Day 3: Bergen

Tips:

• If you are planning to climb up Mt. Ulriken make sure you have good walking shoes as the paths are slippery and made up of very uneven rocks.
• Buses from the city centre to the cable car entrance/start of the walking trail to the top of Mt. Ulriken run a very limited hourly service on Sundays, so if planning to get the bus you’ll need to check your route in advance to avoid waiting around.
• The bus No.12 from the city centre travels to Montana to begin the Mt. Ulriken trail.
• Be sure you pack snacks for the climb, as there are limited places to stop by and the restaurant at the top of Mt. Ulriken was closed when we visited.

Exploring: Day 3:

At 643m tall, Mt. Ulriken is the highest mountain of the seven that surround Bergen.

There are no hiking maps for Mt. Ulriken, but the trails are well marked with the option to embark on a green or blue trail. The green trail is the easier route of the two.

There is the option to take a short cable-car ride up. However, the service is often very dependent on weather conditions. During our visit the cable cars were actually not running because of fog and bad weather, therefore climbing was the only option!

Luckily we quite fancied the challenge of conquering Mt. Ulriken. It’s a relatively short hike (around 1.5 hours each way), although it is pretty inclined, so there are plenty of hill climbs and it’s a bit of a challenge to get down because of the steep paved stairs.

During our trip, we had planned to visit Mt. Ulriken on a Sunday, and experienced that in Bergen there is a very limited bus service from the city centre. Therefore we actually decided to walk to the Montana Hostel (using Goggle maps) to start our hike up, meaning we had around a 45 mins pre-walk from the city centre.

Luckily, on way through the city centre we spotted a super cosy and traditional Solros kaffe where we could stop by for some coffee and a sweet treat to fuel our walk. All of their breads are made with organic and Nordic grains – deliciously good food!

This pit spot proved essential because we learned there aren’t any cafes once we reach Montana and the restaurant at the top of Mt. Ulriken was closed.

Once you reach Montana you’ll spot the winding road that marks the beginning of the ascent to the top.  It is a steep climb to the top, but you are rewarded with stunning views along the way and, of course, the panoramic view of Bergen from the top.

I really enjoyed the hike, especially because it felt like a well-trodden route with locals and families either confidently jogging up and down or walking their dogs.

 

 

Due to the rainfall in Bergen, the weather is unpredictable and the clouds do often move very quickly meaning rain can come and go. Best to bring your waterproofs!

After a hefty morning hike, you’ll be in need of a refuel and so a visit to Bryggen is a must. Thanks to oil trade in the 1970s, the former warehouses that now make up Bryggen waterfront were embellished, preserved and converted into museums, restaurants, and shops, giving its UNESCO list for World Cultural Heritage status in 1979.

The old wharf is a reminder of Bergen’s interesting past and fishing heritage during the trading empire from the 14^th to the mid-16^th century. Since the 1200s, Bergen Fish Market has attracted fishermen and merchants, acting as a central hub to the city centre.

Today it’s an ideal destination for locals and visitors, and the best way to experience and sample a range of fresh fish delicatessens caught daily.

Due to high import taxes, the fish is known to be local and most of the stalls have similar menus, with the Bergensk fiskesuppe (fish soup) being a popular starter.