The Norwegian geographical term Jærstrendene constitutes the beach area from Tungenes in the north to Sirevåg in the south and has a total length of 70 kilometres. The area is a mix of 25 kilometres of sandy beaches, the rest is pebble beaches and the moraine coast. A distinctive feature is that there are no skerries between the land and the open sea.
Huge parts of the Jæren beaches are protected landscape areas
They also include a variety of astonishing birds and plants. Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren is one of the 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes in Norway. The route takes you through some of the most stunning of Norwegian nature, amazing viewing points and adapted resting areas with exciting architectural features. Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren is often described with words such as high sky, wide horizons and endless sea. Its characteristics are ever-changing weather and light, miles of sandy beaches and sand dunes that are replaced by pebbles and salmon rivers at the other end. The area is Norway’s pantry, with intensive agricultural activity in a flat, wide stretched and well-kept cultural landscape in an area with mild climates all year round. The Jæren coastline is acknowledged as an international Hope Spot by the organisation Mission Blue. Hope Spots are special places critical to the health of the ocean - the blue heart of our earth.
Popular all year
The Jæren beaches are very well suited for hiking, in both summer and winter. The beaches are particularly popular during summer with buzzing bathing activities and plenty of fun. During winter, a visit to the Jæren beaches is quite the nature experience. As the Norwegian expression states: “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing». A visit to the Jæren beaches is a wonderful experience all year and can be spectacular in winter when the weather is at its roughest. Wrap yourself in warm clothes and feel the power of the weather gods (do not attempt to go if the weather is extreme, though).
The changing weather at Jæren gives you a different experience every time. You can admire the fantastic light, and enjoy the sight of the waves from the North Sea breaking onto the beach.
Remember warm and windproof clothing when visiting during winter. Fantastic surfing conditions – perhaps the best in Norway?
Responsible tourism at the beaches at Jæren
- It's forbidden to drive on the beach with a motorised vehicle
- In the bird-protected areas, you must not disturb birdlife (surfing, windsurfing, kiting and dog-walking)
- Surfing, windsurfing and kiting are forbidden activities in the bird-protected areas from 1 October to 31 March
- Kiting is furthermore only permitted on the following beaches: Sola, Hellestø, Byberg, Bore and Brusand. See information on the protected area.
- Horseback riding, biking, tenting and camping in the sand dunes are forbidden
- Do not walk on cultured land in the growth season
- Do not put up a tent closer than 150 metres from a house or cabin. Approval from the landowner is required if you camp for more than two days
- There is a general campfire ban from 15 April to 15 September
- You must keep dogs on a lead where animals are grazing.
- Flying drones is forbidden in the entire protected area
- Large events at the beach are not allowed unless you've obtained a dispensation
