Ålesund Viewpoint: Climbing the Aksla Steps

Visitors to Ålesund are often keen to climb the steps to Mount Aksla to enjoy the iconic view of the beautiful coastal town below. Here's everything you need to know about the walk, and alternatives.

It’s always a pleasure to visit Ålesund. One of Norway's most distinctive towns, Ålesund has a fascinating history and beautiful architecture wrapped in a truly spectacular natural setting.

Anyone vaguely familiar with Ålesund will know of the iconic image of the town taken from above. The shot is taken from Mount Aksla, a hilltop overlooking the town centre.

It's not very high at just 180 metres above sea level, but Aksla is a landmark in the town and the view is nevertheless spectacular.

The Ålesund Panorama

What's not so obvious from the famous photo is that the view is almost as spectacular in other directions. The almost 270-degree view from the terrace at the top of the hill is well worth the visit, no matter how many times you've seen the photos.

To visit the viewpoint, you can either drive or take the steep stone staircase that winds its way up Mount Aksla. Those taking the 418 stone steps are certainly rewarded, but it's not for everyone.

But it is for me, no matter how many times I've been before! I recently visited Ålesund for the umpteenth time and when I realised the fresh November snowfall the town received had melted away, I made a beeline for the steps.

More than anything else, I wanted to see if they would be slippy, as I often get asked about the condition of the steps outside of peak season. More on that later!

Watch the Walk to the Aksla viewpoint

If you prefer watching than reading, no worries! Here is a video of the entire walk to give you a feel for what to expect.

It's a few years old now and taken in good weather, but it should still give you a realistic idea whether the walk is for you.

I hope you enjoyed the video. By the way, if you like this style of walking video, there's loads more on our YouTube channel, together with many more travel-focused videos about all things Norway. Now, read on for more details on the walk and the alternatives.

Byparken: Start at the City Park

The walk starts from Ålesund’s city park, Byparken, popular with locals taking a break from work, getting some exercise, and dog walkers.

Here you’ll find a statue of Rollo the Viking together with several benches to have a rest before you start the walk.

There are several hiking trails that start from the park. Follow the signs for ‘Fjellstua' to ensure you are taking the right one! The path begins with a sloped, paved path through a pleasant forested area.

On a sunny day, you'll find plenty of locals and tourists on the route. This is especially true when there is a cruise ship in town.

Just bear in mind that the first of the 418 steps begins after you've already ascended quite a lot! Just reaching the city park requires some steep uphill walking, and the sloped path is also quite steep in parts.

I don't want to put people off, but I do want to share realistic expectations. If you have limited mobility, this isn't the walk for you.

Also I was contacted by a wheelchair user who assumed the sloped path would be okay for them to begin the trail and get to at least the first viewpoint. Unfortunately there are a couple of small steps on the sloped path, making this option a difficult one.

What to Expect from the Aksla Staircase

Several years ago now, the steps were completely overhauled, making the trip a much more pleasant one.

The new stone steps are much more sturdy and less slippery than before after rainfall. There is also a handrail along much of the trail. Some of the older stone steps are still in place and these are a little more slippy, but on a clear day you shouldn't have any problems.

There are viewpoints at several points along the trail. Some are just for the view, others are to highlight historic monuments or artwork such as this cannon (below) or a sculpture. There are a few benches placed along the trail, too.

This is all very handy as you will need to pause for breath several times. That's unless you're a kid, of course, as there seemed plenty of those who were running up and down the steps at will, much to the frustration of their exhausted parents!

But taking breaks is an important part of the experience. The view changes depending on your elevation, as different elements come into focus.

If you're wondering how close you are to the top, a few of the steps have numbers on to show you how far you've come. You can also keep an eye out for the white building at the top. That is your ultimate destination.

Viewpoint, Cafe and Restaurant

Known as Fjellstua, the cafe at the top of the steps is a wonderful end point. You can grab an ice cream, which is insanely popular on a sunny day! There's also a restaurant with views, although it's worth booking a table if you wish to enjoy a meal.

I did enjoy a meal at the restaurant a few years ago, although you do pay for the location of course. My recommendation is to enjoy an ice-cream while admiring the view, then enjoy dinner in one of the many great restaurants back in the city.

On the top floor of the cafe is a wraparound terrace that offers by far the best views of Ålesund and the surrounding islands.

At busy times, there is a small fee to access the viewpoint for day visitors. On my last few visits though, especially out of season, it's been open free of charge although the cafe and restaurant have been closed.

If you have the time, it's worth spending an hour or so exploring the surrounding area at the top of Aksla, especially now most heavy vehicle traffic is banned.

A statue of writer Kristofer Randers stands near the terrace, while paths further along the ridge reveal old wartime bunkers and defensive positions from World War II. Smaller viewpoints like Kniven, plus short forest trails, add interest beyond the classic panoramic platform.

Is it Hard to Climb the Aksla Steps?

As with many of Norway’s outdoor tourist attractions, you need a reasonable level of physical fitness to climb the steps. While this is not the same as a multi-hour hike, the Aksla trail is arduous and very steep in parts.

While it’s true there are a little over 400 steps leading up to Aksla, the trail begins with a sloped paved path. This is steep, so by the time you’ve reached the park itself and then the first step you have ascended far more than the equivalent of 400 steps.

I've included several pictures from the steps to give you an idea of whether you'll be comfortable undertaking the walk or not. You can also watch the video above to get an even better idea.

The Aksla Steps in the Winter

On my most recent visit, Ålesund had been blanketed in fresh snow, so I assumed the climb would be off-limits. But overnight rain had washed most of it away. Would the trail now be icy instead? There was only one way to find out.

In the end, the ascent turned out to be one of my most enjoyable. It was the ideal way to warm up on a crisp winter morning, and the timing couldn’t have been better.

Much of the town remained in shadow, yet the sun was just beginning to clear the surrounding mountains. I lingered at the viewpoint, watching the light slowly sweep across the city. A dusting of snow on the peaks only heightened the atmosphere.

As for conditions, the staircase itself wasn’t too bad. The real challenge was the sloping path at the start, which was noticeably icy, presumably because it gets less sun than the steps.

Even with good, grippy shoes, I had to cling to the handrail to cross that short, slippery stretch. After that, the route felt manageable.

One important point: the descent is trickier in winter, and anyone with limited mobility should avoid the staircase outside the summer months.

Alternatives to the Aksla Staircase

In previous years, it's been relatively easy to reach the panoramic viewpoint without walking up the steps. But as of 2025, things have changed.

Buses and other heavy vehicles are no longer permitted to drive up the road from Aksla Stadion to Fjellstua, following safety concerns about the stability of the supporting walls. This effectively ends the long-standing practice of tourist-bus visits to the viewpoint.

The only heavy vehicle still allowed to make the ascent is the small tourist road train, Bytoget, which continues to run sightseeing trips from the cruise terminal up to the top, when weather permits.

If you prefer not to climb the steps, the tourist road train or a private taxi are now the main alternatives. Walking remains an option via the staircase or the gentler forest trails, although anyone with limited mobility should assess conditions carefully, especially outside the summer season.

Have you ever climbed the Aksla steps to the Ålesund panorama viewpoint? I'd love to get your thoughts. Head down to the comments and let me know your experiences.