Galten, aka mini Trolltunga, is a unique rock that juts out of the mountainside over Dalsfjord and is covered in greenery. This picturesque spot is still relatively unknown. When we hiked it, we truly had the trail to ourselves and the hike was nothing short of spectacular. We highly recommend getting off the beaten path, stopping in Folkestad and hiking Galten when you are in Norway. Here is our guide on how to hike Galten in Norway.
FYI: This post is written based on a hike taken in early September. See our 2 Week Norway Road Trip guide for all the details on this trip. We took this trip with our 12 month old daughter. For all our baby travels tips and tricks see our Top 10 Baby Travel Tips, 5 Top Baby & Toddler Flying Tips and our How to Hike with a Baby post.
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How long is the Galten (Mini Trolltunga) Hike? How much elevation gain is on the Galten Hike?
Galten hike is an out & back hike that is 2.6 miles (4.2 km) with 1535 feet (471 meters) of elevation gain. If you start prior to the toll road, as we recommend to save a little cash, that adds on about 0.5 miles and 100 feet of elevation gain.
How do I hike to Galten? What are the Galten (Mini Trolltunga) Hike Logistics?
This hike first takes you through a pine forest before taking you above the treeline for about a mile until you reach Galten itself. On your way to Galten, you’ll get views of both stunning Voldsfjord and Dalsfjord. Once out of the pine forest, these views on this hike are truly postcard worthy. And with it being a relatively short hike, we’d say it’s a great bang for buck hike.
Once you get to the Summit, there is a book contained in a waterproof container where you can sign saying you were there. From there, you have to walk/climb down to Galten. It is a bit of a scramble but Natalie was able to do it easily and without issue with our 12 month old on her back. We had fun sitting as a family out at this spot.
How long does the Galten (Mini Trolltunga) Hike take?
This hike will take about 3 hours to hike. We hiked Galpen in about 3 hours including stopping at the summit for about 45 minutes.
How much does it cost to park at Galten (Mini Trolltunga)?
If you use the toll road, it costs 50 NOK (5 US dollars). However, you can park before the toll road and forgo this charge easily and only add on less than 0.5 miles of hiking. Here are the coordinates to Galten start and see the picture here.
Is the Galten (Mini Trolltunga) hike busy?
No! We only saw two other people while hiking this trail. One of the people was a local who hikes this trail several times a month to enjoy the tranquil environment this hike offers. The hike was so peaceful and felt untouched. It really seemed like we had the trail to ourselves. It was one of our favorite hikes in Norway because of this. This less popular spot is worth the trek to enjoy the stunning views alone.
Can you hike Galten (Mini Trolltunga) with kids?
Yes! We hiked this trail with our 12-month-old daughter in the backpack carrier. This trail is not technically challenging so as long as you are in decent shape, you should be able to complete it baby wearing. Most kids over 7, and younger depending on experience, should be able to complete this trail as well. You may not want your child to go out onto the Galten rock at these younger ages though. We felt comfortable holding our daughter on the rock but did not let her walk out on to it.
When to hike Galten (Mini Trolltunga)?
Ideally, hike it June 1st-September 30th. Outside of that window, it is more likely the road leading to the Galten trailhead will be covered in snow and the trail will be covered in snow as well.
How do you access the Galten (Mini Trolltunga) trailhead?
You can either access it by driving on the toll road or hiking from parking just prior to the toll road. Here are the coordinates to Galten start.
Where to stay when hiking Galten (Mini Trolltunga)?
We LOVED the Airbnb we stayed at in Folkestad. We were actually able to walk to the Galten trailhead from here. The views from this place were spectacular and the space was comfortable. We really enjoyed talking with our host here who was very helpful suggesting many things to explore in the area. We traveled all over Norway and this was our favorite Airbnb and town. Stay here!
Hiking Galten was one of the highlights of our 2 Week Norway Road Trip. It was so peaceful, serene and scenic. See our 2 Week Norway Road Trip guide for all the details on planning an epic fjord road trip of your own.
We hope this guide helps you plan your hike at Galten. Anything you’d add to our guide? We’d love to hear your feedback and questions. Please leave us a comment!
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