Did you know that there are now many attractive summit hikes that are very well organized with wooden paths and stone steps? Sherpa stairs have become a well-known term among hikers, and the longest stone step in the World is in Northern Norway!
The Vega stairs (350 masl.)
Vegatrappa consists of a paved path, bridges and almost 2,000 steps up to Ravnfloget, 350 meters above sea level. At the top you can enjoy a fantastic view towards Søla and the Vegaøyan World Heritage Area.
During the ascent, you will find rest areas and can discover creative elements. Read more about Vegatrappa at Visit Vega.
The Helgeland stairs (818 masl.)
Helgelandstrappa is a Sherpa-built mountain staircase, close to Mosjøen. The one that takes you up on Øyfjellet, 818 meters above sea level. It has 4,175 steps, and is on the top 5 list of the finest mountain stairs in Norway.
The Helgelandstrappa is also the World’s longest stone staircase. Sherpas from Nepal have built this staircase. The stairs will be completely completed in 2023 and will then have around 5,500 steps!
The stairs quickly take you to the top with a nice view over the city almost all the way. There are several rest areas on the way up, with seating where you can take a breather on the ground and enjoy the view. Read more about Helgelandstrappa at Visit Helgeland.
The Emperor’s path in Bodø (366 masl.)
Keiservarden (The Emperor’s Ward) is among the country’s most visited city mountains, and is the Bodø citizen’s favorite all year round. The mountain is named after the German Emperor Wilhelm II, who visited the summit in 1891. The open and accessible mountain is known for its fantastic view of the city, the sea, the island of Landegode, Kjerringøy and the Lofoten Wall. In summer, this is one of the best places to see the midnight sun.
Keiservarden was upgraded and paved by Sherpas from Nepal to protect the terrain from wear and tear and to encourage people to hike. The stairs make the trip both easier and more fun.
The trip can well start from the new car park at the new Wood Hotel Bodø. The trip via Keiserstien up to Keiservarden is not a very demanding trip. Read more about Keiservarden at Visit Bodø.
Other tips for summit tours in the North
PS. These travel tips were created during the pandemic, so changes may have been made to arrangements, recommendations and other things since then.
The Midnight sun stairs in Spansdalen (410 masl.)
Midnattsoltrappa is a free-standing wooden staircase located at the foot of Spanstinden in Spansdalen in Lavangen municipality. The stairs have 2117 steps, have railings and a width of one metre. It is the fastest hiking route up to the top of Henrikkafossen, which is locally referred to as Brudesløret (597 m.a.s.l.).
The start is down by Spansdalselva on Holmenveien. The stairs have a slightly varying rise adapted to the terrain, with several rest areas along the way.
The stairs are ergometrically good to walk on, as they have a fixed ratio between up and down steps, in contrast to Sherpa stairs, where the step ratio varies. Read more about Midnattssoltrappa.
The Lyngen stairs at Lyngseidet (450 masl.)
Lyngentrappa is a stone staircase built by Sherpas from Nepal, with over 1,200 steps at a height of 450 metres, and winds its way up Giæverlia on Lyngseidet. It was officially opened by Kristin Harila on 19 August 2023. In 2023, she set a world record in mountain climbing, when she climbed the world’s 14 highest mountains in 92 days. Sherpatrappa is part of a longer hike that starts in the center of Lyngseidet. Read more about Lyngentrappa at Visit Lyngenfjord.
Tyventrappa (418 masl.)
Hammerfest & Omegn Turlag have built stone stairs (Sherpa stairs) to the city mountain Tyven. The staircase consists of 4 sections, with a total of approx. 700 steps, and leads up to the tour team’s day tour cabin at the top of Tyvenfjellet at 418 m. Water channels, stone bridges, retaining walls and rest areas have also been built in the stair route. All of the stone used is from the area along the stairs.
The idea for Tyventrappa came when the work on the day trip cabin, the new award-winning cabin on Tyven, was completed. The wish is for the walkers to feel safer on their walk, and for the target group who would otherwise not make it to Tyven, to be motivated to make the trip up. In the cabin, the view can be enjoyed sheltered from wind and weather. It takes approx. an hour to walk the short path and Tyventrappa up to Tyven, but you should allow at least three hours for the whole trip. Read more about Local hikes at Visit Hammerfest.
The Sherpa stairs in Honningsvåg (308 masl.)
This Sherpa staircase from the center of Honningsvåg was officially opened in September 2023. This is a collaborative project between local businesses, associations, organisations, institutions and private individuals.
This path is considered a moderately challenging route, is almost 1 km long each way and takes about an hour there and back. It is best to visit this trail from June to October. By the way, dogs are not allowed on this trail. read more about Nordkapptrappa at Uteliv i Nordkapp.