Fjellheisen Tromsø · Tromsdalen to Storsteinen (about 420 m)
Fjellheisen lifts you about 4 minutes from Tromsdalen to Storsteinen, roughly 420 metres above the city, and runs until midnight. Pick it for a clear night between tours, when the forecast is strong and you want the city, the bridge and the sky in one view.
Fjellheisen opened in 1961 and runs from Tromsdalen, on the mainland side of the bridge, up to Storsteinen at about 420 metres. Its own site lists the cable car as open every day from 09:00 to 00:00, with departures every half hour and a ride of about 4 to 5 minutes. The listing says the last ride up is at 23:30 and the last ride down at midnight, and the ticket is valid for the day you choose.
For the aurora, the top station works on clear nights with decent activity. You look down on the island, the bridge and the Arctic Cathedral, and Visit Tromsø notes that the lights are often visible from Tromsø itself, most often between about 20:00 and 02:00. Fjellheisen says the best window is roughly 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. between September and April. Fjellstua, the cafe at the top, is open until 23:30, which helps on a cold wait.
Know the limits. There's no guide and no chase, the city glows below you, and wind or cloud can stop the cable car or hide the sky. Check the forecast and the sky before you cross the bridge. To get there, take bus 26 from Torgsenteret to the Fjellheisen stop. The shuttle bus from the harbour runs in daytime only, so it's no use for an evening visit.
Look at the cloud forecast and the aurora activity. Clear and active? Go.
From Torgsenteret in the centre to the Fjellheisen stop, or walk across the bridge.
Cars leave every half hour. The last one up is at 23:30.
Find a spot away from the station lights and let your eyes adjust. Warm up in Fjellstua if you need to.
The last car down leaves at midnight. Don't miss it.
★★★★★Absolutely incredible and stunning mountain top view! A must do in Tromsø
★★★★★we had a great time, the views were amazing, and there were no lines up or back.
★★★★★Great, definitely wouldn't walk it [...] Great views of Tromso.
★★★★★Was cold and misty but the views were incredible. Sweets & drink inside up top were good and needed!
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Fjellheisen's own site lists the cable car as open every day from 09:00 to 00:00, departing every half hour. The last ride up is at 23:30. Weather can stop it, so check on the day.
Yes, on clear nights with enough activity. The top station is above most of the city light, though not away from it. For tips on watching without a tour, read our guide to seeing the lights on your own.
Take bus 26 from Torgsenteret in the city centre to the Fjellheisen stop in Tromsdalen, or walk across the bridge. The combined shuttle bus runs in daytime only.
About 4 to 5 minutes from Tromsdalen to Storsteinen, roughly 420 metres above sea level.
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Four minutes up to Storsteinen, about 420 metres above the city, for the lights on a clear night of your own.
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