If you’re a travel enthusiast, chances are you’ve come across photos or videos of Preikestolen. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been amazed by the striking landscape: a flat rock perched dramatically above a fjord in Norway.
Preikestolen, also known as Pulpit Rock, is one of Norway’s most iconic landmarks. The plateau measures about 25m x 25m and rises 604 meters above Lysefjord.
If that’s not enough to convince you, take a look at Tom Cruise and Henry Cavell, who filmed a dramatic fight scene right there at Pulpit Rock in Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) 😉
When planning my Norway itinerary, Preikestolen was at the top of my list. There was no way I was going to Norway and skipping Preikestolen.
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When to hike Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
You can hike Preikestolen year-round, but in winter there is a lot of snow and harsh weather, which makes the hike more demanding.
For this reason, the best time to hike Preikestolen is from June to August. That said, you may still encounter snow on the path in June, and by August, early snowfall is already possible. This is also peak season.
We went at the end of July (July 29) and had excellent weather. We had sunshine most of the time, with a few clouds, and temperatures were very pleasant, ranging from 15 to 20°C. There was no snow on the path or on the surrounding mountains.
In the table below, from the official Preikestolen website, you can get a sense of trail conditions throughout the year and how crowded it gets.
Planning a trip to Northern Europe? Here on the blog, you’ll find plenty of content to help you plan. Check out our 12-day Norway itinerary (with options if you have more or less time), our 9-day Iceland itinerary with recommendations on what to do in Icelandic’s south and east coasts, and a post with several strategies to save money when traveling in the Nordic countries.
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Where to stay for the Preikestolen hike
The Preikestolen hike was one of the last activities of our 12-day Norway itinerary. We stayed in Stavanger, which is the best base for the hike. If you’re traveling with a motorhome, I’d recommend staying closer to the trailhead.
Stavanger is Norway’s third-largest city, with a charming center and a lively atmosphere.
We stayed in a wonderful Airbnb, a home where the hosts live and rent it out when they travel. It was located in the Byhaugen area, and we needed to take a bus to reach downtown.
If you prefer hotels, there are many options in Stavanger. The Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel is a great option and is where the bus to Preikestolen departs. Other choices include the Thon Hotel Stavanger and the historic Hotel Victoria, set in a building from the early 1900s.
At the start of the trail, you’ll find the Preikestolen BaseCamp, which offers several accommodation options, including hotel rooms and cabins.
Check hotel availability and rates here:
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How to get to Preikestolen
There are three main ways to get to the Preikestolen trailhead:
1 – By car: Norwegian roads are excellent but often narrow and winding. Until recently, you had to take a ferry from Stavanger to Tau and then continue by bus or car. However, since December 2019, the Ryfylke Tunnel (toll required) has made the journey much easier, reducing travel time to around 40–50 minutes for the 38 km journey.
There are two parking lots near the trailhead, but finding a spot can be difficult in summer, depending on your arrival time.
2 – By bus: There are two companies that run between Stavanger and Preikestolen: Pulpit Rock Tours and Go Fjords. Tickets need to be purchased online in advance. You can check departure times for the Pulpit Rock Tours and GoFjords clicking on the links.
Note that this is not a guided tour; it only provides round-trip transportation and operates seasonally.
We used Go Fjords. The bus left from the Radisson Blu Hotel (located in central Stavanger, next to the train station) at 10 am, arrived at the trailhead at 11 am, and departed back to Stavanger at 4 pm, giving us about five hours for the hike. The return was right on time.
3 – With a guided tour: There are several guided tour options departing from Stavanger, with different levels of comfort. Some tours pick you up at your accommodation, others follow a side trail that is said to be less crowded, and some include additional activities, such as a kayak tour. With so many options available, you can choose what best fits your travel style.
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How much does the Preikestolen trail cost?
It costs nothing! Hiking the Preikestolen trail is free, which is a relief in a country as expensive as Norway.
However, there are some costs associated with getting to the trailhead:
– If you’re driving:
Ryfylke Tunnel toll (from Stavanger) = 140 NOK
Parking = 250 NOK
+ fuel and car rental
– If you take the bus from Stavanger:
Go Fjords = 450 NOK per adult; 230 NOK per child
Pulpit Rock Tours = 399 NOK per adult; 263 NOK per child (different ticket categories available on the website)
(prices checked in August 2024, US$1.00 = 10.89 NOK)
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The Preikestolen hike
The Preikestolen hike is 8 km round trip (4 km each way), with an elevation gain of 330 m. The route is well marked with red T-shaped markers, so it’s very easy to follow, especially in summer when you’ll be following the crowds.
You don’t need a guide to hike to Pulpit Rock.
The hike is generally considered moderate. There are some flat sections on wooden boardwalks, but most of the route is uphill on uneven stone steps. The last few meters are on a relatively flat rock, which offers great views of the fjord.
The trail is mostly shaded as it passes through a wooded area, but there is little to no shade in the final section.
Apart from a small viewpoint right at the start overlooking the lake near Preikestolen BaseCamp, there are no views along the route, but the trail itself is beautiful and very pleasant.
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On the day we went (the last Saturday in July), the trail was very crowded. There were so many people that some sections of the stone steps were packed. While other times of the year or weekdays may be quieter, if you visit on a summer weekend, be prepared for crowds.
To avoid them, try arriving early or starting later. Most tour groups hike between 11 am and 4 pm, so starting at 7 am or around 3 pm means you’ll share Pulpit Rock with far fewer people. Just keep in mind the recommended start times: in July, don’t start after 5:30 pm, and in August, not after 4:30 pm.
Also, drones are not allowed at Pulpit Rock, so there’s no need to bring one.
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Is it possible to hike Preikestolen with kids?
YES, Preikestolen is open to hikers of all ages.
My daughters, who were 9 and 11 years old at the time, had some previous experience on short hikes in Tayrona Park (Colombia), Rocky Mountain National Park (USA), and Chapada dos Guimarães (Brazil). At that time, this was the longest and steepest hike they had ever done.
We also saw much younger children handling the trail well, as well as many people hiking with dogs of all sizes.
However, be aware that the trail has no fences, railings, or protective barriers (except for a short section near the end), and nor does the summit. Safety is entirely up to you.
It’s common to see people sitting right at the edge of the cliff with their legs dangling, which, in my opinion, is completely unnecessary and risky. According to the official website, around 300,000 people visit each year, with only one fatal incident reported in recent years. I personally kept a safe distance from the edge and made sure my daughters did the same.
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I don’t think the trail is inherently dangerous, but it’s important to keep an eye on your children. Everyone knows their own kids and how they might behave in this kind of environment. As long as you keep a safe distance from the edge, it shouldn’t feel risky.
One surreal moment is the long line that forms for an “Instagrammable” photo right at the edge. I honestly find it completely unnecessary. You’re already in an amazing setting, with plenty of great angles for photos, yet many people still wait for that one iconic shot at the very tip. I kept wondering how long people were willing to wait just for that photo. The line stretched far beyond where I took the picture below.
Personally, I found it much more interesting to photograph the line itself and everyone waiting their turn! 😂
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It’s also worth noting that it’s often quite windy at the top. It was windy when we visited, but nothing unusual. Still, it’s a good idea to be prepared for stronger winds.
If you’re planning to do the hike with children, consider two key factors: (1) you know your kids and how they’ll handle an 8 km hike with steep, uneven steps; and (2) if you’re taking a bus, there’s a time limit, usually around 5 hours for the entire trip, including the hike, time at the top, and the return. Make sure that’s enough time for your pace. Also consider whether your children might be too active and get too close to the edge.
Pulpit Rock Tours seems to offer a more flexible schedule than Go Fjords, with a last bus leaving at 6:15 pm. It’s worth checking this in advance.
For us, the timing worked well. We spent 4 hours and 30 minutes in total: 2 hours and 10 minutes going up, about 50 minutes at the top, and 1 hour and 30 minutes coming down. We could have stayed there longer, but I was concerned about timing and wanted to come down without rushing. If you’re anything like me, I find descending more challenging than climbing!
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What to bring for the Preikestolen hike
At the start of the trail, near Preikestolen BaseCamp, close to the bus parking area, there’s a small shop, a snack bar, and bathrooms. However, be prepared for high prices, even higher than Norway’s already high prices.
There are no amenities along the trail or at the top of Pulpit Rock — no bathrooms or shops.
I recommend bringing water and snacks, especially if you’re hiking with children. There are a few spots along the trail where you can refill your bottles — the water is safe to drink, as we did without any issues.
We bought our snacks the day before at SPAR Torget, which is conveniently located near the bus departure point in Stavanger.
Another important recommendation is to wear proper footwear, such as hiking shoes or boots. Hiking in flip-flops, running shoes, or casual boots is not recommended, as the terrain is uneven, the trail is long, and conditions can be slippery due to rain or lingering snow.
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To find out more about Preikestolen and Norway
- Our 12-day itinerary in Norway
- Smart ways to save money when traveling in Norway
- Preikestolen official website
- accommodation in Stavanger
- accommodation at Preikestolen BaseCamp
- Pulpit Rock Tours (bus to Preikestolen)
- GoFjords (bus to Preikestolen)
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Detailed map of our 12-day Norway trip
Below is a map with details of everything we did during our Norway trip, where we stayed, and the best places we visited. There are different layers, each with its own color for the areas we explored. The blue line marks the route we drove.
Save the map to your Google account, so when you plan your next trip to Norway, you’ll already know where to start 😉
How to use this map: Click the menu tab in the upper left corner of the map to access different layers, including points of interest and routes. You can toggle layers on and off by checking the corresponding boxes. To see details about specific locations, click on the icons on the map.
To save this map to your Google Maps account, just click the star icon next to the map title. To access it later on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, tap the menu button, go to “Your Places”, select “Maps”, and you’ll find this map saved there.
Here are the websites I always use to plan my trips:
– 🛌 Accommodation: Booking
– ☀️ Tours & activities: Civitatis & Get Your Guide
– 📱 eSIM for mobile data: Airalo e-SIM – use promo code DANAE2375
– 🚗 Car rental: RentCars – use promo code DANAE
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Posts to inspire and help you travel to Scandinavia:
- The best of Norway in 12 days: our complete itinerary
- Is it expensive to travel in Norway? Practical tips to reduce the cost of your trip
- Preikestolen with children – what it’s like to hike the most beautiful trail in Norway
- 5 unmissable small towns in Europe
- Our 8-day Iceland itinerary – and suggestions for 5-9 days
- What to do in Iceland: the best of the south and east of the island
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And here our posts about other destinations in Europe:
Greece
- The best itinerary for a 15-day road trip around mainland Greece
- What to do in 2 or 3 days in Athens
- 5 unmissable small towns in Europe
Spain
- 10 days in Andalucia – Our itinerary through southern Spain
- What to do in 2 days in Granada, Spain
- Ronda, the most charming city in Southern Spain
Balkans: Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Ultimate guide to Kotor, Montenegro: what to do, where to stay, when to go, and much more
- Mostar – what to do in the most charming city in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- 20-day itinerary through the Balkans, in Eastern Europe – Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina
- What to do in Sarajevo: 1 or 2-day itinerary in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Portugal
- Portugal in two weeks: our complete itinerary and tips
- One week in the Azores – Complete itinerary with Sao Miguel, Pico and Terceira Islands
- São Miguel, Azores: your complete guide to the largest island in the Azores
- Pico Island – complete guide to visiting the most picturesque island in the Azores
- Terceira Island (Azores) – itinerary and tips
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