Kjerag (the mountain) and Kjeragbolten (a 5 cubic metre boulder wedged in the mountain’s crevasse) have become very popular over recent years, especially because of social media.
Nowadays thousands of hikers, BASE jumpers, thrillseekers and Instagrammers alike from all over the world come to hike to Kjeragbolten and get the daredevil no-photoshopped picture.
I’ve done some of the best hikes in Norway and it’s the reason I decided to write this guide to Kjeragbolten hike with all the information you need including difficulty, time, distance, altitude, how to get there, best time of the year, what to wear, where to stay and safety tips.
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Some of the most popular tours in Stavanger:
Table of Contents
Kjeragbolten Hike: What to Know Before You Go
Kjeragbolten is one of the most challenging yet spectacular hikes in Norway and provides unparalleled and breathtaking views of the 42Km-long Lysefjorden.
The climax of this hike is standing atop the Kjerag Boulder, a rock suspended above a 984-metre (3,228 ft) deep abyss.
As Kjerag is a popular BASE jumping site, if you’re lucky, you may be able to see BASE jumpers diving from cliffs and down to Lysefjord.
Where’s Kjerag located?
Kjerag is a mountain located in Sandnes municipality, in southern Norway. The closest town is Lysebotn, 100Km (59mi) away from Stavanger and 480Km (300mi) from the capital Oslo.
How to get to Kjerag parking?
From Oslo
Driving from Oslo to Kjerag parking in Øygardstøl is a very long journey and takes approximately 9h.
If you’re in Oslo and want to hike to Kjeragbolten, the best option is to fly to Stavanger and then hire a car or take the available bus in the summer.
You can book your flights to Stavanger with Skyscanner, which is the website that I use and trust.
From Stavanger
By Car
To get to Øygardstøl you can take the ferry to Lysebotn and continue by car, or drive via Sirdal (this road is closed in the winter from around October to May/June). Travel time: 2,5 hours each way.
You can hire your car with Discover Cars or Rental Cars here, without any extra costs for you.
By bus
There’s a bus from Stavanger to Kjerag (Øygardstøl) operated by Go Fjords. In 2024, it will run daily in July and August and on Saturdays and Sundays in September.
The bus departs from Byterminalen track 6 at 7:45, arrives at the starting point at 10:15 and returns from Kjerag at 16:30.
The roundtrip ticket costs 880 NOK (US$ 80) for adults and 460 NOK (US$ 42) for children. Tickets must be booked online.
Altitude
Kjerag Mountain is towering 1,020m (3,346 feet) above sea level.
Elevation gain
The difference in altitude is 380 meters (1,246 feet).
Terrain
Slippery and steep granite terrain with few gravel paths.
The trail is well-marked with signs, and a red T (trail) is painted on many rocks along the path.
Where does the Kjeragbolten hike start?
Øygardstøl Mountain Lodge, south of the Lysefjord, is the starting point of the hike.
There’s a café, restaurant, service facility with toilets and tourist information. The car parking fee is 300 NOK (US$ 36).
How long does it take to hike Kjeragbolten?
Kjeragbolten hike time is between 5h and 6h the entire journey. It depends on your fitness level, pace, the amount of snow on the mountain and also how many stops you make to admire the views and take pictures.
I did it in August and took me 1h50min to walk up to Kjerag Boulder from the car parking in Øygardstøl.
How hard is the hike to Kjerabolten?
The Kjeragbolten hike is challenging and recommended to experienced hikers and adults. Because of the steep drops, it isn’t suitable for small children.
The 9.8 km (6 mi) demanding trail will take you up and down hilly mountaintops, with 3 periods of steep climbing interspersed with 2 shallow valleys.
You’ll walk on a moon-like landscape, scramble over rocks, and pass through water streams, waterfalls, mud and even snow.
There are some chains attached to the ground to aid with stability and it also serves as trail markers.
When is the best time to do the Kjerag hike?
You can hike up Kjerag Mountain from mid-May to mid-November, but the best time to do it is from June to September when the weather is more pleasant, and the trail isn’t covered in snow.
If you go during the off-season, you must book a Kjeragbolten hike tour. Note that the snow can cover the roads and trail until May.
You cannot hike to Kjerag in the winter, as the road is closed due to the snow conditions.
What to wear/bring for the hike?
Lysebotn doesn’t get hot in the summer and the temperature ranges from 9 to 22C during this time of the year.
So, you should dress in layers, starting with tight/warm hiking pants and long sleeves, followed by a short, t-shirt and a jacket or lightweight fleece. Wind and waterproof outwear are also recommended.
You should also wear hiking shoes or walking boots and bring a backpack along with water bottles, food, a sun blocker, a small towel and some extra clothes in case you get wet.
Avoid wearing rubber-based / plastic-based materials and denim clothes because they can be uncomfortable.
How much does it cost?
The hike is free, but if you hire a guide, it will cost you approximately 120 euros, including transportation, hotel pickup, and drop-off.
* Note that only the bus to Kjerag is around 68 euros. So, I think it’s a good idea to join a guided hike to Kjerag and you can also select a fjord cruise.
Is it worth hiking Kjerag Mountain?
Hiking up Kjerag Mountain is challenging, but worthwhile. You will be rewarded with astonishing panoramic views of the Lysefjord fjord and take one of the most incredible pictures of your life.
My Experience Hiking to Kjerag & Kjeragbolten
After spending one and a half days in Olso, I took a flight to Stavanger to start doing some of the best hikes in Norway.
After a 50-minute flight, a bus from the airport to Stavanger’s terminal, and a 15min walk I arrived at the hotel.
I just checked in, drooped off my stuff and went to explore the city a little bit.
There are many things to do in Stavanger, including a visit to the very charming old city, with whitewashed houses, dotted with plenty of flowers and cobblestone streets.
After a quick walk and some snaps, I went to the supermarket to get some groceries for the next day (cereal bars, nuts, a sandwich, juice and probably the most expensive mineral water I’ve ever gotten, almost US$ 4.00 each).
After leaving the supermarket I started wondering how expensive is to travel in Norway. I heard that Norway is one of the priciest countries in Europe…
On the next day, I took the bus from Stavanger to Kjerag.
As soon as we left the city, I could appreciate the beautiful Norwegian countryside. The weather was cloudy but pleasant.
The drive was telling us a little bit about the local life. He also said they had a lot of snow, in some places up to 2 to 3m, and in the mountains up to 10m of snow, that year.
So, I was imagining that the fjords would be covered with snow, which for me would make it even more picturesque.
The ride took three hours and 15 minutes, and at 10:45 we arrived at Øygardstøl, the start point of the Kjeragbolten hike.
The hike was not easy!!
It starts with a steep climb up the cliffs from 640m above sea level to 825m. This is the steepest and most challenging part.
The path then follows a track up and over a new ridge before coming down into a valley.
The trail is full of ups and downs, and there are so many rocks, that sometimes I wondered if I were walking on the moon…
The chains attached to the ground help a lot with footing, pulling yourself up and sliding down.
One of the most exciting parts was when I walked to the edge of the mountain and could see the fjord. What a breathtaking view!
I’ll never forget when I stepped on the fjord’s edge for the first time.
It was so high, so high that I was scared of falling, but at the same time, the adrenaline motivated me to be there for a while.
A mix of feelings that is very hard to explain… I just opened a smile like an innocent child in an awe-inspiring moment.
Of course, I could not miss the opportunity to register it.
Once I was on the top of the plateau, there were just a few small climbs and descents, before getting to Kjeragbolten.
After 1:50 hiking, I arrived at Kjerag boulder.
The final 10m was covered with snow, and I even warned people who were taking pictures and said that it was more dangerous than on the top of the rock itself.
As soon as I got in line to take my picture, I heard from an Italian lady: “Ma che paura.” (I’m so scared.). As I replied, her boyfriend warned her to not look down.
I can confess that before I stepped on the suspended rock, I looked down and got some butterflies in my stomach because it was around 1000m high.
However, when I was on the top of Kjeragbolten I was so self-confident that even did a tree pose (a yoga pose in which one stands with just one foot, putting the other foot on your knee and your hands together facing each other up to one’s head).
The weather changed a lot that day, partly cloudy, mostly sunny and foggy.
The view of the fjord was unbelievably beautiful!! Three waterfalls, snow and the fjord’s “lake” pictured magnificent scenery!
I was surprised by this scenery because I had seen only pictures of people on the top of the rock, but I wouldn’t imagine all those waterfalls. Kjeragfossen waterfall is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world.
I couldn’t resist and sat down on the edge again to contemplate the stunning view and take some pictures.
After the lunch break and getting some rest, it was time to take the way back, and I did that with the Italian couple.
We went back admiring the landscape, taking pictures, drinking clear water directly from the fountain, and talking about some of our trips.
At 4:45 the bus departed for Stavanger.
When I arrived, I took a shower, had dinner and went to get some groceries for the next day.
Stavanger is a small city, with a lake in the city centre.
Something about this city reminded me of Switzerland, and I’m almost sure that was not only the prices…
Safe travels and have fun in Norway.
More posts that might interest you:
- Trolltunga: the Number One Hike in Norway!
- Preikestolen Hike, Norway
- Top 35 Quotes About Life Full of Adventures!
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Watch the video: Kjerag Hike
Where to stay in Stavanger?
I stayed at Scandic Stavanger City and it was very nice.
If you’re looking for accommodation in Stavanger, my recommendations are:
* Budget: Stavanger Lille Guesthouse and Stavanger Pop Up Hostel.
* Great Value for Money: Stavanger Bed & Breakfast, Scandic Stavanger Park and Radisson Blu Atlantic.
* Luxury: Frogner House Apartments – Nygata 24, Hotel Victoria and Thon Hotel Stavanger.
Extra Tips for the Hike
∗ All the hikes in Norway are at your own risk.
∗ Use appropriate hiking clothes.
∗ Bring enough food, water, maps, and a first aid kit.
* Always check the weather forecast before planning your trip.
* Even if sunshine and fair weather are predicted, it can change quickly. Make sure that you are prepared for changing weather.
* Do not hike if the forecast predicts strong winds, heavy rain, or fog.
* The trail gets very slippery when it rains. Use appropriate footwear and hold on to the chains.
∗ There is no cellphone coverage in certain areas.
∗ More information regarding accommodation, transportation and mountain safety can be found at www.visitnorway.com
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