Tag: Norway

Photo: Vibecke Markhus

This post is written by Julie from Earth Trekkers. You can read more about their journeys and her blog here

The hike to Pulpit Rock is one of the most popular hikes in Norway. With great views, a relatively easy hiking trail, and convenient accessibility from the town of Stavanger, this hike has a big appeal for many visitors to Norway.

With that being said, you should expect big crowds in the summer months. Unless you start your day early or time your visit for the end of the day, expect to share the trail with many other hikers.

We did this hike in 2013. Even then it was very, very crowded. But what an amazing experience. This is a gorgeous spot in Norway and the views over the Lysefjord are incredible.

How to Hike to Pulpit Rock

Facts About the Hike

Distance: 7.6 km (4.7 miles)
Elevation Gain: 350 meters (1150 feet)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Length of Time: 4 to 5 hours
When to Go: It is possible to hike to Pulpit Rock year round. If you plan to hike to Pulpit Rock in the off-season (November through April), click here for important information.

About Pulpit Rock

Pulpit Rock is also called Preikestolen. This uniquely shaped rock towers 604 meters over Lysefjord.

Pulpit Rock made an appearance in Mission: Impossible – Fallout staring Tom Cruise. For one week in 2017, the rock was off limits to hikers while movie scenes were filmed.

Lonely Planet called Pulpit Rock one of the world’s “most impressive viewpoints.”

With these accolades, movie cameos, and hikers posting their photos on Facebook and Instagram, it’s no surprise that Pulpit Rock is one of Norway’s most popular hikes.

Options for Getting to Pulpit Rock

WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:  Take the car ferry from Stavanger to Tau (40 minute journey) and then the bus from Tau to the Preikestolen car park.

Ferry to Tau: It is a 40 minute ride on the cary ferry to get from Stavanger to Tau. Tickets are bought on board the ferry and you cannot make reservations in advance.

Click here for the ferry schedule.

Bus from Tau to Preikestolen: The bus to Preikestolen operates from April to September, according to the Visit Norway website. During off-season, the bus does not travel from Tau all of the way to the car park at the start of the hike. You will have to take a taxi instead. See the Visit Norway website for more details.

It’s possible to book a 6 hour excursion from Stavanger, including the round trip ferry. The price for this starts at 360 NOK and is offered by Go Fjords.

Click here for the bus schedules, timetables, and prices.

If you have a car: You have two options. Take the car ferry from Stavanger to Tau and then drive on Route 13, Ryfylkevegen south through Jorpeland, following signs for Preikestolen. Your second option is to drive from Stavanger to Lauvvik, take the car ferry to Oanes, and then drive on Route 13 north to the Preikestolen car park.

Hiking to Pulpit Rock

The hike to Pulpit Rock is just under five miles round trip. By Norwegian standards, it is classified as an easy hike that people of all ages can do.

Guide books and the Visit Norway website recommends two hours to hike to Pulpit Rock, an hour to spend at Pulpit Rock, and a two hours to hike back.

At noon we started our way up the mountain. It was very steep at first, and it didn’t take long until we were scrambling up boulders amidst pine forests.

There were an incredible number of people on the trail. This made the hike less enjoyable than we were expecting. We were constantly trying to pass people on narrow, rocky trails (as a family we hike at a pretty fast speed, including our eight year old daughter). It did not take us long until we were removing layers of clothing and working up a good sweat.

The trail to Pulpit Rock alternates between relatively flat, easy sections with steep climbs up staircases built from giant rocks. For the first half of the hike to Lysefjord, there is not much of a view. You hike in and out of pine forests as you climb up these long staircases.

The last kilometer, just before reaching Pulpit Rock, is the best part of the hike. The trail levels out and now you have views of Lysefjord. To get to Pulpit Rock, there is one short section where the trail skirts the edge of a cliff, so if you have a fear of heights, this part of the hike might be challenging for you.

Pro Travel Tip: If you do not want to walk along the cliff trail, you can hike the Hill Trail to Pulpit Rock. As you approach Lysefjord, a second trail, labeled “Hill Trail” will break off from the main trail. This adds a little extra elevation gain but you can avoid walking along the cliff, great for families and those with a fear of heights.

On Pulpit Rock

It took us an hour and forty-five minutes to reach Pulpit Rock. What a view, but wow, look at all of the people!!

August is peak season for vacationing in Norway and we were hiking on a perfect day just before the start of the weekend. The crowds were unavoidable.

We spent just enough time here to enjoy the view and take some photos.

For a view down onto Pulpit Rock, you can hike up the hill behind it for this view.

Getting back to Stavanger

Now it was time to start the trek back downhill. Weaving between groups of people, hopping over rocks, crossing over wet, muddy areas, and climbing over thousands of boulders we made it to the starting point in just 45 minutes. Tyler and Kara may be kids, but they hike fast!

At the parking lot for Preikestolen, we got in line for the bus. When we did this in 2013, there was only one bus running at the time. It took about fifteen minutes of waiting for the bus to arrive. By that time, the line had grown quite long. We managed to get on the bus, but hikers who got to the parking lot after us had to wait for the next bus.

If you are here midday on a busy day like we were, you may have to wait for the bus, unless you book one of the round-trip tours from Stavanger.

Thoughts on the Hike

The four of us had a good time hiking to Pulpit Rock. Climbing over the boulders was fun and the views from Pulpit Rock were amazing! Unfortunately, the hoards of people on the trails took away from the enjoyment of the hike. Still, we are glad we did it. For someone looking for a relatively quick and easy hike with fabulous views of the Norwegian fjords, Pulpit Rock is perfect.

However, if you have plans to visit Stavanger and only have time for one hike, take a look at Kjeragbolten. It’s a harder hike but you get the chance to do something crazy and stand on this boulder wedged between two cliffs. Learn more in our article about Kjeragbolten.

Hiking to Pulpit Rock with Kids

Tyler and Kara (who were 10 and 8 at the time) had a great time on the hike. Just put a boulder in their path and they have a good time.

As far as their hiking experience prior to this trip, we had done some hiking at home in Maryland and in Shenandoah, Virginia, and also in Cappadocia, Turkey. The hike to Pulpit Rock was easy for them, but they would be much more challenged in our upcoming hikes in Norway (Kjeragbolten, Trolltunga, and Romsdalseggen Ridge).

In our opinion, children should be at least six years old to do this hike. It is a somewhat strenuous uphill climb over rocks and boulders to get to Pulpit Rock. There is also a short section of the trail just prior to Pulpit Rock with a drop off down to Lysefjord (but you can avoid this by taking the Hill Trail).

When Can You Hike to Pulpit Rock?

The main hiking season for Pulpit Rock is from April through October. Peak season is during the summer months of June through August. Expect large crowds during these months. To avoid the crowds, hike on weekdays and start the hike early in the morning.

It is possible to hike Pulpit Rock year round. From November through March, tempertures will be very cold, snow could be on the ground, and you will have very limited daylight. Read this article to learn more. 

Where We Stayed in Stavanger

The Comfort Square Hotel. This modernly decorated hotel (with interesting artwork) is located within the heart of Stavanger. Take-away breakfast is available, perfect if you want to grab breakfast and get an early start hiking.

More Information for Your Trip to Norway:

• 14 Best Hikes in Norway to Put on Your Bucket List
• 10 Days in Norway: The Fjords and the Lofoten Islands
• 10 Days Norway Itinerary: The Ultimate Road Trip through the Fjord Region
• Hiking Trolltunga: Everything You Need to Know to Have the Best Experience
• Norway Bucket List: 20 Epic Things to do in Norway

Om Bleik Beach

Bleik Beach on Andøya Island is one of the longest beaches in Norway and its white sands are more reminiscent of a tropical paradise than a small island above the arctic circle.

The beach attracts visitors all year round. During the endless summer days locals come to sunbathe and even swim, while adventurous souls fight the cold during winter to get a glimpse of the dancing northern lights.

The triangular island that rises opposite Bleik Beach is Bleiksøya, home to the largest puffin colony in Vesterålen. It is estimated that there are 70,000 pairs of the birds inhabiting the island. An organised safari around Bleiksøya is avilable in the summer, but going on shore is prohibited between April 15th and July 31st .

Combine a visit to the beach with an easy hike around Beliksmorenen Nature Reserve.

Veibeskrivelse

Bleik Beach is in the village of Bleik, located along Road 976 and part of Norwegian Scenic Route Andøya. Bleik is a 9 kilometer drive south of Andenes.

The beach cannot be easily seen from the road, because it is hidden behind the houses.

Fasiliteter

• Bleik landsbyservice is a small shop/café with groceries and baked goods

Overnattingsmuligheter

Midnattsol Camping offers reasonably priced campgrounds and cabins.

This fantastic article was written by Julie. You can read more about Julie and her blog Earthtrekkers here

For hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, this Norway itinerary is perfect. In 10 days, you will be able to do four amazing hikes. Be daring and stand on Kjeragbolten, hike out to Trolltunga and pose for the camera, enjoy epic views out to the Atlantic Ocean from Romsdalseggen, and hike Norway’s most popular hike, Pulpit Rock. Mixed in with the hiking days are visits to quaint coastal towns, scenic drives along the fjords and through the world’s longest tunnel, and a chance to experience some of the best that Norway has to offer.

Norway is a gorgeous country, and on this itinerary you get to see it via car, ferry, airplane, train, and your own two feet. In our opinion, there is no better way to see Norway than by hiking!

This Norway itinerary is good for:

• Epic hiking
• Scenic Drives
• Fjords
• Quaint Coastal Towns

10 Day Norway Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo, fly to Stavanger
Day 2: Pulpit Rock hike
Day 3: Kjeragbolten hike
Day 4: Bergen
Day 5: Hike to Trolltunga
Day 6: Norway in a Nutshell
Day 7: Scenic Drive to Geiranger
Day 8: Geirangerfjord
Day 9: Romsdalseggen Ridge Hike
Day 10: Ålesund, fly to Oslo

Day 1

Arrive in Oslo, Fly to Stavanger

Arrive in Oslo and catch a connecting flight to Stavanger. Stavanger will be your home base for the next three nights. From here, you will hike to Pulpit Rock and Kjeragbolten.

Have dinner, get some rest, and tomorrow will be the first Norwegian hike.

Where We Stayed in Stavanger: The Comfort Square Hotel. This modernly decorated hotel (with interesting artwork) is located within the heart of Stavanger. Take-away breakfast is available, perfect if you want to grab breakfast and get an early start hiking.

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Day 2

Hike to Pulpit Rock

Stavanger is connected to Pulpit Rock by public transportation. After breakfast at your hotel, catch the ferry from Stavanger to Tau. This is a twenty-minute scenic ferry ride, giving you your first glimpse of the Norwegian fjords.

Once in Tau, there is a bus service that will drive visitors to the start of the Pulpit Rock hike.

The hike to Pulpit Rock is Norway’s most iconic hike, with views of the Lysefjord and this slab of rock that almost looks like it is from another planet. This giant monolith is also known as Preikestolen.

The hike is five miles round trip, the shortest on this itinerary. It is an easy hike that anyone with average fitness can do, including children. Since it is Norway’s most popular hike, expect lots of crowds, especially during the peak travel season from June through August.

Learn more: How to Hike to Pulpit Rock

To get back to Stavanger, take the bus to Tau and the ferry to Stavanger. There should be plenty of time for dinner in Stavanger.

We ate at ND Sorensen’s Dampskibsexpedition Pub. The food was fantastic but it was expensive. Well, this is Norway, one of the most expensive destinations in the world. Expect to pay $30 to $40 for an entrée and $10 for a beer.

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Day 3

Kjeragbolten Hike

This was our favorite day while visiting Norway. The hike to Kjeragbolten is epic, with some of the best views of the fjords in Norway along with that chance to step out onto the boulder…if you so dare!

Kjeragbolten is located two hours away from Stavanger (140 km) and there are two ways to get there: a bus service that only runs during the peak summer months, or by rental car. We chose the rental car option. For four people this was more economical and more convenient.

The hike to Kjeragbolten is 12 km round trip, taking hikers between 5 and 7 hours to complete the hike. It is longer and more strenuous than Pulpit Rock, with sections of rock scrambling and chain-assisted climbing, which made this the favorite hike in Norway for Tyler and Kara. The views along the way are unbelievable. Even if you have no plans to step out onto Kjerag, this hike is still absolutely worth it for the views along the way.

The infamous boulder is wedged between two rock faces 1000 meters off of the ground. It’s a crazy thing to do but one of our favorite traveling memories, for sure!

For more on hiking to Kjeragbolten (including details on how to get here), check out these posts:

The Kjeragbolten Hike: A Complete Guide

Kjeragbolten: Our Favorite Hike in Norway

After the Kjeragbolten hike, if you are up for another adventure, then you might consider driving down (and then back up) Lysevegen Road. It is a narrow road with 32 sharp bends, an average gradient of 9.4%, and an elevation difference of more than 800 meters (2600 ft) over only 5.8 km (3.6 miles). And if that isn’t crazy enough then there is a tunnel near the bottom that turns 340 degrees.

If you are up for this adventure, like we were, then when you pull out of the Kjerag parking lot turn left and you’ll start going down this dangerous, windy, switchback road almost right away. This road connects the Kjeragbolten car park with the town of Lysebotn.

Drive two hours back to Stavanger, return the rental car, and get a good night’s sleep.

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Day 4

Bergen, Norway

Take a morning flight from Stavanger to Bergen. It is possible to take a bus or a ferry to Bergen, but this takes five hours and you need that time today to tour Bergen.

Once in Bergen, rent another car. You will have this car until you reach Ålesund on day 10.

Most of the day is available for exploring Bergen, a coastal town that was once a German settlement. Have lunch at the fish market, wander the cobblestoned streets, take the funicular up the hillside for the best views over Bergen, and explore Bryggen, the location of the Hanseatic houses along the harbor.

Once finished in Bergen, you will drive to a town near the Trolltunga hike.

You have several options where to stay near the Trolltunga hike. Odda and Tyssedal are the two towns located closest to the hike. From Bergen, it takes about three hours to drive to these towns.

You can also stay in Kinsarvik or Eidfjord. These two towns are north of Trolltunga, so you will have a longer drive to get to the trailhead for Trolltunga. However, since you are farther north, you will do less driving on day 6 when you go to Flåm.

On the drive, there are two waterfalls you can stop and visit. Steinsdalsfossen is a waterfall that is visible from the road. You can follow the footpath behind the waterfall. Twenty minutes east of Eidfjord is Vøringfossen, a stunning waterfall that you can hike to.

For recommendations on where to stay near the Trolltunga hike, read our article Where to Stay Near Trolltunga.

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Day 5

Trolltunga

Today is another day of epic hiking and a chance to see more of iconic Norway.

If you stayed in Eidfjord or Kinsarvik, it is an hour drive south to Tyssedal and the start of the Trolltunga hike. The views along the way were some of my favorites in Norway.

Several years ago, the hike started as a 1 km strenuous walk up an old funicular track. That is now closed. There are now several options for hiking to Trolltunga.

Option 1 is to hike the switchback trail near the funicular track. This is strenuous but once at the top, it is mostly easy-going for the rest of the hike out to Trolltunga. Option 2 is to arrive very early in the morning and be one of the first cars to park in the new, upper parking lot. This drive lops off the first major descent of the hike and can save you hours of time. But you need to get here very early in the day. Read our Trolltunga article for more information.

Option 3, the Sky Ladder, is a tour that has visitors cycling and then climbing a Via Ferrata, finishing the journey not far from Trolltunga.

After the first major climb, whether you did on foot or by car, you are treated to amazing views. And then, of course, you get to step out onto Trolltunga.

The hike to Trolltunga takes 8 to 10 hours to complete, going 23 km total. After completion of the hike, drive back to your hotel.

Read More: Hiking Trolltunga: Everything You Need to Know to Have the Best Experience

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Day 6

Norway in a Nutshell

The Norway in a Nutshell tour is a very popular excursion for first-time visitors to Norway. This tour includes a cruise on Naeroyfjord (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the narrowest fjord in Norway) and Aurlandsfjord, a railway journey to and from Myrdal, and a spectacular view of the Naeroydalen valley from the Stalheim Hotel.

If you are following our itinerary and/or have your own transportation, then it is not necessary to book the organized tour. You can follow our guide on how to do Norway in a Nutshell on your own. You’ll want to drive to the Stalheim Hotel, where our guide begins.

Read more about this full day itinerary, including what to see on the drive from Eidfjord to Flåm: 

How to do Norway in a Nutshell on your own

Once the tour is over it is time to drive to Balestrand. On the way, and only about 30 minutes from Flåm, is the Stegastein Viewpoint, a scenic lookout over Aurlandsfjord. From this viewpoint you can continue along the Aurlandsvegen Snow Road, a high mountain road with spectacular scenery. Or you can back track down the mountain and take the world’s longest tunnel, Lærdalstunnelen (24.5 km or 15.2 miles).

Where We Stayed in Balestrand: We stayed in the Balestrand Hotel, a nothing fancy, family-run hotel. If you want a nice view, request a room overlooking Sognefjord.

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Day 7

Drive to Geiranger

Today is a full day of driving but if you get lucky with the weather (we did not) the scenery is amazing. This drive takes you along fjords and through small towns, giving you plenty of opportunities to stop for food along the way.

Sites to see on the drive between Balestrand and Geiranger include:

• Likholefossen (we ended up not stopping here ourselves due to a late start)
• Jostedalsbreen National Park Centre (listed in Google Maps as Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalparksenter) for an education on glaciers
• Old Strynefjell Mountain Road (Old Road 258) … for the views
• Videseter Hotel to look at the view of the valley (located on Old Strynefjell Mountain Road)
• From the Videseter Hotel you can also walk to the Videfossen Waterfall (listed in Google Maps as Buldrefossen)

As you approach Geiranger there are various viewpoints to see:

• Dalsnibba Viewpoint – highest of the views of valley and fjord. The road here is Norway’s highest car road.
• Knuten Viewpoint
• Flydalsjuvet Viewpoint

In the afternoon, you will arrive in Geiranger, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fjord known for being one of the most spectacular in Norway.

Where We Stayed in Geiranger: Hotel Utsikten. We chose this hotel for its awesome views over Geirangerfjord. Unfortunately, during our stay in Geiranger, it was wet and foggy and at times we could barely see the fjord from the hotel. If you chose to stay here, hopefully you will have better luck. The hotel is within walking distance of the town, where you can rent kayaks and go shopping. We enjoyed hanging out at the hotel bar at the end of the day, and overall really enjoyed our stay here, despite the rainy weather.

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Day 8

Geiranger

There is plenty of time in the day to explore Geirangerfjord before moving on again. There are hiking and biking trails, kayaks to rent, viewpoints to drive to, and the small town of Geiranger to explore and to go shopping.

From Geiranger it is a two hour drive to the next town, Åndalsnes. This is another scenic drive and just before arriving in Åndalsnes you will drive the Trollstigen (Troll’s Ladder), a switchback road that is one of the most popular drives in Norway.

Have dinner in Åndalsnes and get settled into your accommodations. Tomorrow is an early morning.

Where We Stayed in Åndalsnes: We spent two nights at the Trollveggen Campground in Åndalsnes. We slept in cabin #3 and it was adorable.  Tyler and Kara loved it. In fact, they described it as “epic.”

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Day 9

Romsdalseggen Hike

Romsdalseggen is an 11 km hike along the spine of a mountain. Although not the longest hike in the itinerary, we found it to be the most difficult. This hike can take 8 to 10 hours to complete.

You can hike this trail from July 1 through September 30, when the shuttle bus is in service. Read our article about the hike for full details.

From Åndalsnes, there is a bus that delivers hikers to the start of the hike. This hike is a point to point hike, starting on farmland and ending in the town of Åndalsnes. Weather can be unpredictable…we were here in August and there was a chance of snow in the forecast.

The hike starts off with a strenuous climb, taking hikers to the spine of the mountain. From here, on a clear day, you can see all of the way out to the Atlantic Ocean. We were not so lucky, but even so, the views were still amazing.

Beware of the low cloud cover…this hike goes right along the edge of a mountain and one false step could send you off over the side. Our kids called it “oblivion.”

If you don’t want to hike Romsdalseggen Ridge, or the weather is not cooperating, you have the option to hike to the Rampestreken viewpoint. This viewpoint is located along the Romsdalseggen trail and overlooks Åndalsnes and the valley. It takes roughly 3 hours round trip to hike to the viewpoint. With 700 meters of climbing, it a strenuous walk to get here.

Read More: Hiking Romsdalseggen Ridge

After your hike, enjoy dinner in town.

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Day 10

Ålesund and Oslo

From Åndalsnes it is a two hour drive west to Ålesund, another coastal town.

Enjoy the day exploring Ålesund and don’t miss the walk up the hillside to Fjellstua for the best views of the town.

In the afternoon, fly to Oslo, completing your tour of Norway.

Where We Stayed in Oslo: The Clarion Royal Christiana. This is a four star hotel located in downtown Oslo within walking distance of the train station and the Oslo Opera House. My favorite thing about this hotel (other than it’s great location) was the huge breakfast buffet.

When To Go

The best time to do this Norway itinerary is between June and September, especially if you plan on hiking these trails. Snow lingers on some of these trails up until June. The earliest you can hike Trolltunga without a guide is June 15, according to the Visit Norway website.

If you are planning a trip to Norway before June with the intent to go hiking, here are some things to consider:

Pulpit Rock: You can hike Pulpit Rock from April to October. For the remainder of the year, the trails will be covered with snow. It is only recommended that you hike Pulpit Rock from November through March with a guide.

Kjeragbolten:  The best time to hike Kjeragbolten is from June 1 through September 31. The bus from Stavanger does not start running until June 1. Before June 1, snow can still cover the roads, so you may not even be able to drive to the start of the hike.

Trolltunga:  June 15 to September 15. All other times of the year you should hike with a guide.

Romsdalseggen Ridge:  June 30 to September 30 (when the shuttle bus is in service).

For your best chance of clear weather, visit Norway in the spring and early summer. In August, rainfall chances increase. It is not unusual to have rainy weather during September and October.

If you do not plan on hiking, some roads on this itinerary can be closed from November through May. Trollstigen and the Aurlandsvegen Snow Road make it onto this list. For a list of possible road closures, plus their dates of opening and closing times, click here.

We did this same itinerary in early August.

Nasjonaleiendommen Gamlehaugen er den offisielle kongeboligen i Bergen. Det staselige bygget ligger i et parkanlegg på Paradis, like ved Nordåsvannet i Fana bydel.

Lyststedet Gamlehaugen
I middelalderen og fram til svartedøden var det gårdsdrift knyttet til stedet hvor Gamlehaugen ligger i dag. I 1665 ble det igjen jordbruksland knyttet til Fjøsanger hovedgård. I 1808 ble eiendommen skilt ut til Danckert Krohns niese, Marie Krohn. Nyhaugen likeved ble overtatt nevøen Albert Henrik Krohn. På begge eiendommene ble det oppført nye våningshus. Disse var tilnærmet identiske enetasjes bygninger med midtark og avvalmet mansardtak. Gamlehaugen ble senere ombygget til sveitserstil. Nyhaugen ble også ombygget før denne ble revet for å gi plass til ny bebyggelse.

Gamlehaugen ble i 1838 kjøpt av Schack Stenberg. I 1864 kjøpte Ole Bulls sønn, Alexander Bull, eiendommen. Etter to år solgt han den videre til kobbersmed Ole Andreas Gundersen. Den siste eieren som drev Gamlehugen som gård var kjøpmann Anton Mohr, som kjøpte eiendommen i 1878. Da han døde i 1890, solgte enkefru Alethe Mohr eiendommen til murmester J. G. Nilsen og byggmester Arne Gullaksen. Hun fikk forøvrig bo på stedet fram til sin død.

Villa for Michelsen
I 1898 kjøpte rederen og politikeren Christian Michelsen Gamlehaugen. Han fikk revet den eksisterende hovedbygningen for å gi plass for den nåværende bygningen i mur. Denne slottsaktige villaen ble oppført årene 1900–1902 etter tegninger av arkitekt Jens Zetlitz Monrad Kielland.

Gjennom en folkegave ble Gamlehaugen donert som kongebolig til den norske stat i 1925.

Interiør
Hallen er i dragestil og de store dobbeltdørene har stolper med dyrehoder. På dørovestykket finner vi drager i kamp og der en omgitt av et romansk rankeverk. Forbilde er sene 1200-talls og 1300-talls stavkirkeportaler. Trappegelendere og rekkverk har dekor med motiv fra saga og mytologi. Disse arbeidene er utført av treskjæreren Ingebrigt Vik etter arkitekt Kiellands tegninger.

Parken
Villaen på Gamlehaugen er omkranset av et stor park på rundt 120 dekar. Michelsen fikk gartneren Olav Moen til å opparbeide parken rundt villaen i engelsk landskapsstil, med visse trekk av nyformalisme. I 1999 startet et rehabiliteringsarbeid som skulle opprettholde grunntrekkene i Michelsens park og tilføre nye kvaliteter i tråd med vår tid. Det er blant annet bygget nye murer mot veien og opparbeidet en badeplass. Norske anleggsgartnere – NAML tildelte parken utmerkelsen Årets grønne park 2005.[1] Parken er åpen for besøkende, bortsett fra når kongefamilien er i Bergen.

Forvaltning
Eiendommen driftes i dag av Statsbygg etter føringene for forvaltning av gaven. Bygningene og parken er formelt ikke vedtaks- eller forskriftsfredet, men forvaltes gjennom såkalt administrativt vern hvor Riksantikvaren uttaler seg i alle saker som går utover jevnt vedlikehold.

Vil du besøke Gamlehaugen? Sjekk ut Gamlehaugen.no