Preikestolen hike: everything you need to know
Pulpit Rock, also known as Preikestolen, is a must-see when visiting Southern Norway. This impressive rock is about 604m above the Lysefjord, 25 m wide, and offers an amazing view. According to CNN and Lonely Planet, this is one of the most beautiful views in the world. If you’re planning a trip to Norway, hiking to Preikestolen is easily one of the best things to do in Norway and belongs on every nature lover’s itinerary. The hike up there provides a diverse range of landscapes. And as the Preikstolen hike isn’t as long as Trolltunga, it is more manageable for most people. In this guide, we will tell you everything you need to know before hiking Preikestolen.
Preikestolen hike in short
- Distance: 8km round trip
- Total duration: 3-4 hours
- Altitude difference: 334 m
- Difficulty: moderate
When to hike Preikestolen (best months and weather)
Around 300.000 people visit Preikestolen each year, so it can get very busy. And because the path is narrow at some points, you will soon go up on person after another. Not pleasant as you can’t walk at your own pace. The busiest months are June-August, and more specifically between 8 am and 4 pm. If you can, try to avoid hiking Preikestolen on weekends and holidays. And start the hike as early as possible. If you are hiking in summer, you can also decide to start the hike late in the afternoon/early evening.
Can everybody hike Preikstolen?
There are some steep parts, but it isn’t a technically difficult hike. If you have a decent physical condition, you will definitely manage it. Along the way, you will walk on stone paths and steps, rocks, bridges, and boardwalks. The steepest part of the hike is made easier by the stone steps.
The most important part is to be prepared: wear appropriate clothing (good shoes, the right clothes for the weather), bring food and water, and keep an eye on the weather conditions. The weather can change very quickly in the mountains, so you will need to be prepared for everything.
How to get to Preikestolen (parking and transport)
You can take a bus from Stavanger to Preikestolen (50min) through one of the two companies operating (Pulpit Rock Tours or Go Fjords). Both will drop you off at the start of the hike, and you will need to book tickets in advance online. You will need to take the same bus back to Stavanger after the hike.
Gofjords offers 2 morning departures in April, May, September, and 4 departures in June-August. Pulpit Rock Tours has 2 morning departures starting from March.
You can also go to Preikestolen by car. There are 2 parking lots near the start of the hike. They can accommodate up to 1000 cars and 20 tour buses. P1 is close to the start of the hike, and P2 is about 1km from the start of the hike. If both parking lots are full, you will need to divert to an overflow waiting area until places come available.
You will need to pay a parking fee after completing the hike. It will be 275 NOK if you park for more than 2 hours. No camping is allowed.
We visited Preikestolen during our Norway road trip itinerary, which is one of the best ways to explore the country’s fjords, mountains, and scenic drives.
How to hike Preikestolen: guided or independent?
The hike to Preikestolen is easily done by yourself if you have some hiking experience. But you can, of course, always book a guided tour from Stavanger. And in winter, it is recommended to hike Preikestolen with a guide.
The hike itself: what to expect on the trail
Start the hike as early as possible if you are staying close by and can drive to the start of the hike. We started the hike at 7 am in June, and there were already some people on the trail and around 50 at Preikestolen itself. When we were going back down around 9 am, there were a lot more people coming up, making it very unpleasant to hike because you had to wait at some points.
When you start at the visitor center, you immediately have a short climb on a grind path until you enter a forest. The path becomes more rocky but is also relatively flat. Next, you encounter some boardwalks, rocks, and steps. The last part is a pretty steep climb up. Try to take it slow and steady. The last part is again flat until the end. There you will have time to enjoy the amazing view and take some photos. You will go back down the same way.
Not only is the view at Preikestolen itself amazing, but you also encounter some amazing views. Take the time to take it all in.
The trail is well marked with guide poles and red T. At regular intervals, there is information about how many km you still have to go. It also shows at what time you need to turn around in order to avoid hiking in the dark.
At the parking lot, there is a little café/restaurant where you can enjoy a nice drink or snack before or after your hike.
Packing list for Preikestolen
Good hiking boots are essential, as some rocks can be slippery. Hiking poles can come in handy for going down.
Along the hike, you will not be able to get any food or water, so pack that yourself. If you are hiking in the summer, bring sun protection, as you will be hiking in the sun for most of the hike. Wear layers of clothing: you will sweat during the hike, but it can be cold and windy at the rock itself. If you are hiking in the dark, a headlamp can be handy to have your hands free.
Preikestolen in winter
In theory, you can hike Preikestolen the whole year. But in winter, you will need to be prepared for snow and less daylight. Both the trail and the rock itself are covered in snow, so you will need the proper equipment. It is recommended to hike Preikestolen in winter with a guide.
Where to stay if you want to hike Preikestolen?
Most people stay at Stavanger if they want to hike Preikestolen. It’s about a 40 min drive from Stavanger. If is best to reserve 2 days if you plan to do this hike, this way, you can determine the best day. Stavanger has everything you need: hotels, good restaurants, and cute neighborhoods. You can also visit the oil museum. There are numerous hotel options in Stavanger.
If you want to stay near the start of the hike, you can book accommodation at Preikestolen Hotel & Basecamp. You can choose to book a room at the beautiful Fjellstue Mountain Lodge, a cozy wooden cabin, or a camping area. But you can also book a place at Hikers Camp for a unique glamping experience.
Camping at the parking lot of Preikestolen is not allowed. The closest camping is Camping Preikestolen at the start of the road towards the start of the Preikestolen hike.
Some final tips
- There are toilets at the parking lot, but no toilets along the way. Try to go before doing the hike. If you have to go, always take the toilet paper back with you and stay away from rivers and other water sources.
- During the summer months, there can be midgets. So, take some mosquito repellent with you
- Drones are not allowed!
- If you want to see Preikestolen from the Lysefjord, book a cruise. They leave from Stavanger and take about 2-3.5 hours.
- Leave nothing but footprints! Take all your garbage back with you
Plan your trip to Norway like a pro
✈️ Book your cheap flights to Norway on Skyscanner
🏨 Reserve a hotel, apartment, or holiday home at Booking.com
🚕 Need a transfer from the airport? Use Welcome Pickups or download the Bolt or Uber app
🛜 Use Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming fees. Use SHARON9895 to get €3
📺 Use NordVPN to keep watching your favorite programs or movies on the go
🚗 Need to rent a car? Use DiscoverCars or Local Rent
🚆 Buy train tickets from Omio or RailEurope
💳 Use Wise to pay in Norway at the real exchange rate and avoid expensive foreign card fees
🎟️ Pre-book tours, entrance tickets, and activities via Viator or GetYourGuide
🏥 Get travel insurance at World Nomads or Safety Wing
Some of these links are affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, Travel Eat Enjoy Repeat will earn a small commission. This will cost you nothing extra.
