Far to the North where the winter storms whip the weather-beaten coasts, you will find a long and narrow country. Here you see dark forests with moonlit lakes, deep fjords surrounded by mighty snowcapped mountains, and long rivers and cold streams cascading down the mountain sides.

Nowadays this country is covered by snow and ice only six months a year. A long, long time ago, however, there existed a massive glacier that brooded over the entire country for thousands of years.

As the climate gradually warmed and the glacier slowly retreated to the North, Man to the South of the glacier followed in its wake. Looking at this country and finding it to be magnificent, they considered themselves to be its first inhibitants. People settled there and named it Norway. They were themselves called "nordmenn" (Men of the North).

As the climate gradually warmed and the glacier slowly retreated to the North, Man to the South of the glacier followed in its wake. Looking at this country and finding it to be magnificent, they considered themselves to be its first inhabitants. People settled there and named it Norway. They were themselves called "nordmenn" (Men of the North).

It did not trake them long, however, to realize that on this land there were various other creatures hiding out in the forests and mountain sides. People did not know what these creatures were, but they were generally believed to have supernatural powers, and they came to be known as trolls.

The trolls would come out of their hidingplaces only after sunset, and they would disappear before the morning sun arose in the East. Direct exposure to the sun could cause them to crack, turn into stone and possibly burst. On occasion the trolls would evidently forget to hide from the sun, and rock formations can today be found in various places with troll-like features.

The trolls were mostly seen on bright moonlit nights, or during stormy nights that could frighten about anyone who happened to be outdoors at that time.

The trolls had very distinct features. They had long crooked noses, only four fingers and toes on each limb, and most of them had long bushy tails.

Some trolls were giants, and others were small. There were stories of two-headed as well as three-headed trolls, and even a few had only one eye in the middle of their wrinkled fore-heads. Others had trees and rough moss-like growth all over their heads and noses.

Although they were shaggy and rough-haired, and most looked frightening, they were also known to be good-natured and naive. So naive in fact that even shy peasant boys could, on occasion, easily trick them. Stories about such encounters are common in the fairytales.

The ability to transform themselves counted among the trolls many supernatural skills. The fairy maidens - called "Hulder" - could transform into incredible attractive young ladies. However, they could not get rid of their tails. Hunters and farmers sons, who were lured to the mountains by these fairies, would usually check for tails on their new-found beauties.

The wrath of the trolls was boundless. It was therefore considered very important not to make them your enemy. If a farmer did provoke a troll, his livestock might be subject to disease or harmful sickness, or worse things could happen. On the other hand, a good relationship with the trolls could be very rewarding.

Now, even in modern times it is well advised to keep a good standing with the trolls, since you never know when you will meet one yourself. The next time you go to the dark forest and the mighty mountains with their deep lakes and roaring waterfalls, just remember, they propably mean no harm. But be aware. In the twilight hours you are no longer alone.

Then it is only you ......... and all the trolls.

Click Here to start a tour of twenty two trolls.