Ulriken: A Guide to Visiting Bergen’s Tallest Mountain

As you’d expect from somewhere tucked between seven peaks, Bergen’s surrounding landscapes are captivating to say the least. No trip to Norway’s second-biggest city is complete without a journey to Ulriken, the highest mountain surrounding the downtown area. 

Despite the vast wilderness at the top, Ulriken is remarkably easy to get to from Bergen. Unfortunately, many visitors are ill-prepared for their visit—whether that’s not wearing the appropriate clothing or not knowing what to expect when they reach the top. 

I’ve visited Ulriken on two previous trips to Bergen: Once in 2019 and again in 2023. To help you prepare for your adventure, I’ve put together this practical guide. You’ll find out what to wear, whether hiking on Ulriken in the winter is safe, and much more. 

Before we continue: Remember that you are responsible for your own safety when hiking on Ulriken. I am only providing tips, and you need to make your own decision about whether the conditions, etc., are right to attempt any kind of hike. 

How Tall Is Ulriken?

Ulriken is 643 metres (2,110 feet) above sea level, making it the highest peak surrounding Bergen. The mountain’s closest competitor is Rundemanen (568 metres / 1,684 feet). 

The heights of the other mountains in Bergen are as follows: 

• Løvstakken (477 m / 1,565 ft);
• Sandviksfjellet (417m / 1,368 ft);
• Fløyfjellet (400 m / 1,300 ft);
• Lyderhorn (396 m / 1,299 ft);
• Damsgårdsfjellet (317 m / 1,040 ft). 

Fløyfjellet is also worth visiting when you go to Bergen, and it offers an excellent view of the city. You might also want to check out this complete travel guide to Bergen for more practical tips on what to do when you’re here. 

How to Get to the Ulriken Cable Car From Bergen

Ulriken is around 20 minutes by public transport from Bergen’s city centre. Get the tram or bus to Haukelands Sjukehus (or Haukelands Sjukehus Nord) before walking around nine minutes to the Ulriksbanen cable car. 

It is also possible to hike to the top of Ulriken via a stairway. 

You can buy tickets for Ulriken below or via the website.

How Long Does It Take to Hike Up Ulriken?

The hike from Haukelands Sjukehus to the café at Ulriken will take most people around an hour, though some might need slightly longer. Most of the route is either paved or has stairs, but you should be prepared for the steep incline (or decline if you’re coming down). 

The Hiking Trails on Ulriken

Once you’re at the top of Ulriken, you’ve got plenty of options to continue your adventure. The hiking routes are of varying difficulties and lengths; I can’t remember the name of the one that my friend and I did in 2023, but there was a lot of unstable ground and rocks we needed to climb across. Nonetheless, it was also lots of fun. 

You can refer to this page on the Ulriken website for some of the most popular hiking routes. You’ll learn how much time you should expect to allocate, plus the difficulty level and more. 

What Can You See From Ulriken?

Ulriken is one of the best places to view Bergen from above on a clear day (only Fløyen beats it, in my opinion). You can see the entire city centre, along with much of the surrounding area. You can see the cable car as it’s coming up the mountain, which is quite a satisfying sight. 

The Weather on Ulriken 

The weather on Ulriken is often different from closer to the ground in Bergen. It’s often quite foggy, and you may also experience snow. I dealt with snow when visiting in the final week of May 2019, even though the weather closer to the downtown area was clearer. 

Like the rest of Bergen, Ulriken’s weather is interchangeable. It might seem clear one minute but snowing the next, and vice versa. Generally speaking, you should expect the temperature to be at least a few degrees Celsius colder than in the downtown areas of Bergen—and you should also prepare accordingly with the right clothing. 

Note that the visibility is often pretty bad when it’s foggy on Ulriken, and you can only see a few hundred metres in front of you. There were still a fair few people hiking when we went in these conditions, but you should use common sense and not try some of the more advanced hikes. Check the weather conditions before beginning your journey to make a better-informed decision. yr.no has relatively reliable weather updates.

Can I Hike on Ulriken During the Winter?

I wouldn’t recommend that most people hike up Ulriken during the winter. The steps were quite slippery even when I did it in May, even though I have good fitness levels and was wearing the appropriate hiking boots. Instead, you should take the cable car if you want to visit. 

If you choose to hike Ulriken, wearing snow spikes on your shoes is a good idea. 

I certainly wouldn’t recommend most of the hikes from Ulriken onwards during the winter months. While temperatures in the Bergen region are milder than other parts of Norway, it can still be quite chilly—especially at the top of Ulriken. That, combined with poor visibility and unstable ground, can be dangerous if you aren’t careful. 

You should also remember that the winter daylight hours in Bergen aren’t suitable for longer hikes. In December, for example, there are only 5-6 hours of daylight. You also aren’t allowed to camp on Ulriken. So, you should save the longer trips for the summer instead. 

What to Take When Hiking Ulriken

To help you prepare for your trip, I’ve listed my top suggestions for things to take with you when hiking on Ulriken.

Water 

Take enough water for your hike. You can refill your bottle at the fountain outside the toilets close to the cable car stop. 

Food

If you’re going on one of the longer hikes, ensure you’ve packed adequate food supplies. You can visit the café close to the cable car stop, but it’s a good idea to also have your own stuff. Head to a supermarket in the city beforehand to get everything you need. 

A Map and Compass 

When we tried to use Google Maps on Ulriken, it wasn’t particularly great and I personally wouldn’t recommend it. Instead, get yourself a physical map and compass in case you get lost. 

Your Camera, Of Course 🙂

If you’re lucky with the weather, you can get a wonderful view of Bergen. The hiking trails are also very scenic, so bringing your camera along for the adventure makes total sense.

While I have a full-frame camera, you can still great shots with a smartphone.

What to Wear on Ulriken

Sturdy Hiking Boots 

I can’t stress this enough: Wear sturdy hiking boots for your Ulriken hike. You want a pair of waterproof and durable shoes, and they should also have soles with a solid grip on slippery and unstable surfaces. 

Good hiking boots will often cost a few hundred dollars, but they’re well worth it if you enjoy exploring the great outdoors. And if you clean them regularly, they should last a very long time. 

When looking for hiking boots, getting a pair around half a size bigger than you’d normally get for shoes is a good idea. Your feet often swell on long hikes, making your shoes uncomfortable. 

Warm Base Layer Clothing 

Given that the air temperature on Ulriken will likely be quite cold for much of the year, wearing warm base layer clothing is a good idea. Given that you’ll probably sweat and the chances of precipitation are normally high, merino wool—which wicks away moisture—is a smart material to look for. 

If you didn’t bring base layer clothing with you to Bergen, you shouldn’t have too much of a problem finding these in one of the city’s many outdoor clothing stores. 

A Solid Backpack 

You should pack as minimally as possible for your hike on Ulriken, but taking a solid backpack is still a good idea. I personally use a Danish brand called RAINS, and the big advantage is that these backpacks are water-resistant (which also comes in handy considering that I live in Denmark 🙂). RAINS has several colours available, so choose whichever takes your fancy. 

I’ve also used Fjällräven in the past and love their backpacks, especially the 17-inch laptop version. But plenty of other brands, such as Osprey, are suited for outdoor adventures. 

A Waterproof Jacket 

Given that Bergen and its surrounding areas get a lot of precipitation, it’s also a good idea to bring a waterproof jacket for your Ulriken hike. Helly Hansen has a great range of jackets to cater for these needs, and I’ve also used Napapijiri’s range for many years. Napapijiri jackets also have the Norwegian flag on the front, so you’ll look very “on-brand”. 

Another benefit of Napapijiri’s jackets is that they’re quite warm. Regardless of your choice, make sure you choose something that’s high-quality. 

Gloves 

Protecting your hands is essential when hiking on Ulriken, especially if you’re visiting outside of June-August. If you’re a photographer, I can recommend Vallerret’s photography gloves. I’ve owned my pair for over two years, and you can lift the thumb and index fingers—without taking your gloves off—when taking pictures. Moreover, they often have enough space to fit a base layer pair of gloves; I suggest buying some thin running gloves and putting them underneath. 

Another brand I recommend is 66ºNORTH; I bought some Gore-Tex gloves in Iceland in 2021, and they have served me very well. However, taking photos in them is more difficult. 

A Warm Hat

Packing a woolly hat is a good idea for hikes on and around Ulriken. Again, I can recommend Fjällräven for high-quality outdoor hats—but there are other high-quality brands to choose from as well, like The North Face. 

Wool Socks 

A good pair of wool socks was one of my best purchases for trips to places like Norway and Iceland. I recommend wearing one pair of good socks beneath these as they can get quite itchy, but having them saves a lot of stress. 

Hiking Shorts or Trousers

My second hike on Ulriken was much more enjoyable for one reason: I didn’t wear jeans 🙃. Many hiking shorts and trousers are either waterproof or water-resistant, which is a huge advantage when battling the elements.  

When buying hiking trousers (or hiking pants for my American readers), choose a comfortable pair that you can easily move around in. Sizing might vary depending on your brand, and some will also use numbers instead of letters (which, if you’re a guy, can be somewhat confusing). It might be a good idea to try your trousers in person before purchasing if you want to buy them online. 

Useful Tips for Visiting Ulriken

• Make a note of these numbers. Ulriken Station is reachable at: +47 643 643. Police: 112 | Ambulance: 113 | Fire: 110
• Always check the weather forecast before hiking. If it doesn’t seem like a good idea to go, consider rescheduling. Understand that the weather might change quickly while you’re on the mountain, too. 
• If you visit during the summer, you can get an express bus to Ulriken. The bus runs from Torgallmenningen 1A in Bergen. 
• Consider rounding up the day with a meal at the restaurant on Ulriken: Skyskraperen. You can learn more and buy tickets here. 

Photography Tips for Visiting Ulriken

Ulriken is one of Bergen’s best places for photography, even though I broke one of my SD cards while there 🥲. Here are some of my top photography tips to consider for your Ulriken hike: 

• If it’s foggy, focus on subjects close to you—such as rock formations or people. These can still make for interesting photo opportunities.
• Bring a protective case for your camera. The conditions can be quite challenging at the top of the mountain, and these can lead to annoyances like water damage. 
• Pack a versatile lens. If you’re lucky, you can grab some superb shots of Bergen and the surrounding mountains. At the same time, there’s plenty to photograph along the top. 
• Consider getting a camera clip for your backpack. Carrying your device while trying to climb over rocks is, let’s just say, “not very practical”. 

Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Ulriken in Bergen

Ulriken is one of Bergen’s most unforgettable experiences and a fantastic introduction to Norway’s beautiful nature. While many of the hikes are quite challenging, you can have a great day exploring vast wilderness—all a stone’s throw away from downtown Bergen. 

Whether you get the cable car or decide to hike up Ulriken, a wealth of opportunities awaits at the top. And if you’re lucky enough to get a clear day, you can enjoy Norway’s second-biggest city—plus its surrounding areas—from above. 

Ulriken (and Bergen in general) is an excellent part of a weekend excursion or a longer Norwegian adventure. If you’re thinking about the latter, consider also reading this 10-day Norway itinerary.