Orrestranda is a long, pale beach on the Jæren coast, one of the few stretches of Norway where the land is flat enough for sand and the sea breaks in proper surf. The coast here is a different world from the fjord country to the north and east: low, open, windswept farmland, with stone walls, potato fields and sheep, and a sea that rolls in from the North Sea without any islands to blunt it. The dunes behind the beach are covered in marram grass, the sky is huge, and the air tastes of salt. In summer the beach fills with families, and in autumn and winter surfers in thick wetsuits ride the waves, a sight that surprises people who think of Norway as nothing but mountains.
The road along the coast is flat and fast, with long straights and gentle bends, and the surface is good. It is a very different kind of riding from the fjord roads, more about wind and space than climbing and cornering. A crosswind can be strong, and gusts catch riders on exposed stretches, so keep your hands firm on the bars. Traffic is moderate, with farm machinery and local cars, and cyclists are common. The area is a favourite with cyclists, who use the dedicated routes along the shore.
Jæren is also a good place to see how Norway has used its land. The stone walls are made from rocks cleared from the fields by generations of farmers, and they stretch for kilometres in every direction. Near Orre, an old church stands among the fields, and the area has traces of settlement going back thousands of years. The soil is rich enough for vegetables, and you will often see roadside stalls selling potatoes, carrots and strawberries in the season.
Bryne, about seven kilometres away, is the nearest town with a decent range of services, and it has fuel, shops and cafés. Nærbø is another option. On the beach, parking is free or cheap, and there is often a kiosk selling ice cream and coffee in summer. Bring a layer even on a warm day, since the sea breeze is cool. At the end of the day, watch the sun go down over the sea, the sky filling with orange light, and the surfers silhouetted against it.