the road could reopen as it closed only a few weeks after it initially opened for the season. However, after further consideration, Ole Jan Tønnesen, chief of the county road system, stated “We have had so many incidents that we can’t defend a reopening…We simply have to halt traffic before someone is seriously injured or killed.” In the 10-day span it was open, there were at least six rockslides, which highlights the danger posed to visitors.
This is unfortunate news for tourists as about one million people visit the road every year and it is only open during the summer months. It is also quite disappointing to businesses in the area that cater to and rely on tourists. The businesses are one of the main reasons they try to keep the road open every year. But in this case, safety must come first.
The road will be closed for the remainder of the 2024 season. Officials are hopeful they can reopen the road in 2025, but there are some hurdles to overcome first. To reopen the road, there are a number of necessary repairs to be completed. Not only that, but there is also discourse going on about who should pay for the repairs. Although it’s a county road, many believe the state should contribute more as the road is crucial for the travel industry and for tourists.
Even though the road is closed, there are still viewpoints that are open to the public to be enjoyed. For status updates on Trollstigen, click here.