Rogaland is a land of massive contrasts where the plains meet the deep fjords. You stand on the wide sandy beaches of Jæren where the sky is huge and the waves are a favorite for surfers. Just a short drive away the landscape shifts into the dizzying heights of the Lysefjord. It is home to the famous Preikestolen which is a flat plateau hanging six hundred meters above the water.
A road trip here takes you through long undersea tunnels and over high mountain ridges near Sauda. You can find quiet island communities or explore the rocky fields of the Magma Geopark in Dalane. The views change from the flat horizon of the ocean to the vertical walls of the fjord. It is a landscape that feels both open and dramatic at the same time.
The drive follows the North Sea Road where you see the power of the ocean hitting the rocky coast. You can stop at the Swords in Rock monument in Stavanger or head to the mountains for a hike. The scenery is diverse and offers everything from white sand to massive stone cliffs. Rogaland is a place of big energy and stunning nature.
Rogaland highlights
- Preikestolen Cliff Stand on the flat plateau of Pulpit Rock for a view six hundred meters above the fjord. It is one of the most iconic sights in the world.
- Kjeragbolten Hike to the boulder wedged in a mountain crevice high above the Lysefjord. It is a thrill for those brave enough to stand on the stone.
- Swords in Rock See the three giant bronze swords that mark the unification of Norway in 872. The monument stands on the shore of a beautiful fjord.
- Jæren Beaches Walk along miles of white sand and dunes on the flat southwestern coast. This is the only place in Norway that feels like the open plains.
- Old Stavanger Wander through the narrow streets of white wooden houses from the 18th century. It is a perfectly preserved piece of maritime history.
- Lysevegen Road Drive the 27 hairpin turns that drop from the mountain down to the village of Lysebotn. The road is a masterpiece of mountain engineering.
- Skudeneshavn Visit this charming sailing town at the tip of the island of Karmøy. It is known as one of the best preserved old towns in the country.
- Gloppedalsura Marvel at the largest scree field in Northern Europe with house sized boulders. The massive rock fall is a reminder of the power of nature.
- Sogndalstrand Stop at this tiny and colorful wooden village tucked into a narrow river mouth. It is a hidden gem that feels like a film set.
- Flor og Fjære Take a boat to a private island garden filled with palm trees and exotic flowers. It is a surprising tropical oasis in the North.
The local Four
History of Rogaland
The history of Rogaland is the history of the kingdom itself. In 872 the Viking King Harald Fairhair fought an epic naval battle at Hafrsfjord to unite Norway into one nation. The massive bronze swords that stand on the shore today commemorate the moment the local tribes became a unified people. This region was the power base for the early kings and the gateway for the first Christian missionaries to reach the north.
On the flat plains of Jæren the story is one of a hard-fought battle against the elements. Generations of farmers moved millions of stones by hand to clear the fields and build the endless stone walls that still crisscross the landscape. It was a life of grit and patience where the wind never stopped blowing from the sea. Meanwhile the white wooden streets of Old Stavanger grew as a hub for herring fishing and later the global energy industry.
Deep in the Lysefjord the history is more vertical as travelers have sought the heights of Preikestolen for centuries. It was once a place of sacrifice and myth where the gods were thought to dwell among the clouds. Today the region is a blend of Viking heritage and modern technology where undersea tunnels link islands that were once isolated for months. Rogaland is a land of pioneers who have always looked toward the horizon.