THE LOCALS’ GUIDE TO STAVANGER

Løvset’s tips for urban Sunday walks

Public transport: A great thing about Stavanger is that nature is so easily accessible by bus, boat, and even bicycle.

Urban coastal trip: One of my family’s favourite trips is to follow the hiking trail from east Stavanger along the Gandsfjord via Emmausbukta and Goddalen, down to the harbour in the area Paradis in Storhaug. You can easily extend the trip to Stavanger city centre, where you can finish your excursion in a café.

The pulpit: One option is to dedicate the Sunday to one of Norway’s most famous rock formations, the mighty Preikestolen (the Pulpit rock). Thanks to a new tunnel, you can get to the starting point in only 30 minutes by car or bus. Most people do this hike in the summer, but I prefer it on a clear and cold winter day. There is hardly anyone else around in the winter, and the nature and fjord seem even wilder and rawer. Go with a guide if you don’t have experience of winter hikes, to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

After the hike: Walking makes you hungry. I recommend the meatballs and waffles at Preikestolen BaseCamp. You can also tuck into something tasty by the fireplace at Preikestolen Fjellstue.

Lysefjorden by boat: A fun way to experience the Lysefjord is to join a RIB safari from the harbour in central Stavanger. It’s a fantastic trip, regardless of the weather. If you’d rather spend your Sunday on deck, there are several day-cruises to the Lysefjord to choose from.

Selvikstakken: The best viewpoint in Sandnes! From this mountain peak, you get a priceless view of the Høgsfjord, the Lysefjord, and Strandalandet. Just note that you have to be prepared for steep and rocky scree, which can be hard if you don’t have much experience of hiking in the mountains. If, on the other hand, you want a longer trip, you can start with the Bynuten hike. In that case, you need to set aside the whole day, because it’s a long and tough trail.

Jærstrendene: Those who prefer flatter terrain should opt for a walk along Jærstrendene, the chalk-white sandy beaches just outside the city centre. Great for body and soul. Some of them are no more than five minutes on foot from the airport at Sola. The beaches have everything you can wish for in terms of long or short coastal hikes, swimming, kayaking, surfing, kite flying, and kitesurfing. When you need to recharge, the restaurant at Sola Strandhotell, the café at Solastranden Gård, and Strandhuset restaurant are all ready to prepare a lovely meal for you. If you just want a snack, Strandhuset also has a kiosk where you can get your hands on a burger or hotdog, a fish cake, or an ice cream.

Ski boat: For skiers, Stavanger offers a completely unique experience. Take the ski boat from the harbour in Stavanger to the ski resort in Sauda. It’s an eventful trip where you get both an awesome nature experience and skiing in the best ski resort in this part of Norway. It runs as long as the ski resort is open.

Go for a bike ride: The Stavanger region boasts some of the most breathtaking and varied cycling routes in the world – and with a mild climate, you can enjoy biking here almost all year round. Rent a bike and explore on your own, or join a guided tour with the local company Norwegian Bike Experience. For the ultimate bike experience you should combine a ferry ride on the beautiful Lysefjord with the renowned Lysebotn climb!