Mount Ulriken and Mount Fløyen

As promised in my last journal post, I’m sharing some pictures from hiking Mount Ulriken and from Mount Fløyen. As well as being surrounded by fjords, Bergen’s also knowns as the city between the seven mountains, two of them being Mount Ulriken and Fløyen or Fløyfjellet.

Mount Ulriken, the highest of the mountains, is easily accessible from the centre of Bergen by taking the number 12 bus to Montana (there’s also a tram stop not too far from the bottom of the mountain). The hike starts with a gravel path, which when it ends, you can select different routes that lead to the top.

One of these. routes being the 1,333 Sherpa steps that you can follow all the way to the summit - you know you’re almost at the top when you can see the TV tower. The steps are quite steep, so it’s impressive that these are manmade by teams of Sherpas from Nepalese communities.

It had rained before doing the hike, so some parts of the steps were a little slippery, and I wouldn’t imagine it to be very fun to do if there’s ice on the ground.

The hike is also totally worth it for the beautiful surroundings along the way, with peaceful woodlands and streams off to the side that you can have a little rest and wander in.

Views over Bergen once you reach the top of the Sherpa steps. This was in February and as you edged closer to the top, you began to see patches of snow and it definitely began to feel colder - I was glad for the layers when the wind started to pick up!

If you’re stuck for time or you don’t fancy the hike, you can of course take the Ulriksbanen/Ulriken643 cable car up and down. Whether you hike up or take the cable car to the top of the mountain, do walk over the other side behind the Ulriken cafe as the landscape is amazing and completely different to the other sides views over Bergen.

It’s very rugged, with snow, cabins and frozen water. From this side you can also continue on to longer hiking routes, such as the Vidden trail which takes you from Mount Ulriken to Mount Fløyen. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t amazing and it isn’t recommended to do this route in winter without a guide.

Bergen lived up to it’s name and it was pouring with rain the day I planned to hike Mount Fløyen, which put a dampener on plans ;). Luckily, there’s also the option of taking the Fløibanen funicular, which is easily accessible in the city centre and takes you to the top in a matter of minutes.

At the top of Mount Fløyen you’ll find a cafe, shop and a playground area for children. You can also continue on walks along different routes through woodlands with beautiful scenery and waterfalls.

Some of the amazing colours in nature along the walk to lake Skomakerdiket. Despite the rain it was worth walking to and is easy to get to from the Fløibanen funicular.

The rain made the walk around the lake very atmospheric. There’s also Skomakerstuen café which has been architecturally designed to consider it’s surroundings, though I think it’s only open at weekends.

Whether you enjoy the adventure of hiking or would prefer to take the cable car and funicular, Mount Ulriken and Mount Fløyen are definitely worth visiting if you ever find yourself in Bergen. Hopefully I’ll get to visit some of the other mountains another time!


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