Kjerag summer hike “Beat the crowd” from Stavanger

Minimum age: 16

Highlights

• An early-morning summer hike to the famous Kjerag boulder
• Enjoy the spectacular Lysefjord
• Relax and savor the views while you’re transported by fjord cruise
• Hike in small groups on trails that have been upgraded by Nepalese Sherpas
• Enjoy the exhilaration of standing atop the boulder before the crowds of tourists arrive

All about the trip

Your journey begins early-morning when your professional nature guide picks you up at your preferred meeting place. While being transported to the edge of the fjord, which takes about 1 hour, you’ll be able to catch glimpses of some of Norway’s stunning landscapes. Upon arrival at the shore of the Høgsfjord, you’ll board a speed-ferry.

The ferry will set-off navigating under a suspension bridge that spans the mouth of the Lysefjord. Steep mountain walls towering hundreds of meters above the fjord will then emerge. The cruise will transport you further into the Lysefjord where you will pass waterfalls, abandoned farms, and the famous Preikestolen cliff, which towers 604 meters above sea-level.

Once ashore, you’ll be driven through 26 hairpin turns along the (one and only) road from the village of Lysebotn up to the Sirdal mountains and then onward to the Eagle’s Nest trail-head (one can speculate it got its name because it sits a lofty 640 meters above sea level). Before the crowds of tourists have begun to arrive, you’ll be well on your way up to the Kjerag boulder.

During the 2.5-hour hike to the boulder, you’ll encounter 3 periods of steep climbing interspersed with 2 shallow valleys. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of the village of Lysebotn, which is situated at the head of the Lysefjord. The final 2 kilometers leading up to the Kjerag boulder are relatively flat and will allow you to focus more on the spectacular nature around you. Once you reach the edge of the mountain’s plateau, while standing on a 1000-meter-high cliff, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the 42 kilometer long Lysefjord.

Cliff-side, you’ll have plenty of time to rest and enjoy your packed lunch. If you’re among the brave, you’ll have the opportunity to stand atop the Kjerag boulder. Base-jumping is legal in Norway, so if you’re lucky, you’ll get to watch as daredevils hurdle themselves off the side of the cliff.

After the lunch break, your guide will lead you back down to the Eagle’s Nest, which takes approximately 2 hours. On the drive back to Stavanger, the guide will navigate over a mountain pass through the municipality of Sirdal. You’ll pass through a barren, glacier-scoured landscape that many describe as being moon-like.

The hike to Kjerag is relatively demanding: you’ll trek 11 kilometers (round-trip) with an ascent of 800 meters in 5.5 kilometers. During the approximately 2.5-hour hike to the boulder, you’ll encounter 3 periods of steep climbing interspersed with 2 shallow valleys. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of Lysebotn, which is situated at the head of the Lysefjord.

Note: On Saturdays, the speed ferry does not run and we will drive around the mountains. On Sundays, the trip’s itinerary is reversed: instead of at the start of the day, you’ll cruise through the Lysefjord during the afternoon, before traveling back to Stavanger.

What is included in the price

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Transportation
• 1-hour fjord cruise*
• Professional guide
• Use of hiking poles
• Hot beverages and snack
• * except on Saturdays

What is not included in the price

• Rain-proof jacket
• Backpack
• Packed lunch, water or snacks

Instructions

Some necessary items can also be rented at our agency upon request.