Norwegian Scenic
Route Ryfylke

Stavanger is also a great starting point for other adventures. Enjoy a fjord cruise that departs directly from the city's harbour. Cruise past islands and into the mighty Lysefjord with its spectacular mountains, waterfalls, and the famous Preikestolen, also known as the Pulpit Rock. If you're up for the challenge, you can also go on a guided hike to Preikestolen.

Follow the route for about 20 minutes until you reach Jørpeland. Here you can enjoy a walk along the Jørpelandsholmen Promenade, with views of Solspeilet, artwork known as "The Norwegian Stonehenge".

You can also explore Lysefjorden from here on a RIB boat.

Head towards Tau and make a stop at Strand Gård after about 15 minutes. What started as a simple fridge with eggs, accidentally escalated into a fully-fledged self-service farm shop, that's brimming with tasty local goods.

Find everything from wood-smoked bacon, cured ham, lamb ribs, and mature cheeses to sweet treats, homeware, and vibrant produce.

The fields right next to the shop are home to curious woolly pigs that love a bit of attention. Did you know that they can handle temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius?

Continue heading northeast for about 30 minutes to a place called Årdal. This cosy little village is where you'll find the red, wooden Årdal Old Church from the 17th century.

The couple have put a great deal of time and effort into creating a site filled with unique glamping units, all surrounded by beautiful nature, such as The Hobbit Hole or the hanging tent known as The Cocoon. For extra relaxation, book a spot in their sauna and jacuzzi, both with fantastic views.

Some of the units are also accessible, allowing everyone to enjoy the experience!

OmCider is also in this area. Stop by the fruit and cider farm where juicy apples and sweet cherries grow below rugged mountains. Try some of their sparkling or still apple drinks, known as Eplemost. They even have an apple energy drink!

Bodil and Andreas Kvame took over Fevoll farm in 2001 as third generation owners. They pick everything by hand and make all their drinks on site. The farm shop is open all week apart from Sundays, and you can also book a guided tour.

Head north along the fjord for about 20 minutes to Høsebrua in the village of Sand. This footbridge allows you to cross the Suldalslågen river and it takes you to a recreational area on the other side. The slightly open grates also let you watch the powerful forces of nature as the river rushes below your feet.

If you want to try something truly unique, how about going on a salmon safari? Experience the Suldalslågen river up close with Mo Laksegård from 1 June to 1 November.

They'll equip you with wetsuits and snorkels before you step into the refreshing river. Allow the stream to take you on an adventure for 2.5 kilometres, as you try to spot wild salmon along the clear riverbed. You can also book their sauna as part of the experience.

If you'd rather stay on land, you can try guided fishing, or maybe you'd enjoy a calm river expedition on a raft? If all of this sounds fun, how about booking one of their cabins and staying for longer?

The hotel's restaurant offers an authentic and relaxed experience, showcasing the best of local ingredients. The kitchen enjoys experimenting with different recipes and focus on minimising food waste by using the whole animal and serving set breakfast plates, among other things.

One of the dishes that frequents the menu is their silky smooth kulturmjølkpudding, that can be described as a Norwegian pannacotta, and the toppings vary depending on the season.

The original building was designed by the architect Geir Grung and built in the early 60s for the Røldal-Suldal hydropower development. The restaurant is where the workers used to eat back then. The newer building from 2015 was designed by Grung's daughter, Tai Grung.

Geir Grung also designed the brutalist power plant and the functionalist houses built for the workers nearby. It's like discovering a new world hidden in the mountains. The couple that run Energihotellet, Gunhild Moe and Olav Lindseth, offer an architectural and historical tour of the area.

About five minutes further down the road, Juvo awaits. It may not look like much from the road, but there's more than meets the eye! Walk down to the viewing platform and gaze into the gorge with its interesting rock formations and rushing river.

Follow the main road north for about 30 minutes past mountains and the Røldalsvatnet lake, to a place called Håra in Hardanger. The roads are still quite narrow with plenty of sharp bends, so watch your speed and use the lay-bys when necessary.

From Håra you can take a little five-minute detour to Røldal. This little mountain village has a medieval stave church that dates back to the early 13th century.

As spectacular as the scenery is, the roads up here are very narrow, so be prepared to slow down and make room for oncoming traffic.

The Allmannajuvet zinc mines lie in a deep ravine and were in operation from 1881 to 1899. Now, you'll find buildings designed by the world-famous Swiss architect Peter Zumthor that attract architecture students from all over the world. They house a gallery and a café that are open during the summer months.

Tours of the mines are also available throughout the summer, and part of that tour leads you along the spectacular old mining road that stands above a powerful rushing river.

The waterfall can be enjoyed right by the road, or you can hike up the 540 steps to the top for the most spectacular view of the water plunging down the mountainside.

Follow the picturesque road south for about 20 minutes to Ropeid. This peninsula in Suldal has a rest area with some fun, mushroom-esque sculptures that light up in the dark. The sculptures and lamps are actually made from recycled plastic boats from Ryfylke. Take a seat and enjoy the view!

Then about 10 minutes down the road, another viewpoint and funky toilet awaits. Ostasteidn is on the west side of the Sandsfjord and this landscape heavily inspired the Norwegian artist Lars Hertervig. But it's also possible to take a fun detour right before this stop…

Drive west along the shoreline for about half an hour, passing farmland and cabins, until you suddenly see a vineyard right next to a fjord!

A two-hour drive from Ostasteidn will take you to the coastal town of Haugesund. Explore the Haugalandet area on the way!

Or head north and explore the famous Norwegian Scenic Route Hardanger (pictured).