Bergen, Norway April 20, 2026

Bergen is known as “The City of Seven Mountains” because it is surrounded by seven iconic peaks.  Ulriken is the highest of the seven, sitting at 643 metres above sea level.  You can each the upper terminal by cable car or hike up the Oppstemten Steps which are 1333 stone steps built by Sherpas from Nepal. They cover 290 vertical meters to the upper terminal.  I took the Cable Car up and down.  This is the view a few seconds after stepping out of the Cable Car. That’s part of Bergen below me.

 This is the rest of Bergen from the other side of the terminal.

There are a few hiking trails that lead from the terminal. 

 I picked one and off I went to find my way to the official summit cairn.

I had to hike down that trail behind me before I started hiking up.

It’s early season which means there are loads of tarns, full lakes, mud, some snow, a little ice.  This was  the first body of water I came to. I love landscape like this. I want to see a heart, so I see a heart!  Do you see it?

I veered off the trail to the summit cairn to explore a portion of another route.

The route winds through all the little tarns.  

It was time to get back on track and aim for that bump in the middle.

The trail was a bit tricky with mud, some scrabbly sections and a little hands on here and there. I made it!  Seeing as I was the first person on the first Cable Car going up this morning and the first to hit this trail, that meant I was the first to reach the summit cairn today! I like it like that!  That’s the upper terminal at the left.  It looks close but it is not.

hugging the cairn while bracing against the wind

After sitting for a little while and saving snacks and scenery, it was time to descend from the summit and explore the plateau area. You can see mountains off in the distance, they were covered in snow.

another view of Bergen

you can see the tip of the summit cairn upper right

a bit of ice in this tarn

hiked down to the water’s edge

There were numerous structures scattered here and there,

I could be quite happy spending the night up at this hut.

This hut looked more official.

After a couple hours of wandering about, I headed back to the cafe at the upper terminal.  My reward was a Pilsner by 7Fjell Brewery local to Bergen.  You can see the summit cairn to the right of my beer, it’s that little bump on the top. It was a most gorgeous day so did my sipping outside!

 

Bergen, Norway April 19, 2026

Bergen is known as the “Gateway to the Fjords” so of course I am going to go on a cruise to see them, that’s my main reason for being here!  The tour started at 2:00, I had to be at the dock at 1:40, so left my home away from home at 1:35.  That gave me a morning to luxuriate, which I needed.  Boarding time came, I went to the upstairs outside deck where I stayed for the entire tour. We could stand, sit, walk from front to back or enjoy the views from the side. 

view of Bergen as we headed out

in a matter of seconds I had my sea legs

in my happy place heart mind and soul

 on the way in as we were on the way out

aiming to pass under the bridge

The rolling hills began to hug us…..

…..and it felt so welcoming!

Here we go again, 

instead of walking into this time, 

it felt like I was cruising into that fairy tale!

the reflections, the calm, the colours 

the waterfalls 

Then oh my goodness!

even more “oh my goodness” as we continue deep within the fjord

With the way the stars aligned, this could have been a once in a life time experience. Not only did the views fill my eyes to the brim, the sights sent my soul into overload. I came away with hundreds of snapshots of memorable amazing split seconds in time. As we left the walls of the fjords behind and cruised back towards the rolling hills, that comforting hug held on tight.

arriving back in Bergen

The tour ended yet it’s not back to reality, I still get to enjoy that fairy tale-like feeling!

Bergen, Norway April 18, 2026

To learn about this fairy tale-like place that I feel I walked into, I went on a guided walking tour. We were seven in total plus our guide, a perfect group size. Three were from Sweden, two from London, two of us from Calgary, what are the odds another lady from Calgary was there.  The first thing I learned was this is “One Ocean” Week in Bergen, I had no idea of this when I booked my trip so makes my visit here extra special.

Here are a few photos from along our walking route. I won’t go into everything we were shown and told. We walked a portion of the main street in the centre of Berger, along many alley ways, up and down cobblestone streets.  Everything was so unique, so pretty, so cute, so interesting, so fairy tale-like.    

This beautiful tall ship is the Statsraaden Lehmkuhl.  It arrived while we were walking the streets. It left Bergen on April 11, 2025 and arrived back today.  It leaves tomorrow after the Crown Prince of Norway arrives to visit it. 

the route

After our walking tour, I went back to the waterfront to take in the festivities.  

Many boats of all sizes are here for the celebrations.  Some were open for visitors.  I did not partake.  I opted to head off for a walk to Nordnesparken.  Another view looking across to the tall ship.

the Fortress and a military ship

tug supply vessels 

the stairs I walked down to get to the lower section of the park 

the North Sea

After returning from the Park, I entered into a few shops to make investments.  On the third floor on this store, I found the perfect Christmas decorations to add to my collection from my travels.  

This store was located at the far end of an alley around a corner.  We happened to pass by it on the walking tour.  It was on my list of stores to check out.  She is a local lady and I liked her story when doing my homework for this trip.  

I bought a pair of her fingerless gloves.  

This is my splurge!

I put many kilometres on my hiking shoes and walking sneakers today.  At day’s end, I was fulfilled beyond belief and ready to be back at my home away from home with my feet up.