The Lysefjord

Location

The Lysefjord is located in Ryfylke, near Haugesund and Stavanger, south in Western Norway.

Facts

The Lysefjord is 40 kilometres long and 422 metres deep at its deepest.

Pulpit Rock - Preikestolen

The Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), the most famous tourist attraction in Ryfylke, towers an impressive 604 metres over the Lysefjord. This flat mountain plateau, approximately 600 square metres was most likely formed with the melting frost 10,000 years ago.

The Pulpit Rock cabin is located near the main road (Rv 13) south of Jørpeland and can be reached by car or, in the summer, by bus from Tau. From here, there is a trail to the Pulpit Rock climbing 350 metres through somewhat uneven terrain. Along the trail, there are picnic areas and excellent bathing spots. Remember proper walking shoes/boots, warm clothing and food.

During the summer, you can enjoy served food and accommodation is available at the Pulpit Rock cabin, which is an excellent starting point for several other marked trails. There is a paying car park, an information booth and sanitary facilities at the cabin (May-September).

It is also wonderful to experience the Pulpit Rock from the fjord, either from a sightseeing boat or from a car ferry from Stavanger, or from several other places of call on Lysefjorden.

Kjerag

The Majesty of the Lysefjord, Ryfylke . At 1084 metres above the fjord, Kjerag towers above the other peaks along the Lysefjord. It has been traditional to admire this mountain face from the fjord, but in recent years, it has become increasingly popular to walk up the path to the plateau. Most people are happy just to enjoy the view of the Lysefjord from the plateau itself, but for some hikers, the climax of the excursion is to be photographed on the Kjeragbolten, a round rock wedged solidly in a mountain crevice. Kjerag has also become a popular attraction for mountain climbers and base jumpers.

To get to Øygardstøl, take the ferry to Lysebotn and continue by car, or drive there via Sirdalen (this road is closed in the winter). You can hike to Kjerag with a mountain guide.

What to do

Popular activities in the ara base jumping, rock climbing, hiking and riding.

Getting to the Lysefjord

Driving to the Lysefjord from either the north or the east gives you the opportunity to experience the beautiful Ryfylkevegen, a future national tourist route. Ryfylkevegen goes between the roads rv. 13 and rv. 520, stretching from the Oanes ferry quay in the south and Røldal in the north.

From Bergen
The Lysefjord lies approximately 300 kilometres south of Bergen.

• By car:
  The drive from Bergen takes approximately four hours and fifteen minutes (not included three ferries). From Bergen follow the E39 and 134 to Ølen, and then follow rv. 514 to Ropeid. Continue southwards on rv. 13 Ryfylkevegen. 
• By bus:
  You can take a bus from Bergen to Stavanger (approximately five hours). For timetables and booking, please contact Nor-Way Bussekspress. During the summer season you can catch a bus from Stavanger to Lauvvik, and then take the ferry to Lysebotn. Another alternative is to take a ferry from Stavanger to Tau, and continue by bus to Preikestolhytta. Outside the summer season, you can catch a ferry from Stavanger to Lysebotn.
• By boat:
  You can take a boat from Bergen to Stavanger (approximately four and a half hours). During the summer season you can catch a bus from Stavanger to Lauvvik, and then take the tourist ferry to Lysebotn for fjord sightseeing. Another alternative is to take a ferry from Stavanger to Tau, and continue by bus to Preikestolhytta. Outside the summer season, you can catch a ferry from Stavanger to Lysebotn.
• By plane:
  Direct routes between Bergen and Stavanger. Flight time approximately 35 minutes. For timetables and booking, please contact SAS and Norwegian. During the summer season you can catch a bus from Stavanger to Lauvvik, and then take the ferry to Lysebotn. Another alternative is to take a ferry from Stavanger to Tau, and continue by bus to Preikestolhytta. Outside the summer season, you can catch a ferry from Stavanger to Lysebotn.

From Oslo
The Lysefjord lies approximately 400 kilometres southwest of Oslo.

• By car – choose between three different routes:
  1. Follow the E18 to Drammen. From Drammen you follow the E134 through Telemark. At Ofte you follow rv. 45 to Suleskar and onwards to Lauvvik or Lysebotn. This route takes between five and six hours. The road over the mountain is closed during winter.
  2. Follow the E18 to Drammen. From Drammen you follow the E134 through Telemark over Haukelifjell and on to Røldal. Continue southwards on rv. 13 Ryfylkevegen to Oanes. This route takes approximately seven hours.
  3. Follow the E18 soutwards to Kristiansand, and then the E39 to Ålgård. From Ålgård you continue on rv. 45 and rv. 508 to Lauvvik. This route takes approximately eight hours and thirty minutes.
• By train:
  You can take the train from Oslo to Stavanger (approximately nine and a half hours). For timetables and booking, please contact the Norwegian State Railways (NSB). During the summer season you can catch a bus from Stavanger to Lauvvik, and then take the tourist ferry to Lysebotn for fjord sightseeing. Another alternative is to take a ferry from Stavanger to Tau, and continue by bus to Preikestolhytta. Outside the summer season, you can catch a ferry from Stavanger to Lysebotn.
• By plane:
  Direct routes between Oslo and Stavanger. Flight time approximately 55 minutes. For timetables and booking, please contact SAS and Norwegian. During the summer season you can catch a bus from Stavanger to Lauvvik, and then take the ferry to Lysebotn. Another alternative is to take a ferry from Stavanger to Tau, and continue by bus to Preikestolhytta. Outside the summer season, you can catch a ferry from Stavanger to Lysebotn.

From Stavanger
The Lysefjord lies approximately 50 kilometres west of Stavanger.

• By boat:
  During the summer season you can catch a bus from Stavanger to Lauvvik, and then take the ferry to Lysebotn. Another alternative is to take a ferry from Stavanger to Tau, and continue by bus to Preikestolhytta. Outside the summer season, you can catch a ferry from Stavanger to Lysebotn.
  There are several sightseeing boats from Stavanger and the Lysefjord Centre, taking you on trips at the fjord, past the Puplit Rock and the Kjærag mountain plateaus.
• By car:
  Drive the E39 southwards to Sandnes, and then follow rv. 13 to Lauvvik. Catch the tourist ferry from Lauvvik to Lysebotn for fjord sightseeing, or take the car ferry from Lauvvik to Oanes.