Trollstigen National Tourist Route Reveals Unbelieveable Views

By Land8: Landscape Architects Network on March 20, 2015 No Comments / 6371 views

Trollstigen National Tourist Route by Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Credit: Diephotodesigner.de

Trollstigen National Tourist Route, by Reiulf Ramstad Architects, Rauma, Møre og Romsdal, Norway Trollstigen is one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the world, located in Rauma, Møre of Romsdal County, Norway. The serpentine road is part of the National Tourist Routes and is visited by an impressive number of people each summer. A landscape architecture project undertaken by Reiulf Ramstad Architects has managed to bring out the beauty of the Norwegian fjords. The project was commissioned by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration in 2004. The new Trollstigen National Tourist Route was completed in 2012, covering a surface area of 150,000 square meters (1,200 square meters for the buildings).

Trollstigen National Tourist Route by Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Credit: Iver_Otto_Gjelstenli

Unique location brings challenges to Trollstigen National Tourist Route

The team of landscape architects working on the project enjoyed the challenge of enhancing the beauty of the Trollstigen plateau. The challenge stemmed from the unique location and the necessity to blend abstract elements within nature. The idea behind the project was to highlight the uniqueness of the surrounding landscape. Every element was chosen so as to be functional and adapted to each visitor arriving at the site. The project was so ingeniously designed that one simply doesn’t feel where the designed zone ends and where the natural landscape starts.

Trollstigen National Tourist Route by Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Credit: Diephotodesigner.de

Electric perspective over the Norwegian fjords at Trollstigen National Tourist Route The project is based on a perfect blend between dynamic and static elements. Water is present as far as the eye can see, whether it appears as brilliant snow, an enchanting waterfall, or a rapid watercourse between the fjords. The rocks complete the scenery, taking their role as static elements. The elements and materials chosen for this project bring out the electric perspective that the Norwegian fjords provide. Visitors can observe nature from up high, enjoying the unique angle of view and the incredible scenery.

Trollstigen National Tourist Route by Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Credit: Jiri_Havran_Statens_vegvesen

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Well-chosen elements take Trollstigen National Tourist Route to the highest level

Visitors reaching Trollstigen have the opportunity to take alluring pathways to reach the viewing platforms. From here, they can view the Norwegian mountains and the fjords, spreading as far as the eye can see. These footpaths invite visitors to discover more and more, the lookout points being especially chosen to deliver breathtaking views of the mountain river, as well.

Trollstigen National Tourist Route by Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Credit: Diephotodesigner.de

The materials chosen for the lookout points include concrete, steel, and glass. While the concrete and the steel guarantee the desired stability, the glass eliminates the visual barrier between people and nature. The first confrontation with Trollstigen is represented by the bent block made from concrete. This is the entrance to the location, offering visitors the possibility to taste delicious meals at the waterside glass restaurant and discover a beautiful gallery. The pavilions made from Cor-Ten steel complete the scenery, their reddish hues contrasting with the surrounding clear-blue sky. Did nature help the success of Trollstigen National Tourist Route? When one reaches Trollstigen, it is impossible not to think that the location was both a challenge and a success factor for the project architects. Trollstigen is a magnificent tourist route, delivering a scenic perspective over the mountain plateau of the same name. The fact that nature is so pure and enchanting has definitely contributed to the success of the project. However, it was the talent and the unique viewpoint of the landscape architects that made this project one of the top architectural projects from that year.

Trollstigen National Tourist Route by Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Credit: RRA

Troll’s Ladder – nature dressed in its finest clothes Trollstigen is also known as Troll’s Ladder, and it is visited by people from all over the world. The project allowed for the panorama to be presented from a different perspective. Tourists following this scenic route will enjoy the carefully chosen lookout points, not to mention the generous use of glass. The 360-degree perspective shows how amazing the Norwegian fjords are during the summer; the viewing platforms present nature dressed in its finest clothes.

Trollstigen National Tourist Route by Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Credit: Diephotodesigner.de

Presenting nature without changing it This is the kind of project that poses the challenge of presenting nature without changing it. Visitors arriving to Trollstigen are interested in the unique perspective over the Norwegian fjords, but they are also interested in the restaurant at the foot of the wall. One can discover the scenery from more than one angle, taking advantage of the viewing platforms and the comfort solutions proposed in the form of pavilions and outdoor furniture. If one were to describe this project in a single phrase, one would have to say that this is a subtle interference with nature. This delicate intervention is, however, a successful landscape architectural project, allowing visitors to enjoy the stunning scenery over the Norwegian mountains and fjords.

Trollstigen National Tourist Route by Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Credit: Diephotodesigner.de

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Architecture in Northern Landscapes by Todd Saunders
Site Engineering for Landscape Architects by Steven Strom

Feature image: Trollstigen National Tourist Route by Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Credit: Diephotodesigner.de Article by Alexandra Antipa Return to Homepage