With a length of 42 kilometres and a depth of 500 metres, the Lysefjord offers a wealth of fantastic nature experiences, whether you wish to explore the area by water on a fjord cruise or ferry trip or on land on biking or hiking trips.
The fjord is surrounded by tall mountains, which gives it its special wild beauty that attracts tourists from all over the world. And best of all: The Lysefjord is located just 45 minutes east of Stavanger, so you can visit the incredible fjord on a day trip from the city if you wish.
Foto: Fjord Norway / Visit Ryfylke
Innermost in the Lysefjord, you will find the village of Lysebotn, nestled snugly at the bank of the fjord among steep mountains – in fact, for many decades, the village was only reachable by boat. Nowadays, the village is still the turning point for tour boats and ferry services from Stavanger, but it is also reachable by car down the Lysevegen’s 27 hairpin turns.
The village only has 10 permanent residents, but in summer, an inflow of campers, hikers and base jumpers multiply the number of residents markedly. In addition to the campsite, Kjerag Lysebotn Camping, the village also has a café, a country store and tourist information, making it an ideal stop on your explorations of the beautiful fjord.
How to get to the Lysefjord and Lysebotn
If you wish to explore the Lysefjord by car, you can reach some of the fjord’s highlights by road – such as Preikestolen, Songesand, Kjerag and Lysebotn. However, due to the dramatic nature of the landscape around the fjord, it is not possible to drive alongside the fjord.
The most popular transport option for the Lysefjord is the daily ferry service from Stavanger, where you can choose between an express ferry for pedestrians only and a car ferry. Both ferries terminate at Lysebotn with a number of stops along the way.
You can also take the bus from Stavanger to several of the major attractions along the Lysefjord, including the trailheads of the Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten hikes and the village of Forsand at the mouth of the Lysefjord.
Find the best offers for car packages to Stavanger here.
Explore the Lysefjord: Cruises, boat trips and ferry rides
If you wish to explore the entire Lysefjord in a fairly short time, choose to experience the magnificent scenery by water.
Foto: Fjord Norway / Visit Ryfylke
You will have a number of options to choose from:
- Lysefjord cruises from Stavanger on large electric ferries that bring you almost soundlessly through the beautiful fjord landscape.
- Boat trips on RIB boats, also called “RIB Safaris”, which lets you explore the fjord on board a high-speed rubber boat.
- Ferry trips from Stavanger to Lysebotn and, if you wish, back again.
No matter which option you choose, you will pass by some of the Lysefjord’s most impressive sights – from Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten to the Flørli 4444 stairs (see more below), the fabled Fantahålå cave and the Hengjanefossen waterfall, where the cruises and RIB boat trips will bring you close enough to taste the fresh mountain water.
Outdoor adventures around the Lysefjord
Among the highlights of the Lysefjord are, of course, the world-famous hikes to Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten – but the area is in fact a true cornucopia of outdoor adventures.
Among the most popular activities in the area are:
Hiking – in addition to Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten, the Lysefjord is also home to the famous “Flørli 4444” hike. Here, you hike up the world’s longest wooden staircase which, as the name indicates, has no less than 4444 steps to the top of the mountain. If you prefer less challenging hikes, aim for the Sollifjellet or Sokkanuten, both of which are of moderate difficulty but still offer incredible views of the fjord.
Biking – for the ultimate biking experience, check out the ‘Lysefjordruta’ – ‘Cycle round the Lysefjord’. The bicycle route opened in 2022 and now connects all gateways, towns and attractions around the fjord, enabling you to either go the entire route or explore shorter sections. In total, the route is 250 kilometres long, and it has both challenging and family-friendly stages – and no matter which you choose, you can look forward to incredible bike rides in some of Norway’s most beautiful scenery!
Foto: Fjord Norway / Visit Ryfylke
Kayaking – get up close to the fjord on a kayaking trip that lets you explore all the impressive sights along the fjord at your own pace, all the while feeling the incredible nature at close range. You can join a guided tour with one of the local kayak tour companies or bring your own kayaks for an unforgettable fjord experience.
Accommodation along the Lysefjord
When you visit the Lysefjord, you can choose between everything from simple camping sites with the basic necessities to comfortable hotels with any and every amenity you can imagine. Most accommodation options can be found near the major sights such as Preikestolen, Kjeragbolten and Lysebotn, but a number of other villages and farmsteads along the fjord also offer excellent accommodation here in the heart of Fjord Norway’s incredible natural beauty.
Foto: Fjord Norway / Elin Engelsvoll
