Trollfjord


The Trollfjord or Trollfjorden is a fjord in Hadsel Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. The long fjord cuts into the island of Austvågøya and flows out into the Raftsundet strait. The fjord has a narrow entrance and steep-sided mountains surrounding it. The name is derived from troll, a figure from Norse mythology.
The fjord is a popular tourist attraction due to the beauty of its natural setting. It is only accessible by boat or by a nearby hike over very rugged terrain. The Hurtigruten's ships on the route between Bergen and Kirkenes detour into Trollfjorden. It is also popular with other cruise lines.

Geography

The mouth of the Trollfjord where it joins the Raftsundet is only wide. The fjord widens to a maximum width of. The mountains surrounding Trollfjord are between high. It is surrounded by the tall mountain Trolltindan to the south and the tall mountain Blåfjell and the tall mountain Litlkorsnestinden to the north. The Trollfjord reaches a maximum depth of below sea level.
Prior to 1960, there was a waterfall at the end of Trollfjorden, but it was redirected to produce hydroelectricity at a nearby power station.

Controversy

The location of the fjord is a bit of a local controversy. In 2016, the movie Downsizing was filmed in the Trollfjord and it was advertised and discussed in the media as having been filmed in Lofoten, a traditional region of Norway. This, however, upset some in the neighboring traditional region of Vesterålen who claim the fjord as part of their region as well. Both sides claim to be right. The fjord is located on Austvågøya island, but it is also in Hadsel Municipality.

History

The Battle of Trollfjord

The Battle of Trollfjord was fought in 1890 between the first industrial, steam-driven fishing ships and teams of traditional open-boat fishermen over access to the fjord. Johan Bojer described the battle in his 1921 novel The last of the Vikings.
A painting by Gunnar Berg, Trollfjordslaget depicts The Battle at Trollfjord. The painting is currently located in the Art Galleri Gunnar Berg on the island Svinøya in Svolvær town.

Media gallery