Hikes in Time

The tour leads from Edlandsvanet (Ålgård) uphill towards Bursfjiell and back downhill over Nonsfjedlet.

Panoramic tour through a heathland with great panoramic views.

Heath Highlands in JærenThe Synesvarden is the namesake of a scenic heath conservation area in the gently rolling highlands of Jæren, overlooking the flat, fertile landscape on the North Sea coast as well as the mountains of Rogaland.

The secluded hilly landscape of Jæren offers breathtaking scenery with numerous mysterious-looking dark lakes, greenish-black coniferous forests, and deep-green heath and moorlands. The view stretches from hill to hill, and from the highest point at Synesvarden, you can see almost all of Jæren. The sculpture of a seated woman—the Steinkjerringa—is a striking sight, harmoniously set into the landscape. Created by the Norwegian artist Sigurd Sørendsen in 1899, it has stood at this spot since 1927. Since then, she has been regarded as the personification of “Mor Norge” (Mother Norway) in the Jæren highlands. > At Lake Store Vandavatnet, Parking Lot 01Steinkjerringa (Note: There are three parking lots labeled “Steinkjerringa Parking Lot”!), head north briefly along the forest road and, at the next fork, turn right following the “Steinkjerringa” hiking sign. We now follow the blue markings and signs along the very well-marked trail for the entire hike. After crossing the bridge, turn right over a fence crossing into the coniferous forest. As the hike progresses, there will be several more such fence crossings along the pasture fences. The alpine-style trail then leads past the southern bay of the lake into the landscape conservation area. Through breathtaking natural scenery, with beautiful views of the rolling hills, the trail leads over a few damp spots to the "Royk" marshland. This area was formerly used for peat extraction in Jæren and can be easily crossed via narrow footbridges at the wettest spots.Passing the small lake 02Litla Vandavatnet on the right and continuing to follow the markers along the still somewhat rocky but comfortable trail, you’ll reach the impressive sculpture 03Steinkjerringa, which stands completely alone in the vast landscape of the Jæren Highlands. From the sculpture, follow the markers to the left toward a private cabin, and at the signposted 04trail junction, take a slight right onto a well-defined trail, following the blue markers straight ahead (ignore the next junction) to the scenic 05Synesvaden. From the hilltop, marked by a large cairn, the view stretches across nearly all of Jæren and, on a clear day, as far as the coastal regions with the deep-blue North Sea to the west. In the surrounding area, numerous wind turbines now spin for wind power generation at the Hog-Jæren Energy Park, which unfortunately does not enhance the landscape. Return to the 04trail junction just before the private cabin and continue up to the right toward 06Gauleksvarden, which once again offers beautiful panoramic views and a good opportunity for a rest. Follow the signs for “Vandavatnet” as you continue westward. On a narrow, well-marked trail, you can now follow the path through the charming stretches of countryside and through the magical forest all the way to a cabin on a 07forest road. The trail, still marked in blue, leads south toward our starting point at the 01Steinkjerringa parking lot.

Explore a scenic lake from Bryne center in Jæren

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