Guide to Hiking Kjeragbolten – One of the Best Trails in Norway
Norway is an incredible country offering endless outdoor experiences. Here you will be surrounded by beautiful mountains & majestic fjords. Are you ready to strap on your hiking boots to discover one of the world’s most unique trails? Will you be brave enough to step out onto this famous boulder? Be inspired by this guide as you plan your next adventure to Kjeragbolten, Norway!
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Kjerag is a challenging hike that not only offers stunning views at the top but thrills adventure seekers with the chance to step out onto a boulder wedged between two cliffs. There is nowhere else quite like it on Earth. Conquering Kjerag is definitely a bucket list worthy adventure. If you are traveling to Norway and enjoy hiking, make sure to put Kjeragbolten at the top of your list!
This guide provides everything you need to plan your hiking trip, including how to get to the trailhead, route details and necessary safety tips. It’s important to make sure you pick a trail that suits your fitness level. Preparation is essential to ensure you have the best trip possible. You don’t want to make the mistake of arriving during the off-season, to find the route closed.
Norway’s combination of picturesque scenery and rugged terrain make it the perfect destination for hiking adventures. Kjeragbolten is a favourite for locals and international visitors. With so many hiking trails to choose from, use this guide to help decide if you are ready for the challenge!
Where is Kjeragbolten?
The hike to Kjeragbolten is located in southern Norway. The world-famous boulder is nestled on the highest peak in the region overlooking the spectacular Lysefjord. Hikers typically arrive to the trailhead from three different areas in Norway: Lysebotn, Stavanger and Oslo.
Lysebotn – Lysebotn is the closest town to the trailhead (Øygardstøl), located only 15 minutes’ drive away. The drive is incredibly scenic but is one of Norway’s steepest roads with 27 hair-pin turns. Be prepared if you are prone to motion sickness.
Stavanger – Stavanger is the closest major city to Kjeragbolten. The majority of hikers base themselves here and self-drive or take a bus approximately 2.5 hours (one-way) to access the region. This route does not require a ferry crossing.
Oslo – Visitors traveling from Oslo typically fly into Stavanger, otherwise the drive to Kjerabolten is approximately 7.5 hours.
How to Get to Kjerag
The easiest way to reach the trailhead for Kjerag is by self-driving. Alternatively, private bus tours are available.
1. Self-Drive
Renting a car to reach the Kjeragbolten trailhead is highly recommended. This allows visitors the ultimate freedom to hike at their own pace and take as many breaks as needed along the way. During the summer high-season, there are often long queues to step out onto the boulder at the top.
Don’t miss your opportunity to have your photo taken because you have to rush back to the starting point. With your own rental car, there’s no need to worry that the tour bus may have left you behind. You will also have the unique option to camp overnight and wake-up at sunrise from the summit!
Getting to Kjeragbolten from Stavanger takes approximately 2.5 hours by self-drive. Parking is available at the starting point of the hike for a fee (300 NOK) and is valid for 24 hours. Arrive early to ensure that you get a spot. Use Discover Cars to book your preferred vehicle at the best price.
2. Private Bus Tour
Purchasing a seat on a private tour bus is a great option for those who prefer not to drive on unfamiliar roads or in potentially inclement weather conditions. Relax and enjoy the ride while a professional, experienced driver transports you safely to the trailhead.
The Kjerag Express Bus, operated by Go Fjords (690 NOK), offers round-trip transportation from downtown Stavanger to the starting point of the Kjeragbolten hike (Øygardstøl). This service operates seasonally from June to September.
The bus leaves Stavanger at 7:30am, arriving at Kjeragbolten around 10:00am. Hikers have ample time to complete the hike (approximately 6 hours). The bus departs from the same location in the parking lot at 4:00-4:15pm arriving back in Stavanger around 6:30-6:45pm.
Alternatively, choose to book a private guided hike through Get Your Guide, which includes round-trip transportation.
Best Time of Year to Hike
This hike to Kjeragbolten is open during the summer months between June 1st and September 30th. The road to access the trail is closed during the winter due to snow cover and hazardous driving conditions.
Regardless of the time of year, always check the weather forecast before hiking. Weather conditions in the mountains can be unpredictable and change rapidly.
Kjeragbolten Trail Info
Make sure that you are familiar with the information below prior to arriving for your hike. Decide whether or not the trail is suited for your fitness level.
How Long is the Hike?
Allow a minimum of 6 hours to complete the entire journey, including the hike itself and time spent waiting in line to step onto Kjeragbolten to have your photo taken. This is a very popular hike and it can sometimes take an hour or more waiting your turn.
How Difficult is the Hike?
Kjeragbolten is classified as a strenuous hike so it is highly recommended that you are physically fit and have experience hiking prior to attempting this climb.
I witnessed a few families hiking with young children however did not see any youngsters stepping out onto the boulder. Parents should always consider their children’s hiking abilities before tackling this challenging trek.
The hike is not long in terms of distance (6km one-way) but there are three steep sections of terrain to negotiate. Chains are available to hold onto if needed. Do not attempt this hike during inclement weather (rain, wind, fog). Steep sections can become very slippery and treacherous.
There are no safety barriers surrounding the famous boulder or along any of the cliff faces. Always watch your footing and keep a very close eye on children at all times. There have been no tragedies or deaths from falling off the boulder but sadly people have died BASE jumping.
What to Pack
It is very important to be prepared prior to hiking to Kjeragbolten. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. Make sure to bring the following essential items to keep yourself safe and avoid needing an emergency rescue.
- Hiking backpack
- Hiking boots
- Food
- Water (refillable bottle)
- Warm, waterproof clothing that can be worn in layers
- Windproof jacket
- Extra socks
- Hat/Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Cell Phone (check weather, emergency use)
- Camera (drones not permitted)
- First Aid Kit (including medication)
Don’t forget to purchase Travel Insurance. It’s an essential part of any trip. Nobody wants to get injured while on vacation, but accidents can and do happen. What if you fall while hiking, spraining your ankle or breaking your wrist?
It doesn’t matter how careful you are or how much planning you do in advance, unfortunately things can and do go wrong when you travel. And if nothing happens, at least you’ll have some peace of mind knowing that you’re covered.
SafetyWing is a global travel medical insurance company designed to meet the needs of travellers from all over the world. If you have already left home, it’s not too late to protect yourself. You can still purchase insurance while abroad.
Consider purchasing travel insurance from SafetyWing for your next trip. You can use the booking widget below to get a quote:
Detailed Hiking Guide
In July 2018, I boarded a plane to Norway to start my 10-day adventure around the country as a solo-female traveller. Here is a summary, including photos, of my experience hiking to Kjeragbolten!
Prepare the Night Before
I arrived into the town of Stavanger which was the perfect base to spend the next few days exploring the natural wonders of the region.
The staff at Stavanger Bed & Breakfast went above and beyond to help me plan my hiking itinerary to Kjeragbolten.
The evening prior to the hike, I double-checked the weather forecast and reserved a spot on the Kjerag Express Bus. I packed all the essentials in my backpack – food, water, extra clothing.
And then I called my mom… “Should I actually step out onto that boulder tomorrow?”
“Yes darling! You didn’t come all the way to Norway to back out now!”
Bus Trip to Kjerag
In the morning, I walked the short-distance from my accommodation to the Stavanger Bus Terminal. The bus promptly departed Stavanger at 7:30am.
The drive was incredibly scenic but as we approached the trail head, I started to feel nauseous from all of the sharp turns in the road. If you are prone to motion sickness like me, be sure to sit closer to the front of the bus, stay hydrated and pack some anti-nausea medication.
The bus reached the Kjeragbolten car park, otherwise known as Øygardstøl, at 9:45am. The driver instructed us exactly when and where to find the bus following completion of the hike. I made sure to use the public bathrooms here as there are no toilet facilities along the trail.
I quickly reviewed the information board, checked to make sure I had all my gear and made a mental note of my starting time (10:00am). The bus would be heading back to Stavanger at 4:00 pm. The weather was perfect and I was ready to get climbing!
Hiking to Kjeragbolten
From the car park, you will immediately start to climb the first section of the trail. There are chains to hold onto for support. This would be quite treacherous to attempt in wet or icy conditions.
Markers have been placed along the trail to guide you in the right direction. Look for red coloured Ts painted on the rocks.
Let your heart rate recover while passing bright green vegetation, purple wildflowers, rugged boulders and trickling streams. Listen for the sound of bells ringing as sheep graze somewhere in the distance. The rocky path meanders down into a valley before steeply climbing up the mountain again.
The second climb is short but much steeper than the first. A jagged staircase has formed naturally into the landscape and chains have been installed to give hikers an extra boost. This part is a bit of a scramble but also a lot of fun!
I hiked to Kjeragbolten in mid-July and there was still snow on the ground that had not yet melted.
The emergency shelter signifies the approximate half-way point of the hike to Kjerajbolten. There is a beautiful rocky stream here that is impossible to pass without taking a photo. Refill your bottle with crystal-clear mountain water.
The final climb looms ahead and if you look closely, you will see tiny hikers making their way up the trail. Be careful during this section as this area is completely exposed to the elements. There are no trees to offer protection from wind or rain.
Depending on the weather during your visit, at this elevation you may now be climbing into cloud cover or fog. Continue to make use of the chains to guide you up the final stretch!
First Glance of Kjeragbolten
Soon you will reach the cliff face and there it is – Kjeragbolten!
Amazed by the sight of this massive boulder, wedged between two cliffs, I now needed to decide if I was actually going to step out on it. One misstep and I would plummet to my death on the jagged rocks below.
Beautiful summer weather during peak tourist season meant plenty of hikers at the top and quite a long queue to get photos taken. I decided to have some lunch first and enjoy the fjord views before getting in line. Check out the scenery!
Since I was hiking alone, I introduced myself to a fellow solo hiker and we both agreed to take photos of each other standing on the rock. Waiting in line was nerve-wracking. I was holding my breath every time I watched someone ahead of me step out and strike a pose. Thankfully everyone visiting that day was behaving appropriately. No one was attempting anything risky like jumping or handstands.
The scariest part was not standing on the boulder itself, but traversing the narrow path that leads to it. There were no ropes or chains, just a small metal knot fixed into the cliff to hold onto for support. I experienced an overwhelming feeling that all eyes were on me when I stepped out onto the rock. Nothing is more anxiety-provoking than worrying about making a potentially life-ending mistake while everyone is watching.
The path leading to Kjeragbolten can be seen here from this viewpoint. You can also see the line up of people waiting.
Stepping Out onto Kjeragbolten
At last, it was my turn to step out onto Kjerag. I could feel the adrenaline surging through my body. Purposely ignoring any lingering feelings of impending doom, I stepped out carefully and threw my arms up over my head.
Turning my back to the camera, I took a few moments to soak in the views around me. It was important for me to leave this incredible place with much more than a souvenir photograph.
I took a deep breath and thought about how fortunate I was to be in one of the most beautiful places in the world. This experience gave me so much to be thankful for.
I will admit, I felt a sense of relief stepping back onto solid ground. I was so proud of myself for facing my fears and conquering Kjeragbolten. This was exactly the adventure hike I was looking for and I couldn’t wait to share my experience with friends and family.
Even if you have no intention of stepping out onto Kjeragbolten, this hike is still highly recommended. The fjord views that you are rewarded with at the top and simply admiring the boulder without standing on top of it are totally worth the effort.
If I didn’t have a bus to catch, I would have loved to stay longer. Some hikers had arrived at the top with camping gear. I was envious that they would get to experience Kjeragbolten at sunset and sunrise and likely have exclusive access to the boulder until crowds arrive late-morning. Maybe one day I will have to return to Kjeragbolten and pitch a tent!
Return to the Starting Point
When you are ready to go, make sure that you have not left any of your belongings or trash behind. Hike back down to the car park taking the same route in reverse.
Be cautious descending the trail as others will likely still be climbing up. It might actually take longer to hike down due to the steepness of the trail and traffic caused by hikers headed in the opposite direction.
When I reached the valley and mountain stream, I paused to enjoy a few moments of serenity and solitude. I stretched my legs and drank refreshing, ice-cold water from the stream.
Before you know it, you’ve completed the final descent and you’re back in the car park. I purchased a hot beverage from the Eagle’s Nest Restaurant (Ømeredet) and enjoyed panoramic views of Lysefjord while waiting only a few minutes before boarding the bus back to Stavanger.
My overall hiking time: 2 hours up, 1.5 hours at the top & 2 hours 15 minutes down.
I loved hiking to Kjeragbolten and it’s an adventure I will never forget!
Start Booking Your Adventure
Use the helpful resources below to start booking your trip to Kjeragbolten, Norway!
- Reserve your accommodation with Hotels.com or Hostelworld.
- Book your rental car with Discover Cars.
- Book your flight with SkyScanner.
- Book activities with Get Your Guide.
- Traveling Solo? Book a Group Tour with G Adventures.
- Buy Travel Insurance with SafetyWing or World Nomads.
Recommended Reading
Is this hike on your list of things to do in Norway? Comment below if you have any questions about hiking to Kjeragbolten.
