Hike to Kjeragbolten up the Kjerag to see the World-Famous Boulder! Are you brave enough to step onto it? It’s not advised.

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.

Kjerag is the highest mountain around Lysefjord, rising to 1,084 metres above sea level, and the hike takes you to one of Norway’s most recognisable sights: Kjeragbolten. This enormous boulder is wedged between two sections of rock, almost 1,000 metres above the fjord below.

We travelled with our cars on the ferry from Lauvvik to Lysebotn before driving up the mountain to the Kjerag trailhead. The final stretch follows one of the craziest roads I have ever driven, climbing through a tunnel and around a succession of tight hairpin bends before reaching the parking area and café at Øygardstøl.

This is a tough hike and definitely not one for complete beginners or anyone with mobility difficulties. There are several steep granite climbs, large rocks to negotiate and sections where fixed chains help you across the smooth mountain slopes. If you are uncomfortable with scrambling, exposed ground or long, demanding climbs, Kjerag may not be the right walk for you.

We completed the hike in May 2024, right at the beginning of the season. There was still a considerable amount of snow across the higher plateau, while thick fog followed us for most of the day and completely removed the famous views we had come to see.

It was disappointing not to see Lysefjord from the top, but the conditions made the hike feel like even more of an adventure. We carried on, reached Kjeragbolten and eventually made what turned out to be a very good decision: rather than waiting for the return ferry, we drove the long way back and finally saw the landscape once we dropped beneath the fog.

Below are a few ideas for day tours 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: Staying in Stavanger, we hired cars and drove to Lauvvik to pick the Ferry up there. Ferry details can be found here. You can also drive all the way there. Off the ferry, drive up the mountain via a very steep and winding road, watch out for head on traffic as there isn’t a lot of room.
• Parking: The hike starts at Oygardsstol Kjerag Panoramic Restaurant car park.
• Transport: Seasonal buses are available from Stavanger, and a Ferry is available, but you will need your car to get to the start point. Parking available but can fill up in peak season.
• GPX: Download the GPX file here.
• Follow this route on my Outdooractive or Komoot profiles.
• Avoid the early start – find accommodation in Stavanger.

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Hike Profile

• Distance: Approximately 6.8 miles / 11km
• Duration: Around 5–7 hours, depending on conditions, pace and time spent at Kjeragbolten
• Total Elevation Gain: Approximately 750m
• Kjerag Mountain Height: 3,556ft / 1,084m
• Kjeragbolten Height: Approximately 984m above Lysefjord
• Difficulty: Strenuous, with three major climbs, steep granite slabs, fixed chains, large steps and repeated descents.
• Route Type: Out and back, with an optional alternative return section included in the GPX route
• Route Conditions: Mostly bare granite, rocky mountain terrain and shallow valleys. The rock becomes extremely slippery when wet, while snow may remain on the plateau early in the season.

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Hike Description

The hike begins at Øygardstøl, beside the Kjerag Panoramic Restaurant, at the top of one of the craziest roads I have ever travelled. The road climbs through a tunnel and around a succession of narrow hairpin bends before reaching the paid parking area, where there are excellent toilet facilities and somewhere to buy food and drinks.

Before we set off, a very friendly local guide approached us and asked us to read the safety information carefully. He also reminded us to follow the red T markers painted onto the rocks. These markings guide you across the mountain, but they can occasionally be difficult to spot, especially in fog or snow, so take your time and carry a downloaded route as backup.

The hike starts with a steep 30-minute climb on bare rock up to a summit of 825 metres, from your start point at 680 metres. Very quickly, we were hiking up a wet and slippery steep granite wall with the aid of chain ropes attached to the mountain. He also stressed the importance of being prepared for every type of weather. As we were about to discover, that was very good advice.

The hike wastes no time in testing you. From the trailhead at roughly 640–680 metres, the first section climbs steeply across bare granite towards the first ridge. Within minutes, we were making our way up wet, slippery rock using the fixed chains attached to the mountain.

It was quite an introduction.

Once over the first climb, the trail follows the ridge before dropping into a small valley with a stream running through it. From there, we could already see the next granite slope waiting ahead, so we stopped for a short break and hoped the fog might begin to lift.

Unfortunately, it didn’t, but we were still enjoying the challenge the mountain was giving us.

The second climb felt tougher than the first. Once again, there were smooth granite slabs, steep sections and chains to help us gain height. We took our time, stayed together and made sure everyone was comfortable before moving on.

After reaching the top, the route drops into another shallow valley and crosses a second stream. Even the descents require concentration because the rock remains smooth and can become extremely slippery when wet.

We then came across a mountain rescue shelter, a sturdy little building that would be a very welcome sight if anyone was ever caught out by bad weather or an injury. From there, the third and longest major climb begins.

This final ascent is another proper challenge. There are large steps onto bare rock, steep slabs and more fixed chains to help you upwards. It reinforces what I said at the beginning: you should only attempt this hike if you are confident in your fitness and comfortable moving across difficult mountain terrain.

Once the final climb is behind you, the character of the hike changes completely. The trail opens onto the broad Kjerag plateau and the walking becomes much flatter and easier.

Under normal conditions, this is where the enormous views across Lysefjord begin to appear. For us, everything disappeared into thick white fog, and there were still large patches of snow covering the plateau.

We followed the red markers across the open ground towards Kjeragbolten. Near the end, the path crosses a narrow rocky section before a sign directs you slightly downhill towards the boulder and its viewing area.

Please take care around here. You are not forced to walk close to the cliff edge, but the sheer scale of the drops can feel unnerving, particularly when visibility is poor.

Stepping onto Kjeragbolten is entirely optional, and personally, I decided it wasn’t worth the risk. People often say that nobody has fallen from the boulder, but once you see its position and the awkward movement required to step onto it, you may question whether you really need that photograph.

Reaching the boulder was still a fantastic achievement, even without stepping onto it and even though the fog had removed the view.

The GPX route on this page includes an alternative section for part of the return journey, eventually rejoining the outward trail near the rescue shelter. Because there was still so much snow, we decided it was safer to return exactly the way we had come.

Descending the steep granite slopes proved every bit as difficult as climbing them. This time, we had to use the chains to lower ourselves carefully down the wet rock, and I actually found some of these sections harder in descent.

Once again, we took our time and stayed together.

We finished earlier than expected because the weather had given us very little reason to remain on the plateau. Rather than waiting for the ferry back from Lysebotn, we decided to drive home instead, which turned out to be one of the best decisions of the day.

As we descended the mountain road, we finally dropped below the fog and saw the landscape we had missed from above. The green mountainsides, dark rocks, streams and waterfalls looked incredible, and the drive became an experience in itself.

We may not have had the famous views from Kjerag, but the hike still gave us a demanding and memorable day in the mountains. Sometimes the weather simply refuses to cooperate, and you have to enjoy the adventure you are given rather than the one you had planned.

Walk this route yourself in 3D!

The video is a 3D walkthrough of this route; it’ll give you a great idea of what to expect before you set foot on the mountain.

I’ve created 3D videos of my walks and shared them with the Outdooractive and Welsh Man Walking communities.

Hike to Kjerag to see the world-famous boulder Kjeragbolten in the Lysefjord – 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

Practicalities

• Parking: The hike starts from the paid Kjerag car park at Øygardstøl, beside Kjerag Panoramic Restaurant. Toilets, visitor information and food are normally available during the main season. The car park can become busy on clear summer days, so arriving early is sensible.
• Distance & Time: The standard route is approximately 11km return and normally takes around 5–6 hours. I would allow up to seven hours so you have enough time for breaks, photographs and the area around Kjeragbolten.
• Total Ascent: Although the difference between the trailhead and plateau does not initially appear enormous, the route gains approximately 750m in total because it climbs and descends three separate ridges.
• Terrain: This is a demanding mountain hike involving smooth granite slabs, large rocky steps, shallow valleys and several steep sections fitted with chains. The chains are used on both the ascents and descents, and some of the downhill sections can feel harder than the climbs.
• Difficulty: Strenuous. You need good fitness, confidence on steep mountain terrain and the ability to use fixed chains safely. It is not suitable for anyone with significant mobility difficulties and would not be my recommendation for a first mountain hike.
• Navigation: Follow the red T markers painted onto the rocks. They are usually straightforward to follow, but can become difficult to see in fog, snow or poor light. Download the GPX route for offline use rather than relying entirely on mobile coverage.
• Season: The road to the Kjerag trailhead is normally open from late May until October, depending on snow and weather conditions. June, July and August are the main hiking months. Outside the normal season, access and conditions can be considerably more serious.
• Early-Season Snow: Snow can remain across the upper plateau during May and into June. We completed the hike near the end of May and encountered a considerable amount of snow, as well as thick fog.
• What to Wear: Wear proper hiking boots or supportive trail shoes with excellent grip. Carry waterproof clothing, warm layers and gloves, which can be useful when gripping cold or wet chains.
• Water & Food: Carry enough water, food and emergency supplies for the whole hike. Food and drinks may be available at Øygardstøl during the main season, but there are no shops or cafés once you begin the trail.
• Weather: Conditions can change extremely quickly. Clear views can disappear into fog, while the exposed plateau may be cold and windy even when the trailhead feels warm. Check the local forecast and current trail information before setting off.
• Safety: Take your time on the granite climbs and use the fixed chains where provided. Wet rock can be exceptionally slippery. There is also no requirement to step onto Kjeragbolten; reaching and viewing the boulder is an achievement in itself.
• Kjeragbolten: Stepping onto the boulder is completely optional and carries an obvious risk. The movement onto it can feel far more intimidating in person than photographs suggest, particularly in wind, fog or wet conditions.
• Facilities: Toilets are available beside the parking area during the season. There are no toilets or other visitor facilities along the trail.
• Public Transport: Seasonal bus services may operate between Stavanger and the Kjerag trailhead. Ferry services also run through Lysefjord, but timetables and onward transport should be checked carefully before travelling.
• Mobile Signal: Coverage can be patchy, especially around the valleys and in poor weather. Download your route and any important travel information before beginning the hike.

Kjeragbolten FAQs

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