Outdoor activities: Swimming, climbing, biking, boating and canoeing

On a nice sunny day Bråstein lake is the place to be.

Enjoy the pure and crystal clear water

The water quality at the ocean-side facilities and in the lakes is regularly controlled by the city council water authorities.

Outdoor facilities at the ocean-side
Along the long coastline there are large and small beaches with possibilities for swimming and sun bathing. Some beaches are open and some are more secluded. Most of the beaches are well suited for children.

The beaches can be found at:

• Rissebærstraen, Lura
• Sandvika and Holmavika on the way to Dale
• Bymarka at Li
• Breivik at Hommersåk
• Vadholmen between Usken and Uskakalven
• Tingholmen
• Apalstø at Høle
• North of Dale, Dalsvågen
• Kalvaskogen at Høle

Holmavika is accessible for disabled and wheelchair users.

Lake-side facilities
In addition to its long coastline, Sandnes council has many large and small lakes and rivers. These are excellent spots for swimming and are definitely worth exploring. Most of these facilities are well suited for small children.

• Stokkalandsvatnet
• Bråsteinvatnet
• Hogstadvika in Lutsivatnet
• Alsvik by Kyllesvatnet
• Flassavatnet
• Tengesdalsvatnet
• Frøylandsvatnet at Riska
• Figgjoelva by the waterfalls at Foss-Eikland
• Furuneset (also a excellent starting point for canoeing)

The facilities at Hognstadvika, Tengesdalsvatnet, and Furuneset are made accessible for the disabled.

Climbing routes of high standard

The climbing locations around Sandnes are of a very high standard and easily accessible. The crags' difficulty varies from crag to crag and sometimes even from route to route. The majority of routes are medium to high in severity. Bratte Rogalands Venner (BRV) has published a guide with more than 500 climbing routes in the Rogaland area. The guide can be purchased at equipment outfitters and from Stavanger Tourist Information.

Maritime activities

There are two islands in the Sandnes area that has been equipped to serve boat tourists.

Tingholmen
At the entry of Høgsfjorden you will find the small (approximately 90 decar), sheltered island called Tingholmen. The island's harbor facilities include toilets, picnic areas with barbeques, boat hook ups and renovation. The island has beautiful rock faces ideal for sun bathing or just to sit and relax and admiring the view. There are also some small beaches, grass fields, and small wooded areas. The island is a wonderful place for families with small children.

Vadholmen
North of Hommersåk between Usken and Uskekalven you find the island of Vadholmen. This island's harbor area is sheltered from wind and the 70 meters long pier makes for easy anchoring. There are toilets, barbeques, and renovation facilities. Families with small children will find the island very comfortable.

Public harbor areas are:

• Sagel
• Hommersåk
• Festebrygga at Høle
• Lauvåsvågen
• Ims
• Apalsstø

Explore the area by canoe

Ims/Lutsi waterways is an ideal place for canoeing. If you are a novice you will find this area is for you. But even for the more advanced there are many challenges. The area allows for longer trips and tenting is possible along the way. The area comprises four interconnected lakes with smaller lakes, narrow straights, small islands and bays in between. From the west, Vatne, to Ims in the east the line of sight measures approximately 10 kilometers. The landscape changes from forest, to open mountainous areas, to pastures, and fields. The waterways have a rich bird life and it is a breeding ground for numerous species of ducks.

Biking trails

"The City trail" (Sentrumsruta)

• 14 km roundtrip trail varying from gravel to hard surface
• Starting in the city center the trail takes you through Sandved Park - a beautiful green oasis. From there the trail goes around Stokkelandvatn. The lake has a rich bird habitat. The trail then goes past Austrått and Iglemyr before turning back through Graverslia to the city center.

"The Melshei trail" (Melsheiruta)

• 13 km roundtrip trail varying from flat to hilly, and from gravel to hard surface
• This beautiful and varied trail starts at Tronsholen. From there you follow the bike path to Bråteinvatnet. If time permits this is a good spot for fishing or swimming. From the lake the trail continues to the Arboretum. This is Norway's largest park, more than 600 decar. The Arboretum has many kilometers of footpaths - well worth a visit. In the park there are more than 1400 different types of trees and shrubs. Leaving the Arboretum the trail takes you to Sviland and then up the Steinfjell mountain. The homestretch is a nice downhill ride through Melshei and then ending at Tronsholen.

"The Malmheim trail" (Malmheimruta)

• 17 km relatively flat roundtrip trail on gravel and hard surface
• The trail starts in the city center, takes you through the suburban areas of Folkvord, Malmheim, Lea, Sandved, and then back to the city center. Vista points along the way are Stangeland lumberyard, Julebygda chapel, and Leanuten mountain.

"The Hommersåk trail" (Hommersåkruta)

• 7km roundtrip trail varying from gravel to hard surface
• The trip starts in the idyllic area of Stemmen. From there the trail goes past Maudland school through smaller parks and suburban areas, along Frøylandsvatnet and downhill to Estemyr. As soon as you have come down hill the trail takes you back uphill to Riska Football field. From there it is back downhill again to Kyrkjevollen and Hommersåk school. This school is the city's oldest and has an exciting school ground. The final stretch is a shallow downhill ride back to Stemmen.

Photo: Odd Inge Worsøe