A must-see for hiking lovers! A comprehensive guide to the stunning Nordic city of Bergen

ptakuyap15
May 3
6 min read

Bergen, the second largest city in Norway in Northern Europe, is a port town surrounded by the sea and mountains.

For those who love hiking, the city's easy access and abundant route options are attractive. The entire city is like a movie set, and it is a place where you can enjoy both world heritage sites and nature.

Table of contents:

1. Things you should know before traveling to Bergen

2. Bergen's must-see tourist spots | Experience the city and its history

2.1.Bryggen in Bergen

2.2. Fantoft Stave Church

2.3. Stroll through the colorful city of Bergen

2.4. Bergenhus Fortress

2.5. Gamlehaugen

3. A must-see for hiking lovers! Recommended hikes in Bergen

4. Recommended cafes in Bergen

6. Access from Bergen Airport to Bergen city

7. Featured spots

1. Things you should know before traveling to Bergen

1.1. Bergen is a rainy city

It is said that it rains about 200 days a year, so be sure to bring rain gear such as an umbrella or raincoat no matter what the season.

1.2. Bergen is full of uphills

The entire town is surrounded by mountains and the sea, so even though the center is relatively flat, once you climb a little it quickly becomes hilly!

If you are planning to walk around Bergen, I definitely recommend sneakers or trekking shoes! In fact, it may not be suitable for people who don't like walking.

1.3. Shops are closed on Sundays

This happens not only in Bergen but throughout Norway, but you need to be careful when preparing food for the hike as supermarkets, pharmacies, etc. will be closed.

However, some 7-Eleven stores were open.

2. Bergen's must-see tourist spots | Experience the city and its history

2.1.Bryggen in Bergen

This wooden warehouse district is registered as a World Heritage Site. Lined with colorful and cute buildings, it still retains the appearance of a flourishing medieval commercial city. There are also many cafes and souvenir shops, making it a great place to stroll around.

In particular, the narrow alley called Bellgården is recommended, as it is home to shops by local artists and cute accessory stores.

Bryggen has suffered many fires.

The city was particularly devastated by a fire in 1702, but was rebuilt on its original foundations in the 12th century, allowing it to remain unchanged for centuries.

2.2. Fantoft Stave Church

Arendelle Castle, which appears in the Disney movie "Frozen," is built in a wooden style, unlike the castles inhabited by other princesses.

It is said that this is because the stave church that it served as the model for was a wooden church.

The church was originally built in another location around 1150, but was moved here in 1883 by restorers from Bergen.

However, after it was burned down in a fire in 1992, it took six years to be rebuilt, resulting in the current structure. Rumor has it that Satanists set the fire.

It's located near Bergen, so it takes just over an hour to get there by public transport or by foot, but the sight of it quietly nestled in the forest is mystical and well worth seeing.

Unfortunately, it was closed on the day I visited so I couldn't go inside, but as it is a wooden church, the inside looks beautiful as well.

The easiest way to get there is by tram , which takes 18 minutes from Bergen to Fantoft, and then it's a 15-minute walk from there.

2.3. Stroll through the colorful city of Bergen

The city of Bergen is full of greenery and has colorful wooden houses lined up, making it a lot of fun to stroll around. Of course, it is safe.

Although I didn't use them, many people were using shared bicycles and electric scooters.

2.4. Bergenhus Fortress

Located near the harbour of Bergen, it is one of Norway's oldest and best-preserved fortresses.

It's located very close to the Bryggen district, so it would be a good idea to visit both places.

There is no admission fee and it's not that big, so you won't need much time.

The view of the fortress together with the harbor makes for a great photo opportunity.

2.5. Gamlehaugen

This small castle-like building by the lake is currently the summer residence of the Norwegian royal family, and the beautiful gardens and lake in the background are a must-see.

This is also located near Bergen, so it might be a good idea to visit it together with Fantoft Stave Church.

3. A must-see for mountain climbing lovers! Recommended hikes in Bergen

3.1. Mount Fløyen ↔ Mount Ulriken: 20km

The most popular and well-known mountains in Bergen are Mt. Fløyen (400m) and Mt. Ulriken (643m) .

There are cable cars to both peaks, but we recommend hiking from mountain to mountain, which is about 20km long.

There are many hikers, and there are cafes, restaurants, toilets, and water stations near both cable car stations, so even beginners can take on the challenge with peace of mind .

You can start from either side. I stayed at a hostel at the foot of Mt. Ulriken, so I started from Mt. Ulriken and hiked via Mt. Fløyen to the finish line in Bergen.

Let's get started! The antenna tower-like structure is on Mount Ulriken.

The climb is only at the very beginning. It's quite steep.

Mount Ulriken cable car station

It seems that you can also drink beer at the restaurant, so if you like beer, this would be a good place to toast.

From here you walk all the way to Mt. Fløyen along the mountain ridge, so there is hardly any climbing involved!

However, there are not many clear signs and the trails are not well maintained, so you need to be careful not to get lost.

However, since it's a ridge, you can see your destination as you go along, so there's no need to worry.

The goal is a tower-like building on the top of both mountains. In between, there are mountain huts and cairns (stonework), so use those as landmarks as you move forward.

Trail marathon? There were signs for the event along the way.

Since it is a rainy city, the ground is wet and there are many puddles even on sunny days, so you should be prepared to get your shoes and socks wet.

There were as many trail runners as hikers, and the route looked easy enough to run that it made me think I'd definitely like to try it next time.

If hiking or climbing isn't your thing, you can take the cable car up to Fløibanen upper station .

It offers a panoramic view of the city of Bergen. Not only that, there were stylish restaurants, cafes, gift shops, and even a children's playground.

3.2. Mount Løvstakken

On the other side of the city of Bergen, opposite Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken, is Mount Lovstacken.

There were far fewer tourists on this route and it was more difficult as there were some steeper slopes and parts where you had to climb over rocks.

But I recommend this one because you can enjoy a 360 degree view when you reach the top.

Access methods

Departure point: Bergen station (Bergen stasjon) or city center (around Torgallmenningen)

By public bus

Take the Skyss bus (Skyss is Bergen's public transport system).
Take the bus going towards "Bønes" or "Fyllingsdalen".
Recommended bus stops to get off at:
1. Løvstakkveien
2. Melkeplassen ← There are more trails leading to it
Once you get off the bus, you will soon find the entrance to the hiking trail, which is well signposted.

4. Recommended cafes in Bergen

The Lille Kaffe Company

The oldest cafe in Bergen. The inside is very small, but there is outdoor seating, so it's great if the weather is nice.

You can get anything from espresso to filter coffee, but for some reason I couldn't order hand-dripped coffee on the weekend.

I had a cortado and it was delicious.

It seems to be used by locals as well, so I'm sure the taste is great.

5. Recommended hostel : Bergen Hostel Montana

Hostel garden view

This hostel is located at the base of the Mt. Ulriken trail.

It has also won the award for No. 1 hostel in Norway, and it was the best hostel I have ever stayed at.

There is a breakfast buffet and a shared kitchen, plus free cookie service in the evening.

It's located right next to the trailhead, making it an ideal location for hikers.

It takes about an hour to walk from Bergen city. And it is on a steep hill.

We stayed in an economy twin room with private shower and it was comfortable.

Sheets and duvet covers can be rented at the front desk for an additional fee, or you can bring your own.

It's perfect for solo travelers looking for companionship, but if you choose a private room it's also recommended for those who want a quiet stay.

6. Access from Bergen Airport to Bergen city

We recommend the Bergen Light Rail (Bybanen) .

Duration: Approximately 45 minutes
Price: 49 NOK for adults, 25 NOK for children
Frequency: Approximately every 10 to 15 minutes
Operating hours: From early morning to late night (varies depending on the day of the week)
Platform: Located just outside the airport terminal
Purchase tickets via the "Skyss Billett" app or ticket machine.

In Norway, tickets are not issued by machines and payment can only be made by credit card . There are no ticket gates and passengers must show the credit card used for payment to ticket inspectors who randomly check their tickets.