Visit Galten, a mini Trolltunga, in Folkestad

Folkestad, Møre og Romsdal, Norway

While Trolltunga is no doubt one of the most awe-inspiring cliffs in Norway, it is also very popular with tourist with a long wait to pose, and reached by a relatively long and hard hike. But fortunately, there are other less-known memorable nature attractions with a stunning view and excellent opportunities for posing on the rock. You can find one of them in Folkestad.

Galten, a rock formation, is situated about 570 meters above sea level, jutting out the mountain over the Dalsfjord, like mini Trolltunga. The trail to Galten is relatively easy and short, and you are rewarded with a stunning view of the Dalsfjorden, Voldsfjorden, villages, islands and mountains.

How to get there

From Ålesund take the E39 highway towards Bergen/Volda to the ferry at Solavågen. Take the Solavågen – Festøya ferry, turn right at Festøy and follow highway E39 towards Ørsta. At the highway RV655/E39 junction in Ørsta, follow E39 (Volda) for 9 km until you reach the ferry in Volda on your right-hand side. Turn right here and enter the Folkestad lane.

At Folkestad, take the first road to your right. After 500 m at the junction turn left at Coop and continue up the road to the Blåfjellsvegen toll road. There is a small parking for three cars before the toll. You can park your car here and walk up the road for about 20 min or pay the toll (30 NOK) and continued for about 1 km until you reach a sign for Galten on the right.

Trail

Distance: 4,1 km/2 hours return walk to Galten, 8,2 km/3-3,5 hours return walk to Kornbergveten

The first part of the path is a tractor road, and it takes you through the forest. Soon the trail takes you steep uphill through the boggy and muddy meadow. After about 500 meters you reach the hill from where you get a beautiful view down to the fjord and the surrounding villages. Turn right and continue following the trail uphill until you reach Galten, marked by a cairn and sign.

Galten is a stone formation jutting out into Dalsfjord. Here you can enjoy panoramic views over Dalsfjord on one side and Voldsfjord on the other.

For even better views, follow the trail towards the summit of Kornbergveten (also known as Veten). A cairn and a trigonometric point mark the summit.

On the map below the trail to Galten is marked red, and to the summit of Kornbergveten, white. The trail is marked and you can also find this tour on Ut.no app: Galten og Kornbergveten.

Galten is still relatively unknown; two years ago there was no path, and only the locals knew about the “rock nose”. It is a perfect spot if you want to enjoy stunning views alone without a long photo queue to pose.