Get inspired to make the hike to Kjeragbolten, the famous Norwegian rock suspended between two cliffs over a 1,000-meter drop.
Pssst! If you’re planning a trip in the near future, don’t forget to register for travel insurance before you go!
I’m sure you’ve all seen them.
The countless photos on travel blogs and Instagram accounts of the famous Kjeragbolten in Norway.
Each photo looks remarkably similar, with a lucky traveler posed on top of the rock lodged between two cliffs overlooking a deadly 1,000-meter drop.
Maybe he is showing off a nice little jump on top of the rock. Maybe she is rocking a complicated yoga pose. Maybe he is down on one knee and she is covering her mouth with her hands.
I’ve seen it all, people.
If your feed hasn’t been filled with these photos in recent years, go ahead and take a moment to search the hashtag “kjeragbolten” on Instagram.
Looks incredible, doesn’t it?
Well, it is. And it isn’t.
I made the hike to kjeragbolten in August of 2017.
To sum it up, it’s exhausting, it’s beautiful, and there’s a giant line of people at the top waiting for their turn to snag the ultimate Instagram photo.
Rather than wait in line, I sat down and ate my packed lunch.
I was tired. And hungry. And couldn’t care less about climbing up onto that rock.
The photo I have of Kjeragbolten has some random person’s head sticking out from the side of the cliff. Nice, huh?
But you know what?
That hike was amazing. The views were incredible. It’s one of my fondest memories.
Today I just want to share some photos from the hike in the hopes that they will inspire your next adventure.
If you’re headed to Norway, I highly recommend that you make the hike to Kjeragbolten.
Just don’t be surprised when you see the photo line at the top.
The Hike to Kjeragbolten
Most hikers make it there-and-back in between 6 and 8 hours. We did it in about six and a half hours, including the time we spent at the top.
The hike to Kjeragbolten is 7.5 miles long and is generally rated Strenuous. The elevation gain is 1870 feet, and there’s a lot of ups and downs on the hike.
There are three summits you have to make it over, which then means you have to make it back over them in the opposite direction on the way back down.
I was not in the best of shape when I did this hike (I’d just come from a week of heavy beering in Ireland), but I still managed to do it. Barely.
When we made it back to our wild camp that night I slept like a baby!
Tips for the Hike to Kjeragbolten
- Make sure to wear proper shoes. I did the hike in Nike runners and I was cursing myself the entire time. Boots, people!!
- At that elevation there can be snow, even in August. Wear layers.
- There can be intense winds at the top, so use caution when standing near cliffs.
- Parking at the main site is quite expensive. If you feel up to it, try parking a little ways away on a side road and walking to the entrance.
- For a detailed description of the hike itself, check out this great post.
Happy Adventuring, my friends!
Well written blurb about your hike to Kjeragbolton, Anetta! Where did you ‘wild camp’?
No clue, just some random places off of back roads!