To be in Ålesund and not climb Aksla would be a great sin. The most famous panoramic view of Ålesund is from the terrace, which is located right on top of Aksla.
Aksla Hill is 165 metres high and is one of the most popular viewpoints in all of Norway.
418 steps to the top
The quickest climb up Aksla Hill is up the stairs from the park near the town centre.
There are exactly 418 steps, climbing over 110 metres. The steps are quite steep in places, but mostly the path is on relatively gentle concrete steps.
The staircase is guarded by handrails everywhere and although the hill may seem insurmountable at first, in less than 20 minutes of very slow walking you will be at the top.
Where is the best vantage point?
The best view is from the terrace of Fjellstua restaurant, where access is free even if you don't order anything. Check the restaurant's menu and opening hours at fjellstua.com.
However, the restaurant usually opens at 11:00 or 12:00 and closes around 17:00, depending on the season. It is not possible to visit the terrace at these times.
An alternative view of not only the city, but also the beautiful mountains in the background of the fjord can be seen directly from the top of Askla Mountain.
In our opinion, however, the most beautiful view is directly from the stairs on the way to/from the town. At one point there is even a platform built from which no railings obstruct the view.
Transportation by car or bus
There is also a road leading to the top, which you can take with your own or rental car at no charge and park at the free parking lot at the top of the mountain.
Compare car rental prices - Alesund Airport
There is no public transport to the summit, but you can use the tourist sightseeing buses or the tourist road trains.
- Tourist train - price 320 nok for a 70-minute tour of the town including an approx. 20-minute stop at Mount Aksla
- Timetable and route map: bytoget.no/aalesund
- Sightseeing bus - price 380 nok for a full day ticket
- Timetable and route map: city-sightseeing.com
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Ålesund.
