RYFYLKE

Feel the forces of nature

Scroll down for inspiration,
or plan your trip now.

Preikestolen in Ryfylke .
Photo: Outdoorlife Norway

Can you really drive up here? Yes, you can!

And we bet that you will love it. Lysevegen’s 27 hairpin bends take you from Lysefjorden …

The hairpin bends of the Lysevegen road .
Photo: Spectacular Norway

… to these rolling, smooth rocks …

Hiking in Ryfylke .
Photo: Mattias Fredriksson Photography

… and the mountain massif Kjerag, 1,084 metres above the fjord.

This is where you can see the round boulder Kjeragbolten, a natural rock star that is wedged in between two mountains. Just remember safety when travelling!

Hiking to Kjerag in Ryfylke .
Photo: Mattias Fredriksson Photography

A bit further out in the Lysefjord you'll find the equally dramatic Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock).

Situated 604 metres above the fjord, this peculiarly square cliff has been named one of the world's most spectacular viewpoints by Lonely Planet.

Preikestolen in Ryfylke .
Photo: Mattias Fredriksson Photography

Ryfylke is made up of mighty nature with fjords and mountains, from the Lysefjord in the south to the Ryfylke Scenic Route and Sauda in the north.

The main attraction is the magnificent nature, which provides numerous opportunities for an active holiday.

Take on the 4,444 steps from the roadless hamlet Flørli …

The Flørli stairs by the Lysefjord .
Photo: Thomas Rasmus Skaug / Visitnorway.com

… or admire this kind of scenery on countless other hikes in the area.

Hiking in Ryfylke .
Photo: Spectacular Norway

Have fun in the water too!

Glide through the archipelago or along narrow fjords in a kayak, or greet the king of the river on a salmon safari.

Salmon safari in Ryfylke .
Photo: Mo Laksegård

And be sure to get a taste of nature. The word Ryfylke comes from "rye", but the local pantries are stocked with many other goodies too.

Bite into a yummy, juicy apple from Grønvik Gård, for example.

Farm life in Ryfylke .
Photo: Elin Engelsvoll

The climate on some of Ryfylke's islands is surprisingly mild. On the car-free island of Sør-Hidle, even palm trees thrive in the park Flor & Fjære.

The flower garden Flor & Fjære .
Photo: Flor & Fjære

Ryfylke also has a rich history.

Find out what everyday life was like on the mountain farm Haukali 33/3 in the 1850s.

Farm activities at Haukali 33/3 .
Photo: Kristofer Ryde

In Suldal, you can explore the powerful hydroelectric architecture at Nesflaten.

The hydropower station in Nesflaten .
Photo: Dag Jenssen

In other places, you can experience history in the making.

Go on a road trip on the Ryfylke Scenic Route and see how modern architecture enhances the nature at Høsebrua, Høllesli, and Svandalsfossen.

At Allmannajuvet, you can both explore new and innovative design and go back in time in the zinc mines.

The Høsebrua bridge in Ryfylke .
Photo: Dag Jenssen

In Ryfylke you will also find the hiking cabin Skåpet, managed by the Norwegian Tourist Association. Skåpet has been built to blend in with the mountain landscape.

Norwegian mountain cabin Skåpet in Ryfylke .
Photo: Thomas Rasmus Skaug / Visitnorway.com