Månafossen is one of the easiest big waterfalls to reach from Stavanger: a short drive inland, a short but steep climb, and a 92-metre drop into a rocky gorge. This guide covers how to get to Månafossen by car, where to park, what the trail is really like, when to go, and how to turn the walk into a fuller day in Frafjord.
Where Månafossen is
Månafossen sits at the inner end of Frafjord, in Gjesdal municipality, south-east of Stavanger. The walk starts from the Eikeskog car park (Eikeskog, 4335 Dirdal), where the valley road ends beside the river. From there it is a short climb to the viewpoints, and the trail continues further up the valley to the old mountain farm at Mån.
It is a different kind of day from Preikestolen or Kjerag. You do not need a full day on the mountain to get something big out of it, which is why we often suggest it for a shorter, active day or as part of a slower road day through inland Rogaland.
How to get to Månafossen from Stavanger
By car
Most visitors drive. The route runs south from Stavanger, then east on road Rv45 to Gilja, where you follow the signs for Frafjord and Månafossen. The last stretch goes through a tunnel and ends at the car park. The whole trip is around 65 km, and route descriptions put it at roughly an hour each way.
A few things worth knowing before you set off:
- Parking: there is a paid car park at Eikeskog. Check the payment options on the signs when you arrive.
- The last part of the drive is a rural valley road. Take it calmly, especially if you are not used to Norwegian country roads.
- Navigation: search for Eikeskog or the Månafossen car park rather than the waterfall itself, so your map takes you to the trailhead.
Without a car
The trailhead is at the end of a quiet valley road, and most people who visit come by car. If you plan to use public transport, check the Kolumbus journey planner carefully before you go, including the return trip, so you are not left waiting at the end of the valley. For many visitors, private transport is simply the easier option.
The Månafossen trail: what it is really like
On paper the walk looks easy. It is short, around 2.6 to 2.7 km for the classic return walk according to Fjord Norway and the Norwegian Trekking Association’s ut.no, with roughly 200 metres of ascent. In practice it feels harder than the numbers suggest, because almost all the climbing comes straight away.
- The first part: stone steps cover roughly the first 100 metres, and the path then climbs steeply over rock and roots.
- Chains: chains are fitted on the steepest rock sections. Use them, especially on the way down.
- Time: ut.no suggests about half an hour each way to the waterfall. Visit Norway describes it as around a one-hour round trip. Allow more if you like to stop for photos or take the steep sections slowly.
- Viewpoints: there are several viewpoints facing the waterfall, so you do not need to go all the way up the valley to see it well.
The single most important thing is footwear. When the rock is wet, which is often in this part of Norway, the path can be very slippery. Hiking boots or shoes with a good grip make a real difference. Keep a safe distance from the river, the waterfall and steep edges, and keep children close. The trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or prams.
Our guide to what to pack for hiking in Norway covers the clothing and small items that matter on a short, wet climb like this one.
Going further: the mountain farm at Mån
If you have time and energy, the trail continues past the waterfall to Mån, an old mountain farm that was lived on until 1915 and has been restored by Jæren Friluftsråd. The cellar holds a small exhibition on the farm’s history and the Frafjordheiane landscape protection area. There are tent spots on the grass near the river, and a newer building with around 30 beds that must be booked in advance with Jæren Friluftsråd.
Sources differ on how long the extra stretch takes, from about half an hour to an hour each way from the waterfall, so treat it as a longer outing rather than a quick add-on. Experienced hikers can continue into Fidjadalen to the DNT cabin at Blåfjellenden, which is around six hours.
When to visit Månafossen
Fjord Norway lists the hike for spring, summer and autumn, and ut.no gives April to September as the season. The waterfall is at its most powerful after heavy rain and during snowmelt.
In winter the steep rock can be icy, and the walk becomes a different proposition. It is possible in the right conditions and with the right equipment, but it is not a walk to try in trainers in January. We guide Månafossen all year and plan each day around the weather on the day. Our guide to the best time to visit Stavanger explains daylight and weather month by month.
If you bring a dog, ut.no notes that dogs must be kept on a lead on this route from 1 April to 20 August.
How to make a day of it
The walk itself is short, so the drive is a big part of the day. The road in through Frafjord is part of the experience, so there is no reason to rush it. Some ideas for a fuller day:
- A morning at Månafossen, an afternoon elsewhere: combine the waterfall with a lunch stop and a shorter coastal or city afternoon back towards Stavanger.
- Waterfall and valley: continue to Mån with a packed lunch and spend a quiet few hours in the valley.
- A rest day between big hikes: Månafossen works well the day after Preikestolen or Kjerag, when legs are tired but you still want to be outdoors.
If you are staying several nights in the region, our Stavanger base page shows how a few different days like this can fit together.
Going with a local guide
You can do Månafossen on your own if you are comfortable on steep, uneven ground and have a car. A private day makes sense when you would rather not drive, want someone who knows how the trail behaves in the wet, or want to fit the walk into a wider day with good stops along the way. On our private Månafossen hike we handle pick-up in Stavanger and the transport, a guide stays with you the whole way, and we bring food and snacks for the day. The minimum age on our guided days is 12.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get to Månafossen from Stavanger?
Around an hour each way by car, for a trip of roughly 65 km. Allow a little extra for the last stretch on the valley road.
Is there parking at Månafossen?
Yes. The walk starts from the paid car park at Eikeskog, at the end of the road through Frafjord.
How hard is the Månafossen hike?
It is short, but the first part is steep, with stone steps and chains on the steepest rock. Good shoes matter more than fitness, especially when the rock is wet.
Can you visit Månafossen in winter?
It is possible, but ice on the steep rock changes the walk completely. Without winter experience and the right equipment, go with a local guide or choose another day.
Before you go, check the trail information on Fjord Norway and the route description on ut.no.
Why travel with NORDIQ Travel?
NORDIQ Travel is a small team based in Stavanger. John and Gert Olsson started guiding here in 2019, under the name TrollAdventure. Both work as firefighters in Norway, and our guiding network is built around people from the emergency services: fire, police and medical. We also hike these mountains because we love it, not only because it is our job.
That shows in how we work: careful preparation, clear communication and calm decisions when conditions change. We plan your days, sort out transport and ferry connections, match you with a local guide and set the pace around the people travelling. You have one person to talk to from your first message to your last day, and we will always tell you honestly what is possible, and what depends on the weather and the season.