Aksla by the 418 steps from Byparken

The walk starts in Byparken, the town park of Ålesund, where the steps up Aksla begin. The 418 steps climb the hill to Fjellstua, where Restaurant Fjellstua stands and the view takes in the town centre, its islands and the Sunnmøre Alps. The viewpoints of Kniven and Aksla are a short way along the ridge, and a gravel footway runs on east to Rundskue, another viewpoint. From there the way turns back along the ridge, drops by a footpath and steps on the east side of the hill to the streets, and returns through the town to the park.

It is 3.4 km round with 193 m of ascent; allow about 1½ hours. The grade is Easy: a short climb, most of it on the steps, which OpenStreetMap maps with handrails, then good footways and paths.

Fjord Norway's page names Dammene, which has a fitness park, and a lean-to shelter in the forest among the places the paths lead to from the top, and suggests Vannspringdalen as another way down. It says you can also take a taxi, or drive up by Borgundfjordveien and Fjelltunveien, if you would rather save the climb. The page gives no opening hours for Restaurant Fjellstua, so check before you count on it.

Byparken is in the town centre. The underground car park Aksla parkering, beside the foot of the steps, is marked as paid on the map.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.