7 Breathtaking Hikes Near Alesund: Norway's Most Spectacular Fjord Views

If you're fresh off the plane and eager to stretch your legs without committing to a full-day excursion, Sukkertoppen (Sugar Top) is your answer. This 314-meter hill sits like a sentinel overlooking Alesund, offering the perfect orientation to the region's geography.

The trail begins just 20 minutes from downtown, making it accessible even with jet lag clouding your judgment (something I know all too well from my Olympic security days when shift changes wreaked havoc on my sleep schedule). The path winds through residential neighborhoods before transitioning to a well-marked but increasingly steep rocky trail.

About halfway up, I encountered a Norwegian couple in their 70s who passed me with casual ease, a humbling reminder that my police fitness training back home might need some adjustments. The final push requires some light scrambling over rocks, but nothing that demands technical skills.

The panorama from the summit is what Norwegians might call 'praktfull' (magnificent) – Alesund's distinctive art nouveau architecture spreads below like a colorful Lego set, while the surrounding islands create a mosaic in the sea. On clear days, the distant peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps create a jagged horizon that had me reaching for my compact binoculars, which proved invaluable throughout my Norwegian adventures.

I timed my hike for sunset, bringing along a thermos of coffee and my stargazing journal. As twilight descended, the city lights began twinkling below, creating an interesting counterpoint to the emerging stars above – though Norway's summer brings such extended daylight that serious astronomy had to wait for another season.

Sometimes the best hikes aren't about conquering imposing peaks but experiencing the raw power of nature at sea level. The coastal trail around Alnes Lighthouse on Godøy Island offers precisely this kind of intimate connection with Norway's maritime heritage.

Reaching the trailhead requires a scenic 30-minute drive from Alesund through the undersea tunnel to Godøy Island. As a police officer accustomed to maintaining situational awareness, I couldn't help but marvel at the engineering feat of these tunnels – a reminder of Norway's commitment to connecting its communities despite formidable geographical barriers.

The lighthouse itself dates back to 1876 and stands as a stoic sentinel against the often-turbulent Norwegian Sea. Before hitting the trail, I recommend climbing the lighthouse tower for orientation (and some historical context from the small museum inside).

The hiking path follows the rugged coastline, with waves crashing dramatically against weather-worn rocks below. Unlike many of Norway's more famous hikes, this route rarely sees crowds, allowing for moments of peaceful contemplation. During my visit, I encountered only a local fisherman who pointed out a colony of seals lounging on distant rocks – a sight I might have missed without my zoom lens, which proved invaluable for wildlife spotting throughout my Norwegian adventures.

The terrain alternates between grassy paths and rocky sections, requiring sturdy footwear but minimal technical skill. What makes this hike special is the ever-changing interplay between land and sea, punctuated by small sandy beaches that appear like golden surprises amid the rocky shoreline.

After completing the roughly 5km loop, I treated myself to fresh waffles at the lighthouse café, where the owner shared stories of winter storms so powerful they sent spray over the top of the lighthouse – a humbling reminder of nature's force in this seemingly peaceful summer setting.

Some hikes tell stories that span centuries, and the trail to abandoned Skageflå Farm does exactly that while offering some of the most iconic views of Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This was the hike that made me understand why Norwegians have such a profound connection to their landscape – it's not just beautiful; it's embedded in their cultural identity.

Getting to the trailhead requires a two-hour drive from Alesund to Geiranger village, followed by a ferry ride into the fjord. This approach alone is worth the journey, as the ferry provides spectacular views of the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls cascading down near-vertical cliff faces.

The hike begins at Skagehola, where you disembark from the ferry. The trail immediately asserts its challenging nature with a steep ascent through dense forest. My years of police fitness training proved useful here, but I still found myself stopping frequently – ostensibly to photograph wildflowers, but really to catch my breath.

After about an hour of steady climbing, the forest gives way to increasingly dramatic views of the fjord below. The trail hugs the mountainside, occasionally protected by cables in exposed sections. It's during these moments, with the fjord waters glistening 270 meters below, that I felt most alive – that perfect balance of exhilaration and focus that comes with moderate risk.

Skageflå Farm itself is a powerful testament to human determination. Perched on a mountain ledge, this farm was inhabited until 1916, with generations of Norwegians carving out an existence in what seems like an impossible location. Sitting among the preserved stone structures, I pulled out my insulated water bottle (which had kept my coffee miraculously hot despite hours on the trail) and tried to imagine daily life in such an isolated yet breathtaking setting.

The return journey offers two options: retrace your steps to catch the ferry back or continue climbing to the summit and descend to Geiranger by the Hole-Homlongsætra trail. I chose the latter for variety, though my quads protested the additional 400 meters of elevation gain before the welcome descent.

Some hiking experiences begin before you even lace up your boots. The drive to Trollstigen (Troll's Ladder) is itself an adventure – a masterpiece of engineering featuring 11 hairpin turns ascending a steep mountainside. As someone who's navigated plenty of challenging roads during police pursuits back home, I still found myself white-knuckling the steering wheel at certain points.

The Trollstigen visitor center, perched dramatically at the top of the pass, serves as the trailhead for this hike. Before setting out, take time to appreciate the architectural marvel of the viewing platforms that jut out over the valley, offering vertigo-inducing perspectives of the road you've just conquered.

The trail to Bispevatnet Lake begins behind the visitor center, quickly leaving the crowds behind as it ascends through rocky terrain marked by cairns (stone stacks marking the path). This is quintessential Norwegian high mountain landscape – stark, dramatic, and utterly captivating.

As the path climbs, the vegetation becomes increasingly sparse, creating an almost lunar landscape punctuated by small patches of resilient alpine flowers. About 45 minutes into the hike, you'll reach a ridge offering the first glimpse of Bispevatnet Lake, its waters often appearing an otherworldly blue due to glacial minerals.

The final approach to the lake involves some light scrambling over rocks, but the reward is a tranquil alpine setting that feels worlds away from the tourist bustle at Trollstigen. I spent nearly an hour at the lakeshore, using my packable camping chair (one of my best travel investments for moments precisely like this) while watching clouds cast moving shadows across the surrounding peaks.

If weather permits and you're feeling energetic, you can extend this hike by continuing to Bisperonden peak for even more expansive views. I opted for this extension and was rewarded with a perspective that included multiple valleys, distant fjords, and even a glimpse of the Atlantic on the clearest of days.

The descent offers constantly changing angles on the dramatic landscape, with late afternoon light creating shadow play that transforms the scenery hour by hour. By the time I returned to the visitor center, the day tourists had largely departed, allowing for a peaceful sunset viewing from the platforms.

When Norwegians themselves rank a hike among their country's most beautiful, you know it's special. Romsdalseggen Ridge lives up to this reputation, offering what might be the most dramatic mountain panorama in a country famous for dramatic mountain panoramas. This is not a hike for beginners or the faint-hearted – it demands respect, preparation, and a reasonable level of fitness.

The logistics require some planning: most hikers take the early morning shuttle bus from Åndalsnes to the Vengedalen starting point, then hike one-way back to town. This arrangement allows you to tackle the ridge from its most approachable angle while ending with a spectacular descent into the Romsdalen Valley.

The initial ascent from Vengedalen is steep but straightforward, with a well-maintained path through forest that eventually gives way to open mountainside. As you gain elevation, the views begin to unfold – first of the immediate valleys, then, as you approach the ridge itself, the full panorama of the Romsdalen mountains.

The ridge section presents three route options of varying difficulty. Having assessed conditions and my comfort level (my police training has instilled a perhaps excessive risk assessment habit), I chose the middle route, which offers plenty of exposure and drama without requiring technical climbing skills.

The ridge walk is approximately 10km of continuous jaw-dropping scenery. To one side, the Romsdalen Valley plunges nearly 1,500 meters down to the valley floor where the Rauma River winds like a silver thread. To the other side, countless peaks stretch toward the horizon, including the imposing Trollveggen (Troll Wall) – Europe's tallest vertical rock face.

About halfway along the ridge, I encountered a perfect lunch spot sheltered from the wind. Here I deployed my lightweight stove to prepare what might have been the most scenic cup of mountain coffee in my life. The simple pleasure of warm beverage with such an extraordinary backdrop is something I've cherished since my stargazing nights back in Calgary.

The final descent into Åndalsnes is lengthy but rewards with constantly changing perspectives of the town and fjord below. By the time I reached the valley floor, my legs were trembling with fatigue, but the sense of accomplishment far outweighed the physical discomfort.

While Geirangerfjord gets most of the international attention, many Norwegians consider Hjørundfjord to be even more beautiful – and significantly less crowded. This hidden gem, surrounded by the Sunnmøre Alps, offers what might be the perfect balance of accessibility and wilderness.

The most rewarding hike in the area is the ascent of Saksa peak, a distinctive mountain whose name means 'scissors' in Norwegian – a reference to its uniquely shaped double summit that resembles an open pair of scissors.

The journey begins with a ferry ride from Ålesund to the small village of Urke, a trip that offers a perfect introduction to Hjørundfjord's dramatic landscapes. In Urke, population approximately 40, I felt transported back in time – the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, and a stranger like me receives curious but friendly glances.

The trail starts gently enough, winding through farmland before beginning its serious ascent through forest. As a solo female hiker, I always maintain awareness of my surroundings (occupational habit from police work), but Norway's trails consistently feel safe and well-marked.

As the tree line recedes, the path becomes steeper and rockier, requiring occasional use of hands for balance. The compensation for this effort comes in the form of increasingly spectacular views of Hjørundfjord stretching below, its dark waters contrasting with the surrounding green mountainsides.

The final approach to Saksa's 1,073-meter summit involves some mild exposure but nothing technically challenging. Standing atop this peak offers what many consider the definitive Hjørundfjord panorama – a 360-degree spectacle of mountains plunging dramatically into fjord waters.

During my visit, I shared the summit with only two other hikers – a stark contrast to the tourist-heavy experiences at more famous Norwegian destinations. We exchanged knowing smiles, the universal language of those who've discovered something special off the beaten path.

The descent follows the same route, though with entirely different perspectives as you face the fjord throughout. Back in Urke, I highly recommend stopping at the historic Hotel Union Øye for their traditional Norwegian waffles – the perfect recovery meal with a side of cultural history. This hotel has hosted European royalty for generations and maintains an atmosphere of elegant nostalgia that perfectly complements the timeless landscape outside.

When a mountain valley is described in Norwegian hiking literature as 'eventyrdalen' (the fairy tale valley), expectations run high. Molladalen doesn't just meet these expectations – it exceeds them, offering what might be the perfect synthesis of challenging hiking and reward-to-effort ratio.

The approach to Molladalen requires a drive to Øye, followed by a steadily ascending forest trail that initially gives little hint of the grandeur to come. The first two hours of hiking might seem pleasant but unremarkable – a green tunnel through pine and birch with occasional glimpses of the valley below.

It's when you finally break through the tree line that Molladalen reveals itself in a moment that literally stopped me in my tracks. The valley opens up like a perfect mountain amphitheater, surrounded by jagged peaks reflected in a series of small alpine lakes. The centerpiece of this natural cathedral is Slogen mountain (1,564m), its distinctive pyramid shape drawing the eye like a siren call.

Though reaching Slogen's summit adds considerable challenge to the day, it's well worth the effort if weather and fitness permit. The final approach requires some scrambling and comfort with exposure, but the 360-degree panorama from the top encompasses countless peaks, several fjords, and on clear days, a glimpse of the open Atlantic.

During my ascent, I encountered a Norwegian family spanning three generations – including an 11-year-old girl and her 72-year-old grandfather – all making their way confidently up terrain that would be considered challenging in most countries. It was a powerful reminder of Norway's deeply ingrained outdoor culture and the intergenerational transmission of mountain skills.

For those not inclined to tackle Slogen, simply exploring Molladalen offers a full day of wonder. The valley floor features a network of trails connecting several crystal-clear lakes, each offering perfect reflections of the surrounding peaks when wind conditions cooperate.

I spent my evening watching sunset transform the mountain walls from gray to gold while testing out my new ultralight tent, which proved ideal for the variable conditions Norwegian mountains can present. As darkness finally fell around midnight (summer nights in Norway are magically extended), I enjoyed some of the best stargazing of my trip, with the surrounding peaks creating a perfect natural observatory.