Hike to Pulpit Rock

After 5 hours of sleep in 10 layers of clothing because of the cold, we set off to our adventure to Preikestolen. It was my first day in Norway and despite the lack of sleep I never felt more awake. I wanted to visit the country for a long time and had the whole trip planned out. Hiking in Norway is a popular activity and it was the main reason I wanted to visit the country.

We had 3 iconic hikes planned for the first 3 days and Preikestolen was the easiest and shortest one. This gave us the opportunity to think what kind of equipment and clothing we’ll need for the next 2 bigger hikes.

We went on a Saturday and set off later than we would have liked, but didn’t have much choice as I arrived with a late flight to Stavanger and we really can’t set off for such an adventure with less than 5 hours of sleep.

This meant that the hiking trail was very busy. If you have the choice go on a weekday or start the hike early. The hike to the top was still very nice and enjoyable. However this is a very popular hike, so if you prefer to have the whole trail to yourself maybe choose a different hike like Hemsedal.

It takes about 2 hours to get to the top with some photo breaks. Make sure you bring food and water, although there are many opportunities to refill your bottle with fresh stream water. On sunny days you have a chance to swim in a little lake, which is about halfway to the top. Though I must say I don’t know how people do this as during our time in the beginning of August, going in to the lake just seemed like the last thing I wanted to do in Earth.

Everyone in my family has a bit of fear of height, so naturally, we were shocked how easy some people just chilled at the edge of the rock, looking straight down and eating sandwiches while their legs just hang over the edge. Me and my brothers just had to try and do the same for a picture, but we backed up straight after the photo was taken. It was an incredible experience to look down to Lysefjord from 604 m.

After we took pictures from every possible angle and had our lunch while admiring the cliff which was formed during the ice age we started to make our way back. It started to rain, which made us and everyone else walk much faster. We were happy to get back to the parking lot to our car after this 8 km hike. We were all soaked by then, but for that view it was so worth it. The hike itself wasn’t too challenging and I would recommend it even if you are in Norway with kids.

In my next post I write about the scariest experience of my life: standing on Kjeragbolten.

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Preikestolen hike at a glance

How to get to Preikestolen from Stavanger

By car: Take road 13 through the Ryfylke tunnel (part of the Ryfast project) towards Jørpeland. Continue on road 523, and about 3 km past Jørpeland turn off for Preikestolen Parking. It takes around 30–40 minutes from central Stavanger, and you no longer need the old Stavanger–Tau ferry. The tunnel is tolled through AutoPASS. Rental cars usually bill the toll afterwards, so check the current rate with your rental company. From the south (Forsand) you cross the Lysefjord bridge and drive about 9 km.

By direct bus (main season): - Pulpit Rock Tours (run by Boreal Travel) leaves from Stavanger bus terminal and also serves Sandnes, Jørpeland and Oanes. Fares start from NOK 498. It runs several departures a day in the main season, roughly May to September, with some spring and autumn services too. - Go Fjords Preikestolen Express leaves from Olav V's gate 5 in Stavanger (by the Radisson Blu Atlantic) and runs from about April to October. The ride takes about an hour each way. - With both companies, buy tickets online in advance, because they aren't sold on the bus. Come back with the same company too, because the tickets aren't interchangeable.

Off-season by public transport: Take Kolumbus bus 100 from Stavanger to Jørpelandsvågen, then a taxi for about 10 minutes (Strand Taxi, +47 51 74 54 20). There's also a year-round car ferry from Lauvvik to Oanes on the Forsand side, but it doesn't run all day.

Preikestolen parking (2026)

The car park belongs to the Preikestolen foundation. It's at the BaseCamp, which includes the old Preikestolen Fjellstue lodge, and holds about 1,000 cars across P1 and the overflow P2 (Moslimyrå).

• Up to 2 hours: NOK 40. Over 2 hours, which means any hiker: NOK 275 per day.
• You pay at the machine after your hike. The barriers work 24/7, and there are EV chargers.
• You can't sleep in your vehicle in the car park.
• On summer weekends both car parks can fill up between about 08:00 and 16:00. If they do, you may be sent to a waiting area or asked to come back later.
• Hotel and lodge guests at the BaseCamp park free; ask staff for a QR code for the barrier.

Best time to hike Preikestolen

• May/June to September is the normal season. The trail is usually free of snow and the days are long. June to August is the busiest time, with July the peak.
• Late September and October bring autumn colour and fewer people, but shorter days and more rain.
• November to April (winter): The trail stays open, but it's often covered in snow and ice. Wear proper boots and spikes or crampons (you can hire them at the BaseCamp Adventure Centre). Start early so you're down before dark. Preikestolen365 advises against bringing children under 5 in winter. A guided hike is strongly recommended. The plateau can be impossible to reach in bad winter conditions.

Safety at the edge

There is no fence on the plateau, and the authorities have deliberately chosen not to add one. The drop is a sheer 604 m to the fjord. Deaths are rare, but they do happen. Stay well back from the edge, especially in wind or rain or when the rock is wet. Keep children close. Don't sit on the edge for photos unless you're completely comfortable, and never in poor conditions. The top is much windier and colder than the car park, so pack a warm layer and a waterproof even on a sunny day. Keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 113.

How to avoid the crowds (and sunrise tips)

• Start before 08:00 or after 16:00 in summer, and choose a weekday over Saturday or Sunday.
• If you can, stay overnight at the BaseCamp or nearby. Then you can be on the trail at first light, before the buses arrive.
• Sunrise hike: Check the sunrise time the night before and allow 2–3 hours for the climb. Take a head torch, because you'll start in the dark on rocky steps. In June and July the sun rises very early, so check the time carefully.
• Bring all your food and water, and take all your rubbish back down.

Alternatives to the Preikestolen hike

• See it from below: A Lysefjord boat cruise from Stavanger passes beneath Preikestolen. It's ideal if you're short on time or have small children.
• Kjerag and Kjeragbolten at the end of the Lysefjord is a much harder, longer hike. The road to the trailhead is only open in summer.
• Quieter routes to the same plateau: Longer trails such as the Lysefjord Panorama Trail approach Preikestolen from other directions. They're much less busy than the main path.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Preikestolen hike?

It's about 3.8–4 km each way, so roughly 8 km return on the same path. Most people take 2–3 hours to reach the top. Allow 4–5 hours for the round trip including a break.

How hard is the Preikestolen hike?

It's rated moderate. There are rocky stone steps, a few steep climbs and some boggy sections on boardwalks. In total you climb roughly 350–500 m. Fit children manage it well in summer, but winter conditions make it much harder.

How do you get to Preikestolen from Stavanger without a car?

In the main season, take a direct bus with Pulpit Rock Tours or Go Fjords. They take about 50–60 minutes, and you book online in advance. Off-season, take Kolumbus bus 100 to Jørpeland, then a short taxi to the trailhead.

How much is parking at Preikestolen?

In 2026, parking at the Preikestolen BaseCamp costs NOK 275 a day for hikers, or NOK 40 for up to 2 hours. You pay at the machine on the way out. Overnight sleeping in vehicles isn't allowed.

Can you hike Preikestolen in winter?

Yes, the trail is open all year. From roughly November to April it's usually icy or snowy, so you need spikes, warm layers and an early start, and a guided hike is strongly recommended. Preikestolen365 advises against bringing children under 5 in winter.

What is the best time to hike Preikestolen?

May or June to September has the best conditions, but June to August is very busy. To avoid the crowds, start before 08:00 or after 16:00 on a weekday, or go in early autumn.