Hiking the Sherpatrappa Tromsø – Sherpa Steps Tromso

One of the best things to do in Tromsø is to go to the top of the Fjellheisen cable car. The views up there are incredible on a clear day whether you’re visiting Tromso in summer or winter.

However, if you’re trying to visit Tromsø on a budget then you probably don’t want to pay the 340 NOK / ~US$35 that a return trip ticket costs. I know I didn’t when I could walk up the sherpatrappa Tromsø instead!

Also known as the Fjellheisen hike, the Tromso sherpa staircase hike is such a good way to get some views of the city and it’s surroundings.

Hiking the sherpatrappa in Tromsø also known as the ‘sherpa steps’ takes you on a magnificent manmade sherpa staircase. On the Tromso sherpa stairs you’ll climb up around 400 to the top of the Tromso cable car. Along the way you get great views which only get better as you get higher.

If you’re looking to hike the sherpa steps in Tromso, consider this your guide for how to hike them including whether you can hike the Tromsø sherpa steps in winter!

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

Hiking the Sherpatrappa in Tromsø

We started the Sherpatrapp hike from Elvestrand Gravlund in the Tromsdalen Valley area. This meant it was about 1.8 km of walking through some trails and residential areas until we reached the official trailhead for the Sherpa steps in Tromsø.

You can also hike from the parking lot at the bottom of the Tromsø cable car which is about 0.8km away from the Sherpatrappa trailhead and is well signposted. For sherpatrappa parking follow signs once you’ve crossed over and passed the Arctic Cathedral.

Once you reach the trailhead on Fløyvegen, you take a couple of switchbacks without steps before arriving at the steps themselves.

Just before you start the steps there’s a great view of the city already someway below you.

When you’re ready, it’s time to start tackling the steps!

You’ll hike over a small stream and under some prayer flags.

Compared to Vancouver’s Grouse Grind, the sherpa steps are fairly evenly spaced and at reasonable heights. There’s nothing too steep about them and if you take your time hikers of all abilities will be able to complete this hike.

There are a couple more viewpoints along the way as well as some seats and benches upon which you can take a short break.

As you climb up the sherpatrappa and come out of the trees, the views just get even more impressive.

You’ll be able to see the top now, marked by a telegraph pole – it’s not far!

This section is the steepest part of the Sherpa steps hike in Tromsø.

Soon you’ll reach the top where you can head into the Fjellheisen Cafe – Fjellstua – and grab a drink or something to eat. You can also walk out onto their panoramic deck which has stunning views.

If you want to continue hiking, head up to Fløya, Bönntuva or Tromsdalstinden. Tromsdalstinden is Tromsø’s highest mountain at 1,238 metres above sea level.

When you’re done at the top you can either hike back down the way you came or get the cable car back to the bottom. The cable car costs 225 NOK (~$22US) for a single journey.

Sherpatrappa hike stats

• Elevation: 420m
• Distance: 1.3km up the steps (one way) | 6km round trip from Elvestrand Gravlund
• Duration: 30 mins – 45 mins up steps (one way) | 1.5 hour return from Elvestrand Gravlund
• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
• Sherpatrappa trail map

How to get to the Sherpatrappa trailhead

The trailhead for the Sherpa Steps starts on Fløyvegen (a road in the Tromsdalen area of Tromsø).

However, there is no parking here so you must either pay to park at the bottom of the Fjellheisen cable car parking lot or park elsewhere.

On the Fjellheisen website, it was recommended to park by Elvestrand Gravlund and hike through the trails and residential areas up to the trailhead on Fløyvegen.

This is what we ended up doing but there were no signs once you’re parked there so I’d recommend following my route on AllTrails!

Can you hike the Sherpa Steps Tromsø in winter?

Yes, you can!

Hiking the sherpa steps in Tromso in winter can be done but it comes with the need to be extra careful. If there is snow on the mountain tops there will be snow on the sherpa steps.

We hiked the Tromso sherpatrappa in late-October and it was pretty snowy on the steps.

We wore our microspikes over our hiking boots for extra traction. Since the trail is popular the chances are that microspikes will be better than snowshoes as the trail will be packed down. Snowshoes will be useful if you’re hiking after a big snowfall and there hasn’t been much time for the trail to be packed down by others.

You may also want to bring hiking poles. When we hiked there were parts of the trail where you couldn’t make out the steps, causing you to walk on a very steep, slippery trail. Some poles would have helped in sections on the way down.

What are the Sherpatrappa Tromsø?

The sherpa steps in Tromso are said to be one of “many tools in facilitating Norwegian outdoor life.” It’s a stone staircase that’s been built to minimise the impact of lots of people on the surrounding nature.

Building the steps helps minimise soil erosion and damage to plans which are already under stress growing in harsh Arctic conditions.

Read more: Check out my guide to hiking Brosmetinden near Tromsø

The steps are built by the Sherpa community who are elite mountaineers. Building sherpa steps around Norway such as those in Tromsø has enabled them to have an income on their off-season and the work is significantly less dangerous.

There are roughly 1,200 steps from the bottom!

You’ll find plenty of sherpa stairs in Norway. Some of the most famous sherpa stair hikes are in Lofoten, such as the Reinebringen Trail.

What to consider before hiking Tromso sherpa steps

There are some important things you should know before going on a hike in Tromsø like the Sherpa Steps.

• Stick to the trail for the sherpa trappa! Walking off the steps damages the surrounding nature which can take years to repair.
• Always practice leave no trace ethics. Not sure what those are? Get a refresher here.
• Remember to respect the terrain, environment, and other users while you are enjoying the trails.
• Follow the three Ts—trip planning, training, and taking the essentials.
• Don’t leave home without your 10 essentials. They could save your life!

Read more: Check out the best things to do in Sommarøy near Tromso!

What to pack before doing the Sherpatrappa in Tromsø depends on what season you’re hiking in.

Check out my day hike packing list here.

If you’re hiking in summer you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray as well as everything in the 10 essentials for hiking list. Check out this post on the best leggings for hiking or what to wear hiking in summer for more details and my gear recommendations.

If you’re hiking in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes at the very least. If there is a lot of snow you will probably need snowshoes.

In Tromsø, you can rent both of these from Tromsø Outdoors.

You should also take plenty of layers including a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are also necessary as well as a good backpack to keep everything in.

You should pack water and some snacks but there’s also a cafe at the top of the Fjellheisen where you can get drinks and food.

You should pack water and some snacks for your sherpa stairs Tromsø hike but there’s also a cafe at the top of the Fjellheisen where you can get drinks and food at the end of your Tromso Fellheisen hike.

Last Updated on December 14, 2023 by Hannah