Lysebotn Explorer – self guided

With the best accommodation the region can offer, your journey begins seamlessly from the moment you start biking. Welcome to an unforgettable exploration! The roundtrip is a self-guided version of the Explorer tour which means you can ride this route in your tempo and decide your pace and how long time you want to spend on each stop.

Arrival and departure

Individual arrival at Stavanger International Airport, Sola, alternatively by boat to Risavika or by bus or train to Sandnes or Stavanger. We recommend that you stay at the Kronen Gaard Hotel the night before the first cycling day. Pickup and transport to Kronen Gaard Hotel by arrangement. One of their NBE (Norway Bike Experience) staff members will meet you at the airport or another location by appointment and bring you to your hotel.

On the departure day, there will be arranged transport to Stavanger International Airport, Sola, in the morning by NBE. If you have booked additional activities such as the Preikestolen hike the next day, the NBE guide will inform you where to meet and give you the necessary information.

Day 1 – Welcome to the Fjords

Sandnes - Sirdal 60 km

Height meters: + 1 618 / - 994

Today's cycling route is divided into two parts: Kronen Gaard Hotel - Lauvvik ferry dock and Lysebotn – Sirdal Høyfjellshotell. The ride to Lauvvik takes you through lightly hilly terrain on low-traffic roads and will give you a taste of what awaits you later in the day. From Lauvvik, take a seat on board the boat to enjoy the fantastic Lysefjord. You will see Preikestolen from below during the journey, and as you go further into the fjord, you will pass Flørli and get close to the majestic Kjerag.

From Lysebotn, it's uphill! You will have a few hundred meters of flat roads before starting the climb. You will cycle through 27 hairpin bends, with an average incline of about 10%. The steepest part is up to 15%. It may sound tough, but it is entirely doable, and many cyclists who have ridden this road find it easier than expected due to the road's design. You will bike through a tunnel after the second hairpin. It is recommended to have lights on the bike. All the rental bikes are equipped with lights.

On this tour, you could rent an e-bike in Lysebotn for this particular climb. Your own bike will be transported to the top by car. The same car will return the e-bike back to Lysebotn. This is not included in the price and must be booked in advance.

We recommend a stop at 640 meters above sea level at Øygardstøl, also called the Eagle's Nest, where you can fill your water bottles and take the time to enjoy the view.

You will continue to climb to the top, located 932 meters above sea level, in a landscape that resembles a desolate lunar landscape. From here to Sirdal Høyfjellshotell, which is the destination for the day, it's mostly downhill.

Day 2 – From the mountain to the valleys

Sirdal - Byrkjedalstunet 48 km

Height meters: + 395 / - 841

Today you will mostly bike downhill. You start from the upper part of Sirdal to Sinnes and continue past Valevatn on the way to Byrkjedalstunet, where you will spend the evening and night. After arrival, it is recommended you try lapper which is "a must-have" for a cyclist passing by this charming and lovely place. Byrkjedalstunet is well known for its homemade food and the large selection of locally produced food and souvenirs. In the evening, you will be served a delightful dinner in the restaurant.

If you have time and feel for an extra excursion this day, we recommend a trip to Gloppedalsura, which is Northern Europe's largest cairn. Here you can read about why this place was an important strategic location during the Second World War.

Day 3 – Rocks and fjords

Byrkjedalstunet - Egersund 50 km

Height meters: + 958 / - 1 158

Your journey continues through Gloppedalsura valley and Indre and Ytre Vinjevatn. Parts of the stage you will ride along Bjerkreimselva on the way down towards Vikeså. At Vikeså, a short break may be appropriate. It is recommended to stop at Myksvoll Microbrewery, where they serve freshly roasted coffee. The final stage takes you to Grand Hotel Egersund where you will stay one night. During this day, you move from the valleys and thick forests in the inland to the hillier coastal terrain in the south. The variation in the landscape along the way is incredible, and one of the biggest challenges is to keep focus on the road since there is a lot to see along the way.

Upon arrival in Egersund, you will be accommodated at the charming Grand Hotel Egersund. Later in the evening, you will be served a delightful dinner in the hotel restaurant.

It is recommended to try some optional activities such as a hike to Trollpikken, a visit to the Fayancemuseum, or a tour of Berentsens Brewery—established in 1895 - where you can savour locally crafted beer, whisky, gin, or aquavit.

Day 4 – The North Sea route

Egersund - Bryne 57 km

Height meters: + 514 / - 493

Today, the route takes you along the captivating coastline from Egersund, passing through the picturesque villages of Hellvik, Sirevåg, and Brusand. This area is unique, boasting landscapes unlike any other in the country. It is possible to take an alternative gravel road from Egersund to Ogna. A gravel bike or similar is then recommended.

There are many places to stop along the route, but it is recommended to stop at the arts and culture centre Hå Gamle Prestegard, which is a former vicarage at Jæren. This is a must-visit destination while exploring Jæren.

Continuing your coastal route towards Bryne, you will be treated to Norway's longest white beaches and expansive flatland areas adorned with farms—a true culinary treasure trove. Hopefully, the wind will be at your back as you make your way to Bryne, although the route remains manageable even if it presents a challenge with minimal hills. Your accommodation for the night is at Bryne Kro & Hotell.

Day 5 – Into the city

Bryne - Stavanger 57 km

Height meters: + 488 / - 509

Today you will cycle towards urban areas, and the sights are numerous. Big farms and small communities along your way heading for the coastline again. You might have a stop at Ølberg before continuing to Sola Strand Hotel for a lunch stop. Then it is recommended you continue to Sola ruinkirke, located near Sola beach, for a photo stop.

On the way towards Stavanger, you are invited to stop at the Vår Energi Arena where the headquarters of Norway Bike Experience is located. They will offer a small tour of the cycling velodrome and coffee and snacks. You will continue to Forus, which is the centre of the oil capital, and from here you follow the new cycle highway towards Stavanger. You continue through Sørmarka and on the way up to the Ullandhaugtårnet tower, you should try to climb the famous Grisabakken which is notorious and known by participants doing the Tour of Norway, where many of the world's top cyclists participate each year. After a short stop at the tower, Ullandhaugtårnet, continue to Hafrsfjord and Swords in rock where you can read about the battle of Hafrsfjord. You finish the day in Stavanger city centre after a small detour in The Old Stavanger, which is Northern Europe's best-preserved wooden house settlement. In Stavanger, you check in at the Hotel Victoria and prepare for the last night of the tour.

For those who want further exploration of the Stavanger area, it is recommended a guided hike to Preikestolen, a fjord cruise, a visit to Flor & Fjære, a RIB trip on the Lysefjord, a visit to the Norwegian Petroleum Museum or a tour of Old Stavanger.