Visiting Sherpa steps

About Sherpa steps

A stone staircase of more than 1,200 steps, built by Sherpas from Nepal, climbs from Tromsdalen up the mountainside to the Fjellheisen upper station at Storsteinen. It is a steep but well-made climb of about an hour, usually free of snow and ice only from early summer to autumn.

Tip: Climb up and take the cable car down to spare your knees, and do not attempt it when the steps are icy.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 1–1.5 hours.
• Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Tromsdalen, the mainland side across the bridge, with the Arctic Cathedral and cable car.

Best time to visit Sherpa steps

Sherpa steps is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:

• July: 15°C (59°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, busy crowds.
• June: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
• September: 10°C (50°F) highs, about 15 rainy days, moderate crowds.

When to visit Tromsø has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Our 3-day Tromsø itinerary visits Sherpa steps on day 1, together with Arctic Cathedral, Fjellheisen cable car and Northern lights tours.

• No. 5 of the 16 sights in our Tromsø things-to-do list.
• Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
• Listed in free things to do in Tromsø.
• One of the picks in outdoors in Tromsø.

Near Sherpa steps

Also in Tromsdalen, so you can walk between them:

• Fjellheisen cable car — 1–2 hours, mid-priced
• Arctic Cathedral — 45 minutes, low cost

If you like Sherpa steps

• Dog sledding — Kvaløya and Tamokdalen, 4–6 hours including transfers
• Midnight sun — Tromsø region, An evening
• Prestvannet — Tromsøya, 1 hour
• Tromsø Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden — Breivika, 1 hour

Staying near Sherpa steps

Stay in Tromsdalen ($$) to walk here: the mainland side across the bridge, with the Arctic Cathedral and cable car. All areas to stay in Tromsø.

Questions travellers ask