Some of the greatest stories about trolls originate in Norway. In fact, there are many amazing natural wonders there that are named after these mythical creatures. After visiting, it's not hard to see why!

The best place to start is with a ferry ride up the west coast of Norway. Some cruise lines follow the same course, but due to their size and schedules are unable to approach some of the more incredible scenery that dominates the fjords. Since the ferries are quite regular, one can jump off at any of the towns along the way to explore at will, joining a later ferry to continue your trip northward.

Eventually you will find yourself at Alesund, a very old city with a rich culture and an incredible history. Visit some of the fascinating local sights first, such as Stavkirke (the Stave Church), the Fisheries museum, and the beautiful white sands of the Giske and Vigra beaches. Eventually however, the siren call of the mountains will draw you in, as they have so many others, and your adventure will begin in earnest.

To begin, let us explore the site known as Trollveggen (the Troll Wall). Trollveggen is part of the mountain range called Trolltindene (the Troll Peaks). The shear size of these mountains alone can be enough to inspire awe in even the most seasoned traveler, but to stand at the base of Trollveggen is an experience not to be missed! Standing over 1800 meters high, 1000 meters of which are a straight vertical cliff, Trollvegen dwarfs any man-made structure to date. To illustrate, the Eiffel Tower is a mere 324 meters high, including the flagpole; the CN Tower is 553.3 meters tall; and the Sears tower is only 527 meters tall.

Anyone who's stood at the top of any tall structure knows the incredible feeling of looking down and seeing the ground so far below. Now, imagine base-jumping from a cliff nearly 2 kilometers high! Although base-jumping and hang-gliding off the cliff has been banned, there are still a few foolhardy souls who sneak in to experience this incredible rush. Other thrill-seekers prefer to take on one of the many challenging climbing routes pioneered over the years by climbing teams from Germany, France, Brittain, Russia, and elsewhere. For most travelers however, merely looking over the edge is thrilling enough as it is.

To reach the top of Trollveggen by car, one must experience another troll-related site known as Trollstigen (the Troll's Ladder), a winding road with 11 hair-pin turns that is so narrow that only one vehicle can travel on it at a time. Relatively gentle at first, it is difficult to tell how high up one is until one is forced onto one of the "passing lanes", where the road has been widened to allow two vehicles to pass one another. Should you encounter a vehicle coming in the opposite direction, one of you will need to back up to one of these passing lanes to allow the other vehicle to continue onwards. Stepping out of your vehicle at these spots in not recommended, as the lip of the road is often a mere two or three inches away from your tires.

The road at Trollstigen was built in 1936, and took 8 years to complete. Originally however, it was a footpath for shepherds bringing their flocks in and out of the valley to graze. Parts of this path are still available to those who enjoy a good hike, but be sure to wear boots and gloves, since some parts of the path are so steep that chains were installed to help one up the more difficult sections. Also, be sure to wear a nice smile, since you will most likely have your picture taken by a more than a few of the less adventurous tourists along the way.

The backside of Trollveggen, while not as well known, is equally impressive, although in a very different way. Driving through the valley, one can begin to understand how the Vikings might believe in the giant and powerful creatures known as trolls. To the casual eye, it looks as if a giant child was playing with stones, piling them together and then scattering them about. All through the valley, one can see immense piles of rocks, some leaning against one another, some perched precariously on top of one another much like the inuksuit (or rock stacks) built by the Inuits, but on a massive scale. Come and have your picture taken under a boulder the size of a four-story house, balanced just perfectly on a stone the size of a small car!

Other nearby natural formations are equally fascinating. According to legend, Trollhugget (the Troll Chop) was the result of a single blow from a troll's axe, marking the division between his own and a rival's territory. True to its name, the mountain range is abruptly cleaved in two, the valley between them full of shattered and pulverized stone. Trollkirka (the Troll's Church) is another interesting stone formation in the vicinity, with it's distinctive pyramid shape, looking much like many of the ancient stave churches built around 1300AD when early Christianity reached the area.

This incredible area is just one small piece of Norway's seemingly endless supply of natural beauty. Next time you're thinking of going to Europe, forget the cruise lines… come see the interior of one of the most incredible and rugged places on earth!