Side by side along the coast of Helgeland, between Hurtigruten ports of call Sandnessjøen and Brønnøysund, seven mountaintops look so beautiful that a local legend claims that they are female trolls turned to stone.

The tale of a troll chase

Botnkrona (1,072 m), Grytfoten (1,066 m), Skjæringen (1,037 m), Tvillingene (the Twins) (980 m), Kvasstinden (,1010 m) and Stortinden (910 m) were all daughters of the Suliskongen, who kept them under strict control, far up north. One night he fell into such a deep sleep that all seven maidens were able to sneak out, as young people often do for adventure.

But Vågekallen, who had been eager for a wife, was lying in wait. He chased them. The sisters fled south down the coast, with several trolls chasing, all of whom were either trying to capture or save them. But none of them thought of the sun, which turns all trolls to stone. When night eventually turned to morning, the troll sisters and their pursuers were petrified. They all became the stones and mountains that today make the Helgeland coastline one of the most beautiful in the world.

Climbing the Seven Sisters

The Seven Sisters are all so close that a good hiker can climb them all in a single day. The Norwegian Trekking Association estimates that a fit walker should take just under thirteen hours to complete the 27 kilometre hike, which includes a 3,225 metre altitude difference.

If all seven sisters together are too challenging, you can always make a single trip up any one of them. Stortinden, at 910 metres high, is the easiest for less experienced hikers.

The nearest port of call is Sandenessjøen. You can get maps of the hiking trails from the tourist office here. Hiking season in the area is generally between May and September.