Trollpikken

Trollpikken is a rock formation in Eigersund Municipality, Rogaland county, on Norway's southwestern coast. A boulder juts out of a sheer cliff face to a height of almost 12 metres, and its shape explains the name, which literally means "troll's penis". Some see it as nature's joke, others as a must-see stop on a trip through the region.

Where is Trollpikken?

The formation stands between the settlements of Kjervall and Veshovda, in the municipality whose main town is the harbour of Egersund. The area lies within Magma Geopark, a region valued for its geology. The rocks of Rogaland offer a clear lesson in Earth's history, and Trollpikken is among the most visited sights nearby.

How did the rock form?

Trollpikken is made of anorthosite, a deep-seated rock that crystallised from magma roughly a billion years ago, deep inside an ancient mountain range. Erosion exposed it much later. Its present position comes from the last ice age, which ended about 10,000 years ago. A glacier shifted the block but carried it only a short distance. It lodged in a gap and stayed there when the ice retreated. That is why the formation looks as if it grows out of the wall, although it is really an erratic boulder left by ice.

What happened in 2017?

The site became internationally famous in June 2017. Unknown vandals cut the rock away from its base with power tools, and news of the act spread through media around the world. Locals reacted at once. Enthusiasts and businesses organised a fundraising campaign, and the formation was fixed back in its old place in July of the same year. The episode shows how attached the community is to its unusual landmark.

Is Trollpikken worth visiting?

It is, if you enjoy unusual rock formations, Norwegian humour and the landscapes of southern Rogaland. Reaching the rock means a walk, so bring sturdy footwear and clothing for the changeable weather of the North Sea coast. It makes a good half-day outing from Egersund, and you can combine it with other stops in Magma Geopark.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Trollpikken? In Eigersund Municipality, Rogaland county, Norway, between Kjervall and Veshovda.

How tall is it? The rock sticks out of the cliff to almost 12 metres.

What is it made of? Anorthosite, a rock formed from magma about a billion years ago.

Is it a natural formation? Yes. The last ice age shaped it, when a glacier moved the boulder and left it in its current position.

What happened in 2017? In June the rock was cut off with power tools. After a public fundraising campaign it was reattached in July of the same year.