Imagine standing on a mountain plateau at dawn, surrounded by mighty rock formations. The sunrise colours the clouds pink, while the Lysefjord lies mirror-like far below. The silence is unreal - only the wind and the birds break the total tranquillity. Welcome to Ryfylke and Haugesund, a place where nature shows its unspoilt side and you can find peace far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Towering 600 metres above the Lysefjord, Preikestolen is a bucket-list experience, offering what for many is the picture of Norwegian nature; high mountains and deep fjords. But we'll let you in on a secret that lets you have the plateau almost all to yourself! Join Explore Lysefjorden on a guided sunrise tour to Preikestolen, where you'll see the sun rise on the horizon and colour the fjord and surrounding mountains in the most vibrant colours.
After the hike, we recommend you continue the fresh start to the day with a relaxing swim at Preikestolen Basecamp's floating saunas. The perfect place to relax, enjoy and reflect on your experience on the Preikestolen plateau.
More activities in the Lysefjord: guided bike tour, fjord safari on the Lysefjord, Lysefjorden Panoramasti, guided kayak tour on the Lysefjord or around Jørpelandsholmen.
From the dramatic mountains around the Lysefjord, the journey continues towards another of Western Norway's natural gems - Åkrafjorden. Here you'll encounter a landscape just as wild and beautiful, but somewhat more unknown than the Lysefjord. Did you know that Åkrafjorden boasts one of the world's most beautiful waterfalls, Langfoss? At 600 metres, the waterfall plunges like a bridal veil down the mountainside, just as high as Preikestolen towers over the Lysefjord. Åkrafjorden Oppleving offers guided tours up along the waterfall, a bucket-list worthy hike! On the way to the top, you'll hear the roar of the waterfall and get up close and personal with its power, all this in addition to beautiful views of the fjord, which only get better and better the more metres you climb!
After feeling the power of Langfoss, you can experience the nature of Åkrafjord in a completely different way - from horseback. With local expert Trygve as your guide, and his robust and fjord-hardened horses, you'll ride through unspoilt nature to Vikastølen, where a Norwegian snack is served around the bonfire. Around the campfire, Trygve is delighted to share stories from life on the family farm in the fjord - a life that has followed generations.
More activities in Åkrafjorden: SUP hire, Via ferrata climbing, guided tour to the potholes, canyoning
In addition to beautiful natural landscapes, Åkrafjorden and Lysefjorden have in common that you can spend the night close to nature! The offer ranges from micro-cabins, glamping with fjord views, wooden tents and a cosy mountain lodge. Fall asleep to the sound of the fjord and wake up to powerful views of mountains and waterfalls. With nature on your doorstep, you can take a break from everyday life - it's all about silence, fresh air and simply relaxing.
Recommended places to stay: Åkrafjorden Glamping, Fivelandneset Fjordnhytter, Mikrohyttene i Åkrafjorden, Preikestolen basecamp, The Bolder, Gøysa Gard
If you want to experience the contrasts offered by the nature of Western Norway, you need to complement your holiday with good coastal experiences. How about an island with fewer than 200 permanent residents, where nature prevails and hospitality is great? Utsira may be small in size, but it offers great experiences. Here you'll get close to the locals, who are more than happy to share stories about life on the island. Explore Utsira on foot or by bike and enjoy the lighthouse area, street art from world-renowned artists and fresh seafood. The island has two restaurants - Dahmsgård and Dalanaustet - as well as a lighthouse café in the summer and a charming convenience store that is an experience in itself. And what about you? To truly experience island life, you should treat yourself to at least one night on the island.
Whether you dream of standing on Pulpit Rock at dawn, cycling along the Lysefjord, riding through the fjord landscape in Åkrafjorden or enjoying the tranquillity of an island in the middle of the ocean - Haugesund and Ryfylke offer nature experiences you won't forget. Mighty fjords, dramatic mountains and coastal culture await you. The question isn't whether to travel here, but where to start!
