The 26-mile-long Lysefjord is packed with things to see, from waterfalls and mountain goats to some of the country's best-known hiking trails.
The trails to Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten draw huge numbers of visitors to the area, helping to make the Lysefjord one of Norway's most famous fjords. Here are five reasons why you consider a visit to the Lysefjord on your next trip to Norway.
It's one of the easiest fjords to visit
A trip to the Norwegian fjords often requires a lot of planning. Most are located far inland, away from the country's major cities. Not so with the Lysefjord, which is just 16 miles east of Stavanger.
Since the recent opening of a new undersea tunnel, the fjord's accessibility has improved even more. With a ferry no longer required for a car journey, travel time to the Preikestolen lodge has been cut to just 30 minutes. For those without a car, daily sightseeing boat trips run from downtown Stavanger.
Hike the famous Preikestolen trail
The fantastic view of the Lysefjord from the Preikestolen clifftop is known worldwide. Pictures of the square clifftop dangling almost 2,000 feet above the fjord have long attracted keen hikers from all over the world.
But Pulpit Rock—as it's known in English—achieved new heights of fame following its use in the movie Mission: Impossible – Fallout.
While the hike overly difficult, it isn't recommended for beginners. The five-mile roundtrip covers some rocky ground and with no facilities on the route, it's best for those with at least some hiking experience and reasonable fitness. From the trailhead at the Preikestolen Mountain Lodge, expect a 4-5 hour trip including some time on the clifftop.
Hike the famous Kjerag trail
Kjeragbolten is another famous rock feature overlooking the Lysefjord. Located at the innermost end of the fjord, the glacial boulder is wedged in a mountain crevasse above a drop of more than 3,200 feet.
Also popular among base jumpers and mountain climbers, Kjerag is the highest peak in the area and offers terrific views of the fjord and surrounding mountains. But although it's often marketed together with Preikestolen, this summer-only hike is not for inexperienced hikers.
The 7-mile roundtrip is strenuous because of the elevation gain of more than 1,800 feet, including several wire-assisted rocky sections. A guide is recommended.
The trailhead is a short drive up the serpentine road from Lysebotn, a tiny fjord village at the inner end of the Lysefjord.
Getting here from Stavanger is a much longer drive as there aren't any roads that run along the length of the fjord, so an overnight stay in Lysebotn is a wise idea if you're planning to take the Kjerag hike. A ferry is also available from Lauvvik and Forsand at the other end of the fjord.
Climb the world's longest wooden staircase
Known for its 4,444 wooden steps from fjord level to mountain, Flørli presents a different kind of challenge to keen hikers. Marketed as the world's longest wooden staircase, the Flørli stairs are a popular stop on the tourist ferries.
The tiny roadless village exists because of its historic hydropower facilities, built deep into the mountainside.
There is a small exhibition inside the turbine hall, but most guests opt for hiking, trailrunning, fishing or simply enjoying the landscape from the comfort of the village café.
Take a sightseeing cruise
All these activities involve a level of physical activity that not everyone wants to do on vacation. A sightseeing boat trip from Stavanger is a great alternative for those who prefer relaxation over adventure, but don't want to miss out on the highlights of the Lysefjord.
Rødne offers several options from central Stavanger, some of which drop passengers off or collect them from the attractions at Lysebotn and Flørli.
The flagship three-hour sightseeing cruise runs year-round and features an audio guide of the highlights such as the beautiful Hengjanefossen waterfall, the Vagabond's Cave and Preikestolen cliff from below.
