This tour takes you through a well-maintained cultural landscape that has preserved remnants of the coastal heaths that originally characterised this terrain. In addition, you'll experience a forested environment and, not least, fantastic panoramic views.
Practical information about the hike to Rennesøyhodnet
You'll be picked up in Stavanger and it's around a 40-minute drive to the car park where the tour starts. The drive takes you through an underwater tunnel 292 metres below the fjord. Once at the hike's starting point, the guide will conduct an equipment check, making any necessary adjustments. This is followed by a safety briefing with information about the trail, expected conditions and useful hiking tips before you embark on today's exciting adventure!
On a cart track to the lake Dalestemmen
The first part of the hike follows a cart track to Dalestemmen, a serene lake where you traverse the dam. After the lake, there's a slight climb, which despite being perceived by many as flat, contains some very soft sections of water and marsh. That's why it's important to wear ankle-high hiking shoes.
Coastal heaths up towards the mountain
On your way to the top of the mountain, you'll cross some of the last coastal heaths. Shaped by generations of burning, grazing and heather cutting, these heaths offer a mix of open landscape, dense coniferous forest and varied vegetation. While Rennesøy was probably deforested and covered in heather 4,000 years ago, large parts of the heather moors have been transformed into grasslands over the past 30 years. Along the route, you'll discover the characteristic stone post fences adding to the area's charm.
Enjoy the panoramic views along the way
When you emerge from the forest near Rennesøyhodnet, you can take a break and enjoy the panoramic views from a selected resting point. The windy ascent to the summit offers a stunning 360-degree view from 234 metres above sea level, taking in large parts of the county. The return journey takes you through the forest and into an open landscape via a gravel road. The final leg retraces the cultural landscape, featuring a well-maintained trail with planks over wet areas.
Windy climb to the top of Rennesøyhodnet
The final ascent to the summit is often windy due to its exposed location in the Boknafjord. The upside, however, is the phenomenal, unrivalled 360-degree view. From Haugalandet and Karmøy in the north to the depths of Ryfylke and south to Jæren, the perspective from the 234-metre-high summit is stunning. Here you'll see well-kept farms, and the heather moors curve gracefully on the north side.
Return through the coniferous forest to the open landscape
The return journey is initially through dense coniferous forests, creating a mystical atmosphere, especially on cloudy days. As you enter the open countryside, you follow an established gravel road for much of the way back. The final leg back to the car returns to the same type of cultural landscape that the hike started with, with a well-maintained path with planks over the wettest areas.
