6 Incredible Hikes Near Stavanger, Norway
Are you heading to Stavanger and want to go hiking? This is a beautiful part of Norway, and here are our 6 favourite hikes near Stavanger!
We truly think that Stavanger is one of the best places to base yourself in Norway if you love the outdoors.
Located just hours from the ever-popular Bergen, Stavanger is home to some of the best bucket list hikes in the country, all within easy access to the city, not to mention that the city is gorgeous on its own!
From iconic views over the fjords to lesser-known forest trails, there’s a lot of variety here, and it’s all so beautiful. We spent 5 days in Stavanger, and most of those were hiking days.
We could’ve easily spent longer and explored even more, but even if you only have one day or a weekend in the city, it’s worth doing at least one of these hikes.
We’re spilling the beans on our favourite hikes near Stavanger. So many of these blew us away, made our legs ache (in a good way), and reminded us just how incredible Norway’s landscapes really are!
These are the 6 best hikes we’ve done near Stavanger.
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Stavanger Must-Do’s!
Also exploring the city? These are 4 bucket-list experiences for everyone who visits Stavanger! ❤️
1. Kjeragbolten
- Distance: 6.83 miles
- Elevation: 750 metres
- Route Type: Out and back
- Duration: 6-8 hours
- Level: Hard.
- Distance from Stavanger: 139km. The drive will take about 2.5 hours, so we recommend starting this one early.
- When to Visit: Ideally between June and September, but we visited in late May and were able to hike the trail. If there’s too much snow, the route will be completely closed, so bear this in mind.
This is still one of our favourite hikes in Norway to date, but it’s definitely not for beginners or for those who don’t have a head for heights.
It’s quite a drive from Stavanger and will take you between 2-3 hours, depending on traffic. But, in our opinion, it’s well worth it.
Kjeragbolten is a long hike with a lot of elevation and will take you anywhere between 6 and 8 hours.
There are 3 steep sections where you have to pull yourself up the rock face using chains. But there are also several flatter sections which give you a chance to catch your breath, including when the hike dips through a beautiful valley.
You can usually only hike Kjeragbolten between June and September, as the road up to the trailhead is often covered in a thick layer of snow until this time.
You may get lucky and be able to do it outside of these months, though – we did this in late May and, while there was still snow on the trail, it was absolutely beautiful.
It’s a fantastic trail full of character and different terrains. It’s also one of the most enjoyable hikes we’ve ever done! If you’re spending 3 days in Stavanger or more, definitely add this to your list!
👉 Check out our full guide to hiking Kjeragbolten!
2. Månafossen
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Elevation: 60 metres
- Route Type: Out and back
- Duration: 1 hour
- Level: Moderate due to the steep incline
- Distance from Stavanger: 68km. It will take roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes to drive.
- When to Visit: March to November
This is one of the coolest waterfall hikes in Norway. Located just over an hour’s drive from the city, this hike is a short and sweet trail, but you can definitely make it longer if you want!
There’s a car park and toilets at the trailhead (although, word of warning, they aren’t very nice toilets!), and the trail starts directly from there.
This is another very steep hike, and although it won’t take you much longer than half an hour to get to the waterfall, you’ll also need to pull yourself up via chains. Once you reach the top, there’s a small platform where you can view the waterfall.
Once you’ve admired the waterfall, you can either retrace your steps the way you came or continue past the waterfall. This will make the hike around 3 hours long and will take you to the very top of the falls and to a traditional farm called Mån.
If you do this, the trail isn’t too difficult and the scenery is beautiful. Plus, admiring the waterfall from the very top is extremely cool!
👉 Check out our full guide to hiking Manafossen!
3. Dalsnuten
- Distance: 2.5 miles
- Elevation: 323 metres
Route Type: Out and back - Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours
- Level: Easy
- Distance from Stavanger: 25 km, roughly a 45-minute drive.
- When to Visit: May to October
Located just outside Stavanger, this route is both popular and easily accessible from the city. It’s a great choice for families, beginners, or anyone looking for a short hike with very rewarding views.
The trail is about 2.5 miles round trip and has a steady but manageable incline. The trail is also super easy to follow and has sections of paved road, forest, and rocky slopes.
From the summit, you’ll be treated to sweeping panoramic views over the surrounding fjords and the Jæren flatlands. You can also see the entire city of Stavanger from the top.
In our opinion, this is a great, relaxing hike for a half-day. It’s especially beautiful from late spring to early autumn when the weather is mild and the landscape is green.
TOP TIP: The trail can get muddy after rain, so we recommend wearing waterproof shoes.
4. Trollpikken
- Distance: 2.27 miles
- Elevation: 55 metres
Route Type: Can be done as an out-and-back or a loop - Duration: 2 hours
- Level: Easy
- Distance from Stavanger: 80km. The drive will take roughly 1.5 hours from the city.
- When to Visit: May to October
If you want an easier hike near Stavanger without as much elevation but still incredible scenery, we highly recommend Trollpikken.
This geopark is located about 1.5 hours by car from the city, and there are lots of different trails you can do. We hiked a simple loop around the park, and it was a great way to give our legs a bit of a break from the previous two days!
(If you’re curious as to how we spent our time in Stavanger, here’s our 5-day itinerary!)
The Trollpikken hike passes lakes, incredible rock formations, greenery, and the towering structure that is Trollpikken – aptly named due to its resemblance to a troll’s penis!
Overall, this is a great day out if you’re craving the beautiful scenery but want something a little simpler.
👉 Check out our full guide to hiking Trollpikken!
5. Florli 4444
- Distance: 3.7 miles (but 1.2 miles is just for the staircase!)
- Elevation: 741 metres (via the stairs)
Route Type: Loop (if combining the stairs up and the forest trail down) - Duration: 4–5 hours
- Level: Hard
- Distance from Stavanger: About 1.5–2 hours by car and ferry
- When to Visit: Late May to early October (when ferries operate)
If you love to test your endurance, this hike is for you! Absolutely brutal on your legs, Florli 4444 is one of Norway’s most challenging hikes and one of the most unique hikes near Stavanger.
Just getting to the start of the trail is challenging in itself. Rather than driving to the trailhead and parking up, you also have to get a ferry. So, in a way, you get an adventure before the hike has even begun!
Flørli 4444 is mostly famous for its record-breaking wooden staircase that climbs 4,444 steps (hence the name) straight up a steep mountainside.
Originally built as a part of a hydroelectric project in the early 1900s, it was built for the workers to maintain the water pipes running to the Flørli Hydroelectric Power Station. Back then, it was a pretty tough daily commute for the workers!
The stairs rise 741 metres in elevation and will give you stunning views over the fjord unfolding at every turn. Once at the top, you can either choose to return the same way or complete a longer loop by descending through a forest trail.
We recommend the forest trail as it’s much nicer on your knees!
The full hike typically takes around 4 to 5 hours and is rated as hard due to the relentless steepness and physical demand of the staircase. It’s best suited to experienced hikers or those in good shape.
6. Preikestolen
- Distance: 5.17 miles
- Elevation: 358 metres
Route Type: Out and back - Duration: 4 hours
- Level: Moderate
- Distance from Stavanger: 39km, roughly a 40-minute drive.
- When to Visit: Late May to October.
Of all the hikes near Stavanger, Preikestolen is the most famous. It’s also the most popular hike on this list, one of the most popular in all of Norway and, one of the best things to do if you’re visiting Stavanger.
It’s located about 45 minutes by car from Stavanger, and you can reach the trailhead via bus or car. The route is easy to follow and starts with a steep path up from the car park, before changing to a slightly more challenging terrain with a lot of sherpa steps.
Whilst it’s easy to follow, we’d rate this hike as moderate due to the elevation gain and the duration. It’ll take you close to 4 hours, although possibly longer, depending on your ability and whether or not you stop for a picnic at the top.
We did this hike with my parents, and both of them managed – although my mother did struggle a bit. However, people of a reasonable level of fitness should be able to do this.
Plus, the views are utterly magnificent. From the top. You can see incredible views across the Lysefjord and the surrounding mountains.
👉 Check out our full guide to hiking Preikestolen!
Is it worth visiting Stavanger to go hiking?
Yes, it’s 100% worth going to Stavanger if you love the outdoors. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Norway, and the hikes surrounding the city are some of the best in the country.
It offers everything from easy family-friendly trails to challenging climbs with spectacular views. We spent 5 days here, but could easily have spent longer as there’s just so much natural beauty surrounding the city and some really great things to do.
If you’re spending time in Stavanger between late spring and early autumn, be sure to set aside time to experience these unforgettable outdoor adventures — they are some of the best ways to truly connect with Norway’s dramatic landscape.
👉 If you haven’t decided where to stay yet, here are the best hotels in Stavanger!
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