On wild country roads in Magma Geopark

The journey starts in Flekkefjord, a coastal town with long traditions as a trading centre. In the 18th century, the town had close contact with the Netherlands, and many of the wooden houses in the town centre are still painted white. The area with the oldest houses is called Hollenderbyen – The Dutch Town.

Narrow streets, historic houses and small shops make the city easy to explore on foot. Distances are short and it's easy to move between experiences at the centre.

A break over Jøssingfjord

On the way from Flekkefjord, the road winds its way between steep mountainsides, sometimes with such sharp bends that you can't see what's around the next bend. There are few houses and the road is narrow. The road crosses the county border into Rogaland at Åna-Sira Bridge. The village on the border is definitely worth a stop, but today Reidun and Frode are aiming for Jøssingfjord.

After an exciting journey, Reidun and Frode stop the car. They open the boot and find coffee and a simple packed lunch. From the edge of the car park, they look down at the fjord far below them.

"This has to be one of the best breaks we've ever had on a road trip," says Frode as they sit down on the edge of the boot.

Close by is Jøssingfjord Science Museum. It tells the story of mining, industry and technology that has characterised the area for generations.

Coastal history in Sogndalstrand

From Jøssingfjord, the road continues through a landscape where the roads are narrow and winding, and the view changes with every bend. 

“It's a completely different landscape than we're used to,” says Frode as the car follows the winding roads through the geopark at Norwegian Scenic Route.

They pass Sokndal city centre with a selection of shops and shopping opportunities on the journey further north towards Sogndalstrand. The small town is located where the river meets the sea, with old sea houses close to the water.

Sogndalstrand is Norway's best preserved former trading port. It's a great place to take a break, stroll through the small streets or sit down for a cup of coffee.

“It feels like walking through a piece of coastal history,” says Reidun as she looks out over the sea houses along the river.

The colourful wooden town of Egersund

Further north along the coast lies Egersund, one of the Norway's best preserved wooden town. Here, the wooden houses are painted in many different colours and the town centre is close to the harbour.

Reidun and Frode take a detour up to Varberg, the mountain peak that towers over the city. From the car park they walk the short path up to the viewpoint.

From the top they look out over Egersund and the surrounding landscape. They are trying to find the other mountains that surround the city: Kråkefjell, Åslandsnuten and Kontrari.

Close to the trail, they also look for the Bronze Age petroglyphs found on the mountain.

“It's a bit special to think about how long people have been travelling in this landscape," says Reidun.

After a few marvellous hours in Egersund, the road trip continues from the coast and into the landscape of Magma Geopark.

Through Gloppedalsura

One of the most special stops along the route is Gloppedalsura. Here, huge boulders lie along the road. The stone masses were formed by landslides several thousand years ago and are referred to as Northern Europe's largest scree. 

Reidun and Frode stop the car and look at the stones. One via ferrata route starts right at the roadside and can guide visitors both above and below the huge boulders.

“This place feels almost unreal,” says Reidun.

After the drive through the mountain landscape, the tour continues down towards Byrkjedalstunet. Here you'll find an old farmhouse that today is a natural stop for travellers.

The place is known for restaurants, craft shops and its candle foundry. Inside the mountain hall, handmade candles are produced in many shapes and colours. Reidun and Frode sit down for a meal after the car journey.

“This was a great end to the trip," says Frode. 

Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren

The Norwegian Scenic Routes are 18 carefully selected stretches of road that run through landscapes with unique natural qualities, along coasts and fjords, mountains and waterfalls. The roads are designed as alternatives to the main roads, where the journey itself is part of the experience.

This route follows parts of the coast, shaped by wind, waves and everyday life. Unlike many other tourist routes, these are working roads used by locals, not just visitors. The landscape is open and raw, clearly characterised by the North Sea, with places that invite you to stop and get out of the car.

Take time to explore side roads and short detours along the way. Coastal towns, heritage sites and viewpoints reveal themselves gradually, often best experienced on foot, rather than behind the windscreen.

From here, the journey continues inland and southwards, linking four carefully selected stops in and around the Magma Geopark, each with its own blend of nature, culture and local identity.