Norway from Mandal to Bergen – May 2025

🧭 Factsheet

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📍 Our route & stages

Stage 1: Mandal → Farsund

We waited in Mandal for well over a week for the wind to turn so that we could continue north. When that did not happen, we picked a day with less wind and motored round Cape Lindesnes to Farsund. That was roughly 27 miles. Without any big wind waves and with no noticeable current, this notorious corner was no problem. And even the long old swell of about 1 to 2 metres hardly bothered us. In Farsund we used the free washing machines and the tumble dryer while we waited for the next storm to pass.

Stage 2: Farsund → Egersund

After Cape Lindesnes had shown us its gentler side, Lista, the next very exposed section with sometimes challenging conditions, clearly wanted to show us what it could really do. Once we came out of the fjord, there was a good wind from behind at up to 18 knots and a favourable current, but the waves from the side were so high that steering felt like riding a bucking horse. And then, after we had passed Lista, the wind disappeared. As if someone had flicked a switch. So we started the engine again and did the rest of the way to Egersund under motor.

Stage 3: Egersund → Tananger

It was too good to be true. We set off in dream conditions, 12 knots of wind from the north-west, which pushed us along nicely, but by midday it had gone off for a siesta and we had to start the engine again. In between, a breeze came up and we went to the trouble of unpacking the gennaker, only to take it down again an hour later in frustration. So far Norway had mostly meant either no wind at all or strong headwinds.

Stage 4: Tananger → Stavanger

But the short hop on Sunday made up for everything so far. Sunshine, not a cloud in the sky, 6 to 10 knots from the west, and later even a bit more. For the 12 miles we left the mainsail packed away. In weather like that, we did not mind the slow pace at all. Before Stavanger we sailed along with the regatta fleet for a while and were already moored to the buoy off Line by afternoon coffee time. I had picked the island because of its lovely natural harbour. Once everyone had left the little jetty the next day (Monday), we moved over there and lit the barbecue in the evening. We stayed for a few days. The island offered good shelter, and we wanted to look around Stavanger at the weekend and watch the parade on the National Day (17 May). On Thursday we crossed the bay to Stavanger. We stayed there for five days and enjoyed the beautiful city with its maritime flair around the harbour and its old colourful wooden houses. We had expected a port city with more of an industrial feel. The exact opposite was true.

Stage 4: Stavanger → Jørpeland

In the beautiful island world around Stavanger, everything is relatively close together. So our trip to Jørpeland was hardly worth mentioning. We had only chosen the place because from there you can take a short bus ride to Preikestolen BaseCamp. Even though we had heard horror stories about crowds of tourists dragging themselves up the steep mountain paths, we did not want to miss the view over the Lysefjord from up there. It was still pre-season and already late afternoon when we set off. We had snow, rain and sunshine. But only a handful of people on the trail and even fewer up on Preikestolen with us.

🗺️ Special experiences & learnings

• Preikestolen hike

⚓ Our favourite place on this leg

• Linehamn (island in the Byfjord)

💡 Practical tips for anyone sailing the route

• Alongside Windy, we also used the Danish weather service DMI.dk for planning this stretch on the south coast (the forecast area goes as far as Bergen), as well as Barentswatch.no. That made it easier to assess currents and wave conditions.
• The beautiful Ryfylke region between Stavanger in the south and Haugesund in the north is something you should really savour. Super sheltered and full of gorgeous natural harbours, it is an absolute dream. https://www.ryfri.no/kart/marina
• Pulpit Rock Tours take you from Stavanger or Jørpeland to Preikestolen BaseCamp. Tickets and timetables

🖼️ Gallery