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Tips for a memorable motorhome holiday in Ryfylke

Summer, winter, spring, autumn
Last updated: 02.04.2024
Hjelmeland motorhome camp|© Oddvar Birkemo

The motorhome tour along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke is a journey of contrasts. You can tick the iconic Preikestolen off your bucket list, swim with the salmon in Suldalslågen, visit local farm shops and enjoy the views from rest areas with exciting architecture. Take your time, and feel free to take a detour. This is often when the most memorable travelling experiences are created! Here are some tips for the food-loving, active and architecture-loving motorhome traveller:

The Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke is one of 18 national scenic routes in Norway. The 260 km long tourist route runs between Oanes by the Lysefjord to Hårå in Røldal. During the trip, you drive along Rv. 13, Fv. 523 and Fv. 520.

Do you want unique driving experiences? Then we recommend driving Lysevegen with its 27 hairpin bends from Lysebotn to Øygardsstølen, where the trail to Kjerag starts. Other unique mountain passes in beautiful scenery are Fv. 520 between Sauda and Røldal and Songesandvegen between Songesand and Årdal. Lysevegen and Fv. 520 are closed for the winter, and it is an experience to drive them in the spring when the snowplough edges are several metres high.

Motorhome trip for the foodie

This is the motorhome tour for those who like to stop at small farm shops along the road and enjoy tasty dishes at restaurants that focus on local produce.

Ryfylke is known for producing quality products. When travelling along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke, you can stop at small farm shops to buy award-winning cheese and smoked salmon.

Locally produced cheese from Ryfylke Gardsysteri

Locally produced cheese from Ryfylke Gardsysteri

Ryfylke gardsysteri is idyllically located with a view of Hetlandsvatnet in Hjelmeland in Ryfylke. They produce cheese, yoghurt, cream cheese and eggs.

Flere biter røykelaks på en tallerken av tre.

The salmon smokehouse Mikals Laks in Hjelmeland

Mikals Laks AS, a family-owned smokehouse in Skiftun, Ryfylke, offers top-quality smoked salmon and trout.

You can visit the many orchards. The blossoming in spring is a beautiful sight, but autumn, with trees full of fruit, is also a beautiful sight. In summer, there are regular guided tours with tastings of local apple cider. The farm shops are open all year round.

Cider tastings at OmCider in Hjelmeland

Cider tastings at OmCider in Hjelmeland

OmCider produces apple juice and apple cider on Fevoll farm on Hjelmeland in Ryfylke. You can join a guided tour with tastings and visit the farm shop.

En mann som skjenker eplesider i et glass omringet av epletrær.

Cider tasting and farm shop at Apal Sideri

Apal Sideri produces fresh and fruity apple juice and apple cider. Join a guided tour among apple trees, taste the world's best cider and visit the farm shop in Hjelmeland in Ryfylke.

To personer som plukker epler.

Cider tasting and farm shop at Eiane Gard at Hjelmeland

By Jøsenfjorden in Hjelmeland, on the National Tourist Route Ryfylke, discover Eiane Gard. Farm shop, as well as guided tours and tastings for groups.

Farm shop at Fuglestein Fruktgard in Suldal

Farm shop at Fuglestein Fruktgard in Suldal

At Fuglestein Fruktgard in Suldal, Ryfylke, they produce apple cider, apple juice and apple jelly.

You can take a detour to Fjord Norway's only vineyard, where you can hear the story of the pig farmers who became winegrowers, take a tour of the vines and taste locally produced wine in different flavours.

To personer som holder klaser med blå drue mellom vinrankene.

Wine tasting at the vineyard Hebnes vingard in Ryfylke

Hebnes vingard is idyllically located by the fjord at Hebnes, Ryfylke. Here you can visit the farm, take a guided tour and taste Norwegian wine.

At Strand Gård you can study the woollen pigs that live outside all year round. The farm is also known for its quail and quail eggs, which they supply to the Michelin-starred restaurant ReNaa in Stavanger. In the farm shop you'll find cured ham and sausages from the pigs and quail eggs, as well as apple juice, cheese, vegetables and other products from several local producers.

Flere lokale produkter i gårdsbutikken.

Farm shop at Strand Gård at Tau

At the farm Strand Gård at Tau, Ryfylke, they produce products from quails and unique woolly pigs. When you visit the farm shop, you can see the pigs up close.

Are you tired of cooking dinner? Along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke you will also find many cosy restaurants and cafés. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy a delicious meal close to nature, often with views of fjords, mountains or lakes.

Here you can eat in Ryfylke!

Motorhome trip for the active

If you plan your motorhome holiday based on great Insta-moments, Ryfylke is the place for you.

Along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke, you'll find both iconic mountain hikes that must be ticked off your bucket list and hidden gems that simply must be experienced.

Top 5 hikes with fjord views

Flere folk som er på platået til Preikestolen.

Hike to Preikestolen in the Lysefjorden

Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock) rises 604 metres above the Lysefjord in Ryfylke, and is one of Norway's biggest attractions. The view at the top is stunning.

To personer som nyter utsikten over Lysefjorden fra Kjerag.

Hike to Kjerag in the Lysefjord

Kjerag is called the majesty of the Lysefjord, Ryfylke. Most people are content to enjoy the fjord view, but for many, Kjeragbolten is the highlight.

Hovlandsnuten

Hovlandsnuten - hike in Sauda

Hovlandsnuten in Sauda, Ryfylke, is an easily accessible hike suitable for most people. Highlights are Eventyrskogen, the Sherpa steps and the cabin at the top.

Utsikt

Hellandsnuten - hike in Suldal

Hellandsnuten (740 masl) towers majestically over the centre of Sand in Suldal, Ryfylke. It's a challenging hike with great views of the area's five fjords.

En person som står på tuppen av Skomakarnibbå.

Skomakarnibbå - hike in Hjelmeland

Skomakarnibbå is a unique and demanding hike in Hjelmeland, Ryfylke. At the top, you stand on a rocky outcrop that hangs 741 metres above the Jøsenfjord.

Find more hikes here

Activities along the road

It can be nice to take a break from all the hiking. It's good to know that there are plenty of other things to do. Here's a list of fun activities you can take part in during your motorhome journey.

NB! If you have paid your green fee ticket and it is clearly visible in the windscreen, you can park for free in the large car park at Preikestolen Golf Club.

Tow people kayaking in the blue Lysefjord with mountains on each side

Kayak Lysefjord with Nordic Paddling - 3 hours

Ever wanted to kayak in the Norwegian fjords? This three-hour tour with Nordic Paddling is perfect for anyone looking to experience what kayaking in a Norwegian fjord is like. Kayaking the Lysefjord is possibly one of the best experiences to be had in the area. You will pass beautiful granite gorges and waterfalls.

Laksesafari.

Salmon Safari in Suldalslågen in Sand

On a salmon safari with Mo Laksegard in Sand, Ryfylke, you'll float down the Suldalslågen river in a dry suit while seeing wild salmon and sea trout up close underwater.

Allmannajuvet

Guided tours Allmannajuvet, Sauda

Join a guided tour in Allmannajuvet in Sauda, Ryfylke. It will be daily guiding throughout the summer season. Listen to the story of the mining adventure and get a taste of how life inside the mines was in the late 1800's.

Preikestolen Golfklubb

Preikestolen Golf Club near Jørpeland

Preikestolen Golfklubb, which is located near the iconic Preikestolen in Ryfylke, has a challenging and spectacular 9-hole course in scenic surroundings.

Boat trips and fishing trips with Fremad II in Ryfylke

Boat trips and fishing trips with Fremad II in Ryfylke

Experience the Ryfylke fjords with Fremad II. You can hire the restored fishing boat, with skipper and crew, for fjord safaris, fishing trips and other events..

Overview of activities in Ryfylke

Motorhome trip for those who love architecture

Are you keen on architecture? Then this motorhome route is perfect for you. The northern part of the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke is known as the Architectural Route. The tour through the spectacular landscape of Suldal, Sauda and Røldal has the best collection of architectural works in Fjord Norway. It's also the only tourist route in Norway with both modern and historic architecture in a day trip. Allow around 3 hours non-stop for the entire round trip.

Kraftarkitektur Nesflaten

Architecture & hydropower, Nesflaten

Nesflaten is a village in Suldal in scenic Ryfylke. The hydropower station and the workers' dwellings are some of the best-preserved examples of Norwegian functionalism. 

Allmannajuvet

Mining gallery in Allmannajuvet in Sauda

The Allmannajuvet zinc mines are located along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke in Sauda. The famous Swiss architect Peter Zumthor has designed the facility.

Flere personer som studerer Svandalsfossen fra trappen.

Svandalsfossen falls in Sauda

As you drive The Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke, Fv. 520 and Rv. 13, you pass the impressive Svandalsfossen waterfall just before you reach Saudasjøen.

Høsebru, Sand i Suldal

Høsebrua bridge and Sandsfossen at Sand

Høsebrua is a pedestrian bridge across the Suldalslågen river at Sand in Ryfylke, designed by Rintala Eggertsson Architects.

En dame som sitter på de gule benkene.

Venterommet (waiting room) and "the mushrooms" at Ropeid

"Venterommet" with large glass windows and the "mushrooms" of recycled plastic boats on Ropeid ferry quay in Suldal are unique attractions along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke.

Find the full Architectural Route here

Further south along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke, you'll also find many architectural gems and great viewpoints that are worth a visit. Even if you have a bed on wheels, it can be fun to make a short stop at The Bolder by the Lysefjord. Several of the spectacular cabins are designed by Snøhetta.

Utsiktspunktet på Høllesli

The viewpoint Høllesli by the Lysefjord

From the viewpoint at Høllesli you get a mighty view of the Lysefjord. The viewpoint is located along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke, close to the bridge to Forsand.

To barn som klatrer på verdens største jærstol.

World`s largest traditional chair, "Jærstol", at Hjelmeland

The "world's largest traditional chair" is around 4.5 meters high and is located near the town hall in Hjelmelandsvågen in Ryfylke.

Mølleparken in Tau

Mølleparken in Tau

The beautiful park by the Director`s residence, established in cooperation with the milling company at Tau in Ryfylke, is now open to the public.

Solspeilet på Klungholmen

The Norwegian Stonehenge at Jørpeland in Strand

The Norwegian Stonehenge (Solspeilet) is an artwork on the islet of Klungholmen near Jørpeland village in Strand in Ryfylke.

Landa Park

Prehistoric village Landa Park in Forsand

A visit to Landa Park at Forsand in Ryfylke is an exciting journey back in time. Bring your family and experience history up close.

Explore Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke

Bobilplassen.no is an unofficial website for motorhome enthusiasts. Click here for an overview of motorhome sites and emptying stations in Ryfylke and the rest of Rogaland.

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