STAGE 6
Songedalen Fjellgard – Bakken
Follow the river Dalaåna from the mountains all the way to the fjord at Songesand. The river eventually passes through a spectacular gorge-like valley. If you come from the east, you have a view of the fjord, Neverdalsfjellet and Preikestolen in the distance, all day. From Songesand, the trail follows the shore along the fjord to Bakken. Do not be fooled: scree fields make this stretch a real challenge. Reward yourself with home-made pizza baked in the wood-fired pizza oven at the newly renovated Bakken Farm, former home of Pilt-Ola, the Lysefjord’s very own hiking legend!
We recommend to hike the Lysefjorden Rundt Trail anti-clockwise. The information on this page is based on hiking east-west. However, it is possible to hike this stage in both directions.
On ut.no, Norway’s hiking planner, you’ll find detailed trail information. Use digital maps for navigation, and searching for cabins and hikes all over the country. Ut.no is a services offered to the public by the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT).
| Difficulty | Moderate The scree fields between Songesand and Bakken are demanding at times. |
| Distance | 9.5 km |
| Duration | 5 hours |
| Total elevation gain | 450 meter (west-east) 200 meter (east-west) |
| Season | April – October |
| Link to digital hiking map | Ut.no/songedalen-bakken |
| GPX-file | Songedalen-Bakken (GPX) |
| More info | |
Directions
It is not possible to drive all the way to Songedalen Fjellgard. From Stavanger, drive the Ryfylke Tunnel and onward on road 13 to Årdal. Follow signs to Songesand. At Helmikstøl, you can park along the road, but consider safety and activity around the local farms. There are good parking facilities at Songesand quay.
If you wish to take a ferry to Bakken or Songesand (see Public Transport), you can park at Lauvvik, Forsand or Lysebotn quay, depending on where you travel from.
Public Transport
There are ferries to/from and between Songesand and Bakken
Kolumbus – speed ferry
Ferry departures from/to Lauvvik, Forsand, Bratteli, Bakken, Songesand, Flørli and Lysebotn (year-round).
Accommodation
Are you planning to hike the Lysefjorden Rundt Trail this year?
By registering and sharing your schedule, you enable us to offer you free personalized advice on the feasibility of your hiking itinerary, considering both difficulty and logistics. It also provides us with data on visitor traffic and trail usage, which helps us make targeted improvements.
After your hike, you will receive a feedback form. We encourage you to share your experiences, as this information is vital for us to improve both the trail and the overall visitor experience continuously.
Lysefjord Code of Conduct
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Plan your trip according to your ability and current conditions. Pay attention to the weather – listen to local advice.
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Be prepared and bring necessary equipment, including good footwear, rain/wind proof clothing, a torch, hat, gloves and an extra set of warm clothes. Expect the unexpected. Bring a backpack with a packed lunch, extra snacks and water.
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Leave no trace. Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints. Behave responsible, taking other hikers’ and nature’s wellbeing into account.
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Bring a map. Follow marked trails and pay attention to signs and information boards along the way. If you lose your way, be on the lookout for cairns of rocks or red Ts. Please do not make your own cairns.
- You hike at your own risk. Turn around in time.
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In case of an emergency – call 113.
