Bergen is Norway's most beautiful city. It is often called the gateway to the fjords, a city framed between mountains and sea. Amazing views are found at every corner in Bergen. Unarguably, the prettiest views are, however, those from the summit of Ulriken, the highest of seven mountains surrounding Bergen. Reaching its summit gives one a breathtaking view of the city, the surrounding fjords, and the green Norwegian landscape. Whether a hiking enthusiast or just someone seeking to experience Bergen from a different angle, Ulriken should not be missed. Let us get up close and personal with what you can expect to see at the Ulriken Summit and why this trip should be done by everyone.
Getting to Ulriken: The Journey Begins
Ulriken is located about 643 meters (2,113 feet) above sea level, and while it may seem like a daunting climb, there are multiple ways to reach the summit. One of the easiest and most scenic options is to take the Ulriken Cable Car, a modern and comfortable lift that takes you from the base of the mountain. It just took a few minutes to reach the summit.
It's a ride for itself when it comes to the cable car ride. As you ascend, views of Bergen harbor and surroundings open up to reveal glimpses of beauty that await you to be beheld at the summit. It is about an 8-minute ride, by which time you become a witness to how the city gets smaller as you rise above it, lending a new perspective.
If you want to take it up a notch and get up close with the mountain, hiking to the top is also possible. A popular hiking trail, the Ulriken Trail takes you from the city center to the top. With an estimate of 2-3 hours to complete, depending on your pace, hiking will allow you to get closer to nature. With each step as you climb, the scenery changes dramatically, and you'll catch glimpses of the city below, as well as views into the surrounding forests and rocky terrain. Either way, reaching the summit of Ulriken is a rewarding experience that's worth the effort.
The Panoramic View of Bergen
Once you finally reach the Ulriken Summit, you're greeted with one of the most spectacular panoramic views in all of Norway. The Bergen spread out beneath you like a beautiful tapestry: the colorful building fabric with the famous Bryggen Wharf set snugly along the harbor. So, above the old wooden houses with the red-tiled roofs in Bryggen, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, contrasts with the deep blue waters of the harbor.
Outside the city is the long and beautiful Hardangerfjord, one of Norway's longest fjords. The fjord reaches out to the horizon as far as the eye can see, its dark blue water showing off towering peaks that rise on both sides like giants. On good days, you can even pick out the tops of mountains way beyond the fjord, creating another great expanse of pristine landscape.
You can see Mount Fløyen, the second-highest mountain surrounding Bergen, from the summit of Ulriken. Fløyen is also one of Bergen's popular destinations, and from Ulriken, the mountain appears as a smaller, rolling peak—but the views are equally wonderful. A clear day finds you with an unobstructed vista that combines the fjords, mountains, and city in a breathtaking view that's hard to surpass.