Hike to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Norway’s Most Famous Trek – 604m above the Lysefjord.

Region: Lysefjord, Stavanger – Norway

Places To Stay: Stavanger is the closest city to Lysefjord, and is more than likely where you will fly into. You can stay in or near Stavanger, although you may want to base yourself in the rural areas on both sides of the fjord. Looking for more Norway trails? Head to my ‘Norway Hiking Guides‘ page to see all regions and routes.

Below are a few ideas for day tours, guides and transfers around the Lysefjord, with GetYourGuide offering great discounts and easy booking + a huge amount of options in the Stavanger area, see more here.

For a wider choice of accommodation in Stavanger, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.

Staying in Borestranda, Klepp close to Stavanger we drove to the start of this hike, and although quite expensive with the tolls, the drive through the long tunnels was an awesome experience. We were shocked by how long they are; one of them is over 14km long!

It took us just over an hour and once we got to the Preikestolen Fjellstue Mountain Lodge, we found a parking space, had a look around the various shops and cafes there, used the toilets, then set off on the 8km round trip, which takes around 4 hours, but you may be longer taking in the views.

If you want to avoid crowds at Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), start the walk very early morning, and you will experience a bit of magic when the sun rises. Or just go in the afternoon, we got there around 11.30am, the lower car park was pretty full by then, and it was still very early in the season at the end of May. There is an upper car park, so google maps them both so you have options.

Getting There: Directions, GPX and Map

• Start/Finish: The start point at the lower car park is Preikestolen Fjellstue Mountain Lodge, Find all the car park details here.
• Transport: Seasonal buses are available from Stavanger, you’ll have to check with the local services and tours that are available.
• Download the GPX file here.
• Follow this route on my Outdooractive profile.

Travel Data: I use eSIMs to stay connected — quick setup and no roaming faff. Sim Local has been solid in Italy/Europe with good prices and coverage.

Hike Profile

• Distance: ~5m / 8km
• Duration: 5-6 hours (lots of sightseeing)
• Highest Point: 2123ft / 650m
• Difficulty: Difficult (steep short climbs), lots of steps, large rocks to step up on and over, and could be slippery. The sheer vertical cliffs are scary and you need to be well prepared for all weathers.
• Route conditions: Well-worn pathways most of the way around, good walking shoes are a must.

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From Heathrow, we flew to Oslo then Stavanger, and hired cars, Skyscanner found the cheapest flights, try the flight widget above.

Hike Description

The hike for us started at Preikestolen Fjellstue Mountain Lodge, took us just over an hour to drive there from Kleppe and we arrived at around 11am. It was quite busy but we found 3 spaces, had a look around the shops and cafe and then set off on this beautiful 8km hike as a group of 12, walking almost straight away into the woods.

The trail, which has significant shifts in terrain, includes swampland, forests, and stone stairways built by Nepalese sherpas, I will try and show the different terrains, and not talk about the way to get there, as the path is very obvious and in honesty, I doubt you will be alone, so just follow the crowds.

Walking through the forest is a real treat, the rock paths are very well laid out, the scenery is stunning and we just took our time, and stopped here and there to take pictures. There are occasions where you will be walking up bare granite rock, but it’s mostly paths and steps.

An interesting part of the walk is the swampland, and the very well built secure walkways that guide you over them, I guess just after winter a lot of water will gather here, but there is nothing to worry about, these walkways are placed here and there and keep guiding you up to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock).

At a certain point you leave the forest behind and come up to a plateau as you edge closer and closer to the main place. You are heading towards the fjord as well as Prekeistolen, and here and there are small ponds that had people in them cooling down, having a swim and having fun.

OK, that’s the path up done, what I need to show is Preikestolen itself, people having their pictures taken, the unreal panoramic fjord views that almost feel computer generated. It honestly feels like you are watching a film, the beautiful blue water, the green and the view where you see the fjord come to an end with a haze around it, it’s hard to describe, so instead I’ll post my pics here, that will explain it better.

What a place! You have to do it if you come to this part of Norway, and as you will see one of the pics is from above it, which you can get to in a few places. Just keep an eye on the people and they will show you.

We spent a few hours just resting, taking in the views, having a wonder around, Nick got his drone going, and once ready we started to head down as we fancied an ice-cream and a coffee at the ‘Hikers Cafe’. The ice cream is amazing, give that a try for sure, and just to remind you there is a nice shop there and very good toilet facilities, so all in all it’s a fantastic full day experience for all the family.

An option for you is the Pulpit Rock Guided Hike with pick up options. This is recommended if you are feeling a bit unsure about guiding yourself up and down.

Places to Stay in and near Stavanger

For a wider choice of accommodation in Stavanger, Booking.com has a huge variety to browse through.

Recommended Stays

Home Again Apartments Nygata 1

Home Again Apartments Nygata 1 in Stavanger is housed in a historic building, offering a unique and charming environment. Located 12 km from Stavanger Airport, the property is a short walk from Stavanger Maritime Museum and City Hall. Nearby attractions include Godalen Beach and Stavanger Art Museum.

Check Availability

Thon Hotel Stavanger

This modern hotel is centrally located in Stavanger, just 5 minutes’ walk from Stavanger Station. WiFi and access to a well-equipped fitness room are free for guests.

Check Availability

AllTrails: Trail Guides & Maps for Hiking, Camping, and Running | AllTrails ‘Plus’ 30% OFF – Read my ‘Full Review‘ for more details.

Practicalities

• Parking: The hike starts from the large car park at the Preikestolen BaseCamp. It’s a modern visitor centre with toilets, a café, restaurant and shop. Parking is paid and can get busy during peak summer months, so arriving early in the morning (or later in the evening) is a good idea.
• Distance & Time: The walk to Preikestolen is about 8km return. Most people take between 4 and 5 hours in total depending on fitness, photo stops and how busy the trail is.
• Terrain: This is a well-built trail but still very much a mountain hike. Expect stone steps, rocky paths, and some short steep climbs. Large sections of the route have been improved by Sherpa trail builders, which makes the path easier to follow but still physically demanding in places.
• Difficulty: Moderate. It’s suitable for reasonably fit walkers and families with older children, but it still involves around 350 metres of ascent and some uneven terrain. Good footwear is recommended.
• Season: The main hiking season runs from May to October. In winter, snow and ice can cover the trail and it becomes more challenging. Some people hike it year-round, but winter conditions require proper preparation and experience.
• What to Wear:
• Hiking boots or good trail shoes with grip
• Waterproof jacket (fjord weather changes quickly)
• Layers — it can be warm climbing but cooler at the summit
• Sun protection in summer
• Water & Food: Bring water and snacks with you. There are facilities at the start but nothing once you’re on the trail. Many people bring lunch to enjoy at the top.
• Safety: The plateau itself has no fences or barriers. The drop to the fjord below is over 600 metres, so stay well back from the edge if you’re uncomfortable with heights. The rock surface can also be slippery after rain.
• Toilets: Available at Preikestolen BaseCamp before you start the hike.
• Mobile Signal: Generally available but can be patchy in places along the route.

Preikestolen FAQs

Walk this route yourself in 3D!

The video is a 3D walkthrough of this route; it’ll give you a great idea of what to expect before you set foot on the mountain.

I’ve created 3D videos of my walks and shared them with the Outdooractive and Welsh Man Walking communities.

Hike to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Norway’s Most Famous Trek – 3D Video

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