604 metres above Lysefjord One of Norway's best-known hikes starts less than an hour from Stavanger. Walk through forest and granite terrain to the flat plateau above Lysefjord. The trail matters too The route is well prepared, but it is still a mountain hike: stone steps, exposed rock, changing weather and roughly 500 metres of elevation gain. Not only a summer hike Long summer days, quiet early starts, autumn light and winter conditions all create a different day on the mountain. In winter, equipment and experience matter much more.
Pulpit Rock – Preikestolen, Norway
Eight kilometres through real mountain terrain
Preikestolen changes with the season
A short climb to a waterfall you can hear before you fully see it.
Månafossen drops 92 metres into Frafjordelva in the Frafjordheiane landscape conservation area. The hike begins at Eikeskog and climbs steeply through forest and rock before reaching viewpoints across the gorge.
The first section is short, but it is steeper than the distance suggests. Stone steps cover the opening section and chains are fitted at some of the steepest points. If you want a longer walk, continue beyond the waterfall towards the restored mountain farm at Mån and the entrance to Fidjadalen.
Månafossen at a glance
Built by first responders. Guided by first responders.
John and Gert Olsson founded TrollAdventure. Our guides come exclusively from first-responder backgrounds — including firefighters, police officers and medics. That experience shapes the way we guide: calm decisions, practical risk awareness, clear communication and close attention to weather, pace and changing mountain conditions. At Månafossen, that means paying close attention to wet rock, steep sections, the fitted chains and the people in the group rather than treating a short hike as an easy one.
Looking for a shorter hiking day from Stavanger? Månafossen combines a steep, compact hike with Frafjord scenery and the option to continue to Mån farm.
How the Månafossen hike develops
The route starts steeply from Eikeskog. The waterfall viewpoints come relatively quickly, while continuing towards Mån turns the visit into a longer walk through the valley.
This is a simplified route profile, not a GPS elevation chart. Current trail information is available through the official regional hiking information for Månafossen and Mån.
What the route is actually like
The trail begins at Eikeskog and immediately gains height. Stone steps cover the first part, followed by uneven mountain trail where chains have been fitted at several of the steepest points.
The distance to the waterfall viewpoints is short, but wet rock can make the climb and descent noticeably more demanding. Good footwear matters here, especially after rain. Keep children close and give the river, waterfall and steep edges plenty of space.
Beyond the main viewpoints, the landscape opens towards Mån and Fidjadalen. The restored mountain farm at Mån gives the walk a second character: less about the waterfall itself and more about the valley, local history and the people who lived here until 1915.
What to bring
- Good hiking shoes with grip
- Wind- and rain-resistant outer layer
- Extra warm layer
- Water and food
- Small backpack
- Headlamp when daylight is limited
- Winter traction equipment when conditions require it
Why Månafossen works so well as a shorter hike
The waterfall
Månafossen drops 92 metres through a narrow gorge into Frafjordelva. The sound and spray become part of the approach before the full waterfall comes into view.
The steep approach
This is not a long mountain hike, but the opening section has character. Stone steps, rock and fitted chains make the short climb feel much more substantial than a simple viewpoint walk.
Mån farm
Continue beyond the waterfall to the restored mountain farm at Mån. People lived here until 1915, and the farm sits at the entrance to Fidjadalen.
Frafjordheiane
The route sits inside the Frafjordheiane landscape conservation area, with the option to continue much farther into the valley for experienced hikers.
Månafossen from trailhead to waterfall and Mån
Månafossen dropping through the green Frafjord valley
Luke hiking at Månafossen with TrollAdventure
The waterfall cutting through the gorge at Månafossen
Forest and waterfall on the Månafossen route
Hikers on the steep Månafossen mountain trail
A TrollAdventure group on the Månafossen hike
A hiker above the Månafossen waterfall landscape
Cold conditions around Månafossen
Guided hikers on a steep section of the Månafossen trail
The Månafossen waterfall seen from the hiking route
A guest at Månafossen in RogalandFrom Stavanger to Eikeskog
The trail starts at Eikeskog in Gjesdal, inland from Frafjord. This is a road-trip destination rather than a city-edge hike, so allow time for the drive as part of the experience.
The approach through the Frafjord area is one reason Månafossen works well as a day out from Stavanger. It can be combined with other stops in the region rather than treated as a standalone four-hour mountain hike.
Allow time beyond the viewpoint
The waterfall itself can be reached on a short hike, but continuing to Mån gives the visit more depth. Wet conditions can also slow the steep ascent and descent, so do not plan the day only around distance.
When should you hike Månafossen?
Spring to autumn
Spring, summer and autumn are the normal seasons for the hike. The waterfall changes with rainfall and snowmelt, while the trail itself changes just as noticeably with wet conditions.
After rain
More water can make Månafossen especially powerful, but it also makes stone and rock on the approach slippery. Good grip and a controlled pace matter more than rushing a short route.
Cold and icy conditions
Ice changes the steep trail quickly. Treat winter and freezing conditions as a different undertaking and assess the trail, footwear and group before committing to the climb.
The fitted chains help with balance on steep sections, but they do not remove the need to judge the conditions.
Local judgement matters more than knowing the path
Do not stop the day at the first viewpoint
The waterfall is the obvious reason to come, but continuing towards Mån changes the experience. The valley becomes quieter, the terrain opens and the history of the old farm adds context to the landscape.
Use the conditions, not the distance
A short trail can still be slow when rock is wet or icy. Pace the steep sections carefully, use the chains where fitted and be prepared to turn around if footing becomes poor.
Build Månafossen into a day from Stavanger
Månafossen, Frafjord and the surrounding region
Månafossen works particularly well as part of a broader road-and-hike day. We can combine local transport, the waterfall hike and other relevant stops according to the group, weather and time available.
Which of our Top 5 Hikes fits your day?
These five hikes offer very different days. Månafossen is the shortest and most compact. Pulpit Rock is a manageable half-day mountain hike, while Kjerag, Trolltunga and Flørli demand more time, fitness or sustained steep terrain.
| Hike | Difficulty | Duration | Good fit for | Tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulpit Rock / Preikestolen | Moderate | About 4 h hiking / approx. 6 h tour | First-time visitors, cruise-day guests and active travellers wanting a manageable Lysefjord hike | See tour |
| Kjerag | Demanding | 10–12 h tour | Fit hikers comfortable with a long mountain day, steep climbs and exposed terrain | See tour |
| Trolltunga | Very demanding | Full-day hike | Experienced, fit hikers prepared for a long day in mountain terrain | See 4 Top Hikes tour |
| Flørli 4444 | Demanding | 10–12 h tour | Active travellers comfortable with a long, steep staircase and a different Lysefjord experience | See tour |
| Månafossen | Short but steep | Short hike; longer if continuing to Mån | Travellers wanting a compact waterfall hike and a flexible day in Frafjord | Ask us |
Trolltunga is currently included in our Norway’s 4 Top Hiking Adventures. A separate Trolltunga tour will be added later.
Want to include Månafossen in a day from Stavanger?
We can build the waterfall, Frafjord and other regional stops into a practical day based on your group and available time.
Questions people ask before hiking Månafossen
How high is Månafossen?
Månafossen has a 92-metre drop into Frafjordelva and is one of the best-known waterfalls in Rogaland.
Is the hike to Månafossen difficult?
The hike to the viewpoints is short, but the path is steep and uneven. Stone steps and chains help on the steepest sections, and wet rock can be slippery.
Where does the Månafossen hike start?
The trail starts at Eikeskog in Gjesdal, close to Frafjord.
Can I continue beyond Månafossen?
Yes. The trail continues towards Mån, a restored historic mountain farm at the entrance to Fidjadalen. The combined route gives a more complete day than stopping at the first waterfall viewpoints.
Can I hike Månafossen without a guide?
Yes, many visitors hike independently in suitable conditions. A guided day is useful when you want transport from Stavanger, local context or to combine Månafossen with other stops in the region.
Is Månafossen suitable for children?
The outing is often described as family-friendly, but the path is steep. Children need close supervision around wet rock, the river, waterfall and steep edges.
Waterfall, valley and a road worth taking.
Make Månafossen part of your Stavanger adventure
A short, steep hike can fit naturally into a wider day through Frafjord and inland Rogaland. We plan around the group, the weather and the time you actually have.