April: the Weird and Wonderful Month

There might be sunny days with blue skies and lovely temperatures that invite to sit outside. You might feel that Spring is definitely in the air. Then as you have just gotten comfortable, a cloud appears and an icy wind might pick up. You will then be glad you can reach for your woollen hat and gloves and warm sweater. Not to forget that it can still snow as well. April is foolish, but ah so endearing!

If you haven’t been out in March, now it is definitely time to put on some hiking boots, take a backpack with a warming tea and a snack, and don’t forget your rain-gear, woollen hat and gloves. Head out for the first hikes of the season. You have many options right from the centre of town in Stavanger. Let me take you out on a few, all of them reachable by public transport.

Take bus number 3 and head to Viste Hageby, and you are in for a treat along the coast. You can either follow the coast all the way to Kvernevik and step back into the bus near the Hafrsfjord bridge, or go the other way along Viste Beach and towards Vistnes along the coastal paths. It might well be that you spot the first oystercatchers along the shoreline, as they have made the long flight back from warmer spheres to breed here along the coast.

Or take the train down to Ogna station, and walk along the beach to Brusand. This is the longest and southernmost beach on the Jæren coast, and does not disappoint on most days of the year. Walk, enjoy the sea breeze, maybe you’ll venture out for a first swim of the year and when you are ready, take the train back to Stavanger from Brusand station.

If you feel up to it, scale the first mountain of the season; give Dalsnuten a go.  The trailhead is reachable by bus 29 from Sandnes to Stronda, and then a 15 min walk up the hill. This quick and easy hike has really great views across Gandsfjord, towards Jæren and Stavanger as well as to the peaks of Hjelmeland. You might be up top with wonderful sunshine and seeing the high mountains of the plateau still covered in snow. This hiking area is always part of the Sandnes ‘7 Nuten Tour’, so have a look at the map in Gramstad. If you live in Stavanger or Sandnes, then I really highly recommend this event; no better time to start training for the stamina needed than now in April! If you need further motivation, consider volunteering at the Sandnes Ultratrail 2024. This incredible event  takes place from the 19-21.04.2024 and the organising committee is still looking for volunteers. The shortest race is 10k the longest is 100miles! For more information see https://www.sandnesultratrail.no/en/

Let’s not forget that the days are getting longer by the day. Throughout April, you will gain no less than one hour and 10 minutes in the evenings! In Stavanger, on April 1 the sun will have set at 8:20pm and on April 30 sunset will be 9:28pm only - and it’s light for a fair while longer. Sunrise moves from 7:02am to 5:41am in the course of the month.  More than enough time to shake the Winter Blues and get Spring into your step! https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/norway/stavanger?month=4

For more information on hikes in Stavanger’s beautiful surroundings, go to https://iventureout.com/lysefjord-and-beyond