Hilarious truth behind social media 'tranquil isolation' holiday snaps: Hundreds queue so they can pose 'alone' on Norway's famous Troll's Tongue for their Instagram photos

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No modern holiday would be complete without a trove of Instagram pictures to show off to friends and family - usually painting a picture of tranquil isolation with a stunning backdrop.

But the reality of how people get these pictures is often far different, as these astonishing images from the Troll's Tongue rock in Norway show. 

Hundreds of eager tourists can be seen waiting in line for up to three hours in order to get a snap on the rocky outcrop, which dangles out 1,000ft over the Ringedalsvatnet lake below.

Every tourist longs to take the perfect holiday snap of themselves in an exotic location, isolated from the rest of society. But as visitor's to Norway's Trolltunga rock have found, the reality of how those pictures are made is often anything but tranquil

These astonishing pictures were taken by Kenneth Warvik, 27, who works for tour group Trolltunga Adventures, and show hundreds of visitors queuing for the perfect snap

Mr Wavik said that after a challenging six-hour climb to the rock, tourists will wait in line for up to three hours more in order to snap themselves on the outcrop over Ringedalsvatnet lake below

That wait comes after a challenging six-hour climb to reach the beauty spot, located around 100 miles east of the city of Bergen. 

But the result is Instagram gold. A stunning picture overlooking the lake with seemingly nobody else in sight. 

Kenneth Warvik, a 27-year-old geology graduate from Oslo who works for Trolltunga Adventures, said: 'I understand why people take their time on Trolltunga, after walking for six hours.

'The record this year was 1839 visitors in one day. If everybody took only one minute at the top, it would have taken more than 30 hours for everybody to stand there.

'So everybody has to wait there, then walk up to Trolltunga, get their shot and hurry back down.'

According to Kenneth, people's desperation to get the ideal social media snap has created big problems for Trollltunga.

These are the results of their efforts - a stunning holiday snap which appears to show them miles from the nearest human

Mr Warvik said the practice is causing safety issues for the tourists - many of whom fail to descend from the rock before nightfall - and is leaving the area covered in litter

Mr Warvik said it is possible to walk for two days without seeing another human until reaching the rock, where crowds are almost always gathered waiting for pictures

People's safety and the environment are being put increasingly at risk in one of Norway's most beautiful landscapes.

He said: 'There is a safety problem with the waiting time, since a lot of people normally use the same amount of time to get down.

'A lot of people run out of energy or they don't get down before it does dark.

'It is difficult for tourists to know how demanding the hike can be. You need to bring a lot of food and extra clothes.

'I think Norwegians are surprised when they visit and see all the people and all the rubbish. It's not authentic Norwegian nature that a lot of people expect.'

In an effort to avoid the masses, Kenneth takes tourists on different routes to Trolltunga.

He said: 'We have two treks where we follow a different path and we can walk for two days without seeing anyone else, until we reach Trolltunga.

'As well as Trolltunga, we like to take time to fish mountain trout, eat traditional meals and enjoy coffee with a view.'