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By Eirik Herfindal

The Best Hiking Spots in Bergen for Beginners

With 7 mountains surrounding Bergen there is no shortage of good hiking trails for walking, jogging, sprinting, spelunking, whatever you feel like. Below you will find a list of trails that escalate in difficulty the further down you go. And remember, there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. Time estimates may vary.

In terms of transportation, we always encourage tourists to plan their trip with the local public transport website, Skyss, as the information you read here can be changed or updated at a later point. The website is easy to use, available in English and Norwegian: https://www.skyss.no/en/

Fløyen

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 45–60 minutes

Distance: Approximately 3 km

Elevation gain: Around 300 m

Starting point: Fløibanen Lower Station, Vetrlidsallmenningen 23A.

Family friendly: Yes.

Fløyen is Bergen’s most popular mountain and the perfect place for beginners. There are several routes to the summit, including both paved and gravel paths, making it suitable for most fitness levels.

Once at the top, you’ll find a network of well-signposted trails leading further into the mountains, so it’s easy to continue exploring without worrying about getting lost. The views over Bergen and the surrounding mountains are spectacular.

Fjellveien

Difficulty: Easy

Time: Around 30 minutes

Distance: Approximately 2.5 km

Elevation gain: Minimal

Starting point: Take Bus 11 from Småstrandgaten to Washingtons vei. From there, simply follow Fjellveien towards the city centre.

Family friendly: Yes.

Fjellveien, which translates to “The Mountain Road”, is one of Bergen’s most relaxing walks.

The route follows the hillside above the city, passing beautiful residential neighbourhoods while offering excellent views over Bergen. Since you’re never far from the city centre, you can head back down whenever you like.

Stoltzekleiven

Difficulty: Challenging

Time: 20–40 minutes

Distance: Around 1 km

Elevation gain: Approximately 300 m

Starting point: Take Bus 3, 4, 12, 16E or 19 from Bryggen to Munkebotn (the stop before the first tunnel). Walk uphill through the forest path for about a minute, turn right onto the gravel road, and after another 2-3 minutes, you’ll reach the clearly marked entrance to Stoltzekleiven.

Family friendly: Not recommended for young children.

Stoltzekleiven is famous for its 908 stone steps and is widely considered Bergen’s toughest short hike. Although relatively brief, the climb becomes very steep during the second half.

Once you reach the top, follow the signs south towards Fløyen. In around 15-20 minutes you’ll arrive at the café and restaurant area. Alternatively, descend towards Sandviken via the paved road and catch a bus back into the city.

Sandviksbatteriet

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Time: Around 30 minutes

Distance: Approximately 2 km

Elevation gain: Around 180 m

Starting point: Follow the same directions as Stoltzekleiven. The trail begins roughly 100 metres before the staircase.

Family friendly: Yes, with supervision.

If you’d like similar views to Stoltzekleiven without the steep climb, Sandviksbatteriet is an excellent alternative.

Located just 100 metres left of the Stoltzekleiven entrance, this shorter trail leads to a former military fort dating back to 1898. Although the cannons were removed in 1950, the remaining structures make this an interesting historical site, and the viewpoint over Bergen is outstanding.

Ulriken

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: Around 1 hour

Distance: Approximately 3 km

Elevation gain: Around 450 m

Starting point: Take Bergen Light Rail (Line 2) to Haukeland sjukehus, then walk about five minutes uphill towards Ulriken. Alternatively, take Bus 5 or 6 from Festplassen to Haukeland sjukehus nord and walk up Haukelandsbakken.

Family friendly: Suitable for older children with hiking experience.

At 643 metres, Ulriken is the highest of Bergen’s seven mountains. If you prefer to skip the climb, you can take the Ulriken cable car to the top. Otherwise, the hiking trail begins beside the lower cable car station.

Svartediket to Rundemanen

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 1–3 hours

Distance: 5–8 km depending on your route

Elevation gain: Up to 450 m

Starting point: Bus nr. 5 and 6 will take you from Festplassen N to the bus stop Svartediksveien, or bus nr. 11 from Småstrandgaten to Svartediksveien. From there, it’s only a few minutes to the start of the trail by following the road towards Svartediket.

Family friendly: Yes, although the climb to Rundemanen is more demanding.

Svartediket is an easy walking trip around a beautiful lake populated with locals going on dog walks and bike trips. After walking for about 20-30 minutes you can either go right around the lake itself some more, or you can keep climbing the mountain up to the left and end up behind Mount Fløyen, on a separate mountain called Rundemanen, where you can descend the mountain past the cable car. Good to see a different side of Bergen.

Vidden

Difficulty: Challenging

Time: 5–6 hours

Distance: Approximately 13–15 km

Elevation gain: Around 500 m

Starting point: Take Bergen Light Rail (Line 2) to Haukeland sjukehus or Bus 5 or 6 from Festplassen to Haukeland sjukehus nord. Walk up Haukelandsbakken and follow the signs towards Ulriken and then Fløyen.

Family friendly: Best suited to experienced walkers and older children.

Vidden is one of Bergen’s classic hikes, taking you across the mountain plateau between Ulriken and Fløyen.

Although the terrain is mostly gentle, the distance makes it a full-day hike. To save your energy, most people take the cable car up Ulriken before beginning the walk.

Start early, especially outside of summer, and make sure you’re wearing proper hiking boots and weather-appropriate clothing.

Estimated time: 5 hours

Hiking Tips

Check the weather forecast before setting out.
Wear waterproof clothing and sturdy hiking shoes.
Carry water and snacks, especially on longer hikes.
Stay on marked trails.
Mobile phone coverage is generally good, but it’s still worth downloading offline maps if you’re planning a longer hike.
Leave no trace—take all rubbish home with you.

Best Hiking Spots in Bergen

Whether you’re looking for a gentle stroll with stunning city views or a full-day adventure across Bergen’s mountain plateau, there’s a hike to suit every level of experience. One of the best things about Bergen is that nature is never far away—you can leave the city centre and be surrounded by forests, lakes and mountain scenery within minutes.

Remember to dress for the weather, bring plenty of water, and always stick to marked trails. Most importantly, take your time and enjoy the journey. Some of Bergen’s best views aren’t just found at the summit, but along the way.

Happy hiking / God tur!