Trollfjord: a fjord of myths and legends

Trollfjord may be small, but it leaves a big impression. With an entrance only 100 metres wide and cliffs rising almost vertically from the water – some towering 1,100 metres overhead – Trollfjord is one of the most dramatic fjords in Norway.

It slices deep into the cliffs that line Raftsundet, the narrow strait separating Vesterålen and the Lofoten Islands. The only way you can see it is from the water; no roads dare venture here.

Of all the Norwegian fjords, Trollfjord has an extra-special place in our hearts at Hurtigruten. We even named our Signature flagship after it.

Sailing on one of our ships as it squeezes through the mouth of the fjord, then watching as your Captain carefully turns the ship around within Trollfjord’s narrow walls – a feat that never fails to impress those on board – is something you’ll never forget. At times, the fjord’s sides feel so close to the ship you almost believe you can reach out and touch them.

Trollfjord was sculpted by glaciers over thousands of years, carving out the steep rock walls and deep basin we see today. The fjord is relatively short – only 2km long – but its striking entrance and sheer cliffs make it one of the most photographed in Norway.

For centuries, fishermen have navigated these waters, drawn by the rich shoals of fish that gather in the fjord. Its importance as a fishing ground has even given it a page in Norwegian history books.

One of the most famous events in Norwegian fishing history unfolded right here in 1890: the Battle of Trollfjord. It wasn’t a battle in the traditional sense but a fierce conflict between small-scale fishermen in open boats and larger, steam-powered vessels. The latter blocked off the fjord’s entrance with nets, trapping the fish inside.

Furious at being cut off from their livelihood, the fishermen in the smaller boats attacked, cutting through the nets and sparking a fight. The event became a symbol of the struggle between industrial and traditional fishing.

Trollfjord has long inspired artists, writers and even Hollywood. Gunnar Berg, a Lofoten-born painter, captured the fjord’s history in his famous battle scene painting, Trollfjordslaget. Johan Bojer wrote about the struggles of the Lofoten fishermen in his novel Den Siste Viking (The Last of the Vikings), which tells the story of the Lofoten fishing culture.

More recently, Matt Damon and the Hollywood film industry brought international attention to this natural setting, with Trollfjord serving as a dramatic backdrop his 2017 film Downsizing.

Trollfjord is spectacular year-round, but each season offers something different.

Summer (May–September) is the best time for Hurtigruten sailings, thanks to the 24-hour Midnight Sun, calm seas and abundant wildlife. The long daylight hours make it easier to appreciate the fjord’s dramatic cliffs. 

But the shoulder seasons offer their own charms. Fewer tourists and magnificent colours make autumn a great time to visit, while spring sees the waterfalls roar to life and the landscape turn lush green as the snow melts.

Visit in winter (November–March) to see the fjord at its most dramatic, with snow-covered peaks and frozen waterfalls. This is also the best time to see the Northern Lights.

Rough seas can make navigating the narrow fjord entrance hazardous, while heavy snowfall brings a risk of avalanche within the fjord. On Hurtigruten, your captain has the final say; safety always comes first. But when the weather and sailings align – which is more often than you might think – Trollfjord always delivers impossibly spectacular scenery.