Kjerag has become a popular destination in the last few years. Some go there because Preikestolen has become too crowded, some people go to jump onto Kjeragbolten and quite a lot of BASE jumpers go there to dive of the mighty cliffs. This travelogue will give information about my trip to Kjerag June 1st 2003.
My brother and I started from Stavanger at 6.30 am on this Sunday morning and after 2 hours we reached the parking at Øygardsstøl (600 meters above Lysefjord.). We got on our boots, packed our bags and started the walk. The first climb is the worst. There is a 200 meter height difference from the parking to the top of the first hill and it is steep. It is about 6 km to Kjeragbolten and a total climb of 500 meters. On your way to Kjerag you go up and down, up and down and then you climb to reach a plateau.
Finding the way is not a problem. To start with you will be walking on granite and the path has been marked with red T’s. In the steepest hills chains has been put up to help the hikers. In some places a path has been made. We walked alone all the way into Kjerag and I guess the reason is that we were up bright and early and it was still pretty early in the tourist season.
After 2 hours we reached Kjerag and when I walked to the edge I remembered why this is such an amazing place. The view of Lysefjord 1000 meter below is great when you stand on the edge. I can’t describe how amazing it really is and I don’t think that my pictures shows how impressive this place is. You have to see it with your own eyes.
After enjoying the view we walked the few hundred meters to reach Kjeragbolten. This is one of natures wonders and it is certainly one of the most amazing natural motifs that I have come across. Kjeragbolten is a big rock that has fallen into a crack in the mountain and there it has been wedged into the crack. And it is possible to make your way out on the rock and from a certain angle it looks amazing. The rock is located 1000 meter above the fjord so the knees has a tendency of being a bit weak when you walk onto the rock. After the 2 hour walk it was nice to sit down and relax with a couple of slices of bread with the traditional brown cheese.
On the way back we met lots of people on their way up. The trip back is exhausting as well. Sure, you are going down but there are still some climbs and it is quite exhausting using your muscles to hold back. When we got back to the parking lot we checked our watches and we had used 5 hours to complete the walk.