Romsdal is the training ground for many expert trail runners. After just a few days and (only) 50km in these mountains, I understand why they run at such an elite level. While lower than the Alps, I spent most of my time trying not to topple off a ridge, and the rest slipping and swimming through mud and rivers (it rained most of the time). But, bad weather aside, the two trails I ran barely scratched the surface of the running/climbing/skiing potential here. There’s lots more to see, particularly in the ridge scrambling department.
Isfjorden towards DNT Måsvassbu
Muddy but quiet trail with a lot of small rocks and rivers to negotiate after heavy rains. Leaving from the shooting range above Isfjorden, the trail is marked the whole way with the red “T”. Easy access to this run if you’re staying in Isfjorden and there’s a relatively regular bus between Åndalsnes and Isfjorden.
On the way towards DNT Måsvassbu.
More of the same. Views over Isfjorden.
Signs of snow in early October on the way to DNT Måsvassbu.
Running the (very famous) Romsdalseggen and back to Isfjorden
A bit harder to access from Isfjorden (during the summer there is a special bus to the trail head from Åndalsnes). I snagged a ride, but otherwise the approach would be a long but beautiful approach on tarmac. Once at the trail head (Venjesdalssetra), the climbing starts slow and steady with a few rivers. There are some boulder fields to navigate, but not so bad as it hadn’t rained that day (yet!). The real treat was the ridge scramble. There are fixed ropes at some junctures but this trail requires a good head for heights. The trail is well-marked with red dots or the red “T”. Instead of descending into Åndalsnes, I turned around at the gondola restaurant, stayed on the mountains, and took a lower trail back to Isfjorden (marked Isfjorden via Furukollen). The bottom part was wet and muddy, but the rest was a lovely run and less airy than the route up.
Looking back over the Romsdalseggen ridge.
Enjoying views from the via ferrata over Åndalsnes.
Siena Anstis 