Sports & the Outdoors

Sports & the Outdoors

Bergen is literally wedged between the mountains and the sea, and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Bergensers are quick to do so on sunny days. In summer, don't be surprised to see many Bergensers leaving work early to enjoy sports and activities outdoors, or just relax in the parks.

Fishing

With so much water around, it's no wonder sport fishing is a popular pastime in Bergen. Angling along the coast around Bergen is possible all year, although it is unquestionably more pleasant in summer. In late summer many prefer to move up the area rivers to catch spawning salmon and trout. Whether you prefer fishing in streams, fjords, or the open sea, there are several charter services and fishing tours available. Most can also provide all the fishing gear you need, but be sure to bring warm and waterproof clothes, even in summer.

The Bergen Angling Association (Fosswinckelsgt. 37. 55-32-11-64. www.bergen.sportsfiskere.no) has information and fishing permits. A local fishing supply store, Campelen (Strandgt. 17. 93-41-29-58. www.campelen.no) also arranges fjord fishing, deep-sea fishing, and charter tours, all departing from central Bergen. Norwegian Sportsfishing Adventures (91-10-72-48. are@nsa-as.no) specializes in guided tours for small groups. Sotra Rorbusenter (Spildepollen. 56-31-79-76. www.rorbusenter.com) offers boat rental, guided tours, and chartered tours from Sotra outside Bergen.

Golf

Near the Flesland airport and Siljustøl, Fana Golf Club (Rådal. 55-29-41-40. www.melandgolf.no) is an 18-hole course that opened in the summer of 2004. North of Bergen at Fløksand, the Meland Golf Club (Frekhaug. 56-17-46-00. www.melandgolf.no) has an 18-hole championship course with high-quality golf clubs and carts for rent.

Hiking

Like most Norwegians, Bergensers love to go hiking, especially on one or more of the seven mountains that surround the city. Bergen Turlag (Bergen Hiking Association, Tverrgt. 4-6, 5017. 55-33-58-10. www.bergen-turlag.no) is a touring club that arranges hikes and maintains cabins for hikers. You can pick up maps of many self-guided walking tours around Bergen from the office, as well as from bookstores around Bergen. Bergen Turlag stages the 7-fjellsturen, or Seven-Mountain Hike, an event that attracts thousands of hikers for the one-day trek across seven nearby mountains.

Take the funicular up Mt. Fløyen (Vetrlidsallmenningen 21, 5014. 55-33-68-00. www.floibanen.no), and minutes later you'll be in the midst of a forest. From the nearby gift shop and restaurant, well-marked paths fan out over the mountains. Follow Fløysvingene Road down for an easy stroll with great views of the city and harbor.

Mt. Ulriken (Ulriken 1, 5009. 55-20-20-20. www.ulriken.no) is popular with walkers and hikers of all levels. The easiest way to reach the summit is via the cable car from Haukeland University Hospital. (To get there, take the double-decker bus that leaves from Torget.) Once you get off the cable car, you'll find trails leading across the mountain plateau, Vidden, which is above the tree line. The plateau connects the Fløyen and Ulriken mountains, and you can hike between them in 4 to 6 hours. Views from the alpine trail are spectacular. Be advised that foggy and rainy weather, even in the summer months, can make hiking here dangerous. Consult the tourist information center or Bergen Turlag for maps and general advice.

Swimming

The most exciting place to swim in Bergen is Vannkanten (Off Rte. 555. 55-50-77-99. www.vannkanten.no), a water complex of several pools, which also has a coffee bar and restaurants. To get there, take buses 411 or 439 from the main bus station. Nordnes sjøbad (near Akvariet aquarium) is a popular recreational facility that has a heated outdoor swimming pool. Sentralbadet (Teatergt. 55-56-95-70) is the city's main swimming pool, in the center of town.