Kjerag — Attraction in Sandnes

The views, not only of the rock itself, but both along the trail and over the edge of the mountain on either side of the boulder are impressive. Sheer drops with a waterfall down the western face, this is a beautiful place to eat the lunch you packed at the lodge and the thermos of coffee you saved for the top. Go early (and I mean, early) if you go during the summer but otherwise, go during the off season to get there without much of a crowd and hardly, if any, wait once you get there.

Round trip from the trailhead took me roughly 3.5 hours including lunch and photo shoot, but they usually recommend you planning for 5. Several folks told me it was harder than the trolltunga hike, despite being about 4-5 hours shorter, so perhaps that will help you gauge things if you've been to the other. In brief, there are two beautiful valleys you cross, and what feels like three summits to traverse with the steepest section being your first ascent from the parking lot. The others are more spread out. Also, save yourself some trouble of over packing water. One liter per person should be more than enough and there are fast moving streams (at least 2) that are both safe to drink from and amazing delicious. The icing on the cake is the spring water that you'll see coming off the rock face once you reach kjerag that you can fill you canteen with for lunch and then for your trek back, so don't fret. Take your time, enjoy the landscape, and journey on (humming tunes from Jurassic Park, Last of the Mohicans, Lord of the Rings, or maybe even Highlander along the way), because it'll be worth it!

P.S. No real reception up there, but this is a plus. It's great to disconnect often, so save the photo editing for once you're back at the lodge or Olav's pub if you're staying in...

It is the hardest climb I have experienced so far (I was told Trolltunga is harder, but I was not there yet). It is definitely not the hike for unprepared people, for unmotivated, for these who are not fit enough.

The whole path to photospot is about five kilometers.The first kilometer of hike is steeper than assembler learning curve for plumber. I could not believe this is real, because angle is so crazy and there is almost no safe places. Luckily, this first kilometer is the hardest. The way later is not easy, but much easier than the very start. Time to time you will go on stone steps, there are also chains to help you climb, but big part of hike is just bare mountains.

After this steep hill you will go down, cross small valley and go uphill again. In the approximately middle of journey there is emergency house where you can meet impudent mountain sheep. I recommend not to feed this creature, because it will follow you, and these hills are joke for this animal.

Last two kilometers are very easy: it is quite plain. But do not relax as you have reached the top, made couple of photos on the stone and ready to go back. Way to the starting point seemed at least for me and my collegaues more difficult than way to desired place. The last kilometer was real challenge for me. I tried to use chain to have additional fulcrum, but due to popularity of hike this way along the chain is slippery even if the weather is dry.

So you have to wear proper shoes and clothes, get ready to couple of hours steep climbing and the same way back.

I also recommend to start as early as it possible, because there could be many people on the way, which can slow you down.

It 100% worth all the difficulties you have faced...

Beautiful hike. One where the phrase - life is a journey, not a destination - comes to mind. We (hubby, 8yr old daughter and myself) started the hike at 10am and it was already crowded. Late start as there were folks already coming back by the time we started. You go up and down 2 hills before ascending to the plateau that leads to Kjeragbolten. The scenery just getting there is breathtaking!

There are chains to help in some of the steep portions for balance. Arrived at noon (2 hrs), had lunch, and then hubby and I each waited in line for a pic on the rock. Liked how the Norwegian park ppl knew they couldn't prevent ppl from getting on the rock so instead they put up a sign: "Queue starts here" so that you have enough room to get on and off and to keep order.

On our way back we hiked up to the ridge via another trail instead of along the plateau. From the ridge we dropped down to the valley and walked along the valley to finally meet up with the main trail. This eliminated 99% of the crowds at least for this third of the hike. Well worth it and happy that our 8 yr old cruised up the climbs with no issues...in fact her mouth was going a mile a minute with chatter and questions...all of which I could only manage a few...