I'd like to understand why you can't take the picture of the witch and why would anyone post the sign there only in the dark could you see and during the day time, all you see is the witch so you take the photo without reading the sign? Or I'm just not good at following directions.
I don't like directions. Therefore, when the hotel gave me a map I took my own route which is to turn left at the big Starbuck. They said, "you'd see the funicular. Just start climbing." My trail running shoes need to get some miles in so off I went. Where I'm from, we don't see fall colors. The air was crisp and the leaves are golden. I think I've arrived in the garden of eden and this was heaven on earth. Trail runners' ultimate wet dream. Zig zap along the trail path, one could pack more than 3 km before reaching the top, and if you turn left you can connect the two mountains. So I was told by this really good looking Norwegian man, who turned out to a be a runner himself and was also first time on this trail. He spoke flawless British English. Along the way you get smiling Scandinavian men complimenting your strides, or simply they were flirting. But whatever the reason is, it makes you stride further and maintains better posture when admired. Think you were just imagining this all up? Then another man in jogging attire flashes his bright smile at you and all of sudden you are not tired and know you were not making this all up.
Note to bay area female trail runners, consider packing your shoes and fly to Bergen, Norway.
Once at the top it was clearly no longer just for trail runners. This is for tourists to take the mandatory city shots from the mountain top. I learned later a close friend had attended his best friend's wedding here at this very spot. I wrote to him, "why did you move back to the U.S.? If I were you, I'd stayed in Norway." I don't think he ever got back to me with an answer. Perhaps he knew I was right. I think he'd be happier in this part of the world than San Francisco, just a hunch.
Meanwhile, I found there was a cafe, a place to rent a mountain bike, a nice bathroom, and several private spots for people to make out, and in general, just a ton of people soaking in this incredible view. Think Santorini, but with a lot more trees nearby and fjords afar.
I had ridden the funicular up, but it's boring and it's not really a great way to see the mountain. My personal favorite is to take the left hand side of the trails which gave you an option to either run up in a straight line or a curve that takes you to a longer path. You can do it during the day or be a real local, do it in the evening where the air is crisp and tourists have gone back.
Net net. Run up and run down Mount Floyen. And try morning, evening and late at night.
And follow the sign. Don't take picture of the witch, even though you don't know why... read more