Fjellheisen Cable Car

The basics

Fjellheisen has two cable cars, named Polar Bear and Seal, which have been taking visitors up to Storsteinen since 1961. From one direction, the viewing platform offers vistas of the many islands and fjords laid out below, as well as the colorful rooftops of Tromsø. In the other direction, you can see the majestic 4,062-foot-high (1,238-meter) mountain of Tromsdalstinden. At the Fjellstua Restaurant, on the upper platform, you can enjoy lunch or dinner made with local produce while you enjoy the view.

Things to know before you go

• Each cable car takes four minutes to reach the top and fits up to 28 people.

• Fjellheisen is wheelchair accessible and has a ramp at the lower station and an elevator at the upper station.

• Dogs are allowed on the cable cars, but not in the restaurant.

• Check the weather before you visit—strong winds sometimes force the cable car to close.

How to get there

You can reach Fjellheisen by taking the 26 bus, or by embarking on a 45-minute walk from the center of Tromsø. If you’re driving, it’ll take around 10 minutes from the center—you’ll find paid parking at the lower station. Most tours include hassle-free hotel transfers.

When to get there

Fjellheisen and its restaurant are open every day, year-round, from morning until late night. In the height of summer, the terrace is the perfect spot to soak up the midnight sun and, in winter, it’s one of the best places in Tromsø to see the Northern Lights. It’s also a great spot to ring in the new year as fireworks are set off from the top of the mountain.

Hiking the Sherpa Steps

During the summer months, some visitors choose to hike to the summit and take the cable car down. The moderate Sherpatrapp (Sherpa Steps) hike takes around 30-45 minutes to reach Fjellheisen. The upper platform is also a jumping off point for hikers who wish to scale the mountain of Tromsdalstinden, which at 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) is the tallest in the area.