FEBRUARY 2022 | SCANDINAVIAN MONTHLY
beaches. Unforgettable in the midnight sun! The first 200 metres of the path is quite steep with a set of stairs, but soon you are rewarded with the great view. Ruiplassen. Photo: Visit Telemark
the way, you can learn more about the two unusual sisters who lived there their whole life. Only once did they leave Telemark – to visit the King in Oslo! The hike from the start of the staircase up to Rui is 1 km long, 810 steps, 200 metres hight difference, about 20-30 minute-hike one way. To get to Rui, you follow in the Rui girls’ footsteps from Dalen on a stone staircase made by Sherpas from Nepal. “Beintsteberg” is the path called locally, which means the shortest path up the mountain. A lot of work is laid down in building the staircase, and the experience of first walking on the beautiful stairs that swirl up the mountain, and then ascending to the height of beautiful Rui is quite unique.
The Sherpa steps in Tromsø
The Sherpa Steps, Tromsæ. Photo: YouTube
In Tromsø, 1,300 stone steps connect Fløyvegen, 85 meters above sea level, with the Fjellheisen Cable Car’s upper station at 421 meters – so you can go up, or down, or both up and down, through birch forest and past the tree line. From the top you have panoramic view over Tromsø Island with the “Ersfjord traverse” in the background. The walk up the Sherpa steps is suitable for everyone. The steps make the terrain easy to walk in, and you find several breaks. In one year, over 100 000 people walked up or down the Sherpa stairs in Tromsø. The Cable Car is one of Tromsø municipality’s most popular tourist destinations, and a fantastic perspective to see Tromsø from, so this is really an attraction one should visit when spending time in Tromsø.
Rødøy Lion. Photo: Stefan Barth / Helgeland reiseluv, Rødøy
Rødøy Lion at the Helgeland coast The hike up the majestic Mount Rødøyløva at Rødøy is one of the most beautiful trips along the Norwegian Scenic Route Helgelandskysten. More than 1,000 steps get you to the top, 440 meters above sea level, where you can enjoy scenic views of thousands of small islands, reefs, and white sandy
The Vøringfossen bridge Vøringsfossen is perhaps the bestknown waterfall in Norway, with vast quantities of water plunging 182 meters (597 ft) down from the Hardangervidda plateau to the Måbødalen valley. The waterfall and the dramatic transition between fjord and mountain plateau make for a majestic impression. The Vøringfossen bridge is designed
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by architect Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk, and the construction represents a long tradition of exploring the fields between architecture, technology, infrastructure and nature. The bridge has a range of 47 meters (154 ft) and has 99 steps. The development of the tourist icon Vøringsfossen has happened step by step over several years to make sure that visitors and the local tourism industry can enjoy the project as it is being finished. The step bridge consists of two tripods founded on rock that carry the centre span. The structure is made up of seven parts, of which five make up the flight of steps and the final two serve as supports. The seven bridge components have been hoisted in place by a crane and assembled on site. The entire step bridge is built in steel and secured with long rock bolts drilled into the rock.
Vøringfossen view bridge. Photo: Wikipedia
Exploring Norway – step by step. Conclusion Around 300 stone staircases have been built in Norway over the past two decades. The steps make it easier and safer to walk, and maybe most importantly – they protect the vulnerable nature. So, stick to the stairs and don’t drift off to the side even if your legs hurt. And please stop when you want to enjoy the view or take pictures, as you really don’t want to stumble.
