Vidden Bergen Hiking Trail

The Vidden Trail from Mt. Ulriken to Mt. Fløyen in Bergen is a must-do for activity if you’re looking for a moderate hike in the stunning fjords close to Bergen! I recently visited Bergen in Norway for a few days, during which I completed Vidden Trail from Ulriken to Floyen. The trail is spectacular, providing the perfect opportunity capture panoramic views of Bergen and its surrounding fjords. The below guide is based on my own experience completing the Ulriken to Floyen hike on the ‘Vidden trail’ in Bergen.

Is the Vidden Trail worth doing?

As the highlight of my trip to Bergen, I can say absolutely 100% worth it, and this is exactly why –

The Vidden trail from Ulriken to Floyen covers a distance of about 13 kilometers (about 8 miles) and is a moderately challenging hike. The trail offers some of the most stunning panoramic views of Bergen and the surrounding fjords. I found the terrain varies, featuring rocky paths and soft moss, making it a bit of an adventure in itself, for me this involved scrambling at times, but if you have long legs, this may not be necessary. You’ll find yourself elevated around 600 meters above sea level at the highest point, perfect vantage point for some stellar views. The Vidden Trail in Bergen typically takes around 4 to 6 hours to complete, depending on your pace and how many scenic stops you make along the way.

Another thing I would note is that unlike a lot of other hikes in Norway, this felt like it was mostly done by locals and is therefore a lot less touristy and feels less crowded and more off the beaten path. Although we did this trail during the fringe season, we encountered several groups of locals and lots of trail runners, but never felt like there were too many people or large tour groups completing the hike.

Terrain on the Vidden Trail in Bergen

As we were taking the cable car up Mount Ulriken and taking the Funicular down Mount Floyen, I assumed the hike itself would be a flat terrain between the two points. Well, I can tell you I was definitely wrong about this! This trail goes into the mountains and is definitely plenty of up and downs an a little bit of scrambling on rocks. Nonetheless the hike is extremely enjoyable and doable, full of amazing views at every corner. I was truly amazed how many mini lakes we encountered at every corner up the mountain, a phenomenon which I have only really encountered in Norway.

Vidden Trail Map

As with all my hikes, I used All Trails for the Vidden trail map for mapping the hike. I would highly recommend using the All Trails app and downloading an offline map for the hike. Although the hike path had pretty good coverage throughout the hike.

Variations to the Vidden Trail

As the main hike has the start and end points at two of Bergen’s iconic mountains – Mount Ukriken and Mount Floyen, the hike route can easily be extended should you want to include the climb/ and or descent either of these mountains.

We personally didn’t do this as we only headed out for the hike around 2pm after lunch, but needed to be back for our dinner booking in Bergen by 8pm, this meant us taking the cable car up and Funicular down – which I’m glad we did!

Hike up Mount Ulriken

Instead of taking the Mount Ulriken cable car up, the Vidden trail can be extended to start with the climb of Mount Ulriken itself. The hike itself if started from the Ulriksbanen cable car station, takes about 70 mins, covering about 3.5-4km. This is perfect if you want to extend the Vidden trail, by starting at the bottom of the mountain.

Hike down Mount Floyen

Instead of taking the Mount Floyen funicular down, the hike can also be extended to hike up or down Mount Floyen. The start and end points are the same as the Funiclar. The distance is about 3km and takes 45mins to 1 hour depending on which slight variation of the route you take and how frequently you stop for photos, this is compared to the 8 minutes it would take on the Funcilar. Expect a descent that’s mostly gentle, with a few steeper sections to keep it interesting. The terrain is mainly gravel paths.

Pro tip: I recommend doing the descent before or during sunset when the sun is low, as you will directly be facing into beautiful Bergen skyline while hiking down Mount Floyen!

Which way should you do the Vidden Trail in Bergen?

There are 2 options, each with its own advantages.

Option 1: Vidden Trail from Mount Ulriken to Mount Floyen

Depending on which way you’re going to hike the Vidden trail in Bergen, the experience can vary considerably. More hikers start at the Mount Ulriken and move on to the Mount Fløyen. It usually means a pretty steep initial ascent but then more easily going down toward Mount Fløyen, so pounding on the knees is a bit less. And then you are nearer to the city center of Bergen and can more easily explore more when you finish with the trek.

Option 2: Vidden Trail from Mount Floyen To Mount Ulriken

Doing the hike in the opposite direction, from Mount Fløyen to Ulriken, is really the reverse of this. You start off with a more gradual incline and save the more challenging, steeper decline for the end. Note that this way is usually less packed than the other, so it is more solitary and peaceful—a plus, if you are really not in the mood to be around hordes on other trails.

Either way, I highly recommend doing this hike!

Mount Ulriken Cable Car

Getting to the Ulriken Cable car is easy enough from Bergen City centre, Catch the number 2 light rail (5 -10 mins) or even walk from the city center to the cable car station. The station is located at the bottom of Ulriken mountain, just a short walk from the rail stop. Once at the station you can purchase your tickets directly at the base station counter or inside at the ticket machines or in advance online.

Tickets are pretty reasonable, costing around 230 NOK for adults, which translates to just over $22 USD. The cable cars run from early morning until the evening. However the opening times vary over summer and winter. As of my visit, the opening hours were as follows:

Summer Hours – 1 May 2024 – 30 Sept 2024
Monday – Sunday 9am – 11pm
Winter Hours – 1 Oct – 30 April 2024
Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday: 9am – 7pm
Thursday – Saturday: 9am – 11pm

Once you’ve reached the summit of Mount Ulriken, the panoramic views are nothing short of spectacular. From up here, you can soak in the vistas of Bergen against the backdrop of Norway’s rugged coastline—definitely a photo op that’s hard to pass up.

Mount Floyen Funicular

The good thing about doing the Vidden trail from Ulriken to Mount Floyen, is that the hike literally ends at the Mount Floyen Funicalar station and viewing platform.

However should you wish to start your journey from Mount Floyen and hike to Mount Ulriken, you can head to Vetrlidsallmenningen station, conveniently located just a short walk from the Bergen Fish Market and Bryggen Wharf. You can’t miss it!

Grab your ticket directly at the station or skip the lines by purchasing online. A round-trip adult ticket costs about 140 NOK (approximately 15 USD), which is a small price for the big views waiting at the top. The funicular runs every 15 to 30 minutes from early morning until late evening, however I recommend checking out the timetable in advance here. As of my visit, the opening hours were as follows:

Mount Floyen Funicular Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 7.30am – 12am
Saturday – Sunday 8am – 12am

Best time for the Ulriken Hike on the Vidden Trail

I personally found that the weather changes so much in a day in Norway that no matter what, you can experience all seasons in a day! Nonetheless, there are certain times of the year which make the trail more suitable. The ideal months to do the trail are typically between May to September, when there are longer days and warmer temperatures between 46°F to 68°F (8°C to 20°C). May is cooler, around 46°F to 59°F (8°C to 15°C), while July and August are the warmest months. Rain can be expected anytime of year on the trail, so its best to prepare for changing weather conditions, no matter when you do the hike.

Vidden Trail Hiking Tips

When preparing for the Vidden Trail between Mount Ulriken and Mount Fløyen, it’s crucial to consider both safety and comfort to ensure an enjoyable experience. Here are detailed preparation tips to help you get ready:

Dress Appropriately:

Layered Clothing: The weather can be quite variable, even in summer. Wear moisture-wicking base layers, an insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof outer layer. This combination allows you to adapt to changing conditions.
Sturdy Footwear: Invest in a good pair of hiking boots that offer support and grip. I wore running shoes, and although doable in these, I definitely underestimated how rocky and uneven the trail can be. There are parts of the path on rocks that may be wet or slippery, especially after rain.

Take a packed lunch snacks

Definitely pack enought water and snacks for the trail. There are no shops along the Vidden trail other than the cafes at the top of Mount Ulriken and Mount Floyen, so bring enough water for several hours of hiking, as well as some snacks or a picnic for the journey. Depending on what time of day you are finishing up the Vidden trail from Mount Ulriken to Mount Floyen, there are actually plenty of benches and some picnic tables towards to Mount Floyen end of the hike, so its definitely worth stopping here to fuel up and take in the views.

Pack Smart:

Backpack: A comfortable, lightweight backpack is essential. It should be large enough to carry your supplies but not so bulky that it hinders your movement.
The hike ideally requires hiking shoes or at least comfortable sports shoes as there are rocky sections that can get slippery in wet weather.
Map and Compass/GPS: While the trail is well-marked, having a map and compass or a GPS device can help you stay on track, especially in foggy conditions or if you wander off the main path.

Weather Considerations

Check the Weather Forecast: Always check the local weather forecast before you set out. I found that in Norway weather conditions in the mountains can change rapidly, especially on the Vidden Trail – one minute blue sky and the next minute you can feel a few drops of rain!
Sun Protection: From personal experience, even on cloudy days the Norway sun and, UV rays can be strong. So bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Although I went in May, the weather didn’t seem too hot despite the sun being out most of the day, nonetheless I had to remind myself to apply sunscreen as it was definitely the type of weather where you can easily get sunburnt without really feeling like the sun is beating down on you, given the wind and pleasant temperature.

Safety Gear

First Aid Kit: Like other trails in Norway, the Vidden trail in Bergen also has first aid stations along the trail. However, its always carry a basic first aid kit that includes band-aids, antiseptic, tape, and blister pads.
Emergency Whistle and Flashlight: These can be lifesavers in case you get lost or injured. A flashlight or headlamp is also essential if you find yourself on the trail later than expected. I would highly recommend checking sunrise and sunset times and planning accordingly.

Take your rubbish

The Vidden trail does not have places to throw rubbish along the way. Carry all your trash out with you, including organic waste like fruit peels or nut shells. Norway’s largely untouched terrain is what makes is to unique, but this also means you definitely will not encounter bins on the path once you start hiking, so make sure you bring spare bags to carry any snack wrappers and rubbish.
To protect the fragile mountain ecosystem, it is advised to avoid straying from established paths too much, as temptign as this is!

Enjoy the sunset at Mount Floyen

If you are completing the Vidden trail, and hiking from Ulriken to Floyen, I recommend finishing up and enjoying the sunset in Floyen afterwards. There was just something really magical about this view which we got at the end of our hike finishing at Floyen. There are places to buy food and drinks up here, or alternatively you can carry your own.

So there you have it, I hope this has been a helpful guide to the Vidden Trail in Bergen for the Ulriken to Floyen hike. I would love to hear your thoughts on the trail or if you have any recommendations of things to do in Norway!

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