Hiking around Ålesund
Storhornet hike, near Ålesund
Set in a spectacular decor of fjords and mountains while being easily accessible, Ålesund is a perfect hiking base.
And Norway in general is a hiker’s paradise!
If you enjoyed our article on Things to see in Ålesund, keep reading for an active vacation!
Important note: We visited the Ålesund & Sunnmøre Alps region in February. There was too much snow in the fjords to explore without skis or snowshoes, but the hikes below were perfectly doable with hiking boots.
Did you know?
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Norway, in general, and the coastal regions in particular, are not as cold as they should be for their latitude.
This is why you can hike around Ålesund in February, and why the Lofoten Islands look like they do despite being above the Arctic Circle!
Don’t let this picture fool you, though, the water was at 4ºC!
Godøya
Storhornet
This is a very popular hike, and if the sun is out, you won’t be alone on the trail. Don’t worry, though, Norway offers plenty of space for everyone!
If you have a rental car, you can do the hike from Juv parking lot or Alnes. We parked at Juv.
The first part of the hike is fairly easy, through the forest, with friendly wooden trolls and sculptures showing the way.
When you get to the pass, things get a bit more “Norwegian”. Mind the ice and snow in winter. The trail is well-marked, but basically, just keep going up!
The ridge and last part of the trail are steeper and involve some climbing. It wouldn’t be a true Norwegian hike otherwise!
The 360º views over the ocean, the Sunnmøre Alps and the lake (frozen for us) are well worth the sweat!
We consider this hike to be moderate by Norwegian standards — see our article on hiking in the Lofoten for more information on hiking levels in Norway — and you should have no issue if you’re in good shape and don’t suffer from vertigo.
As always in Norway, be sure to wear proper hiking shoes.
It should take you 2-4 hours return depending on your pace, the weather and the trail conditions.
Alnes
If you hike Storhornet, be sure to stop at the Alnes lighthouse!
The colorful village has a cool “end of the world” feeling, and you might spot some surfers on stormy days.
If the wind is cold, you can cozy up at the café while enjoying a local art exhibition.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Before going on a hike, it’s a good idea to check with the locals. They can tell you about the ice or snow conditions on the main trails, or recommend a guide. In any case, use common sense and don’t hesitate to turn around if the terrain becomes impassable, especially if the weather is bad.
Runde
Runde is a popular destination for birdwatchers. It’s actually the largest bird island south of the Arctic Circle!
The cliffs on the west side of The Runde Mountain are home to about 100-150,000 seabirds, including the cutest of all: puffins.
Obviously, winter is not bird season, so we didn’t get to see many species. But there was very little snow on the mountain, which made it perfect for a lovely hike!
If you have a rental car, you can park by the Runde Environmental Centre or the Runde Bird Sanctuary, and you’ll see a steep concrete path going up the mountain.
The trails are extremely well-marked and maintained. In fact, we saw several people working on extending them.
The weather was sunny and beautiful when we started, and we got a short snow storm at the top — followed by sun and clouds — the best of Norwegian weather!
We decided to do the grand tour, except the lighthouse. It’s really worth going all the way to the top!
The views are magnificent wherever you look, and there’s no climbing involved.
Depending on the route you choose, expect from 1-3 hours round trip, and an easy to moderate difficulty.
Easy walks
Giske
Giske is just so cute! This tiny little island is very peaceful, as the road passes underneath through a tunnel. It’s completely flat, so you can just walk around to explore the beaches and the old church.
Blink and you’ll miss the Ocean Sound studio, by the beautiful Storvika beach.
Vigra
The lovely team at Destination Ålesund & Sunnmøre recommended we check out Vigra’s surfing life.
Unfortunately, the weather was not collaborating and the waves were chaotic, so no surfers were out. But Blimssanden beach and the surroundings are beautiful!
On a sunny summer day, with the white sand and turquoise waters, it looks more like the Caribbean than Norway…
Beaches in Norway
Beaches in Norway are gorgeous, many of them with turquoise waters and white sand.
While the water is cold, obviously, it’s worth going for a dip!
Arctic surfing is also a popular activity in Norway. We saw surfers all the way up in the Lofoten!
On the picture: Ovrasanden, near Hareid
Sula (Litleneset and Kviteberga)
We booked a great accommodation in Sula, so we decided to explore the surroundings. We found some gentle trails leading to breathtaking ocean and mountain views.
Stop for a moment and listen to the mighty silence, only interrupted by seagulls.
If the weather is nice, it’s a perfect spot for a picnic! Check out our favorite goodies in our article on Arctic foods.
Stikk HUT!
On several of our hikes, we spotted “Stikk HUT!” signs. Intrigued, we did a bit of digging and found some information.
Stikk Hut! (Get out!) is Norway's largest tour organization and engages tens of thousands of people every year to visit tour destinations throughout Møre and Romsdal and Heim municipality in Trøndelag.
The summer season lasts from 1 May to 31 October and consists of more than 500 hiking destinations in four different levels, from easy to demanding. A cool thing to do around Ålesund, and a great way to meet locals!
This year, seven new regions have joined the outdoor fun: Finnmark, Nord-Troms, Midt-Troms, Midtre Hålogaland, Vesterålen, Fjordane and Lister. To be continued!
You can book trips on the Stikk UT! the app or at stikkut.no.
The playlist below is great for hiking up North!
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