Oanes is a ferry quay on the Lysefjord, and for the Ryfylke route it is the traditional doorway. A short ferry crossing from Lauvvik brings you here, to the north shore of the fjord's mouth, and the road then heads east and north into the Ryfylke district, a landscape of fjords, waterfalls and steep mountain farms. There is not much at Oanes itself: a few houses, a bridge that carries the road over the water to Forsand, and a view back toward the cliffs. Hommersåk and Jørpeland, each over five thousand people, are the nearest places with real services, about thirteen kilometres away.
The ferry is part of the experience. The crossing takes about ten minutes, and in summer, the queue can be long, so arrive early and be prepared to wait. Once across, the road runs through Forsand, a village below the great wall of the Lysefjord's cliffs, and the stone-age and Viking settlement of Sandnes is nearby, with ancient rock carvings. Preikestolen, the famous cliff platform, is within reach on foot from a car park a short drive away, and the walk takes a couple of hours.
Ryfylke is one of the old lands of Norway, with a long history of farming, fishing and timber. The fjords here were used by Vikings, and burial mounds and standing stones mark the landscape. Today, the area is a mix of farms, fish farms and hydropower, and the roads are generally narrow, with many tunnels and bridges, built in the last few decades. The route is a National Tourist Route, with art installations and viewpoints along the way. The surface is good, and bends are frequent but not severe.
Weather is a gamble, and Rogaland is one of the wetter parts of Norway, with frequent rain and low cloud. In summer, though, there are days of sun, and the light on the fjord is beautiful. Fuel is available at Jørpeland and in the larger villages, but supplies in the more remote parts are limited, so keep an eye on the gauge. Cafes serve coffee, waffles and open sandwiches, and the small fish smokehouses sell trout and salmon. Take your time, and let the ferry settle your mind for the ride ahead.