Photo: kallerna / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized
About This Hike
Sherpatrappa is Tromsø's direct summer climb to the Storsteinen viewpoint beside the Fjellheisen upper station. The stone staircase starts at Lilleaksla, around 150 metres above sea level, and gains roughly 270 metres through more than 1,200 steps. Current Visit Norway guidance calls the climb steep and physically demanding and says to allow at least 40–60 minutes, depending on fitness, conditions and stops. The stairs are sustained and much tougher than their short map distance suggests. Rest areas open progressively wider views over Tromsøya, Tromsøysundet and the surrounding mountains. At the top, stop at Storsteinen or continue towards Fløya only if you have planned the longer mountain route separately. Walk on the right, let faster hikers pass and keep clear of the edge at viewpoints. The official visitor guidance recommends the snow-free season, usually from late spring to autumn, and advises using the cable car rather than the steps when snow or ice covers them. Wet stone, ice, darkness and strong wind can all turn this popular city hike into a poor choice.
Highlights
- ✓ Panoramic view over Tromsøya, Tromsø Bridge and surrounding mountains
- ✓ More than 1,200 hand-built stone steps
- ✓ Possible one-way plan using Fjellheisen, subject to current opening and ticket information
- ✓ Easy to reach from central Tromsø without a car
Getting There
Free public parking is available by Tromsø Cemetery at Elvestrand; follow the green Sherpatrappa signs for a 15–20-minute approach. From central Tromsø, walk across Tromsø Bridge or use buses 20, 24 or 28 to the Arctic Cathedral and follow signs marked ‘Fløya via Aksla’. Check Svipper for current times.
Municipality: Tromsø, Troms
Buses 20, 24 and 28 connect central Tromsø with the Arctic Cathedral area; from there, allow about 10 minutes to the trail start and follow the green ‘Fløya via Aksla’ signs.
Before You Go
Treat the staircase as a steep summer workout, not an all-season shortcut. Confirm the weather and Fjellheisen status, decide whether you are walking both ways or using the cable car in one direction, and stop at Storsteinen unless you have separately planned the route towards Fløya.
Information checked: October 2026, against current Visit Tromsø and Visit Norway route and seasonal guidance
Plan with current information:
⚠️ Safety Notes
- Do not use the stairs when snow or ice covers them; official visitor guidance recommends considering the cable car instead.
- The climb is short but sustained, with more than 1,200 uneven stone steps. Allow extra time for rests and the descent.
- Use a headlamp after dark and carry warm, windproof layers even when conditions are mild in the city.
- Storsteinen is the endpoint described here. Continuing to Fløya is a separate mountain hike that needs its own conditions check and plan.