Southern Norway: Kristiansand to Preikestolen

Route description

From Kristiansand follow the E39 west through Mandal, then turn off towards the coast for Lindesnes Lighthouse, at the southernmost point of mainland Norway. The headland has the oldest lighthouse in the country and bunkers from the Second World War.

Continue on the E39 to Flekkefjord and switch to road 44 along the North Sea coast, a slower, winding road through bare rocky hills to Egersund, a small town of white wooden houses. North of Egersund the landscape flattens into the farmland and long sandy beaches of Jæren.

Stavanger has a well-preserved quarter of white wooden houses by the harbour and a museum of the Norwegian oil industry. From here the Ryfylke tunnel runs under the fjord towards Jørpeland and the start of the Preikestolen trail.

The hike to Preikestolen takes about four hours there and back, with rocky, uneven sections, and the car park is busy in summer, so start early. Norwegian roads and tunnels have automatic tolls registered by number plate, and the best season for the hike is from late spring to early autumn.