[2] The name ('the home of the trolls') was proposed by Håkon Løken and used by Trondhjems Turistforening in the 1880s, and is considered a "tourist name" (there was no single name for the entire area before).

The mountains in the east are less steep with more rounded shapes predominating, and the valleys are wider and bear the mark of being created by glaciers.

[2] Trollheimen is known by botanists for the diverse alpine flora, due to nutrient-rich soil and the varied climate within the mountain range.

The "Triangle" (Norwegian: Trekanten) is a route between the three mountain lodges (Gjevilvasshytta, Jøldalshytta and Trollheimshytta) each a fairly long hike of about 7 to 9 hours.

Except in winter, Gjevilvasshytta can be reached by car, while Jøldalshytta is an easy 4-kilometre (2.5 mi) hike from the nearest road (Jølhaugen).

In addition, since 1997 there have been many unusually long and warm summers, and the glaciers in Trollheimen and Dovre have retreated, revealing many prehistoric arrowheads.

People hiking near glaciers in late summer and autumn are encouraged to have a "watchful eye" for prehistoric artifacts.