Lilletoppen

Good to know

• Hiking area
• 3 kmfrom Alesund center
• 4.8 / 58 reviews
• Alesund

What Makes It Special

Lilletoppen earns its place on Ålesund's hiking map by offering something the more famous viewpoints struggle to: a sense of discovery. The name itself — a diminutive of "toppen" (the top) — hints at its modest scale, yet the view from this small clearing on the ridge is anything but small. Visitors describe sweeping panoramas of the fjord, the town's Art Nouveau rooftops, the scattered islands of the archipelago, and the jagged Sunnmøre Alps to the south. One reviewer called it "one of the best views I've ever seen in my life."↗↗

A hand-built timber shelter (a "grindløe") crowns the summit. These shelters were funded by a donation from GC Rieber Fondene to Aksla Vel specifically for the Aksla hillside, and the one at Lilletoppen serves as both a windbreak and a resting place. The shelter also hosts a trail registration code for Stikk ut, Norway's national outdoor activity programme that encourages families and hikers to seek out hidden gems along marked routes.↗

Because the trailhead sits at a bus-accessible turnaround rather than a tourist hub, Lilletoppen feels like a neighbourhood secret — a path where locals jog, walk dogs, and commute through the forest year-round, even cross-country skiing in winter when snow covers the gravel return road.

The Route

The classic approach starts at the parking area beside Aksla Stadion in Volsdalen. From here, walk down the road to Kråmyra, the former home ground of Aalesunds FK and now a bus turnaround. The trailhead begins at this snuplass (turning circle).↗↗

Follow the ridge line eastward past the old Ålesund Radio installation. Cross Framvegen through a gated barrier and pick up a trail heading southeast. You'll pass a lavvo (a Sámi-style tent) belonging to Fjelltun Kindergarten. From there the path threads through a web of intersecting forest trails — some go to more open viewpoints, others dive into sheltered woodland. Signposted arrows help you navigate the tangle. Continue through the forest, choosing the northbound fork where the trail splits, and climb to the summit shelter at Lilletoppen.↗↗

The return trip follows a clear, well-marked gravel road back down toward Kråmyra. Lions Ålesund and Aksla Vel maintain the signage on this section, making it easy to walk even if you miss the forest trail on the way up.↗

Nearby on Aksla

Lilletoppen sits roughly midway between Kråmyra and Fagerlia on the Aksla ridge, and it connects to a larger network of trails across the whole byfjell (city mountain). Continue west along the gravel path and in about 500 metres you'll reach Fjellstua — Ålesund's most famous viewing terrace, complete with a café and the statue of mountain pioneer Kristoffer Randers. Further along you'll find Kniven, a dramatic cliff-edge viewpoint, and Rundskue, a circular viewing platform at the hill's highest point.↗↗

The entire Aksla massif bears traces of World War II: the Germans built fortification bunkers and gun positions across the ridge. Just south of the trail near Ålesund Radio, you can spot a relatively large bunker complex hidden beneath a mossy mound — worth a short detour if you have an interest in wartime history.↗

Practical Information

Trail statistics: approximately 3.85 km one way, 152 m elevation gain, highest point 153 m above sea level, about 1 hour 25 minutes to complete. Graded as a green (easy-to-moderate) hike. The trail is suitable for children and dogs on leash.↗↗

Season: open year-round. In winter, the gravel return path can be used for cross-country skiing. Spring and autumn bring wet patches — the morotur description specifically warns that parts of the trail are damp for large portions of the year, so waterproof footwear is recommended.↗

Getting there: Public bus route 641 runs from Ålesund main bus station up to the Kråmyra turnaround, which is also the terminus of the city bus loop. If driving, park at Aksla Stadion (4-hour parking limit applies). Mobile phone coverage is available along the route.↗↗

Note: Ålesund has a known risk of rockfalls and landslides on the Aksla hillside, as mapped in a 2017 geological survey. The forest trails away from the cliff edges are generally considered safe, but stay on marked paths and be aware of the terrain.

Tips from the Trail

The network of intersecting paths on Aksla's ridge can be confusing for first-time visitors — multiple names (Lilletoppen, Kråkeli, Fjellstua, Kniven, Aksla) refer to points on the same massif. Follow the posted signs and don't hesitate to ask locals; Aksla Vel volunteers are active in maintaining waymarks, and the trail to the shelter is reliably signposted.↗↗

For the best light, try an early morning or late afternoon hike. The west-facing views over Ålesund and the open sea are especially beautiful during golden hour. Thursday evenings and Sunday late afternoon see the highest foot traffic, according to local visitor data.↗

Bring a small snack and sit in the grindløe. The shelter blocks wind from the sea, and the open ground around it gives you the 360-degree panorama that makes this spot worth seeking out.↗