Botsheia to Preikestolhytta

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · Geological Significance · Lake · Views · Waterfall

No parking fee at the start of the trail. Doing it the other way around, there's a fee at Preikestolhytta.

It's very technical on some sections, and you'll get wet!

The trailhead is on the road from Oasand to Tau at Botsheia, just after the road tips over and starts down from the south. It can be a bit hard to spot on the side, just where the powerlines cross the road.

From the start it will take you up and through a small forest and then you'll climb and follow the path on rocky mountains.

After a couple kilometers, you'll bear left and climb a narrow straight up through a crack in the side. From a ledge, you can enjoy the view where you came from down to the fiords and the inlet of Lysefjoden. Coming to the top just after this spot, you can take a right to the mountain peak Hatten with a spectacular view of Lysefjorden!

Continue over the mountain ridge and follow down through the forest. It will be slippery when wet! Follow the track down across a small creek. The climb down may be a bit slippery after rain. After this, you'll climb up in the forested area and soon arrive at a small lake. Keep left on the trail, or you'll end up at the lakeside. Go up a small climb and arrive at Ulvaskog cabin, used by the Norwegian resistance during WWII. A nice place to have a break and contemplate the feat of the war effort.

From the cabin, a further climb through the forest up to a small lake again. Keep left just before the lake and continue upwards. You'll be rewarded with another view looking back where you came from.

Going down after this, you get to the most difficult part of this section, as you'll be clutching the side of the hill. The trail is narrow and rocky. It's easy to lose your footing at some sections. Once past this, you'll get to the bottom and continue through the forest and it will open up along the hillside alongside a small lake. Follow the trail and you'll need to pass a creek. It may be tricky to find a good spot to cross.

Across the creek, you end at nice pinewood forest, with well-marked trails that will take you to a climb. At the top you'll see the end of the section, Preikestolhytta. The trail will go slight downwards -- a nice full speed technical trail. Be cautious as it may be very slippery. On the bottom you'll access a road, take a left up towards the cabin and hotel, and that's it!

This is a mosquito area! You may see some animals, however they are shy. Birds for the most part. The lakes can be fished, however you need a permit.