Hiking up Mount Ulriken is one of the most popular hikes in Bergen. There are several different routes to the top of Ulriken, here are a couple of the most popular:
The most popular route: Start at Montana and walk the Sherpa steps (1333 steps):
Take bus No. 12 from the city center to Montana. Follow the signs to Montana Hostel. Turn right just before the hostel. Follow the gravel road uphill for approximately 15 mintues (0,8 kilometers). At the end of a gravel road you can select multiple paths up to Ulriken. Here you'll see a bench and signboard with a map and a river on your right. Follow the path straight onwards and it will make a sharp left bend. A few minutes later you'll see the steps. From here you follow the steps all the way to the top.
Start from Ulriken Cable car:
In summer: To get to Ulriken Cable car you can take the Ulriken Bus. The bus departs from outside the restaurant Bjerk, just across the road from the Tourist Information.
All year: Take the Bybanen (Bergen Light Rail) line 2 from Kaigaten to Haukeland Sykehus (the hospital). Take the exit marked Haukeland. Take the stairs to the left and follow the road uphill for about 10 minutes until you get to the Ulriken Cable car.
You can also take bus 5 or 6 from Festplassen N in the city center to Haukeland Sykehus Nord. If you arrive with the bus, walk across the footbridge and follow the signs to Ulriksbanen (10 minutes walk uphill).
Just to the right of the entrance to the cable car is the start point for the track up to the top. It starts with some stairs and continues on a gravel road for a short while. Turn right when you reach the first plateau before the red house. Cross over a small bridge, and you will come to the former parking lot at Montana. (Then follow the route above). Starting at the cable car will add about 20 minutes to your hike depending on how fast you walk.
Alternativ with less stairs called "Skiveien”:
If you do not like to climb stairs, you can take the path called Skiveien. Follow the gravel road from Montana past the sherpa steps until you reach a plateau. Follow the trail to the left towards “Landåseggen”. From here you can see that the top of mount Ulriken. The trail is not well marked., but makes a nice change if you are a regular going up the mountain.
Duration:
The walk to Ulriken is suitable for all ages and takes about 1.5 hours from Montana. However, you will probably see a lot of very fit Norwegians running past using the steps as exercise rather than leisure. Their time might be under 30 minutes. So the time to the top will vary quite a bit, depending on your level of fitness and your aim for the hike. (leisure or exercise)
Calculate a bit more time if you are walking with children. The walk offers great views all the way. This is a very popular trip for both locals and visitors. It is steep, but you are rewarded with stunning views along the way and of course panoramic views of Bergen and the surroundings from the top.
Season:
The walk is popular any time of year. However, in winter the steps are slippery from snow and ice and you need spikes on your shoes.
Read 10 practical tips for hiking in Norway.
From the top of Ulriken you can take Ulriken Cable Car back if you do not want to walk down. Or you can continue accross Vidden to Mount Fløyen (approximately 5 hours). On top of Ulriken you can also treat yourself to a great meal at Skyskraperen Restaurant.
Additional tip - The Food Forest at Landås:
If you start at Montana and walk the sherpa steps, you will pass the Food Forest at Låndås, which is a sustainability initiative. It is a modern and sustainable spin on the traditional vegetable garden, where inspiration is taken from the self-sustainable ecosystems of natural forests. Fruit trees, berry bushes, vegetables and herbs are planted in a way where they support each other with nutrients and live in a symbiosis. Most of the plants are also perennial, meaning there is no need to replant the garden every year, saving both time and resources. Feel free to pick an apple when you walk past on your hike up Ulriken, the forests produce is meant for everyone to enjoy!