Do you mainly want to spend your holiday in Stavanger hiking? Then you’ve come to the right place. You can climb to the famous Preikestolen, follow a much quieter trail on the other side of the fjord or use chains to climb towards a waterfall. The only thing is: everything looks closer together on the map than it really is. So which hikes fit conveniently into your trip?
I travelled through Southern Norway with my father at the beginning of May. We hiked Preikestolen, Sollifjellet, Månafossen and Himakånå, among others. In this blog I’m sharing our experiences and adding three other hikes: Dalsnuten, Kjerag and Flørli. I haven’t done those last three myself yet, but they’re interesting if you have more time or are looking for a different kind of challenge.
The focus is on Stavanger and the Lysefjord. Himakånå is farther away, near Nedstrand, and works particularly well as part of a road trip towards Haugesund or Tysvær. Below you can immediately see which hike suits your plans.
Contents
The hikes around Stavanger at a glance
| Hike | Starting point | Distance | Hiking time | Why choose it? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preikestolen | Preikestolen Basecamp | 8 km return | 4–5 hours | Famous fjord views; plenty of climbing |
| Sollifjellet | Skrøyla, near Fossmork | About 5–6 km return | About 3 hours | Quieter trail, views of Preikestolen |
| Månafossen | Eikeskog, near Frafjord | About 1 km return to the viewpoint | About 1 hour | Short but steep, with chains |
| Himakånå | Hinderåvåg, near Nedstrand | 5.8 km return | 2–3 hours | Fjord views; farther from Stavanger |
| Dalsnuten | Gramstad, near Sandnes | About 4 km | 2–3 hours | Shorter mountain hike close to the city |
| Kjerag | Øygardstøl | About 11 km return | 6–10 hours | Demanding day hike for fit hikers |
| Flørli 4444 | Flørli, accessible by boat | About 5 km via Rallarstien | 3–4 hours | 4,444 steps; plan your boat in advance |
The times are guidelines for the full hike, excluding transport. Your pace, breaks and the conditions can make a big difference. For Månafossen, this refers to the short visit to the waterfall; continuing towards Mån makes the hike longer.
1. Preikestolen: the famous cliff above the Lysefjord
Preikestolen is probably the hike that made you put this region on your list in the first place. The flat rock sits 604 metres above the Lysefjord. Naturally, you’ll want to see that view with your own eyes. You do have to work for it: the trail crosses stones, steps and uneven rocks, with a few flatter sections along the way.
My father and I started at eight in the morning and reached the top at around half past nine. We kept up a good pace; I’d recommend allowing four to five hours for the entire hike, including time to enjoy the view at the top. It was a slightly misty day, but fortunately we still had a good view over the fjord.
What struck me most was the difference between the way up and the way back. Early in the morning we could walk at our own pace, but later we met far more people. And that was in early May. So if you want to avoid some of the crowds, I’d start early. Just make sure you have enough daylight and check the conditions beforehand.
We stayed at Preikestolen Basecamp, right at the start of the trail. That meant we only had to grab our things in the morning and could head straight out. In my detailed blog about the Preikestolen hike, you can read more about the route, parking and our experience.
2. Sollifjellet: see Preikestolen from the other side
We hiked Sollifjellet one day before Preikestolen. That turned out to be a fun order: first we looked across at that famous rock from the other side, and the next morning we were standing on it. The biggest difference? We only encountered a handful of other hikers on Sollifjellet.
The route starts at Skrøyla, above Fossmork. The access road is narrow, so drive carefully and be prepared for oncoming traffic. The first section of the hike is fairly easy. Farther along you cross a stream and start climbing across rocks and open terrain. Especially towards the summit, you’ll need to keep pushing for a while.
It took us about two hours to hike the roughly 5.6 kilometres. I’d use three hours as a more comfortable guideline. I found that spotting the trail markers sometimes took a bit of searching. Our downloaded hiking map was very useful here.
At the top, you look out over the Lysefjord with Preikestolen on the opposite side. Looking for a quieter alternative, or do you want to see both perspectives? Then read about my experience hiking to Sollifjellet. It’s a great addition if you’re spending several days around the Lysefjord.
3. Månafossen: a short hike with a steep climb
Månafossen was our first hike after arriving at Stavanger Airport. Pick up the rental car, get some groceries and drive on to Frafjord. It was a lovely way to get outside straight after the flight.
From the car park at Eikeskog, you climb over rocks and steps towards the viewpoints. Chains are installed on the steeper sections. It’s a short route, but don’t underestimate it: you gain quite a bit of height. Especially in wet weather, you’ll want shoes with good grip and your hands free.
We could already see the waterfall after about fifteen minutes. For a relaxed visit to the viewpoint and the walk back, allow closer to an hour. Månafossen drops 92 metres and you get a good view of the water from the trail. You see a lot for such a relatively short hike.
Still feel like walking farther? After the waterfall, you can continue towards the old mountain farm of Mån, turning it into a longer hike. Our walk lasted around an hour and a half, including time for lunch. The narrow trail became busier on our way back, so starting early is useful here too. You can read more in my blog about hiking to Månafossen near Stavanger.
4. Himakånå: a beautiful side trip towards Nedstrand
Himakånå is also known as Trolltunga’s little sister. You hike to a protruding rock with views over the Nedstrandsfjord, Lysevatnet and the green surroundings. At about 5.8 kilometres, the hike is considerably shorter than the one to Trolltunga.
It took us just over two hours, including photos and a break for something to eat. The route passed through farmland and forest, with cows, sheep and goats along the way. The higher we climbed, the wider the views became. I thought this was one of the pleasant surprises of our trip.
You park at the Joker supermarket in Hinderåvåg and follow the signs from there. It’s a moderately challenging hike with steep sections. At the top, you stand beside an unprotected drop; keep well away from the edge, especially with children or in windy conditions.
Pay attention to the location: Himakånå is near Nedstrand, farther north than the hikes around the Lysefjord. We combined it with our journey towards Tysvær. From Stavanger, you need to allow for a longer journey and, depending on your route, a ferry. I’d mainly include it if you’re heading that way anyway. See my full experience with the Himakånå hike.
5. Dalsnuten: a shorter mountain hike near Sandnes
Want a shorter hike closer to Stavanger? Dalsnuten near Sandnes is a logical option. From Gramstad, you hike around four kilometres through an area of small lakes, grassland and rocks. The summit is at 323 metres and overlooks the Gandsfjord and the Stavanger and Sandnes area.
The first sections are fairly easy, but the final part towards the summit is steeper and rocky. So it’s still a proper mountain hike. Allow two to three hours so you can also take your time at the top.
I haven’t hiked Dalsnuten myself yet. I’d choose this route for half a day outdoors or if you first want to see how you get on with hiking across Norwegian rocks. Check the route information from the regional tourist board before you go. These lower rocks can also become slippery in the rain.
6. Kjerag: a demanding day hike at the end of the fjord
That photo of a boulder wedged between two rock walls? That’s Kjeragbolten. The hike there starts at Øygardstøl, above Lysebotn, and is clearly more demanding than Preikestolen. You hike around eleven kilometres return, with plenty of climbing and chains to hold onto on some sections.
Allow six to ten hours of hiking. You also need to add your transport from Stavanger, so reserve an entire day and set off well prepared. The access road is seasonal and snow can remain at higher elevations for a long time. Check the latest information about Kjerag before you leave.
I haven’t done this hike myself yet. It’s best suited to hikers with good fitness and experience on steep terrain. You don’t have to step onto Kjeragbolten to enjoy the surroundings, by the way. That is your own risky choice and not a required part of the hike.
7. Flørli 4444: climbing stairs above the Lysefjord
Flørli offers a very different kind of climb: 4,444 wooden steps alongside the old water pipes of a power station. After the staircase, you return via a mountain trail. The route including the descent along Rallarstien is around five kilometres; allow three to four hours for the hike.
That sounds short, but all those steps make it a serious workout. The staircase has steep sections and isn’t a great choice if you have a strong fear of heights. Follow the designated route upwards and descend via the hiking trail.
Flørli is a village without a road connection. You reach it by boat or via a longer hiking route. For a day trip from Stavanger, you therefore need to arrange both your outward and return boat journeys in advance. Check the conditions and boat connections with Flørli 4444. The staircase is closed when there is winter snow. This hike is still on my list for a future trip.
Which hikes can you combine in a few days?
I’d choose one main hike per day and leave some room for driving, breaks and the weather. We did both Månafossen and Sollifjellet on the day we arrived, but it was a full day. You certainly don’t have to keep up with our pace.
- Day 1: Månafossen. A lovely first hike after arrival. With an early flight and enough time, you can continue towards Mån.
- Day 2: Preikestolen. Start early and keep the afternoon free. After the hike, you can return to Stavanger or stay near the Lysefjord.
- Day 3: Sollifjellet or Dalsnuten. Sollifjellet gives you the view from the opposite side of the fjord. Dalsnuten is a better fit if you want to stay closer to Stavanger.
- Extra day: Kjerag or Flørli. Choose based on your experience, the season and the available boat or road connections.
- Continuing your road trip? Plan Himakånå if you’re heading towards Nedstrand, Tysvær or Haugesund.
After Preikestolen, we continued to Odda. There we hiked near Buarbreen and Husedalen, among other places. That’s a next stop on your road trip; I wouldn’t plan those hikes as day trips from Stavanger. Read my six-day Norway itinerary in May or see my tips for hiking around Odda.
Where to stay if you want to hike around Stavanger?
The most convenient place to stay depends on your hiking plans. Stavanger is nice if you want to eat in the city in the evening and make several different day trips. For an early start at Preikestolen, we found staying right by the trail especially convenient.
By the trail: Preikestolen Basecamp
We stayed at Preikestolen Basecamp. For us, the accommodation was mainly practical: the next morning we could start hiking straight away. You stay beside the lake and the trailhead. According to Basecamp, overnight guests can park for free; ask when you arrive how this works during your stay.
In Stavanger: three centrally located hotels
- Thon Hotel Stavanger: a practical option right in the centre, convenient if you want to combine hiking with restaurants and an evening in the city.
- Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel: centrally located beside Breiavatnet. If you book an excursion, check whether your departure point is here or elsewhere in the city.
- Hotel Victoria: an atmospheric choice by the harbour if you like a comfortable stay after hiking.
I haven’t personally tested these three city hotels. Compare prices for your travel dates and, if you have a rental car, also check the parking options. Prefer to stay closer to the Lysefjord? You can compare accommodation in the area on the map below.
Rental car or hiking from Stavanger without a car?
For our trip, we rented a car at Stavanger Airport. That made it easy to include Månafossen, Sollifjellet and later Himakånå in our own itinerary. You can compare rental cars at Stavanger Airport with Discover Cars. When budgeting, remember to account for parking, toll roads and possible ferries.
Without a car, Preikestolen in particular is easy to organise with a hiking bus or excursion from Stavanger. Check the available departure dates, pickup point and return journey. A regular bus ride to the trailhead is not automatically a guided hike. Transport to Sollifjellet and Månafossen is harder to combine; an organised tour can be more convenient in that case.
Taking a break from hiking? See the Lysefjord from the water
A boat trip through the Lysefjord from Stavanger is a fun change between hiking days. You’ll see the steep rock walls and Preikestolen from below. It’s also useful if not everyone in your travel group wants to do the full hike.
When booking, pay attention to the difference between a sightseeing cruise and a combination trip that includes hiking. A fjord cruise doesn’t take you to the top of Preikestolen. So with a regular sightseeing cruise, you’ll still need a separate hiking day if you also want to stand at the top.
Have a great time in this beautiful area!
