A quick hiking guide to Mt. Fløyen, one of the best short viewpoint hikes in the city of Bergen, Norway.
Whether you’re traveling around Scandinavia or studying in Bergen, you’ve probably heard of Fløyen.
This is one of my favorite hikes close to town in Bergen and offers great views of the city on an accessible trail.
In this quick guide, I’ll run you through what you need to know to hike to this viewpoint, what to expect, and include some photos that I took on my hike.
Fløyen Hiking Information
Here's all the information that you need to hike up to this excellent viewpoint.
- Location: Mt. Fløyen is 1 km from Bergen city center, Norway.
- Starting Point: The hike begins at the base of Fløibanen funicular, easily accessible by walking from other attractions like Bryggen in the city.
- Trail Length: 3.5 km one way.
- Elevation Gain: 320 meters.
- Estimated Time: 1 hour ascent.
- Difficulty: Relatively easy but quite long
- Trail Type: Well-marked, sealed, forested paths with some steep sections.
- Best Time to Hike: May to September for optimal weather.
- Amenities: Café, restrooms, and a viewpoint at the summit.
- Transport: Fløibanen funicular available for descent or ascent.
- Unique Feature: Spectacular views of Bergen city and nearby fjords.
- Safety Tip: Weather can be unpredictable; carry waterproof gear and check conditions.
- Family-Friendly: Suitable for children, with engaging stops like a playground at the top.
- Pet Policy: Dogs are allowed on leash.
My Take on the Mount Fløyen Hike to the Best Viewpoint in Bergen
Hiking to the top of Bergen is a must.
Most of the hike has asphalt, I've noticed that it's not uncommon to see locals pushing up baby strollers. If that doesn't give it away– it's a fairly easy hike.
However, you do gain about 320 meters of elevation upon reaching the top, so be prepared. This is Norway after all.
The hike up took me roughly 45 minutes but there are signs saying that it should take an hour. That said our 45-minute time included stops for panoramic photo opportunities of Bergen from above and I think anyone with a decent level of fitness can do this in less than an hour without rushing.
Best of all– it's free. Which will be music to the ears of budget travelers in Norway.
Where to Start the Hike to Mount Fløyen
Conveniently, the hike up to the Mount Fløyen viewpoint begins right near the famous fish markets (Fisketorget).
Check out the map below to find the starting point for the Floyen Hike overlooking Bergen.
Travel tip: If you want the easy way up, you can check out Fløibanen, which has been transporting people up this mountain for over 100 years! While I decided to do the hike instead, I noticed that this was one of the most popular ways for people to get to the top. This is just 150 meters or so from Fisketorget.
Views from the Top
Regular visitors, backpackers, and locals love this viewpoint. Many locals often hike to the top every day to enjoy the fresh Norwegian mountain air and spectacular views.
There are incredible views of Bergen during most parts of the hike, so you will undoubtedly find yourself stopping for photo opportunities on the way up. In saying this, the view from the top is unbeatable. From the historic boat harbor, the incredible Bryggen and views all the way to the North Sea winding through the fjords.
Checking the photos below from my hike, I'm sure you can tell why this is the most popular viewpoint in Bergen.
The Funicular - The Easy Way Up
If you are short on time or simply too lazy to pass up incredible views, you can opt for taking the Funicular all the way to the top of Fløyen. The starting point is at Vetrlidsallmenningen station, not too far from the start of the hike.
The cost for a round trip is 120 NOK for the return trip. However, the main cost is the missed viewpoint opportunities. Although there are opportunities for vantage points on the way up, I believe that there are much better views from the hike, just check the photos below!
Beware of Trolls
Trolls play a very important part in Scandinavian folk culture. Along the hike, you may see warning signs to look out for trolls. Legend says that they live in Trollskogen (The Troll Forest) which is right next to the trail.
Although it's mostly a bit of fun, some
Related:
Hiking to Trolltunga Viewpoint
More Hiking Near Mount Fløyen
If you're looking for more hiking opportunities in Bergen, you can start from the top of Mount Fløyen. Due to my relatively short time visiting Bergen, I didn't have time to check it out.
However, neighboring Våkendalen Valley is said to have some great day hikes. Otherwise, below are some of my favorite hikes in Norway that you can check out:
