Hike to Fantapytten from Høllesliheia – Lysefjord’s Infinity Pool, A return hike along several Mountain Cliffs and Gorges with Out of this World Panoramic View-points.

Region: Lysefjord, Stavanger – Norway

Places To Stay: Stavanger is the closest city to Lysefjord, and is more than likely where you will fly into. You can stay in or near Stavanger, although you may want to base yourself in the rural areas on both sides of the fjord. Looking for more Norway trails? Head to my ‘Norway Hiking Guides‘ page to see all regions and routes.

If you’re looking for a hike in Norway that’s a little different from the famous Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten, Fantapytten is one I can highly recommend. I’d never even heard of it before planning this trip, but it turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of my time in Lysefjord. From the moment you leave the car park, you’re treated to dramatic cliffs, deep gorges, panoramic viewpoints and, of course, the incredible infinity pool overlooking the fjord hundreds of metres below.

What I really enjoyed about this walk was how much variety it packed into a relatively short distance. One minute you’re climbing through rocky terrain, the next you’re following the edge of huge cliffs with views stretching for miles, before eventually reaching Fantapytten itself. It never felt repetitive and there always seemed to be another viewpoint just around the corner.

Although this isn’t as well-known as some of Norway’s iconic hikes, don’t underestimate it. There are sections where you’ll want to slow down, particularly around the exposed cliff edges, but if you take your time and enjoy the journey, it’s an unforgettable day out. We were lucky enough to have fantastic weather, which only made the experience even better.

Planning more hikes around Lysefjord? If you’re visiting the area, don’t miss the iconic hike to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), one of Norway’s most famous viewpoints, or challenge yourself with the unforgettable Kjeragbolten hike, where you’ll have the chance to stand on the famous boulder suspended high above the fjord. Together with Fantapytten, they make three completely different hiking experiences that showcase some of the very best scenery Norway has to offer.

Below are a few ideas for day tours, guides and transfers around the Lysefjord, with GetYourGuide offering great discounts and easy booking + a huge amount of options in the Stavanger area, see more here.

For a wider choice of accommodation in Stavanger, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.

Getting There: Directions, GPX and Map

• Start/Finish: The start point is at the lower car park of The Boulder Skylodge.
• Transport: A car is perfect for this hike, for public transport please check first.
• This is a difficult hike, very demanding, so make sure you have plenty of water and food, and you come prepared for all weathers. You could even take your swim stuff and have a swim in one of the pools as we did.
• GPX: Download the GPX file here.
• Follow this route on my Outdooractive and Komoot profiles.
• Avoid the early start – find accommodation in Stavanger

Travel Data: I use eSIMs to stay connected — quick setup and no roaming faff. Sim Local has been solid in Italy/Europe with good prices and coverage.

Hike Profile

• Distance: ~5m / 8km
• Duration: 5-6 hours (lots of sightseeing)
• Highest Point: 1302ft / 400m
• Difficulty: Difficult and very demanding (steep short ascent and descents), lots of steps, large rocks to step up on and over, and ladders. Take plenty of water and food.
• Route conditions: Well-worn pathways most of the way around, good walking shoes are essential.

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From Heathrow, we flew to Oslo then Stavanger, and hired cars, Skyscanner found the cheapest flights, try the flight widget above.

Hike Description

The hike started for us at The Boulder Skylodge, around an hour’s drive from Kleppe, and we arrived just after 9am. There are no facilities, cafés or water stops on this hike, so make sure you arrive prepared. One piece of advice I can’t stress enough is to take your time and keep an eye out for the red waymarkers painted on the rocks. There are a few places where it would be easy to wander off route, so if you can download the GPX file or follow the route on your phone, I’d definitely recommend it. The red markers are your guide both out to Fantapytten and all the way back.

From the car park, head up towards the upper parking area where you’ll find a sign pointing towards Fantapytten. It’s a lovely way to start the day. A small lake sits to your left before the path winds through the trees, and it isn’t long before you’re rewarded with your first fantastic view down Lysefjord towards the bridge and ferry port. It’s one of those viewpoints that immediately makes you stop for a minute and take it all in.

From here, the real work begins. The trail constantly climbs and descends as it follows the edge of Lysefjord, with plenty of tree roots, rocks, wooden walkways and ladders to negotiate along the way. None of it is technical, but it does demand your attention, especially if the ground is wet.

One of the best places to pause is at the impressive Skjerajuvet Gorge. It’s incredibly deep and there’s a large rock jutting out over the edge that makes for some brilliant photos looking back across Lysefjord. Not long afterwards you’ll tackle another short but steep climb before squeezing between huge granite boulders. At the top you’ll notice a large mast, which you can visit with a short detour before returning to the main trail.

Another steady climb follows, but once you reach the top the walking becomes much easier. The landscape suddenly opens out and you’re rewarded with even bigger views across Lysefjord. This section crosses the Hatten plateau and, after the tougher climbing earlier in the walk, it’s a welcome chance to relax and simply enjoy the scenery. We passed a large pond here and decided we’d stop for a swim on the way back, which turned out to be a great decision on such a warm day.

The path eventually begins a gentle descent through the fairy tale-like woodland of Lausefjell. After the exposed rocky terrain higher up, it feels like a completely different walk. Before long you’ll arrive at Fantapytten itself, the famous natural infinity pool overlooking Lysefjord. The setting is absolutely stunning and it’s easy to see why so many people make the effort to come here. We couldn’t resist cooling off with a quick swim, although I have to admit the water was far muddier than we expected!

Reaching Fantapytten feels like a real achievement, but remember you’re only halfway. The return journey includes all of the same climbs and descents, so make sure you’ve brought plenty of food, water and suitable clothing. It really is a demanding hike, especially on a warm day.

As you’ll see from the photos, we were incredibly lucky with the weather. Not long after we got back to the car, the skies turned black and a huge thunderstorm rolled in with torrential rain, thunder and lightning. Thankfully we’d checked the forecast before setting off and had packed for all conditions, but it was a good reminder of how quickly mountain weather can change in Norway.

That photo of me resting before the final descent pretty much sums up the day. Tired, happy, and already talking about when we’d come back. It was easily one of the highlights of our trip.

Walk this route yourself in 3D!

The Video is a 3D walk through of this route; it will give you a unique sense of having walked through the route before you start.

I have created 3D Videos of my adventures and have shared them with the OutdoorActive community as well as my walking community.

Fantapytten – Lysefjords Panoramic Cliff Trail – 3D Video

Places to Stay in and near Stavanger

For a wider choice of accommodation in Stavanger, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.

Recommended Stays

Home Again Apartments Nygata 1

Home Again Apartments Nygata 1 in Stavanger is housed in a historic building, offering a unique and charming environment. Located 12 km from Stavanger Airport, the property is a short walk from Stavanger Maritime Museum and City Hall. Nearby attractions include Godalen Beach and Stavanger Art Museum.

Check Availability

Thon Hotel Stavanger

This modern hotel is centrally located in Stavanger, just 5 minutes’ walk from Stavanger Station. WiFi and access to a well-equipped fitness room are free for guests.

Check Availability

Practicalities

• Parking: This route starts from a small roadside parking area near Høllesliheia, located on the mountain road between Jørpeland and Lysebotn. Parking is limited compared to the large facilities at Preikestolen BaseCamp, but the upside is far fewer hikers.
• Distance & Time: This out-and-back hike to Fantapytten is approximately 8km / 5 miles return. Allow around 5–6 hours, including stops for photographs and time at the pool.
• Terrain: The trail crosses open mountain terrain with rocky paths, sections of exposed granite and some boggy ground depending on recent weather. There are a few gentle climbs but nothing particularly technical. Navigation is straightforward in good conditions but the path can feel faint in places.
• Difficulty: Difficult and demanding. The route includes repeated steep ascents and descents, uneven rocky terrain, exposed viewpoints, ladders and large rocks to negotiate.
• Season: Late spring through early autumn (typically May–October) is the best time to hike here. Snow and ice can remain on the plateau during winter and early spring.
• What to Wear:
• Hiking boots or good trail shoes with grip
• Waterproof jacket — fjord weather can change quickly
• Layers for wind exposure on the plateau
• Sun protection in summer
• Water & Food: There are no facilities along the route, so bring water and snacks with you. It’s a great hike for a picnic overlooking the fjord.
• Safety: The viewpoints sit high above the fjord and there are no barriers or railings. Take care near the edge, especially if the rock is wet. The infinity pool feature may look inviting, but the water is extremely cold and the rocks can be slippery.
• Toilets: There are no toilets at the Høllesliheia parking area.
• Mobile Signal: Generally reasonable across the plateau but can vary depending on your network.

Fantapytten FAQs

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