Stavanger is wrapped in fjord and forest — the Mosvatnet lake circuit hugs the city centre, the Sørmarka and Vannassen forests offer 50 km of off-leash trails, and the iconic Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) rises 604 m above the Lysefjord, 50 min by car east.
Centre · Mosvatnet, 4019 Stavanger
The flat 3 km circuit around the central city lake — paved path, ducks and swans, the city's most popular dog-walking circuit. Connects directly to the Vannassen forest trails on the south side.
💡 Best at Norwegian midsummer (June 21) when the sun barely sets — full circuit at 23:00 in evening light is a Stavanger ritual.
South · Sørmarka, 4017 Stavanger
Stavanger's largest urban forest — 1 200 ha of pine and spruce south of the centre, 30 km of marked summer hiking and winter cross-country ski trails, the Sørmarka Arena ski tunnel for year-round Nordic skiing.
💡 In winter, the marked ski tracks are reserved for skiers — walk dogs on the parallel pedestrian trails to avoid conflict.
Lysefjord · Preikestolen, 4126 Forsand
The iconic 604 m vertical cliff above the Lysefjord — Norway's most-photographed natural landmark. The 8 km round-trip hike (4h with a dog) is dog-friendly with leashed dogs year-round (May-October recommended). 50 min by car east of Stavanger + 30 min walk-in.
💡 Bring 1 L of water per dog — the trail is rocky, exposed and there is no water source between the trailhead and the summit. Avoid in fog or rain (slippery rocks at the summit cliff edge).
Our top-rated pet-friendly hotels, handpicked and verified.
Clarion Collection Hotel Skagen Brygge
★★★★ · 8.9/10
€2100/night
Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel Stavanger
★★★★ · 8.7/10
€230/night
Thon Hotel Stavanger
★★★ · 8.5/10
€1450/night