Powerful architecture along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke

The town of Sandnes is situated at the heart of the Gandsfjord. In the past, it was best known for its brickworks and pottery industry, while the production of textile products and bicycles has put the town on the map in more recent times. There are excellent cycling routes in Sandnes and the Nordsjørittet cycle race has its finish line in the town. Bicycles can be borrowed from the tourist information for free! Every summer, the world's elite skiers and biathletes gather in Sandnes town centre for Blinkfestivalen. The town is also home to Vitenfabrikken science factory, a museum where visitors can learn about science and technology.

The trip continues from Sandnes to the Lysefjord and Flørli. Flørli is situated halfway along the Lysefjord. This roadless village of industry has been inhabited on and off since the 18th century, and exhibits traces of the abandoned power plant community that was established there 100 years ago. You will need to take a ferry to get to Flørli and you can, for example, park your car at Lauvvik, Songesand quay or in Lysebotn. Ferry timetable can be found here. We recommend spending the night at Flørli, but it’s also possible to take a day trip: Rødne Fjord Cruise offers a day trip from Stavanger every Saturday and Sunday from May to September.

In Flørli you will find traces of the abandoned power plant community that was established there 100 years ago, and the world’s longest wooden staircase, with 4,444 steps. The development of the power station began in 1916, and the plant supplied electricity to Stavanger. As many as 142 people were employed at the power plant in Flørli. The power plant, the pipelines and the stairs are all well preserved and provide a unique insight into the history of Norwegian industry. To learn more, why not join an historic tour of the village?

Flørli4444 offers accommodation and excellent local foods in the historic buildings in Flørli. Flørli is the perfect starting point for anyone wanting to hike around the Lysefjord.

The Flørli stairs, which climb 750 metres above sea level and offer fantastic views along the way, are open from May until the end of September. After coming back down again, you can relax in the wood-fired hot tub next to the quay.

The stairs are part of Lysefjord Rundt: one of Norway's most spectacular multi-day tours, and recommended by the Norwegian Trekking Association. The route is 100 km long and divided into eight stages. Classics such as Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock), Kjerag mountain and Flørli can all be experienced on the Lysefjorden Rundt tour.

From Flørli the journey continues by ferry, along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke towards Suldal.

The route takes you from Oanes on the Lysefjord to Hårå by Røldalsvatnet lake. If you parked your car at Lauvvik, take the ferry over to Oanes and continue to Hjelmeland, where there is another ferry to Nesvik. The scenic route is full of contrasts with bare mountains, lush hills, steep mountainsides and deep fjords. There are lots of places to take breaks and detours along the way.

The road splits at Lovra. You can either drive to Sand in Ryfylke (137 km), continue to Nesflaten by Suldalsvatnet lake, and then on to Håret in Røldal, or head to Sauda and continue to Røldal, where you will arrive at Håret.

We recommend that you first drive towards Suldal. The trip to Sand og Suldal allows the opportunity to visit Norway's first ever salmon studio in Sand, join a salmon safari in Suldalslågen river, visit Høse bridge, and take a bike ride along the Blåsjøvegen road, which takes you many kilometres into Suldalsheiene moors, where there’s a chance to experience magnificent nature and a fascinating history about power production.

You can eat dinner and stay overnight at the architectural gem Energihotellet hotel at Nesflaten. The hotel, residential area and power plant belonging to Hydros Røldal-Suldal plant at Nesflaten, was designed by the Norwegian architect Geir Grung in the 1960s. The Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke goes through the village, and the unique area around the design hotel is one of the finest and best preserved examples of functionalist architecture in Norway.

We recommend visiting Sauda, but it’s also possible to drive the faster route, from Suldal towards Røldal, and to the end of the Norwegian Scenic Route in Håret. You will pass Svandalsfossen waterfall on the way.

In Sauda you can visit Åbøbyen, one of the best preserved residential areas for workers and clerks from the time when power-intensive industry was built in Norway. It’s also home to the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum, so why not take advantage of the Ryfylke museum's free app and get your very own guided tour via your mobile phone.

When you’re in Sauda, we recommend a visit to Allmannajuvet gorge. This is on the scenic route, and is a place you can learn about the history of mining in the area.

In Sauda you can stay overnight at Sauda Fjord Hotel, at Kløver Hotel or at Sauda Fjord Camping. Once you’re ready to leave Sauda, continue driving to Røldal. Please note that the road between Hellandsbygda and Røldal is closed during winter, from November until mid-May (the map above shows the route according to whether or not the road is open). Information about whether the road is open can be found at vegvesen.no.

Once in Røldal, don’t miss the chance to visit Røldal stave church, built in the 13th century and famous for the crucifix that, legend has it, has healing powers.