The view from Reinebringen is one of the prettiest views I've ever seen in this world. Here's everything you should know about it and why you should do it.
The view from Reinebringen is world-famous, which means the hike is no longer a hidden gem. Still, that doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s an absolute treasure. You’ll be sharing the trail with many others, but the breathtaking views at the top make it more than worth it. From above, you’ll see the town of Reine, beautifully nestled in the fjord and surrounded by towering mountains. Reine almost looks as if it’s built on water, giving you the surreal feeling that the town shouldn’t even exist there—so small against the vast mountains and so exposed to the open sea.
The Norwegian government—or more precisely, the local municipality—hired skilled Sherpas from Nepal to build the stairway on Reinebringen because the old trail couldn't withstand the growing number of visitors. As a result, the entire route up to the summit ridge is now covered by finely crafted stone steps. Despite this improvement, the path remains very steep, and the stones can become slippery, especially in wet conditions. I attempted the hike in April once but had to turn back when the stairs near the top were covered in snow. There’s a frequently updated sign at the trailhead that provides the current weather and trail conditions, and during peak season, a staff member is sometimes present there to offer guidance. Overall, be sure to account for difficult weather conditions—rain, wind, ice—and remember that even the Sherpa-built stairs can feel exposed in places.
There are several parking options for this hike. Each of them needs a little walk to get to the trailhead, but the distance is all relatively similar no matter which parking lot. The given GPX Track is from the second parking option below.