Things to do
Mount Fløyen, Bergen: the funicular, hiking trails and the view
Fløyen is the mountain in the middle of Bergen, reached by the Fløibanen funicular from the centre, with views over the city, the harbour and the fjords. Here is how to ride or hike up, and what to do at the top.
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The carriage climbs through the birch woods and the houses below shrink with every second. When the doors open you are standing above all of Bergen: the harbour, Bryggen, the islands beyond and a cloud ceiling that may or may not lift.
Fløyen is the most visited sight in Bergen, and it is easy to see why. The top sits right above the centre, you are up in minutes, and from there a network of trails runs off into the mountains. It is also where many visitors make their first Bergen decision: funicular or legs?
Short answer: how do you get up Mount Fløyen?
Take the Fløibanen funicular from the lower station on Vetrlidsallmenningen, close to the fish market and Bryggen. The ride takes a few minutes. To walk, follow Fløysvingene, a wide gravel road with gentle bends, and allow around thirty to forty-five minutes at an easy pace.
Best view: the platform by the top station
Best for children: the Troll Forest
Best short walk: around the Skomakerdiket lake
Best long hike: Vidden to Ulriken
Best time: early morning or sunset
Fløibanen
The funicular climbs from the centre to the top in minutes.
The Fløibanen funicular
The Fløibanen funicular has linked the centre with Fløyen since 1918. The lower station is on Vetrlidsallmenningen, a couple of minutes from the fish market, and cars run frequently all day, pausing at a few small stops for people who live on the hillside.
The catch: at midday in cruise season the queue can be long. Take one of the first departures, or walk up and ride down.
Hiking up: Fløysvingene and the steeper trails
Fløysvingene is the gravel road that zigzags gently from Fjellveien to the top, fine for prams and an easy pace. If you are fit, steeper paths climb straight up through the woods.
Walk up and ride down, not the other way round. Your knees will thank you, and you have the view in front of you all the way up.
The view and the summit
From the platform by the top station you look straight down on the harbour and Bryggen, and out towards the islands and the sea. Next door are the Fløien Folkerestaurant and a café with a terrace. Evenings are often the best time, as the lights come on in the city below.
The Troll Forest and Skomakerdiket
Behind the top station is Trollskogen, the Troll Forest, a short trail with troll figures among the trees, plus a large playground. Ten minutes further on is Skomakerdiket, a small lake ringed by woods, with benches and fire pits.
This is the best part for families. Children walk a little, hunt for trolls and play, and the funicular is never far away if the weather turns.
Further into the mountains: Blåmanen and Ulriken
From Fløyen the trails continue into the hills around the city. Blåmanen is a popular hike of a few hours with views in every direction. The long classic is Vidden, the walk across the high plateau to Ulriken, Bergen's highest mountain, where you can ride the Ulriksbanen cable car down.
Vidden is a full day over open ground. Bring food, good boots and extra layers, and check the forecast. Fog rolls in fast on the mountains above Bergen.
Det Hanseatiske Hotel
The lounge at Det Hanseatiske Hotel on Bryggen.
Where to stay near the funicular
Bryggen and the area around Torget are closest to the lower station. Our guide to the best hotels in Bergen has more options.
Det Hanseatiske Hotel: inside Bryggen
The hotel sits within the old Hanseatic buildings of Bryggen, a few minutes from the lower funicular station. In the morning you can be among the first in line, before the cruise passengers arrive. Right for anyone who wants to sleep inside the history, not just look at it.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Det Hanseatiske Hotel
Home Hotel Havnekontoret
The vaulted lobby at Home Hotel Havnekontoret.
Home Hotel Havnekontoret: vaults by the harbour
The old harbour office at the end of Bryggen has vaulted ceilings and a sauna. The funicular and the paths up the mountainside are right behind it. A good pick if you plan to hike up in the morning and want a warm sauna to come back to.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Home Hotel Havnekontoret
Good to know before you go
Buy tickets online: you skip the ticket queue at the lower station.
Dress for the mountain: it is often colder and windier at the top than in town.
Check the cloud: if the cloud is low you will see little. Wait an hour or two.
In winter: the paths can be icy, but the top is often snowy and lovely, with sledging slopes for children.
Mount Fløyen: frequently asked questions
How high is Mount Fløyen?
The top station and viewpoint on Fløyen are around 320 metres above sea level.
How long does it take to walk up Fløyen?
Most people take thirty to forty-five minutes up the Fløysvingene road at an easy pace.
Where does the Fløibanen funicular leave from?
The lower station is on Vetrlidsallmenningen in the centre, a couple of minutes from the fish market and Bryggen.
What can children do on Fløyen?
The Troll Forest, the playground and the walk around Skomakerdiket lake are short and suit children well.
Can you hike from Fløyen to Ulriken?
Yes. The route is called Vidden and crosses the high plateau. It takes a full day and needs good boots and decent weather.
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Photos: Christine Baglo / Visit Norway.