Unforgettable Views from the Ulriken Summit: A Climb to Bergen's Highest Point
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.
Nature at Its Best: Surrounding Landscape
The scenery surrounding Ulriken, where Bergen lies, is simply breathtaking. While the view from Ulriken is stunning, great attention to the surrounding nature is on full display. Ulriken is part of the Bergen Mountains—a vast stretch of mountains, woods, and high peaks that leave scope for many outdoor activities. If you look past the city, the landscape here has lush green forests and rocky cliffs and meadows of alpine. There is a contrast between the greenery and rocky peaks, a picture of perfection.
Looking east, you see the dramatic cliffs and ridgelines that define the Bergen mountains. The landscape is wild and untamed, with few signs of human development, so you really get a sense of the power and beauty of Norway's natural world. To the south, the mountains dip down into valleys and fjords, where quiet lakes hide among peaks.
For those who love adventure and want to walk through nature, Ulriken is an ideal departure point for hiking tours since there are several marked hiking trails that take one through to other peaks around the area. These include Mount Fløyen, Mount Rundemanen, and Mount Vidden. Each of the trails provides different views and experiences; however, all permit one to be engulfed by Norway's beauty. Hiking through this region entails passage through deep forests, over daunting hills, and along serene lakes with constant scenic views of Bergen and the fjords.
Northern Lights and Midnight Sun
One of the most magical experiences of Ulriken's summit comes at nighttime. Bergen is located far enough north to see the Northern Lights during winter months. If you're lucky enough to visit during dark winter months, you might be treated to a spectacular display of green, purple, and pink lights dancing across the Arctic sky.
However, in summer, Bergen experiences midnight sun, a phenomenon where the sun does not set for almost three weeks. From the top of Ulriken, you feel blessed to be able to view the sun just above the horizon, then rising again, casting a soft golden glow over the fjords and mountains. It is something you would never forget, hence making the Ulriken Summit a year-round destination.
A place for reflection
This summit of Ulriken is nothing but a destination to go and explore, rather a spot to sit and ponder the reflection of connecting with nature. And beyond the belief that these views might be magnificent, standing atop the mountain and looking around, there's bound to be that "wow" feeling. The silence is almost as refreshing as it is peaceful, sometimes broken by merely a gust of wind or a bird's call.
Whether you hike there with your friends or have it as a photographer's destination, take the view all to yourself alone—a certain tranquility adorns the summit, and it is a perfect place for contemplation. The fresh mountain air combined with the beauty of the landscape provides clarity and calm that will eventually linger long after one is gone from this place.
Conclusion
One should not miss the stunning views offered at Ulriken Summit while visiting Bergen. From panoramic views of the city and fjords to towering mountains and wild landscapes, Ulriken is a chance to see Bergen from an entirely new perspective. The journey leading up to the summit via cable car or battling through rugged terrain is worth every step. A place where beauty leaves a mark in memory long after the visit; this is Ulriken, breathtaking scenery, natural beauty, and peace. And it's a stop that one must visit when checking out Bergen, for memories of a lifetime.
