Sherpa Stairs: is the climb worth it?

The short answer

Should you climb the Sherpa Stairs?

Choose the stairs if you enjoy a sustained uphill walk and the route is clear. You get a free, active way to reach the Storsteinen viewpoint above Tromsø. Visit Tromsø says to allow at least 40–60 minutes just for the ascent, depending on fitness. Add time for breaks, the view and your descent.

If you mainly want the panorama, have limited time or do not want a strenuous climb, use the Fjellheisen cable car instead. If the steps are covered in snow or ice, Visit Tromsø strongly advises against climbing them. Check conditions on the day, even outside the usual winter months.

On the trail

What is the climb like?

The route is a long staircase made mainly from local stone. Sherpas from Nepal’s Khumbu region built it into the slope above Tromsdalen. The ascent is steep enough to feel like a hike rather than a city stroll, with places to pause and views that open up as you climb.

Fjellheisen places the start at roughly 85 metres above sea level and the upper plateau near its station at 421 metres. Visit Tromsø counts more than 1,200 steps. Take the ascent at your own pace; a dry-looking start does not guarantee clear steps higher up.

Getting there

Where do the Sherpa Stairs start?

Start on Fløyvegen in Tromsdalen, on the mainland side of Tromsøysundet. Follow the green signs marked “Fløya via Aksla” through the residential area to the foot of the stairs. The trailhead is above the lower Fjellheisen station; do not assume the cable car entrance is the start of the walk.

Visit Tromsø suggests buses 20, 24 or 28 to the Arctic Cathedral, followed by roughly a 10-minute walk. If you are coming from the centre on foot, allow around 45 minutes to reach the stairs via Tromsø Bridge. Bus routes and bridge access can change, so check your journey before setting out.

If you drive, Visit Tromsø lists free municipal parking at Tromsø Cemetery, Elvestrand, about 15–20 minutes' walk from the start. Do not block the narrow residential streets around Fløyvegen.

A decision that matters

When is it safe to climb?

The useful window is when the stairs are free of snow and ice, generally from late spring into autumn. The dates shift with the weather. A June photograph can still show patches of snow here; decide from actual conditions, not the calendar alone.

Visit Tromsø strongly advises against the stairway when snow or ice covers it. Its winter hiking advice also warns that parts of the route cross avalanche terrain. For an ordinary sightseeing visit in winter, plan around the cable car if it is running, or choose another walk. If conditions are uncertain, turn back rather than continuing uphill.

At the top and on the way down

What happens when you reach Storsteinen?

The stairs bring you to the Storsteinen plateau near Fjellheisen's upper station. From here you can look across Tromsøya, the bridge and the surrounding mountains. Take time for the view before deciding how to descend; your outing includes more than the 40–60-minute uphill estimate.

You can return on the stairs when they remain clear and you are comfortable going downhill. Another option is a one-way Fjellheisen ticket down. Check that the lift is operating, the last departure and the current fare before relying on that plan. Wind or operational changes can affect service.

Common questions

Sherpa Stairs FAQ