Hiking in Rogaland – 7 trails from Lysefjorden and Jæren to Suldalsheiene

Rogaland is located in southwestern Norway and stretches from Stavanger, Sandnes and Jæren to Ryfylke, Haugesund, Dalane and Suldal. The county is clearly distinguished from Agder to the south, Vestland to the north and Telemark to the northeast.

There is a flat agricultural and sandy coast on Jæren, deep fjords with steep mountain sides in Ryfylke and open high mountain moors towards Suldal and Setesdalsheiene. This means that an easy coastal trip and a multi-day hike around the Lysefjorden require completely different planning.

1. Lysefjorden Rundt – Rogaland's big long trip

Lysefjorden Rundt is a DNT quality-assured SignaTUR trail of approximately 105 kilometers. It is T-marked, very demanding with large total elevation gains and normally planned for about seven days. The recommended season is usually June to September, but the current season and trail status should always be checked with DNT and at ut.no.

The route goes counterclockwise from Vinddalen/Forsand towards the grand finish at Preikestolen. The eight stages are:

1. Vinddalen–Skåpet: approximately 3.5 km, initially forest, bog and birch forest.
2. Skåpet–Flørli: approximately 10 km through rocky and hilly terrain, including the historic Swedish Road.
3. Flørli–Langavatn: approximately 17 km. The day begins with the Flørli stairs and continues over slippery rocks and high mountain terrain.
4. Langavatn–Kjerag–Lysebotn: approximately 13 km over bare rock and exposed areas.
5. Lysebotn–Songedalen Fjellgard: approximately 24 km according to the stage plan. This includes road and construction environment; transportation may be wise.
6. Songedalen Fjellgard–Bakken farm: approximately 10 km along historic farm roads and terrain close to the fjord.
7. Bakken farm–Preikestolen BaseCamp: approximately 16 km, demanding with steep sections and shorter splits.
8. Preikestolen BaseCamp–Høllesliheia: approximately 10 km with fjord views, gorges and exposed paths.

Important overnight stays are the DNT cabins Skåpet , Langavatn , Songedalen Fjellgard and Bakken gård . Always check booking, key, opening hours and alternative overnight stays before departure. Transport is part of the tour: Vinddalen lacks easy public transport, and the routes around Lysebotn, Songesand and Flørli may require ferry, boat, taxi or pre-booked transport.

Do not confuse the Lysefjorden Rundt with the Lysefjordruta . The latter is a separate cycling route of approximately 250 kilometers with a start and finish in Sandnes.

This is a trip for experienced hikers. You will need to be able to read a map, handle long days, and change plans when ferries, weather, or fatigue require it. Water is available along much of the trail, but sources can be unreliable. Carry at least one to two liters and clean water if needed.

2. Preikestolen – well-visited, steep and worn

Preikestolen is one of Norway's most visited summits and a designated national hiking trail . The most common trail is about 8 kilometers round trip, with about 350–500 meters of elevation gain depending on the route and measurement. The plateau is about 604 meters above the Lysefjord.

The terrain consists of paved paths, roots, stairs, gravel and slippery mountain sections. The tour is of medium difficulty, but queues and congestion can make it slower than the distance suggests. The wear and tear is evident, especially after rain.

Start early, check the weather forecast and wear shoes with good grip. This is not wilderness. Expect lots of other hikers, limited space at the viewpoint and queues during popular periods. Keep your distance from the cliff edge. No picture is worth a fall.

3. Kjerag and Kjeragbolten – higher demands than the pictures show

Kjerag reaches around 1,110 meters above sea level. The typical hike from Øygardstøl is about 10–12 kilometers round trip and often takes five to seven hours. The trail goes over several steep climbs, smooth ledges and rocky sections where your hands are sometimes needed for balance.

Kjeragbolten is the rock that sits sandwiched between two cliffs over a deep gorge. It is not a safe viewing platform. Do not go out onto the rock if you are unsure, if the wind is strong or if the surface is slippery. Kjerag is also a national hiking trail , which means high visitor pressure during good weather days.

The tour is suitable for experienced day hikers with good fitness and sure steps. Start early, bring a packed lunch and extra layers and check both the weather and current trail status. A mobile phone is not a substitute for a map and offline map.

4. Flørlitrappene – 4,444 steps from fjord to highland

Flørli is roadless and can be reached by ferry or boat. Check the current timetable, booking and return transport separately before you start walking.

The Flørli stairs have 4,444 steps, are about 1,470 meters long and rise about 740 meters in altitude from the fjord to Ternevatnet. Despite the relatively short distance, it is a demanding climb. The stairs put a lot of strain on the calves and thighs for a long time, and the descent can be just as strenuous.

Above Lake Ternevatnet you can continue on a longer mountain hike, including towards Langavatn as part of the Lysefjorden Rundt. The terrain then changes to boulders, pebbles, bogs and hilly high mountain terrain.

Bring water, energy, rain gear and poles if you use them. Don't underestimate the weather just because you start near the fjord.

5. Kyststi Jæren – coastal walk under development

The Jæren Coastal Trail is an ongoing project for a continuous, marked coastal path from Tungenes in Randaberg to Sirevåg in Hå. The planned route will be over 100 kilometers, but it is not yet complete and does not yet have an official division into stages.

There are already about 131 kilometers of existing coastal walks divided into many shorter sections, managed by the Jæren Outdoor Council . The nature is completely different from that in the Lysefjorden: sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, dunes, farmland and exposed coastal winds. The elevation differences are often small, but the weather and surface affect the pace.

This is better suited to beginners and families than the steep fjord trails, but the coastal wind should be taken seriously. Check the current status, markings, parking, ferry passages and whether the route passes through private agricultural land. Jæren has intensive agriculture, private plots and beach plots. Therefore, follow the signs and stay on permitted paths.

6. Vassdalseggi – Rogaland's highest point

Vassdalseggi is the highest point in Rogaland, at 1,658 meters above sea level. The peak is located on the border between Suldal municipality in Rogaland and Vinje municipality in Telemark and is therefore included in both counties.

This is a demanding high mountain destination, not a simple viewpoint. There are several approaches and route options, so do not specify a specific elevation gain or starting point without first checking the selected tour on the current map. Expect rocky terrain, bogs, snowfields early in the season and rapidly changing weather.

Vassdalseggi is suitable for experienced hikers who can navigate without a clear path. Use a topographic map, compass and GPS with offline maps. Check snow conditions, water, wind forecast and any regulations in protected areas. A wind-resistant tent solution, warm sleeping gear and extra food margin are reasonable if you are hiking independently.

7. Månafossen – short tour with a steep ending

Månafossen in Gjesdal is located in the Frafjordheiane landscape conservation area and is one of Rogaland's highest waterfalls. The hike is short compared to the trails above, but the path up is steep and can be slippery on wet roots, gravel and rocks.

It's a good option when you want a concentrated day trip without carrying multi-day gear. Fitness requirements are moderate, but balance and shoes are important. Bring water and rain gear; the area around the waterfall is damp and slippery.

Check current trail status, parking, safety information and rules for the landscape conservation area. Keep children and dogs away from the steep sections.

Public right in Rogaland

In Norway, the law distinguishes between outback and inland . Outback is mainly forest, mountains, marshes and other natural land where freedom of movement applies. Inland includes, among other things, farmyards, cultivated land, private gardens and areas near homes.

In the open countryside, you are normally allowed to camp for a maximum of two days in the same place and at least 150 meters from inhabited houses and cottages. Camping in the countryside, near buildings or in special tent areas requires a permit or follows local regulations. On Jæren, this distinction is particularly important because agriculture, private plots and coastal buildings are located close together.

Burning in or near forests and other open areas is prohibited between April 15 and September 15, unless conditions make it clearly safe. Local fire bans may be stricter. Check the fire risk on the same day and use a closed fire pit rather than an open fire.

Dogs must be on a leash during the general leash law from April 1 to August 20. Local extensions may apply, especially in areas with grazing animals and sensitive game. Motorized traffic in open areas is not included in the right of public access.

The right of access also requires the duty of access : show consideration, do not disturb people and animals, avoid damage to vegetation, take all waste with you and leave the place as you found it. Do not camp near popular trails, cabins or viewpoints at Preikestolen and Kjerag. In addition, protected area regulations apply in Månafossen and Frafjordheiane.

The rules differ from the more restrictive Danish access rules and should not be confused with Swedish or Finnish public right of way. The basic idea is similar, but the details about camping, dogs, fires and soil types vary. Read DNT's guidance on public right of way before your trip.

Equipment for Rogaland's diverse terrain

On Jæren, lighter equipment is often sufficient for day trips. On Lysefjorden Rundt and Vassdalseggi, however, you need a wind-resistant tent, proper insulation and a margin for cold, wet evenings.

See HikingStore's range of tents , backpacks , sleeping pads and sleeping bags . A sleeping pad that is too thin can cause the ground to be cold and poor recovery even if the sleeping bag is warm. For sleeping systems and CUIN, fill weight and differences between goose and duck down, read our guide to bird down .

Also adapt your clothing to the situation. Coastal winds require wind protection, fjord trails require grip and freedom of movement, and high mountains require warm, supportive clothing. A practical packing list for summer mountain hiking will help you prioritize without packing too heavily.

The next county in the series is Vestland .