Ulriken, 643m

Ulrikseggen round-trip from Bjørndalen (summer/winter)

Introduction

Ulrikseggen is one of the many ways up to- or down from Ulriken. Of all trails leading directly to Ulriken (Vidden not included here), this trail is in my opinion the most spectacular.

The sudden drop towards lake Svartediket keeps you focused, although there are no exposed or dangerous parts on the trail. Grand view towards Rundemanen, Vidden and the "back side" of Ulriken along the way.

Difficulty : Medium
Risk : Low
Distance : Approx. 6Km round-trip Bjørndalen - Ulriken - Svartediket
Time : 1.5 - 2.5 hours round-trip (above trail)
Starting Elev.: Approx. 100m
Map of Ulrikseggen ridge

Click for detail map

Access:

For those with a car, Bjørndalen is the best access point. Locate highway 585. Exit right onto Svartediksvegen road 1000m from the north side of the tunnel under Haukeland Sykehus (hospital).

Follow Svartediksveien road approx. 250m and exit right onto Nordbøveien. Follow this road for another 350m and exit left up a road that takes you to the Bjørndalen trailhead. You will find parking here.

The trail:

After you've parked on the obvious parking at (almost) the end of the road, walk past the two upper houses, and locate the trail next to a stream coming down.

Follow the highly visible trail all the way up to Ulriken. This trail begins rather steep, before it turns into a more gentle angle, leading to a viewpoint where you can study Bergen. At this viewpoint, you will see another trail coming up from your right. This trail leads to the Ulriken cable car station.

The trail continues further on a rocky (and often wet) trail that leads up to the Langrinden trail junction. From here, you have a clear view of Ulriken. Follow the Langrinden trail towards Ulriken, and just before the last sudden climb, head towards a ridge pointing in northern direction. This is where the Ulrikseggen trail begins.

The Ulrikseggen trail runs down the north side of the ridge and turns north-east down in the forest and meets the Tarlebøveien road. The trail is not straight-forward. Handhold is required at times, but there are no exposed sections. The handhold is only required to descend a meter down between narrow rocks, etc. There are also good handhold in birches along the trail. Note that the trail is often very slippery and you have to be careful in order to avoid wet pants. You slide easily down here.

In winter, you better know this trail inside and out. Finding your way down this forest, outside the trail, is not a recommended experience. Don't expect this trail to be broken by someone else.

Once down on the Tarlebøveien road, follow the road all the way around lake Svartediket. The road ends in the Svartediksveien/ Nordbøveien trail junction, and you will find your way back to the car at the Bjørndalen parking.

Pictures from the trail (Apr 03 2002):

Move cursor to read notes, and click on the images to see full version.
Some of the thumbnails may have been cropped to fit the format

Just below Ulriken, the trail begins (190KB) The Ulriken tower soon fades away (136KB) The view towards Storvarden brings back bad memories (147KB) Soon lake Svartediket comes into view (234KB) Bergen in haze seen from the trail (126KB) View towards Vidden (170KB) This looks interesting. Something for the summer (164KB) Rotten snow still on the trail (123KB) View towards Svartediket dam (141KB) View towards Blaamanen (127KB) Looking back up the ridge (169KB) Down on the Tarleboveien road (136KB) Ulrikseggen trailhead on Tarleboveien road (196KB) View towards Vaakendalen (159KB) Ulrikseggen seen from Tarleboveien road (129KB) Ulrikseggen seen from Tarleboveien road (113KB) Lake Svartediket (105KB) Bjorndalen trailhead & parking (125KB)


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