Hiking in Ålesund: Sukkertoppen, the sweet mountain top

A city trip to Ålesund is so much more than just soaking up culture. Around the largest city in the region, you can also immerse yourself in nature. For instance, hike up Sukkertoppen (literally “Sugar Top”) and enjoy a stunning view of the city, the Norwegian Sea, and the countless mountain peaks in the area.

The sweet mountain of van Ålesund

Sukkertoppen is the most popular mountain in Ålesund and is located on the island of Hessa. Hessa, along with the islands of Aspøya and Nørvøya, forms the heart of Ålesund. The hike to the 314-meter-high peak is undertaken by thousands of visitors each year and can be completed within an hour. Just make sure to wear sturdy shoes, as the trail can become quite slippery when wet, turning the climb into one big slide!

How do you get to Sukkertoppen?

Finding the starting point of the hike isn’t very straightforward—we had to search a bit. Start by driving, biking, or walking to the island of Hessa. You can park your car near a school located just west of the roundabout in Hessaskaret. If you walk a little past the parking lot (without crossing the road), you’ll eventually come to the spot shown in the photo above. It’s a small path that runs between two houses. Once you find this point, the rest of the hike is pretty self-explanatory.

If you can’t find a parking spot near the school, you can try the parking lot at Osane on the right side of the mountain.

Slipping and sliding

As soon as you emerge above the treeline, the first mountain peaks come into view. This is also the “most dangerous” part of the hike. Now, “dangerous” is relative, as this hike is quite manageable and safe for beginners. However, you could easily take a tumble if it has rained in the days leading up to your hike. So, be mindful of where you step, and definitely don’t attempt this adventure in flip-flops!

Once at the summit, you can literally see hundreds of mountain peaks. Everywhere you look, there’s something remarkable to take in. The colorful city with cruise ships bobbing in the harbor, the sea stretching to the horizon, the (snow-capped) mountain peaks as far as the eye can see, and the islands surrounding the city. But there’s even more to experience at the top!

A gift for the city

At the summit, you’ll find a large compass that you can rotate. It displays the names of all the visible mountain peaks, along with their heights and distances. This compass was placed on the mountaintop in 1998 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Ålesund as a city. Ålesund only received its city rights in 1848. In the 50 years that followed, the population grew from 1,200 to an impressive 11,000 residents! One of the main reasons for this massive increase was the enormous schools of cod that thrived in the nearby waters, making the city one of Norway’s largest fishing ports.

A warm welcome on the water

If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a cruise ship departing or arriving in the harbor! In the photo below, you can see a fireboat with its water cannons in full action. Fireboats are ceremonially used to welcome ships arriving in the harbor for the first time or to send off ships carrying important people. The water cannons are aimed into the air, creating these impressive floating fountains. Quite a sight, isn’t it?

The way down is the same as the way up. Be careful not to slip in the mud or on slippery stones! If you still have some time left in the afternoon, check out my tips for cool things to do in Ålesund or visit the Visit Ålesund website!