Fjellheisen & Storsteinen hike — the cable car shortcut and the full trail
Evening Fjellheisen Snowshoe Hike and Cable Car
How do you get to Storsteinen from Tromsø city centre?
Take the Fjellheisen cable car (420 m vertical, ~8 min, adult 265 NOK return) or hike the Sherpa trail from Fjellheisen station in 45–60 minutes. Both routes reach the same 421 m summit with 360-degree Arctic views.
Storsteinen (421 m) is the mountain that towers over Tromsø’s city island, and Fjellheisen is the cable car that puts most visitors on top of it in under ten minutes. But there is a real hike here too — a steep, well-maintained Sherpa trail that climbs from the base station to the summit. This guide covers both routes with honest information about costs, conditions, and what to expect at the top.
| Where | Fjellheisen base station, Solliveien, 1.5 km from centre |
| Cost | free to hike; cable car around 265 NOK return |
| Time needed | 45–75 min up on foot, 8 min by cable car |
| Getting there | 15–20 min walk from Storgata, no direct bus |
| Best time | clear evenings for midnight sun or aurora |
What you actually see from the summit
The viewpoint at Storsteinen gives a clear 360-degree panorama. Directly below you, Tromsøya island — compact, densely built, flanked by two fjords. The Tromsø Bridge spans 1.04 km across Tromsøysund. On the mainland opposite, Tromsdalstinden rises to 1238 m; that white pyramid-shaped summit is the objective of a harder hike described in our Tromsdalstinden guide.
To the south-east, on a clear day, you can make out the jagged spine of the Lyngen Alps roughly 60 km away. On the northern horizon, Tromsøysund opens toward the Arctic Ocean.
The summit also has Fjellstua restaurant, which serves Norwegian-style food and hot drinks. The building is modern and the windows are large — designed explicitly around the view. Expect main courses in the 200–300 NOK range, beer around 100 NOK.
The cable car — practical details
Fjellheisen cable car departs from Solliveien, approximately 1.5 km east of the Tromsø city centre. The lower station is uphill from the coastal road — allow 15–20 minutes on foot from Storgata.
Fares (2026): Adults 265 NOK return; children 6–15 pay 135 NOK; under 6 free. A one-way ticket downhill costs around 160 NOK if you plan to hike up and cable car down. Booking online in advance saves you waiting in the queue and avoids occasional sell-outs on clear summer evenings.
Hours: Summer (May–Aug) typically 10:00–23:00 daily. Winter hours are shorter and the cable car closes for maintenance periods — always check the Fjellheisen website before walking up Solliveien, especially November–March.
Cable car specifics: Two cars, 421 m vertical rise, 8-minute journey. The angle of ascent is steep enough to feel genuine. On clear days you get a preview of the view through the large windows.
The Sherpa trail — hike stats and conditions
The walking route is called the Sherpa trail because Nepalese Sherpa teams built the stone-pitched path sections that make the steepest parts manageable. The trail starts at the lower cable car station and climbs 420 m over roughly 1.5–2 km.
Time: 45–75 minutes uphill for most adults in summer conditions. Allow slightly longer in snow or on icy sections. Descending takes 35–50 minutes.
Difficulty: Moderate. The trail is consistently steep but never exposed or technical. There is one wooden bridge section. No route-finding skills needed — the path is obvious throughout.
Surface: Stone-pitched Sherpa steps on the steeper sections, compacted gravel elsewhere. In summer the surface is excellent. In winter, ice can make the stone sections slippery without traction devices.
Gear: Trail running shoes or light hiking boots suffice in summer. October–April, bring micro-spikes or crampons — the stone steps ice over and falls on icy stone are nasty. Our hiking gear guide for Tromsø covers what to pack for each season.
Combining the hike with a cable car descent
The most popular combination is: take the cable car up (especially if you’re visiting with less-mobile companions or in mixed-conditions winter), spend time at the summit, then hike down the Sherpa trail. The one-way downhill cable car ticket avoids paying full return fare. Hiking down saves money and gives you more time to look at the fjord rather than the inside of a car.
The reverse — hiking up, cable car down — also works well after a snowshoe tour or when legs are tired.
When to go: season-by-season
Midnight sun (late May–late July): Cable car often stays busy until closing at 23:00. The light is extraordinary — the sun sits above the fjord horizon even at midnight, turning the sea gold and the mountains pink. Fjellstua restaurant does brisk trade; book a table if you want a meal rather than just a drink.
Autumn (Aug–Oct): Transition light, often dramatic cloud formations over the Lyngen Alps. Trail surfaces dry in August and September. October brings first snow — carry micro-spikes from October onwards to be safe.
Polar night / winter (Nov–Jan): The sun does not rise above the horizon during polar night (27 November–15 January). At the summit you instead see city lights below and, if the sky clears, the northern lights reflected on the fjord. Winter views can be the most visually striking of the year.
Spring (Feb–Apr): Long blue-hour twilights, dramatic alpenglow on the peaks opposite. The trail will still have snow and ice until late April at elevation.
Night hike option: midnight sun hike in the wilderness
A guided evening hike during midnight sun season takes you above the cable car station into the plateau beyond Storsteinen, where the feeling of Arctic wilderness is immediate. You are above the tourist cluster, the city noise fades, and the sun stays with you.
Snowshoeing in winter: Fjellheisen area
Several operators run snowshoe tours in the mountains surrounding Fjellheisen. These are good for first-time snowshoers — the terrain above the cable car is open and not avalanche-critical under normal conditions. See our snowshoeing guide for Tromsø for operator comparisons.
Practical tips worth knowing
No parking near the lower station. Solliveien is a residential area. Take a taxi or walk from the centre. Uber operates in Tromsø and is usually 80–130 NOK from the centre.
Queue management. On sunny summer evenings, the cable car can have a 45-minute queue. Buying a timed ticket online eliminates this. If you hike up, there is no queue.
Dogs. Dogs on leads are allowed on the cable car and on the Sherpa trail.
Photography. The best light for photos from the summit is in the late evening during midnight sun season — warm, directional, consistent. In winter, the blue hour around 11:30–13:00 produces gentle, diffuse light. Our midnight sun photography guide covers camera settings for both.
Accessibility. The cable car is accessible for wheelchair users. The summit terrace and restaurant are flat and accessible. The hiking trail is not wheelchair accessible.
The viewpoint terrace and what to do at the summit
Storsteinen’s summit complex has a few elements worth knowing about:
The viewing terrace: A timber platform with railings extends to the south-east of the restaurant. This is where most visitors stand for the classic panorama photograph. On clear days, a telescope is available for closer views of Tromsdalstinden.
The restaurant (Fjellstua): Open daily from late spring through the season. Standard Norwegian menu — fish cakes, reindeer burger, traditional Norwegian hot dishes. Soup is a reliable warm-up option after the hike. The windows face south over the fjord; the best tables are by the glass. Prices: soup 120–150 NOK, main dishes 220–320 NOK. The views are worth a drink or coffee even if you are not hungry.
The historic context: The cable car was built in 1961, making it one of the older aerial lifts in Norway. Before that, Storsteinen was only accessible on foot. The current cable car system is modern (replaced and upgraded in recent decades) but the station infrastructure retains a somewhat vintage character.
The plateau above Storsteinen: Many visitors do not realise that the terrain continues above the cable car terminus. A walking path leads from the summit area onto the plateau above — this is where the guided snowshoe tours and wilderness hike operators take their groups. The feeling of Arctic wilderness begins immediately once you leave the summit cluster.
Fjellheisen vs Polsfjellet — the unmarked alternative
Less visited than Storsteinen, the ridge extending to the south-west of Tromsøya island has informal hiking terrain accessible from the city. Polsfjellet and the ridgeline south of the cable car area give a less-developed, quieter alternative to the Fjellheisen route.
These are pathless routes requiring navigation skills and appropriate gear. The main advantage is solitude — while Storsteinen can have 50–100 people on a clear summer day, the neighbouring terrain is often empty. Not recommended for first-time visitors to Tromsø’s mountains, but worth noting for those who have done Storsteinen and want a quieter experience.
Evening events at Fjellheisen — what to watch for
During the high season, Fjellheisen’s terrace and restaurant occasionally host events:
Midnight sun celebrations: Around the solstice (June 21), informal gatherings at the top are common. Locals and tourists together watching the sun at its midnight lowest from the terrace. No organised event as such, but the atmosphere is distinctly festive.
Concerts and cultural events: Fjellheisen has occasionally hosted outdoor concerts on the terrace. Check the official Fjellheisen website or Tromsø tourist office for scheduled events during your visit.
Northern lights evenings: In autumn and winter, the summit is used by northern lights watchers — the elevation above the valley floor light pollution improves sky quality, and the panoramic north-facing view gives a wide sky for aurora watching.
Choosing your route: a quick comparison
| Option | Cost | Time | Effort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable car both ways | ~265 NOK return | 8 min each way | None | Limited mobility, bad weather, time pressure |
| Hike up, cable car down | ~160 NOK one-way | 45–75 min up | Moderate | Most fit visitors — best value |
| Hike both ways | Free | 45–75 min up, 35–50 min down | Moderate–high | Budget travellers, fitness goals |
| Guided snowshoe + cable car | See tour price | 2–3 hrs ascent | Moderate, guided | Winter visitors wanting instruction |
If you are deciding between this hike and the free alternative covered on our free things to do in Tromsø page, the trail and the view are identical either way — only the fare changes. For visitors staying in Tromsø city centre without a car, this is one of the easiest half-day additions to any itinerary, including a Tromsø in one day plan.
Pairing the hike with other Tromsø highlights
Storsteinen is often the first proper viewpoint visitors reach in Tromsø, and it works well as an orientation stop before tackling the rest of the city. After descending, the Arctic Cathedral is a short taxi or bus ride away on the same side of the bridge. If you want a longer mountain day rather than the short Sherpa trail, the avalanche safety and hiking guide explains what changes once you continue past Storsteinen toward Tromsdalstinden, and our hiking gear guide lists exactly what to pack for each season on this route.
Arctic panorama cable car excursion — a guided version of the Storsteinen ascentFrequently asked questions about the Fjellheisen and Storsteinen hike
How much does the Fjellheisen cable car cost?
Adults pay 265 NOK return in 2026; children 6–15 pay 135 NOK; under 6 travel free. Online booking is recommended to avoid queues on busy summer evenings.
Can I hike up without taking the cable car?
Yes — the Sherpa trail climbs from the lower cable car station at Solliveien to the summit in 45–75 minutes. It is well-marked and consistently maintained, though micro-spikes or crampons are advisable October–April.
Is Storsteinen open in winter?
The cable car operates year-round, including during polar night. Check the official Fjellheisen website for current hours, as they are shorter in winter and maintenance closures occur.
What is the view like from Storsteinen?
360-degree panorama over Tromsøya island, the Tromsø Bridge, Tromsdalstinden across the fjord, and (on clear days) the Lyngen Alps 60 km south-east. There is a restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows at the summit.
Is the hike family-friendly?
The Sherpa trail is moderate — steep but not technical. Children comfortable with sustained uphill walking can manage it in summer. In winter, the icy stone steps make the trail harder; the cable car is the practical option for younger children.
When is the best time to visit for midnight sun?
Late May to late July. The cable car runs until 23:00 and the sun remains above the horizon, illuminating the fjords below from a height.
How far is the lower cable car station from the city centre?
About 1.5 km — a 15–20 minute uphill walk. There is no dedicated bus to the station; a taxi or rideshare costs 80–130 NOK from the centre.
Is there a restaurant at Storsteinen?
Yes — Fjellstua restaurant serves Norwegian food and hot drinks daily, with panoramic views. Main courses run 200–300 NOK; expect a full bar including local beers.
Is it worth hiking up if I can afford the cable car?
Many visitors prefer hiking one way regardless of budget — it adds a physical dimension, saves roughly half the fare, and the descent through changing light is part of the appeal. If time or weather is tight, the cable car both ways is the practical choice instead.
Can I combine Storsteinen with the Arctic Cathedral in one afternoon?
Yes — both attractions sit on the Tromsdalen side of the bridge and are a short taxi ride apart, making them an easy pairing for a single half-day, especially as part of a broader Tromsø in one day plan.
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