Kjerag: Day Trips and Tours from Stavanger

The photo of a hiker standing proud on a rock wedged in a gaping mountain has been a bucket list topper for years. A demanding hike to Kjerag is all it takes to show off your nerves of steel and conquer one of the most notorious trails in Norway.

Take a day trip to Kjerag from Stavanger to cut through the most splendid scenery Norway has to offer. Mighty mountains rise from the life-giving fjord, creating theatrical scenes that will captivate and amaze even the most critical visitor.

You will find below all you need to know about Kjerag, one of the most famous destination for day trips from Stavanger.

How to get to Kjerag from Stavanger?

Kjerag is in the south of Norway and sits high above Lysefjord. Some of the roads around the area are closed during the winter, so getting there takes some careful planning and the right timing.

From Stavanger to Kjerag by car

The best way to travel by car is to drive 50 kilometers from Stavanger to Lauvvik Ferjekai. Here you will drive your car onto the ferry and enjoy a relaxing cruise on Lysefjord to Lysebotn. Drive the last section of the scenic road to Øygardstøl, from where you will start the hike.

The road from Stavanger to Øygardstøl without the ferry takes nearly 3 hours and is closed during the winter in some parts.

From Stavanger to Kjerag by bus

The Kjerag Express runs a transport service between Stavanger and Kjerag from mid-June to the end of September. The service leaves the center of town early on Weekend mornings in the summer at 7:45 AM and returns in the evening.

Guided tour to Kjerag from Stavanger

Taking a guided tour to Kjerag is the most convenient way of enjoying this one-of-a-kind trek. Tour guides will ensure you complete the journey safely, and they provide hotel pickup and drop-off for the utmost convenience.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Kjerag from Stavanger?

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel for an early start to a jam-packed day. Drive to the mouth of the fjord, where you will board a ferry in this unique boat tour that will take you through the whole length of Lysefjord.

Enter the majestic body of water by passing under an imposing suspension bridge and sail past some of the most iconic scenes of the Nordic landscape. The last part of the journey takes you up to 26 thrilling hairpin bends to Eagle’s Nest, where the hike starts.

The 11-kilometer hike will take you up the plateau nearly 1,000 meters above the fjord. The 6-hour hike features steep inclines, rock scrambles and unbeatable scenery.  After a grueling yet rewarding hike, you will return to Stavanger and reach the city around 6 PM.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Kjerag?

An excursion to Kjerag is an all-day affair. The focus is on reaching the iconic boulder at the summit of the mountain, but the journey to get there is half the prize. Here are some of the best ways you can reach Kjerag and get your adventure fix.

Guided tours to Kjerag from Stavanger

A day tour to Kjerag is an exhilarating experience, taking you deep into the heart of Norway’s untamed nature. Undertake a grueling trek with an incline of nearly 800 meters to reach a death-defying summit. Stand on a rock wedged in a chasm, dangling more than 1,000 meters in the air, to be the envy of hikers everywhere.

This exhilarating day trip comes with hotel pickup and drop-off, and a few tours will provide you with scrumptious snacks and beverages along the way, keeping you at your peak energy levels.

Day trip to Kjerag plus Lysefjord Cruise from Stavanger

Take your day trip to Kjerag up a level by booking a combination hike and cruise package. Avoid driving all the way to the trailhead with a tour that takes you on a relaxing fjord cruise before you start the climb.

The 45-minute cruise sails past dramatic scenes with rumbling waterfalls and lush cliffs looming overhead. Once your reach the shore, you can lace up your boots and take on the mighty Kjerag trail.

How much does a tour to Kjerag from Stavanger cost?

A day trip to Kjerag starts from $110 per person and goes up to $150 per person for packages that include a Lysefjord cruise. More expensive tours also include hiking equipment if you would need it, and some provide a packed lunch or snacks.

What will you see and do on a Kjerag day trip from Stavanger?

The star of the show is Kjerag boulder, a 5-cubic-meter glacial deposit that is comfortably nestled in a tear in the rock face. Posing for a picture on top of the rock is an adrenalin-inducing moment but one that thrill seekers look forward to their whole lives.

A cruise on Lysefjord is the perfect complement to an already exhilarating day. After you pass the suspension bridge at the mouth of the fjord, you will sail through 40 kilometers of Nordic wonderland. The canyon walls grow higher, as you travel further into the fjord until you reach the iconic Preikestolen cliff.

The mountain pass that takes you to the trailhead features 26 hairpin bends that rise from the foot of the mountain where the fjord comes to an end. You will stop at the Lysevegen viewpoint to see the road and a show-stopping view of the fjord spread out in front of you in all its glory.

When is the best time to visit Kjerag?

Enjoy a day trip to Kjerag during the summer months of June, July and August. The weather is marvelous and you are most likely to have sunny skies in the summer.

The Kjerag hike is very dangerous in the winter and should not be attempted by amateur hikers. The roads are closed due to snow and ice, and only a select few professional hikers attempt multi-day treks over the plateau.

Travel tips

• Wear hiking boots instead of trainers as some of the surfaces on the trail can be slippery and challenging to climb.
• Pack something warm and waterproof because the weather can get unpredictable up in the mountain.
• This is one of the most popular hikes in the country so book your ticket well in advance as groups are small.
• Pack lots of water and snacks as a 9-hour hike can take its toll on your body.
• Pack a camera as you will absolutely want a hair-raising photo while standing on the iconic Kjerag boulder.