Hiking Fløyen: One of Bergen’s Seven Peaks

Considering that the city is surrounded by seven peaks, hiking in Bergen is an absolute must when you visit. The wealth of nature easily accessible is one of the biggest reasons to visit, and the views of both Bergen and its nearby fjords are worth seeing for everyone. Fløyen is one of the most accessible hikes, and for this reason, I recommend making it a priority on your trip. 

Fløyen is open year-round, and at the top, you’ll find a viewing platform plus various facilities and extra trails. I’ve done this hike on three occasions, in all weather conditions, and have comprehensive knowledge of what to expect as a result. Today, I’m bringing that expertise to you. 

In this complete guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about hiking Fløyen. You’ll discover information about the trail’s conditions, along with how to get to the top. I’ll provide some practical information to help you prepare, too. 

Starting the Fløyen Hike

Many of the hikes in Bergen require you to leave the city center before finding their starting point. This was the case when we did the Damsgårdsfjellet hike, and it was the same on the occasions when I have hiked Ulriken.

Fløyen, however, is different. Finding the starting point is very easy. First, you’ll need to walk up the stairs behind the Fløibanen funicular station. While you’re here, be sure to stop for the initial views of Bergen and snap some photos before continuing upward. 

Eventually, you’ll reach a white church-looking building. Here, you should see a sign called “Fjellien”. This is the main starting point for the hike to Fløyen, and it’s quite easy to find. From here, you effectively continue upward for most of the hike. 

Trail Conditions When Hiking Fløyen

To be honest, the trail to Fløyen is much more paved than either of the other two hikes I’ve done in Bergen. It’s also more paved than much of the hike to Grefsenkollen, which I did on one of my various trips to Oslo. I would classify much of it as an uphill walk compared to a particularly challenging hike. 

For the first part, you will be entirely on paved pathways. Besides walking through the park at the beginning, you will walk along various sidewalks. If you’re not used to Norway’s tricky terrain, this is comparatively a welcome starting point. 

As you continue upward, however, the path will switch from concrete to gravel. You will also enter a forest, with various views of Bergen between the trees. This part is a bit more challenging, as by this stage, the constant uphill climb may start to fatigue you. 

One thing worth noting: The trail is well-signposted, so you should have no issues keeping to the path.

Eventually, you’ll reach the panorama spot at Fløyen. Here, you’ll see a playground and a white building. The highest funicular station is also close to the panoramic viewpoint. 

Reaching the Top

Once you reach the top, you should first go to the viewing platform. From here, you’ll get a complete view of Bergen’s city center, the surrounding mountains, and its nearby fjords. Since this is one of the most popular things to do in the city, expect crowds. You may have to wait before getting to the front, but to be honest, the crowds aren’t unmanageable. 

One thing worth noting is that the clouds and fog can sometimes obstruct the view. So, if you’re in Bergen on a cloudy or rainy day (which is very likely), keep in mind that you may not see anything. If possible, try to come here when it’s sunny; if you see clouds rolling over the mountains from the city center, it’s better to wait. 

When you reach the panoramic point, you might spot the popular Bergen goats. We found these grazing on the side of the mountain. The goats were born in 2020, and there are nine in total. 

Fløyen is a good starting point for more walking adventures, too. One thing you may notice when coming up is the troll forest, and when you’re close to the viewing platform, you will see a troll statue. Alongside that, you’ll find a couple of lakes up here—including Skomakerdiket.

Close to the viewing platform, you will find a café, a restaurant, and toilets.

The Fløyen Funicular Is Also an Option…

Hiking Fløyen is one of my favorite things to do in Bergen, and I therefore recommend taking the fun route up. However, you can also take the funicular up or down. Alternatively, you can hike on the way up or down; for the other part of the journey, you can take the funicular in the opposite direction. 

The funicular takes between five and eight minutes, and you can buy tickets in the Fløibanen app (it’s available on iOS and Android). Alternatively, you can purchase tickets on the website. Dogs are allowed to travel for free, and it’s also wheelchair accessible. 

Prices vary depending on whether you’re doing a single or a return journey. If you already know you want to take the funicular both ways, get a return ticket as it’s less expensive. 

Can I Do the Fløyen Hike Year-Round?

Hiking to Fløyen is possible year-round; the trail is well-kept, and it doesn’t have what I would consider to be any ultra-difficult sections. However, parts of it will be slippery if it has been raining or snowing—so take extra care in these spots. 

One really important thing to keep in mind is that even in the summer, it won’t necessarily be warm when you reach the top. For example, I once did the hike on an evening in June and still needed a sweater. It was super cold when we reached the top, so be prepared for all conditions. 

Since the hike is easily doable in a few hours, it’s a great winter activity, too. However, I recommend taking the funicular if you’re going to do the hike outside of the short daylight hours. 

When Do I Recommend Doing the Fløyen Hike?

While you can do the Fløyen hike at any point in the day, I recommend going around sunset. By far the favorite time I’ve done this hike was when my girlfriend and I went here on a June evening. Since Bergen is so far north, the sun doesn’t set until after 23:00 at this time of the year. 

We weren’t the only people up there, but it was noticeably less crowded. And as a photographer, the lighting was an absolute dream. 

If you’re visiting in the winter, doing it early in the morning is wise. The sun doesn’t rise until after 09:30 on the shortest day of the year in December, so you don’t have to get up super early to see nice lighting (or stay up too late, since the sun will be down again by 16:00). 

You can hike during the day if you have no other options, but I recommend going around sunrise or sunset for smaller crowds and better lighting. 

What Should I Bring With Me While Hiking Fløyen?

Now that you know all the main details about the hike, I’ll go into more detail about what to bring with you. That way, you’ll ensure that you are fully prepared. All of these tips are based on my own previous experiences. 

1. Dress in Layers

This is one of the golden rules of visiting Scandinavia in general, but it’s especially important when hiking in Norway—and even more so when hiking in Bergen (including to Fløyen). Regardless of when you visit, the weather can change fast; being caught unprepared is not fun, and I can attest to that from first-hand experience. 

Each time I’ve done the Fløyen hike, it has always been colder at the top than it was in the city. Once you’ve been walking for 45-60 minutes, you will also likely sweat a lot. For me, this means that I get colder, faster. 

Bringing a good sweater and some warm baselayers is wise. You should also have a suitable jacket and some comfortable pants/trousers for outdoor activities. 

2. A Waterproof Jacket Is Non-Negotiable

Bergen’s reputation as a rainy city is well-deserved, and I cannot remember a single visit where it hasn’t rained at least once. As a result, a good waterproof jacket is non-negotiable when hiking Fløyen. 

If you can get something made of Gore-Tex, even better. You’ll find various outdoor clothing stores in Bergen selling jackets, but since Norway is pretty expensive, I recommend bringing something with you from home. Napapijiri, Arc’teryx, and 66ºNORTH all have a good range of jackets for hiking Fløyen. 

3. Don’t Forget to Pack Your Kvikk Lunsj and Packed Lunch 🙂

Do you want to know what I look forward to when visiting Norway more than anything else? Spoiler alert: It’s not the fjords or mountains, though those are admittedly both high on the list. 

It’s Kvikk Lunsj. 

Ask any Norwegian about Kvikk Lunsj, and their faces will light up. This chocolate bar, which is similar to Kit Kat (but better, in my opinion), is a staple on hikes in Norway. Naturally, we also brought some with us to enjoy once we reached the top. 

You can get Kvikk Lunsj from any grocery store or 7-Eleven kiosk. Crispbreads are also popular on Norwegian hikes, and you can bring some sandwiches with you. There are various benches for you to eat your food at the top. 

4. You Don’t Need a Massive Hiking Backpack

Unless you’re doing the famous seven peaks hike, you do not need a big hiking backpack for Fløyen. A standard day pack will be more than enough, since it’s not a very long hike. 

Packing for a hike to Fløyen is very straightforward. Bring a refillable water bottle, along with your camera and some food. If necessary, you can also take warm accessories, such as a hat, scarf, and gloves. 

I suggest packing as minimally as possible so that you avoid burdening yourself with too much needless stuff. 

5. A Sturdy Pair of Walking Shoes Is Wise

You don’t necessarily need hiking boots, but bringing these is a good idea. I’ve worn these on most of my hikes, and on the one occasion I decided to wear something else, I regretted it. 

At the very least, you should have a good pair of walking shoes. Something with good grip is wise for the gravel parts, and before hiking Fløyen, you should have broken them in and gotten comfortable wearing them. 

Again, you can buy walking shoes in Bergen. However, it’ll almost certainly be less expensive if you bring some with you in your suitcase.  

So… Should You Do the Fløyen Hike When Visiting Bergen?

Fløyen is the most accessible hike in Bergen, and it’s well worth doing even as a total beginner. It’s also a good hike to do if you’re visiting with kids, and they will love the playground at the top. 

Even though the gravel parts can be tricky in some conditions, Fløyen doesn’t have any overly difficult areas. The views are great, not just when you reach the top, but also as you’re making the climb up. 

While the funicular will cost money, hiking Fløyen itself is free. So, if you want to save some money while in Norway, this is a solid activity. Plus, you don’t need to take any transport to get somewhere outside the city center. 

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