Torghatten, Granite mountain with natural tunnel in Brønnøy Municipality, Norway
Torghatten is a granite mountain in Brønnøy Municipality that rises 258 meters above sea level and features a natural tunnel running through it. The tunnel measures roughly 160 meters long, 35 meters high, and 20 meters wide, creating a striking hole that passes completely through the mountain.
The tunnel formed during the Scandinavian ice age through geological processes where ice and water eroded softer rocks while harder granite sections remained standing. This erosion shaped the distinctive opening over thousands of years that defines the mountain today.
Local legend tells of a troll king who threw his hat to block an arrow, and the hat transformed into this mountain with its distinctive hole. This story remains woven into how people speak about and remember the place today.
The climb to the tunnel is relatively short and lets visitors reach the formation in just a few minutes. The terrain is accessible, but sturdy footwear is recommended since the path leads uphill and can have uneven sections.
A commercial aircraft struck the western side of the mountain in 1988, resulting in the loss of 36 lives, binding this place to a tragic past. This event is part of local history and often overlooked by visitors as they explore the mountain.
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