Researching this Norway trip I read about this hike people recommend if you want to get a good view of the city. It's interesting how everything seems to vague and sometimes tricky to navigate while you are planning the trip. But once you are there, things gets so clear and just work out...although sometimes it takes a bit of time.
This happened with this hike. I wasn't quite sure how to get to the beginning of the trail, so I had to ask our hotel concierge. From the instructions he gave me it sounded like we only had to walk for maybe 15 minutes....well, maybe at a Norwegian kidless pace it is 15 minutes. Let's just say, it took us a while.
At first the streets were going higher and higher above the city. This was just a walk through the residential area--lots of people live on these steep streets.
I am sure this is a nice oasis in the middle of the neighborhood during summertime.
This is us approaching our first stop to look at the map in the park and figure out where the trail leads us.
In fact, we had to ask some locals about the trail called Stolzekleiven and we walked and walked and walked. Lots of running people too.
Finally, we found the stairs!
Stolzekleiven trail has an elevation of nearly 400 meters--about 800 steps. Those steps are uneven and some are quite steep. When reviews said, "you must be fit to attempt this hike", they don't overestimate. I consider us all very fit, but it was still quite challenging. And here is a quote from another reviewer:
"Half of the population of Bergen has done it. Sting has done it. You should to. It will be tough. It will make you regret. But when you reach the top you will feel invincible. will make you sweat, but having done this, you can look all the citizens of Bergen in the eyes. And you will have their respect." Yeah!
This kid was the biggest culprit though-hahaha.
It took us about an hour to reach the top after many breaks. Katya, with her broken collar bone, just took off and headed for the top on her own. Even Mark never really complained. The record time to run up the stairs is 7 min 58 sec (set this year). Amazing!
What's amazing is that on our way up we were passed by dozens of runners who were managing to climb those stairs super fast and then practically sprinting DOWN those steep uneven stairs...multiple times. We actually chatted with a couple of them and they explained that in a few weeks there was a race to be held on these stairs and it included running up Stolzekleiven. Insanity!!!
The view was worth it!
The whole Bergen at our feet:)
Yay, Mark!
A few more beautiful shots of Bergen from the top.
The walk continued through the beautiful wooded area.
Now we just had to make our way back down into town.
I think Mark was counting his steps again.
It was a little bit tricky to know which way to go as we weren't even familiar with the names of neighborhoods. We managed to not get lost.
You see any trolls?
Because we are not supposed to feed them.
We had to pick up our pace (not only because we had to avoid witches) because we had to be back at our hotel to pick up our luggage and get on the airport bus by 4:30 pm.
Then we figured out they were talking about this witch...
What a mysterious place:).
And we made it back to our hotel on time and soon were off to England.
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