The Fløibanen Funicular to Mount Fløyen
Took The Fløibanen Funicular to Mount Fløyen and it was one of the best things I did in Bergen.
Nordic countries are a superb adventure, known for their blue beaches, wooden cathedrals, deep fjords, Viking heritage, and tall mountains. Norway is my personal favourite of all the Scandinavian countries. It is one of the happiest countries for a reason, despite the chilly, dismal weather. The reason for this is the breathtaking scenery, as well as Norwegians’ fondness for the most distinguished outlooks, reforming social assistance, and forthrightness. Bergen, an exquisite city surrounded by syv (seven) hills and fjords, was the starting point of my adventure around Norway.
Since the early Middle Ages, Bergen has been a key member of the Hanseatic League. A prominent seaport in Norway, with a legacy that may be seen through the magnificently guarded Bryggen, a group of wharf-facing wooden homes that is now a Unesco World Heritage site. Bergen is known for its chocolates, world-class art museums, clapperboard mansions slithering up the cliffs, and funicular railroads that glide over the mountains overlooking city fjords, among other things. Bergen’s tranquilly is easily accessible due to its proximity to nature. Bergen served as the starting point for my Norway in a Nutshell journey, and I couldn’t leave without seeing its Fløyen Mountain.
Table of Contents
Mount Fløyen
The Fløibanen funicular cable car, which gently ascends the peak of Fløyfjellet, a city mountain crowned with a Troll Skog, is the best part of ascending Fløyen. The cable car Flibanen connects the city with the Fløyen mountain, its mountain paths, and elevated city views, making it one of Bergen’s and Norway’s most popular tourist attractions. This cable car, owned by Flibanen AS, transports almost one million passengers annually across an altitude of 991 feet and a length of nearly 2,769 feet. I began at the lower station in Bergen’s city centre.
I was able to walk from Bryggen wharf and Fisketorget fish market to the site of embarkation in about 6-8 minutes. I marched into a tapering hallway flanked by a stone wall and a few wooden benches after purchasing a ticket to the top station. An adult ticket is valued at Nok 130, or $15.65, and a child ticket is valued at Nok 65, or $7.82. After a short wait, Fløibanen appeared in my peripheral vision, moving from afar and closing in on me imperceptibly!
Two funicular cable trains, each seating up to 80 passengers, run concurrently on the Vetrlidsallmenningen tracks, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Bergen’s befuddling goodness.
Riding Fløibanen
Fløibanen takes eight minutes from the station to the summit, and the ride is an adventure in and of itself. The blue train advancing on Vetrlidsallmenningen tracks could be seen from between the rabbling heads of tourists. When the cable car came to a halt in front of us, waiting passengers (mostly Asians) rushed in as the arriving passengers exited the mountain transporter. I waited out of politeness and was the last to board, but I got the nicest seat. We closed the doors and set out on a magnificent excursion that unveiled the beneficent beauty of Bergen, a luxurious archipelago teeming with boat culture.
Glass ceilings and panoramic windows provide the best views of the surroundings in this renovated carriage with suitable support for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Fløibanen, which has been in operation since 1918, travels up the steep mountainside on rails between three central stations in around eight minutes. Promsgate, Fjellveien, and Skansemyren are the stations in question. A stunning viewing platform, as well as Fløibanen’s white-washed gift shop, cafè, and restaurant, await you once you reach the upper station 320 m above sea level.
Fløistuen and Fløien Folkerestaurant
Fløyfjellet’s open space is brimming with breathtaking vistas, troll statues, and wooden huts. The breathtaking views of Bergen from here are hard to explain. You just have to be here to see it! The skies were obscured by dismal, massive clouds throughout my visit, and it began to drizzle as soon as I reached the summit. While the glorious canvas’ charting artwork was worth appreciating, I went inside Fløistuen to seek temporary shelter. The following 30-minutes were spent at Fløistuen, the on-site retail and souvenir store, looking for souvenirs and getting a hot cup of coffee.
Here, I struck up a conversation with a local and learned that Fløyen (Fløyfjellet) is named after the Fløystangen weathercock, which was originally installed to signal sailing ships. As the weather improved, I left the cafe to explore the rest of Mount Floyen’s surrounds. The Fløien Folkerestaurant and the bike rental facility are located on the backside. In the front, there is a photo point from where you may video the breathtaking views. Natural sceneries can be seen in the frame, which extends to Mount Sandviken, Brushytten, Blaamanen, and Ulriken.
Because Fløibanen is wheelchair accessible, many disabled travellers were out sightseeing and appeared to be having a great time. It’s fantastic that most places in Norway encourage disabled travel and make areas accessible to people with disabilities. Arrive as early as 11 a.m. for a thrilling journey to one of Norway’s most popular hiking destinations. Fløibanen operates throughout the year from early morning to as late as 11 PM. It departs every 15-minutes. You can take one free round journey with Fløibanen if you have a Bergen Card.
Alternatively, you can go along the renowned nature trails to get here. However, before you go, pick up some free maps from the information centre near Bryggen Wharf. The higher station of Fløibanen is an ideal starting place for trekking the Bergen Alps. There are many walkways, waymarked trails, and vistas on the summit of Fløyen, which makes for a pleasant walking area. It’s a fantastic resource for year-round outdoor activity.
During the summer, Fløyen offers a variety of activities including guided tours, mountain biking, treasure hunts, ziplining, fishing, and canoeing. There are also reservations available for stone-built barbecues, open fires, and picnic huts. The hiking guide will suggest the ten greatest routes and walks in the area, ranging in difficulty and time.
