About This Hike
Skomakarnibbå is a narrow mountain outcrop roughly 700 metres above Jøsenfjorden in Hjelmeland. This guide covers the established return from Hagalid, not the older and much longer approach from Hjelmelandsvågen. Turn from the Vormedalen road at the signed Hagalid junction, use the paid parking before the farmyard and follow the waymarks through the yard. The route begins on a forest road, then changes to a mountain path as it gains the plateau. Hjelmeland municipality estimates five to six hours and about 400 metres of ascent from Hagalid. The final landscape opens towards the sheer Ullsvikjuvet gorge and Jøsenfjorden, with Karstykket and Skomakarnibbå projecting from the plateau edge. Steep sections, wet ground and the unprotected drop make this a demanding day despite the moderate ascent figure. Most importantly, the marked trail does not continue onto the narrow outcrop itself. Treat the safe plateau viewpoint as the destination, stay on the waymarked line and do not improvise a photo route towards the cliff edge.
Highlights
- ✓ A high plateau viewpoint above Jøsenfjorden
- ✓ A marked ascent from Hagalid through forest and open mountain terrain
- ✓ A well-known local legend attached to the outcrop
- ✓ A route designed to view the formation without stepping onto it
Getting There
Hagalid, paid parking before the farmyard. From the Rv13 roundabout at Sande/Hjelmeland, follow the road towards Vormedalen for about 1.5 km and take the signed turn-off for Hagalid.
Municipality: Hjelmeland (Ryfylke), Rogaland
Trailhead: 59.255010, 6.206650 · Open in Google Maps
Before You Go
There are two very different ways of describing Skomakarnibbå: the five-to-six-hour return from Hagalid and an older, longer walk from Hjelmelandsvågen. This guide covers the Hagalid route. Park before the farmyard, follow the marked route, and treat the plateau—not the outcrop—as the destination.
Information checked: September 2026, against Hjelmeland municipality's Skomakarnibbå trail guide
⚠️ Safety Notes
- The marked trail does not go onto the outcrop. Do not try to create a route to it or approach cliff edges for photographs
- The trail has steep sections and the plateau has sheer drops; keep children close and remain on marked ground
- Five to six hours is the municipality's estimate for the Hagalid return. Bring food, water, warm layers and enough daylight for a full outing
- Wet ground and steep terrain can make the trail slow; sturdy boots and an offline map are appropriate