Stavanger to Bergen: Drive & Hike
- Drive from Stavanger to Bergen via the south-west fjords.
- Trolltunga, Preikestolen and Kjerag - 3 of the most iconic hikes of Norway.
- The historic cities of Stavanger and Bergen.
- Walking on Hardangervidda - one of Europe's largest mountain plateaus.
- Hardangerfjord, the "Orchard of Norway".
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive StavangerEasily accessed by flights from around the UK and Europe, Stavanger is a bustling university city with a fascinating history and a charming place to start your trip. Pick up your car at the airport and head to Stavanger city. After checking into your hotel, have a wander around the city, exploring its pretty 18th century cobbled streets, vibrant harbour and picturesque old town.
A stylish hotel situated by the waterfront with beautiful views of the harbour.
A bright, modern hotel within walking distance of Stavanger’s main attractions and close to the ferry to Preikestolen.
A cosy hotel in the middle of Stavanger city centre, close to the city’s shopping, restaurants and nightlife.
Take a bus this morning, from Stavanger to the Pulpit Cabin where you will start this iconic hike. Located 604m high above the Lysefjord, the Pulpit Rock is one of Norway's most photographed sites and a spectacular viewing platform. A steep, narrow trail is rewarded with your first wow-moment of the trip on reaching the summit. Return to Stavanger for another overnight stay.
Walk: 8km, 574m ascent/descent, 4 hrs
A stylish hotel situated by the waterfront with beautiful views of the harbour.
A bright, modern hotel within walking distance of Stavanger’s main attractions and close to the ferry to Preikestolen.
A cosy hotel in the middle of Stavanger city centre, close to the city’s shopping, restaurants and nightlife.
Return to the Lysefjord (2.5h drive) for another spectacular hike. The Kjerag mountain soars up to 1000m above sea level on either side of the fjord and your hike today takes you up to the plateau with the ultimate goal of standing on the Kjeragbolten!
This round boulder wedged in between a mountain crevice is unbelievably wide enough to stand on with just that between you and the fjord below. One for the adrenalin junkes! If you prefer you can simply admire the views from the plateau itself. Reaching the bottom, drive to your overnight stop in the idyllic Setesdal Valley, the village of Rysstad.
Ascent/Descent: 530m/530m
Drive Stavanger to Lysebotn: 2.5 hours
Drive Lysebotn to Rysstad: 2 hours
The Solvgarden Hotel is located in the idyllic Setesdal Valley in the village of Rysstad. Facilities include bright and modern rooms, a restaurant serving local specialities and a beautiful outdoor terrace.
Head towards the Hardangervidda National Park today and enjoy a hike up the mountain of Gaustatoppen for views of approximately one-sixth of Norway! Despite its lofty height of 1883m, the trail is wide and clear and the tourist cabin close to the top serves coffee and waffles to make it all worthwhile! Stay overnight in the nearby Kvitavatn Fjellstoge, a comfortable mountain lodge in spectacular surroundings with private rooms available.
Ascent/Descent: 605m/605m
Drive: 3h, 180km
A comfortable mountain lodge providing an informal and relaxed atmosphere in stunning surroundings. You will stay in their New Hyttetun cabins which have their own private bathrooms.
Driving along the Hardangervidda National Park route today, you have a choice of several easier walks around the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, one of the largest in Europe. Follow a route taken by resistance fighters in the 2nd World War down into a deep gorge, take a short hike up the Rauland mountain for wonderful views of Totak lake, or enjoy a fine mountain trail from Haukeliseter Mountain Cabin. As well as the walks, this is also a breath-taking drive with numerous observation points along the way. Continue to the town of Odda, your hopping off point for your next iconic hike, the Trolltunga!
Walk 1 - The Saboteurs Route: 8km, 2-3 hours
Walk 2 - Walk to Te Cabin, Rauland: 2.5km, 1-2 hours
Walk 3 - Walk from Haukeliseter Mountain Hut: 12km, 4 hours
Drive: 3.5h, 200km
A simple hotel in a perfect location for hiking Trolltunga. The shuttle bus to Trolltunga picks you up from the door here and for the more adventurous among you they also arrange lots of other activities.
If you were to do one day hike in Norway, and are up for a challenge, the Trolltunga is it! Situated 1000m above sea level, and jutting horizontally out of the mountain like a "trolls tongue", this is one of the finest sea cliffs in Europe. Whilst it is possible to do this hike independently we recommend doing it with a guide, as it is a challenge, taking between 10-12 hours in total. This is also the only way to get that iconic picture of you leaping into the air on the tip of the cliff! Choose the option for the Trolltunga guided hike if you would like to do this.
If you prefer something slightly easier and a bit different, another option is a guided glacier hike in the Folgefonna National Park. (only available 10Jun-01 Sep). Easily adapted to suit all abilities, expert guides will take you over the amazing blue ice telling you all about the physical geography of the glacier and its formation.
You can also return to the Hardangervidda if you prefer some more gentle self-guided walking.
We recommend pre-booking with us if you would like to do Trolltunga or the Glacier Hike.
Ascent/Descent: 1090m/1090m
A simple hotel in a perfect location for hiking Trolltunga. The shuttle bus to Trolltunga picks you up from the door here and for the more adventurous among you they also arrange lots of other activities.
A short drive (55min) takes you to the Hardangerfjord and your base there for the next 2 nights, the pretty village of Lofthus. Today we recommend one of the most beautiful walks in Hardangerfjord, the famous Husedalen Waterfall Hike. This trail follows a succession of four cascading waterfalls, through the Husedalen valley from Kinsarvik right up to the Hardangervidda plateau.
Ascent/Descent: 775m/755m
Drive: 55m, 44km
Hotel Ullensvang is a beautiful historic hotel which has been run by five generations of the Utne family dating back to 1846. First thing you will probably notice is its breathtaking views upwards towards the Hardangervidda mountain plain and the Folgefonna glacier, and down to the Hardangerfjord. Ensure you make the most of your stay in the wonderful Ullensvang Bath, a spa and wellness centre with an 88-meter long swimming channel stretching from the swimming pool indoors to an infinity pool outdoors, it also has a jacuzzi, sauna’s and a Japanese massage creek (this is all inclusive in the cost of your trip). You will taste the flavours of Hardanger in the hotel restaurant, where dishes are made from the best local produce available. Squash, rowing boats, ten-pin bowling, playroom and tennis are only a few of the activities on offer – Just ask at reception for more details!
Set on a farm just 200 yards from the shores of Hardangerfjord, this property offers simple accommodation with free Wi-Fi. The on-site restaurant specialises in Norwegian and Thai food. At Ullensvang Gjesteheim, all rooms have a seating area, desk and wash basin. Some rooms have a private bathroom with shower. Guests can fish in the River Opo, which runs through the garden. Bicycle rentals and hiking in Hardangervidda National Park are also popular activities.
Todays trail is a steep one on an easy to follow path offering wonderful views of the fjord, a striking waterfall and the town of Lofthus. You will also be walking up the historical Monk Steps a serious of 616 stone steps built by 13th Century monks as a way to easily access the Hardangervidda mountain plateau.
Ascent/Descent: 905m/905m
Hotel Ullensvang is a beautiful historic hotel which has been run by five generations of the Utne family dating back to 1846. First thing you will probably notice is its breathtaking views upwards towards the Hardangervidda mountain plain and the Folgefonna glacier, and down to the Hardangerfjord. Ensure you make the most of your stay in the wonderful Ullensvang Bath, a spa and wellness centre with an 88-meter long swimming channel stretching from the swimming pool indoors to an infinity pool outdoors, it also has a jacuzzi, sauna’s and a Japanese massage creek (this is all inclusive in the cost of your trip). You will taste the flavours of Hardanger in the hotel restaurant, where dishes are made from the best local produce available. Squash, rowing boats, ten-pin bowling, playroom and tennis are only a few of the activities on offer – Just ask at reception for more details!
Set on a farm just 200 yards from the shores of Hardangerfjord, this property offers simple accommodation with free Wi-Fi. The on-site restaurant specialises in Norwegian and Thai food. At Ullensvang Gjesteheim, all rooms have a seating area, desk and wash basin. Some rooms have a private bathroom with shower. Guests can fish in the River Opo, which runs through the garden. Bicycle rentals and hiking in Hardangervidda National Park are also popular activities.
A three hour drive takes you from Lofthus to the historic city of Bergen. After dropping off your car and checking into your hotel we recommend taking the floibanen funicular to the viewpoint high above the city, from where you can continue on a walk around the surrounding mountains, or return to the bottom for a wander around pretty Bergen.
Drive: 3h, 150km
A bright, friendly hotel located on the popular Torgalmenningen square in central Bergen. The building dates back to 1926, and has been lovingly converted into a funky, modern hotel with many of the original features still preserved.
Beautifully located by the quayside next to the historic Bryggen. Coffee, tea, fruit and waffles are all included.
The hotel is located in central Bergen and it enjoys fantastic views of the harbour, the famous Bryggen, the mountains and the fish market. The 270 degree sea view provides a true maritime ambiance. All rooms have a minibar, iron and ironing board, chair and desk. Free Wi-Fi available.
Check out after breakfast and make your way back to the airport, or speak to one of our Destination & Adventure Specialists about arranging extra nights. We particularly recommend some additional nights in either Lofthus or Bergen.
Other Information
Is it for me?Suited to keen walkers looking to tick off some of the classic hikes of Norway. You will enjoy daily hikes of between 8 and 20km, with up to 1090m of ascent, on well-marked trails, and occasionally on fairly rough terrain. Travelling independently by car, your overnight stays are in a mixture of traditional and modern hotels, with 1 night spent in a comfortable mountain lodge.
Discovery | Think of it as a ‘local’s guide’ to the best of the region. It includes a combination of activity and transportation to give you the freedom to explore and cover more ground at your own pace. We do all the research and organisation for you. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy!
Drive and Hike | Exploration of picturesque and remarkable destinations by car combined with walks that highlight the best of a country or region.
Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
We grade this tour as moderate overall (with a couple of the days being moderate-strenuous). You will be walking for between 3 and 8 hours per day with ascents of up to 995m.(10 hours and 1090m ascent if you choose to do the optional Trolltunga hike). The Trolltunga is a tough hike but manageable for most people in good shape with the help of a guide. The hike to Gaustatoppen is graded as moderate-strenuous. All of the walks are also optional so this makes it very flexible as to how much walking you may wish to do. Please note that some of the trails can become slippery underfoot during or after wet weather, so extra care must be taken.
9 nights accommodation is included in your trip. We have hand-chosen a mixture of traditional and more modern hotels offering a warm welcome, modern facilities and an authentic experience. The hotel in Odda is a simpler but comfortable hotel with a very convenient location for hiking to Trolltunga or to go glacier hiking if you choose. In Rjukan you will stay in a comfortable mountain lodge with private rooms in a spectacular location, providing a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The accommodation we normally use is detailed below, however is subject to availability and therefore alternatives of an equal standard may be offered.
Accommodation Location
We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed in your itinerary. Occasionally, because of limited availability, there is the option to be accommodated at an alternative location. In the unlikely event that we have to accommodate you elsewhere we will advise you of this before confirming your booking.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
Unfortunately this trip is not available to solo walkers due to the remote nature of some of the walks. However we are able to offer single rooms within your party for a supplement.
Meals
9 breakfasts and 1 evening meal (Day 4) are included. To keep things flexible, other dinners and lunches are not included. Most of your accommodations will be happy to prepare a packed lunch or you can stop on your way at a cafe or restaurant of your choice. Drinks are not included but available at all overnight accommodations.
Norway has an excellent system for trail-marking and all of the paths you will be following will be well way-marked.
Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account. As this is a self guided walk you will be responsible for navigation, decision making and safety during your trip.
Our walks usually begin and end at a central point in town (such as a church, bus stop, etc.). Access routes to your accommodation are not included in our km daily figures. However, the Macs app will guide you to your accommodation.
Recommended Reading
Although not essential, if you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:
- Rjuka by Nordeca (map)
- Haukeli by Nordeca (map)
- Hardangerjokulen by Nordeca (map)
- 6 Nights in 3-star standard hotels
- 2 Nights in a simple hotel in Odda
- 1 Night in a mountain lodge
- 1 Dinner
- 9 Breakfasts
- Return bus to Pulpit Rock
- 9 Days Compact Car Hire (similar to VW Golf)
- Satellite navigation system in car
- Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
- All your trip documents provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
- 24-7 Emergency telephone support
- Travel insurance (required)
- Travel to Stavanger and from Bergen
- Lunches
- Dinners (other than Day 4)
- Drinks and snacks
- Funicular on Day 9
- Local buses or taxis
- Personal equipment
- Additional nights before, during or after the trip
- Guided hike of Trolltunga
- Guided glacier hike
You can start this tour anytime between July and middle of September.
By Air - You can fly direct to Stavanger from a number of central destinations in Europe like Amsterdam (1h 30m), Copenhagen (1h), and London (1h 40m). Airlines include KLM, SAS, Norwegian and British Airways. You can also fly via Oslo (50m), with up to 7 flights daily between Oslo and Stavanger with Norwegian. By Rail - NSB (Norwegian State Railway) offer regular train departures to Stavanger from Oslo via Kristiansand, taking approx 8 hours. By Bus - There are several daily bus departures from Oslo (10h), Bergen (5h) and Kristiansand (4h) to Stavanger.
Your tour finishes in Bergen. You can fly direct from Bergen to a number of central destinations in Europe like Amsterdam (1h 30m), Copenhagen (1h 30m) London (2h), and Paris (2h). You can also fly via Oslo (55m), with up to 20 flights per day between Oslo and Bergen. By Rail - The Bergen Railway stretches between Oslo and Bergen and is a lovely way to travel into/out of Bergen. There are up to 4 departures daily from Bergen to Oslo. The journey passes through some beautiful landscapes and takes approx 7 hours in total. By Ferry - There are a couple of different ways to travel to Bergen by ferry or boat.The famous Hurtigruten cruise line stops there. You can also arrive by one of the high-speed ferries which travel up and down the Norwegian coast with Norled. Or you can catch the ferry from Stavanger with Fjord Line.
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.
Online Documents
At Macs Adventure we care about the environment! We’re taking action to minimize the impact we have by converting the majority of our tour documentation for online delivery.
On this tour, all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered. You will have access to this documentation via “My Account” on our website.
Car Hire
9 Days Compact Car Hire (similar to a Volkswagen Golf) is included in your tour cost. You can pay to upgrade to a larger car (recommended for parties over 3). If you prefer to arrange your own car hire you can also select this as an option when making your booking and a reduction will be added to your booking.
You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc. Our information pack has a list of all the equipment you will need, along with some helpful suggestions.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the region is extremely popular and the accommodations do get booked up quickly. However, we will always try our very best to accommodate your plans.
We grade this tour as moderate overall (with a couple of the days being moderate-strenuous). You will be walking for between 3 and 8 hours per day with ascents of up to 995m.(10 hours and 1090m ascent if you choose to do the optional Trolltunga hike). The Trolltunga is a tough hike but manageable for most people in good shape with the help of a guide. The hike to Gaustatoppen is graded as moderate-strenuous.
Your detailed information pack will be sent to you after you book. This has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, waterproof clothes and a day pack.
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