Fjelltur
Kjerag and Kjeragbolten: the hike, the road up and where to stay
A boulder wedged between two cliffs, almost a thousand metres above the Lysefjord. Kjerag is wilder and steeper than Preikestolen. Here is the hike, how to get there, the season and the hotels we recommend.
The boulder is wedged in a crack between two cliff walls, and beneath it there is nothing. Just air, and the fjord almost a thousand metres below. Kjeragbolten is one of Norway’s most famous photo spots, and the hike up is wilder and steeper than the one to Preikestolen.
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Short answer: Kjerag
Distance: Around 11 kilometres return.
Time: Around six hours.
Height: Around 1,000 metres above sea level.
Season: May to October. Outside the season, a guide is recommended.
Stay in the Stavanger area
By Preikestolen: Preikestolen BaseCamp. See rooms at Preikestolen BaseCamp
In Stavanger: Eilert Smith Hotel. See rooms at Eilert Smith Hotel
Getting there
The hike starts at the car park at Øygardstøl, at the top of the 27 hairpin bends up from Lysebotn at the end of the Lysefjord. You can drive yourself, take a boat to Lysebotn and a bus up, or take an express bus from Stavanger in summer. Book tickets early in high season.
The hike
The path climbs up and down three steep ridges, with chains to hold in several places. It is demanding and slippery in the rain, but the reward is the view over the Lysefjord and Kjeragbolten. Stepping out onto the boulder is optional, and many are happy just to look.
BASE jumpers and climbers
Kjerag is one of the world’s best-known BASE jumping sites, and you can often see jumpers leap from the edge. The cliffs are also popular with climbers.
The fjord landscape around the Lysefjord.
Good to know
Wear proper hiking boots: The path is steep, and the chained sections need good grip.
Watch the weather: Fog and rain roll in quickly from the sea.
Start early: To get parking and avoid queues at the boulder.
Consider a guide: Outside the season, a guide is the safest choice.
Lysevegen: the road to Lysebotn
The road down to Lysebotn is one of Norway’s most dramatic, with 27 hairpin bends down the steep mountainside. It is only open in summer, and is an experience in itself, whether you drive or take the bus.
Where to stay
Preikestolen BaseCamp: by the Lysefjord
A good base for both of the big Lysefjord hikes.
Book your stay: See rooms at Preikestolen BaseCamp
Eilert Smith Hotel: in Stavanger
A boutique hotel in the centre, with a restaurant and roof terrace.
Book your stay: See rooms at Eilert Smith Hotel
Hotel Victoria: on Vågen
A historic hotel by the harbour in Stavanger.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Victoria
Frequently asked questions about Kjerag
How long is the Kjerag hike?
Around 11 kilometres return, taking around six hours.
Is Kjerag harder than Preikestolen?
Yes, Kjerag is longer and steeper, with more chained sections.
When is the Kjerag season?
From May to October. The rest of the year, a guide is recommended.