The terrain varies from coastline to wooded slopes towards the summit and onto the cairn. Lifjell is one of the best vantage points on North Jæren, and the view is fantastic. From the top, you can enjoy a fantastic panorama of Gandsfjorden, the North Sea and the major cities, as well as Ryfylke.
More details about the trip to Lifjell
After a 40-minute drive from the pick-up point, you'll arrive at the car park. At the start of the tour, your guide will check your equipment and make any necessary adjustments. You'll then be given a short safety briefing with information about the trail, expected conditions and useful hiking tips before embarking on today's exciting adventure!
Hike along the shoreline, along ice-polished rocks to coniferous forest
This is a hike where you can alternate between wading along the shoreline in idyllic Bjorhamn and following cairns on ice-polished bedrock 287 metres above sea level. The first and last parts of the tour pass through tall coniferous forest, and along the slopes of the Gandsfjord, you can experience rich bird songs in the exciting and sometimes dense mixed forest.
Dale is the starting point for the tour
After a 45-minute drive, you'll reach Dale, where the tour starts. It is important to wear good footwear, as the terrain varies between soft forest paths, wet areas and hard bedrock. The hike begins among tall coniferous forests along the sea before the terrain opens up.
It continues partly along the mountainside and partly along the sea. In some places along Gandsfjorden, the rocks and mountainsides can be slippery on the steepest sections, so cables have been installed in the rock face to help. After a challenging hike with both ascents and descents and some climbing, you finally reach the top.
The view is panoramic from the top
The panoramic view from here encompasses the entire Stavanger Peninsula, and on clear days you can see Karmøy, large parts of Ryfylke and down to Jæren. On the opposite side, you'll find Hommersåk and the direction towards the Høgsfjord. The cairn itself is crowned with a large mast that transmits TV signals and a rotating radar and is located on top of a peak just beyond. The sturdy and impressive structure is carefully built up from a series of stones. Here you can take a well-deserved break, light a fire, enjoy a hot drink and a bite to eat, and take pictures of the moment.
The return and descent are easier
The return journey is much easier. The stretch from the summit to the ridge above Øksendalen goes quickly over bare rock and a well-trodden path. A final effort is required to get up the slope between Flatafjellet and Sørafjellet. Although it's not as long and steep as the first ascent from the sea to the summit, it still requires some effort.
From the pass downwards, it's mostly downhill, first to Dalevatn, where a couple of steep sections await, and then further down towards Dale. The descent mostly follows a well-trodden path and partly a road that leads down to the car.
