Nature and activities that will take your breath away, and undiscovered places you can almost have all to yourself. Haugesund and Ryfylke have a lot to offer those traveling to Norway to experience the raw nature of Western Norway!
Fill your vacation with spectacular nature experiences and feel the fresh air and raw nature up close. DO like Tom Cruise and visit the iconic Preikestolen this summer, or secure a photo from Kjeragbolten in the Lysefjord. Both are bucket list experiences for the hiking enthusiast, and a must to tick off!
In Åkrafjorden, you can join local guides from Åkrafjorden Nature up Langfoss, to Jettegrytene at Rullestad or other hidden hiking secrets they are happy to share with you. Tell them what you want and they will create a trip that suits you.
In Nedstrand, 50 minutes from Haugesund, you can go to what is often referred to as "Trolltunga's little sister": Himakånå. This hike only takes an hour to the top, so you'll quickly get to enjoy the view. By all means, don't forget to take a Kvikk Lunsj chocolate with you to enjoy at the top together with the view. This is one of the Norwegians' must-haves when hiking! The chocolate is reminiscent of KitKat, but of course it tastes much better!
Find more hidden hiking treasures like Hovlandsnuten and Skomakarnibbå in Ryfylke here.
If there's one route you should tick off your bucket list this year, it's Via Ferrata Kyrkjeveggen in Åkrafjorden. This spectacular route takes you 550 meters up the steep mountain, and the views get better and better as the altitude increases. The local guides will be with you all the way to the top, guaranteeing a high pulse and a sense of achievement. If you want to climb via ferrata with a slightly easier level of difficulty, Via Ferrata Ingdalen in Åkrafjorden is a great alternative.
Flørli is a roadless village in the middle of the Lysefjord that boasts both world records and spectacular experiences. If you put on your hiking boots and climb the 4444 steps, you can brag about having climbed the world's longest wooden staircase. In Flørli, you can also go on a cliff walk, and make sure you get a picture of the highlight of the trip - the Kallaliklumpen floating high above the fjord. Flørli also has several places to stay, including apartments and hostels, and a café in the old power station.
Steep mountains, waterfalls and deep gullies offer fantastic experiences for the adventurous. In Åkrafjorden you can join the local guides on a canyoning trip, an activity that combines climbing, rappelling, swimming and canyoning to take you through the raw natural landscape. There are opportunities to get your James Bond moment, which comes when you feel the adrenaline rush as you rappel down waterfalls! Stay overnight at Åkrafjorden Nature B&B or Åkrafjorden Glamping.
Swim with salmon? Yep, at Mo Laksegård you actually can! Wearing a dry suit and diving mask, you'll float down the Suldalsågen river, side by side with both wild salmon and trout. Swimming alongside the fish in the open air and studying them up close is an experience you'll never forget. After all, it's nice to come home from vacation and talk about (and fill your instafeed with) an experience that most people you know haven't experienced themselves.
At Sandve, on the southern tip of Karmøy, lies the eco-lodge Raw Ocean Lodge. It's run by a group of friends with a passion for the sea, and this is reflected in both the accommodation and the activities they offer. Perhaps this is the summer to learn how to surf, or finally get into standing up on a SUP?
There's little that beats the fresh sea air and the sound of paddles hitting the water. Fjord Expedition offers guided kayak tours around Jørpeland, and kayak rental from Forsand and Jørpeland. Here you can kayak in fantastic surroundings. If you want to rent a kayak and paddle on your own, you must have previous experience and know basic safety routines. Nordic Paddling offers guided tours in the Lysefjord, giving you the opportunity to experience the fjord and see the iconic Preikestolen from a slightly different perspective.
A RIB trip in Smedasundet (Haugesund) takes you on a real adventure! Viking Adventures local captains give you a trip full of speed and excitement. The trip takes place on the open sea, in straits and narrow channels by nearby islands. If you're lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of the majestic sea eagle on the tour, as one of the islands is their breeding ground.
Speed and excitement from the seat of your bike is what you get at Dalen Stisenter in Jørpeland. The 1.5 km circular trail is suitable for both experienced cyclists and beginners. The trail is free, but you must bring your own bike and necessary safety equipment such as a helmet.
Active days mean tired muscles, so saunas and floating saunas, followed by a fresh bath, are perfect. You'll find a number of saunas in both Ryfylke and Haugesund, so you can test out several during your holiday. Preikestolen Basecamp, Moskjelen on Sand, Ryfylke Fjordsauna, Heit Haugesund, Heit Åkrafjorden and Bade-Olena in Skudeneshavn are all medicine for tired muscles. And you're guaranteed a fresh summer in the western part of Norway regardless of what the weather forecast may predict!