July 16, 2021

‘Lysebotn’ it will improve your driving skils

Jerre Pictures Free To Read, Norway, Travel 0

It was a dark and foggy night when I first took the road Fv500 to Lysebotn. I had a detour of 600 km behind me because I had set my GPS wrong. I was frustrated that I had to drive this road in the dark and fog, but I was determined to continue my adventure.

I drove slowly through the curves, the headlights of my car illuminating the road ahead of me. Suddenly, I came out of a hairpin turn and saw that the road was full of sheep. I had no idea they would be there and I was startled. I had to react quickly to avoid colliding with the animals. I hit the brakes and steered my car to the side of the road, just in time to dodge a group of sheep heading straight towards me.

I was relieved that I had avoided a collision, but I was still in the middle of the night on a remote mountain road. I decided to continue my journey and make my way to Lysebotn. The road was narrow and winding, and I had to stay alert to avoid veering off the road.

Eventually, I arrived in the village at the eastern end of the Lysefjorden. I was glad that I had completed the road despite all the challenges along the way. It was exactly the kind of adventure I had envisioned, just not in the middle of the night!

Once someone said that this is one of the most dangerous roads in Europe, with the result that it is now in the top 10 of the most touristic places in the south of Norway

The fv500 is one of the most spectacular and challenging roads in Norway. Approximately 100,000 tourists visit this road each year to enjoy the breathtaking views and hike to the famous Kjeragbolten, a boulder wedged between two mountain walls at an elevation of 1,000 meters above the Lysefjord.

While many people stop at the Kjeragbolten parking lot, the most beautiful part of fv500 actually begins after you pass it. Some even claim that the most intense part is yet to come. If you’re traveling with a large camper, it may be wise to stop here, as continuing on the road requires some driving skills and concentration. You’ll need blood, sweat, and tears to continue on the road, but it’s worth it. If you push on, you’ll be surprised by the stunning landscape that you encounter.

One of the highlights of the road is the tunnel with a hairpin turn. It’s a unique experience that you won’t forget easily. Although it may seem a bit scary at night, the view during the day will surely convince you to keep going. You’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable experience of your overland adventure.

Along the way, you’ll also come across the Lysebotn hydroelectric power plant. The Lysefjord power plant sends water 620 meters to turbines that can produce up to 210,000 kilowatts of electricity. It’s an impressive sight to see the power of water being converted into electricity.

Unfortunately, Lysevegen is listed on dangerousroads.org. While there have indeed been some tragic accidents, it’s important to note that not all of them are directly related to the road itself. In the year I visited the area, a Polish woman lost her life here, but this had little to do with the road.

Lysevegen is a road that you won’t forget easily. It’s a breathtaking route with 27 hairpin turns. The total length of the road is approximately 32 kilometers, and it takes about 50 minutes to drive. If you’re looking for an adventurous and challenging road with a spectacular view, then Lysevegen is definitely worth checking out.

Kjerag

Kjerag or Kiragg is a mountain in Sandnes municipality in the province Rogaland in Norway. The 1,110-metre (3,640 ft) tall mountain sits on the southern shore of Lysefjorden, just southwest of the village of Lysebotn. Its northern side is a massive cliff, plunging 984 meters (3,228 ft) almost straight down to the fjord and that makes it spectacular, a sight that attracts many visitors each year. Another tourist attraction, the Kjeragbolten, a 5-cubic-meter (180 cu ft) stone wedged between two rocks is located on the mountain. The problem is that is too famous for me, you read a lot of articles of people standing in line in order to have their shot, and you will pass a lot of people on their flip-flops walking towards this point…what standing in line?? No no that is not my cup of tea. Another famous point is The Kjeragfossen waterfall plunges off the mountain down to the fjord. It is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. But because
Kjerag is a popular hiking destination. Some go there because Preikestolen has become too crowded, some to jump onto Kjeragbolten and some BASE jumpers from all over the world go there to jump off the high cliffs. Kjerag is also a popular climbing destination, with many difficult routes going up its steep faces.
The easiest ascent starts from the visitors center Øygardsstølen, with a 2.5-3-hour walk each way. From Stavanger, it is roughly a 2-hour drive (closed in the winter season). One can also take the tourist ferry from Lauvvik to Lysebotn in the summer. The best season for walking is considered late June to September depending on snow conditions

Oh yes, dear friends…there is something that drives me completely crazy during my travels and that is people stacking stones. here too you see 100 piles stacked together, why is this necessary? In Iceland, I once made one because a route was no longer visible and that is what these piles of stones were initially intended for. to be able to orientate yourself on unmarked routes if you have to walk back a bit. or to point out the direction to the people who will come after you one day.

Kjeragbolten

Like I told you, Kjeragbolten is a 5-cubic-meter (180 cu ft) boulder wedged in a mountain crevice by the edge of the Kjerag mountain. It is possible to walk onto the rock without any equipment, but there is a direct 241-meter (791 ft) drop below and then another 735-meter (2,411 ft) gradient down to the Lysefjorden. The name means “Kjerag Boulder” or “Kjerag Bolt”.

Kjeragfossen

It is one of the highest waterfalls in Norway and one of the highest in the world. It is a plunge-style waterfall that is usually only active about 5 months of the year
And that is why this waterfall is less known. Kjeragfossen is definitely worth seeing in winter and spring. In summer and autumn it regularly dries up, so some people are disappointed when they come here. Sometimes it flows again after heavy rain…but it is true, what you think right now–> it is not the same. But still, if you are doing the hike expect nothing and you will be rewarded with a stunning view.

Best time:
If you want to see the waterfall in all its glory, lots of flowing water from 715 meters high in other words, you have to be here in the spring. Then much of the snow melts and the water flow is at its greatest. And if you want to avoid a lot of tourists, it’s useful to start the hike to Kjerag early. Bring a picnic, the Kjeragfossen is the ultimate place for a lunch break.

note; I did not visit it because there were too many tourists when I passed it.