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.

We were staying in Borestranda, Klepp, close to Stavanger, and it took us just over an hour to drive to the start of the Preikestolen hike. The tolls made it a fairly expensive journey, but driving through the enormous tunnels was an experience in itself. We couldn’t believe how long some of them were, with one stretching for more than 14km.

Once we arrived at Preikestolen Fjellstue Mountain Lodge, we found a parking space, had a quick look around the shops and cafés, used the toilets and then set off on the 8km return hike. The walk itself normally takes around four hours, although you could easily spend much longer up there taking photographs and enjoying the views.

Preikestolen is one of Norway’s most famous hikes, so don’t expect to have the trail to yourself. For fewer crowds and a chance of seeing the sun rise over the landscape, you’ll need to start very early. Another option is to arrive later in the afternoon, once many of the morning walkers are heading back down.

We arrived at around 11.30am at the end of May and the lower car park was already quite full, even though it was still early in the main hiking season. There is also an upper parking area, so it is worth checking both on Google Maps before travelling and knowing where your alternatives are.

Planning more hikes around Lysefjord? If you’re visiting the area, don’t miss the brand new Fantapytten trail, or challenge yourself with the unforgettable Kjeragbolten hike, where you’ll have the chance to stand on the famous boulder suspended high above the fjord. Together with Preikestolen, they make three completely different hiking experiences that showcase some of the very best scenery Norway has to offer.

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.

Getting There: Directions, GPX and Map

• Start/Finish: The start point at the lower car park is Preikestolen Fjellstue Mountain Lodge
• Parking: There are two large car parks at Preikestolen Fjellstue Mountain Lodge.
• Transport: Seasonal buses are available from Stavanger, you’ll have to check with the local services and tours that are available.
• GPX: Download the GPX file here.
• Follow this route on my Outdooractive and Komoot profiles.
• Avoid the early start – find accommodation in Stavanger

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: ~1981ft / 604m
• 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

Our hike started at Preikestolen Fjellstue Mountain Lodge after the drive from Klepp, and we arrived at around 11am. It was already fairly busy, but we managed to find three parking spaces for our group of 12. After having a quick look around the shop and café, we set off on the beautiful 8km return hike, heading almost immediately into the woods.

The route changes constantly as you climb towards Preikestolen, taking you through forest, across areas of swampland and up the impressive stone stairways built by Nepalese Sherpas. I won’t spend too much time explaining every turn because the trail is extremely obvious and, in all honesty, you are unlikely to be walking alone. Just follow the marked path and the steady stream of people heading uphill.

Walking through the forest is a real treat. The stone paths are beautifully laid, the surroundings are stunning and we simply took our time, stopping regularly to take photographs. There are a few sections where you walk directly across bare granite, but most of the route follows well-built paths and stone steps.

One of the most interesting parts of the walk is the swampland, where sturdy wooden walkways carry you safely across the wetter ground. I imagine a lot of water gathers here after the winter snow begins to melt, but there is nothing difficult to worry about. The walkways are excellent and continue guiding you steadily upwards towards Preikestolen.

Eventually, you leave most of the forest behind and reach a more open plateau as you move closer to Pulpit Rock and Lysefjord. There are several small ponds along this section, and on such a warm day we saw plenty of people cooling off, swimming and generally having a great time.

That is the walk up covered, but the real reason everyone comes here is Preikestolen itself. Nothing quite prepares you for standing on that enormous slab of rock, 604 metres above Lysefjord, surrounded by views that almost look computer generated.

The deep blue water, green mountains and the fjord disappearing into the haze in the distance make it feel as though you’re watching a film rather than standing there yourself. It is difficult to put into words, so I’ll let the photographs explain it better than I can. What a place.

Preikestolen is somewhere you really should experience if you visit this part of Norway. You can also continue to several higher viewpoints behind the main plateau, which give you the classic view looking down over Pulpit Rock itself. Keep an eye on where other walkers are heading and you will soon spot the paths leading upwards.

We spent a few hours resting, wandering around, taking photographs and enjoying the views while Nick got his drone into the air. There is plenty of room away from the main rock, so you can find somewhere quieter to sit even when the central viewpoint is busy.

Once we were ready, we retraced the same route back down towards the mountain lodge, already talking about the ice cream and coffee waiting for us at the Hikers’ Café.

The ice cream was excellent and definitely worth trying after the walk. There is also a good shop, cafés and very clean toilet facilities around the parking area, which makes the whole day feel well organised from beginning to end.

Preikestolen might be busy and it might be one of Norway’s most photographed places, but once you stand above Lysefjord and see that view for yourself, you understand exactly why everyone comes.

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.

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

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

Practicalities

• Parking: The hike starts from Preikestolen Parking beside Preikestolen BaseCamp. Parking is paid and the site can become extremely busy during the main summer season, so arriving very early or later in the afternoon is worth considering. Toilets, food, shops and visitor facilities are available near the trailhead.
• Distance & Time: The walk to Preikestolen is approximately 8km return. The walking normally takes around four hours, although we spent much longer on the mountain because we stopped regularly for photographs and spent a few hours enjoying the viewpoints.
• Terrain: This is a well-built trail, but it is still a proper mountain hike. Expect woodland, rocky paths, wooden walkways, bare granite and long sections of stone steps built by Nepalese Sherpas. The trail is straightforward to follow but can still feel physically demanding.
• Difficulty: Moderate. It should be manageable for reasonably fit walkers and families with older children, but the route includes approximately 500m of ascent, several steep sections and plenty of uneven terrain.
• Season: The main hiking season normally runs from May to October. Preikestolen can be reached throughout the year, but snow and ice make the route considerably more challenging between November and April. Winter hikers should carry suitable equipment and seriously consider joining a local guide.
• What to Wear: Wear hiking boots or supportive trail shoes with good grip. Carry a waterproof jacket and additional layers because conditions can change quickly around Lysefjord. Sun protection is also useful during warm summer weather.
• Water & Food: Bring enough water and food for the complete hike. Food, drinks and toilets are available around Preikestolen BaseCamp, but there are no facilities once you are on the mountain trail. Plenty of walkers bring lunch to enjoy away from the busiest part of the plateau.
• Safety: Preikestolen has no fences or barriers around its cliff edge, and the drop towards Lysefjord is more than 600m. Take particular care near the edge, keep children close and remember that the granite can become extremely slippery after rain.
• Crowds: Preikestolen is one of Norway’s most popular hikes. Starting well before 7am or later in the afternoon generally offers a quieter experience than setting off during the main morning rush.
• Toilets: Toilet facilities are available beside the parking area and Preikestolen BaseCamp before you begin the hike
• .Public Transport: Direct seasonal bus services operate between Stavanger and Preikestolen Parking. Services are more limited outside the main season, and advance booking is recommended during busy periods.
• Mobile Signal: Mobile coverage is generally available but may become patchy in parts of the route. Download any maps or useful information before setting off.
• Drones: Drone use is currently prohibited at Preikestolen for visitor safety, privacy and nature protection.

Preikestolen FAQs

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