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Mount Ulriken

The most well-traveled route up Mount Ulriken—the tallest mountain near Bergen.

Hiking Severe

Distance
5.8 km
Ascent
583 m
Descent
584 m
Duration
2-3 hrs
Low Point
96 m
High Point
608 m
Gradient
18˚
Mount Ulriken Map

Towering over the beautiful city of Bergen is Mount Ulriken: the tallest of Bergen’s 7 mountains. With a plethora of trails climbing from the outskirts of Bergen all the way to the summit of Ulriken, this is a popular hike that VisitNorway.com describes as “fine for all ages.”

Description

Take that assessment with a grain of salt, however, as even the easiest and most popular route up Ulriken—mapped here—requires 589m of vertical gain and covers 6km of distance.

This route is the most popular ascent due to the well-developed trail climbing up the valley to the top of Ulriken’s cable car. With well-built steps and a reinforced trail tread, the footing is stable and the track is mostly dry. The navigation is also very easy and obvious along this route.

While a dry trail and easy navigation may sound like standard fare, as you explore more and more of Norway’s trails you’ll find that they’re often wet and boggy and have very little signage. This climb up Ulriken is a welcome break from the soggy bushwhacking found elsewhere.

Once at the top of the cable car, a small web of less-developed singletrack connects to the summit of Ulriken. With the final summit in view, navigation here is also relatively easy. However, the trail tread is much rougher and unmaintained, and some scrambling may be required.

Despite the ease of navigation, the views from this hike are absolutely stunning! Even though you left from the outskirts of Norway’s second-largest city, the alpine tundra on top of Ulriken feels wild and remote, especially as you gaze down on the hustle and bustle of the city far, far below.

While you can easily return the way you came, or even take a different route down, if you’ve decided you’re done hiking, the Ulriken Cable Car offers a fast return to the city. A one-way ticket on the cable car costs NOK 115 for an adult.

Alternatively, if you don’t feel up to this entire hike but you still want to take in the epic views from the top of Ulriken, you can purchase a round-trip cable car ticket for NOK 175 (for an adult) and simply complete a short hike to the ultimate summit.

Sources: https://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/fjord-norway/bergen/listings-bergen/hike-up-mount-ulriken/180806/ https://www.fjordnorway.com/things-to-do/ulriken643-ulriken-cable-car-p824813

Difficulty

Severe

Hiking challenging trails where simple scrambling, with the occasional use of the hands, is a distinct possibility. The trails are often filled with all manner of obstacles both small and large, and the hills are very steep. Obstacles and challenges are often unexpected and can be unpredictable.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

1 out of 4

Close to help in case of emergency.

Best time to visit

between June and September

Features

  • Alpine
  • Picturesque
  • Summit Hike
  • Family friendly
  • Forestry or heavy vegetation

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