The Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) is no doubt the best known tourist attraction and has been a magnet for tourists for over 150 years. The characteristic mountain shelf 604 metres over Lysefjord has been visited by hundreds of thousands throughout the years.

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From the Preikestolhytta, a 7 km traiI climbs the rest of the 350 metres to the top. Good shoes and physical health are necessary for the 3 – 4 hour hike.
In June – August there are daily buses from the ferry quay at Tau to the cabin. You can also enjoy the Pulpit Rock and the Kjeragbolt from the ferries and express boats on the fjord.

The Kjerag mountains rise majestically 1000 metres above the innermost part of the Lysefjord, offering a stupendous view of Lysebotn and the fjord.

photo credit: Helico

One attraction is Kjeragbolten, a boulder wedged into a crack in the mountain.

The trail from Øygardsstøl by Lysevegen road above Lysebotn is demanding. Allow 4 – 6 hours for the 1O km hike, which climbs 570 metres.

Good shoes and physical health are advised. The truly adventurous climb up the precipitous rock faces or parachute from the top.

photo credit: Dany_Sternfeld

The new Lysebotn road has become another great tourist attraction, almost through coincidence; it was built as part of the power station project and not with tourists in mind. The road has 27 hairpin curves and a drop of 950 metres. The last section of road passes through a 1100 metres tunnel and on the top a cafe called Øygardsstøl.

photo credit: Kai Mengel

Innermost in the magnificent Lysefjord lies the village of Lysebotn, the perfect base for exploring the fjord and nearby mountains. Lysebotn power station, experience at close hand how Lysefjord´s waterfalls are turned into electrical energy. In Lysefjorden centre presents the history of the Lysefjord – how it was created and it´s culture throughout the ages – all organised in an exciting, exhibition and adventure centre.

Dyreparken is actually five separate parks, including a water park (bring bathing suits and towels); a forested park; an entertainment park; a theme park; and a zoo, which contains an enclosure for Scandinavian animals such as wolves and elk, a large breeding ground for Bactrian camels, and exotic animals such as lions and tigers. In the zoo, the Africa exhibition allows you to move along a bridge observing native savanna animals such as giraffe and zebras. The park is 11 km (6 mi) east of town.

photo credit: Visit sørlandet

Kristiansand Zoo is Norway`s most frequently visited attraction covering an area of 150 acres of wild Nordic terrain. It is totally different from other European zoos, which are characterised by bars and heavy padlocks. In Kristiansand Zoo, the animals have wide open spaces in which to roam – however, the visitors are still able to get up close to observe some of the most beautiful animals – like the red panda, which is threatened by extinction.

The first part of the rain forest is alive with a variety of apes and monkeys. Here you will find an open air area where some of the smaller monkeys run wild amongst the trees and climbling areas and swing on the ropes while you can move amongst them! Deeper into the rain forest, the mist and the humid atmosphere, dark and scary passages lead the way to crocodiles, alligators and many other reptiles – You will find more than 800 animals and birds living in as much freedom as possible in a natural environment.

photo credit: pbb

The park has many kilometres of good paths throughout, to enable visitors the possibility to roam for hours. Kristiansand Zoo is working very closely with the World Wild-life Foundation to help save animals under threat of extinction. It offers you the opportunity to see the Nordic wolf, lynx and wolverine in their natural environment.

A trip to Cardamom Town (Kardemomme by) is recommended. The town is based on a well-known children’s story written by Thorbjørn Egner and you will meet all the Kardemomme by’s characters from the book in the park’s main season!

The park is full of surprises – not only will you find animals, but there is also a “Summer Island” (a bathing area), with heated swimming pools. Watch the Pirates battle it out from the Black Lady ship, while you enjoy an ice cream. It’s paradise for both young and old… The Living Park is a place to be remembered – a park to be revisited…

More info: Kristiansand zoo