Map tips: each color represents a different day. Click a marker to learn more about the spot, and click the star in the map header to save the entire map under Your Places in Google Maps.
Day 1
- Låtefossen, Skare, Norway
- Langfossen, fjæra, Norway
Flew in to Stavanger, Norway, picked up rental car and drove to Odda. It took around 4 hours including a ferry crossing. We stopped at Langfossen and Latefossen waterfalls on the way. Langfossen is beautiful and worth stopping to take pictures/walk around; you can hike all the way to the top but we didn’t have time. Latefossen isn’t really worth more than a quick picture in passing. Checked in to the Tyssedal Hotel, which is very close to the trailhead for Trolltunga, and called it a day.
Day 2: Trolltunga
See our detailed Hike Guide for Trolltunga here
We drove to the parking lot (Skjedggedal Carpark) for the hike to Trolltunga. You have to pay to park and put the ticket on your dash. It took us about 10 hours round-trip and we took the funicular stairs up instead of the path (things have changed quite a bit since we did the hike – check the Hike Guide for details). It cuts off quite a bit than taking the trail through the woods – 14 miles instead of 17. One of my favorite hikes ever, somewhat boring in spots but breathtaking in others, and the rock at the end is so awesome. Had lunch, took turns taking pictures of other people on the rock. In 2012 we saw less than 10 people total during the entire hike, but it sounds like you have to wait hours to get your picture now. The funicular steps were quite difficult on the way down, legs wanted to give out from so many steps.
Saw some people that camped and did the hike in 2 days because it’s pretty far, but glad we did it as a day hike. Stayed again in Odda, got pizza in town because it was the cheapest thing. And it was great after a long day hiking.
Day 3: Preikestolen
We drove back to Stavanger (4 hours) and went on to Preikestolen, another hour and half. We parked at Preikestolen Fjellstue and it took us 2 hours to hike up. The hike is about 5 miles RT with 1,600 feet of elevation gain – I’d say it was on the easier side and most people can do it. When we got there we were so disappointed. It was somewhat clear for about 2 minutes when we got up there, then it completely clouded over and we didn’t get any more views.
We had a B&B in Stavangar where we stayed for 3 nights.
Day 4: Kjeragbolten
We drove 2.5 hours to Oygardstolen to start the hike to Kjeragbolten, where you can get the craziest picture on earth. A rock is wedged between two cliffs, 3,000 feet above the fjord. There is a perfectly placed tiny footpath that allows you to stand on the rock, and a perfectly placed vantage point that allows you to get the picture. I was terrified of the thought of standing there leading up to our trip but had to do it. Definitely one of the scariest things I’ve done, as I’m not the most comfortable with heights.
You park near the restaurant, pay the meter, and head to the rock. There are some chains and pretty steep parts – really fun hike. It’s about 7.5 miles RT with ~1,900 feet of elevation gain and is more difficult than Preikestolen. The most straightforward way to get to the rock was a little confusing, but we saw it from afar and were fortunate enough to go there first and get our pictures on the rock. There are some other amazing views looking down the fjord that we really wanted to see (especially since we didn’t get them at Priekestolen), but a nasty storm rolled in and everyone headed down the mountain quickly. It was another huge disappointment, but overall, mission accomplished: we each got our picture on the rock. Drove back to Stavanger.
Day 5: Back to Preikestolen
Repeat of day 3, since we didn’t get any views at Preikestolen that day. Unfortunately, the weather was even worse and it poured on us. We went to the rock again but there was even less visibility than before. We flew out the next morning.
We crammed a lot into 5 days, but for how expensive it is there, it was manageable. We had terrible weather and went in mid-August – no view from Preikestolen x2 and only about 15 minutes of clear views at Kjerag. We had decent weather at Trolltunga, although it did rain during the first part of the hike.
I would love to go back for the views we didn’t get, but it was still one of the best trips we’ve ever taken. All 3 of the hikes are awesome and unique. Even though it’s more expensive (we eat on the cheap, and a $30 pizza was about all we could find in some of the more remote places), I would definitely recommend going in high season for the views. You can’t control the weather, and I know mid-August is a great time to go, but if you’re spending the money to go there you might as well give yourself the best chance for some of the best views on earth. If i was doing it again I would build in a couple more days. Driving around the fjords would not get old, if you’re lucky enough to have good weather and do everything you want on the first attempt. You do have to pay for parking at all 3 of the hiking parking lots, and they do take credit cards. Just make sure to buy enough time before you head out.
Traveled in August 2012
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