Hiking to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Rogaland Norway

Hiking to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Rogaland Norway

Hiking to Preikestolen is one of the best things to do near Stavanger and even in all of Norway. The flat mountain cliff towers a massive 604 meters above the Lysefjord and appears to have been carved by Vikings looking for a picturesque campsite. It is truly one of the most impressive viewpoints I have ever seen in my life.

How to get to the Preikestolen Trail

Getting to the trail depends on where you stay and what transportation is available. For those leaving Stavanger, I would recommend leaving as early as possible to spend the most time on the way.

DIY route – Stavanger public transport

If you're staying in Stavanger like we were, you'll first need to take a ferry from Stavanger to Tau. This ferry departs from Fiskepiren every 40 minutes every day. The cost of this ferry is 49 NOK or $5.70 per adult one way.

Once you reach Tau, you need to board a local bus. These buses correspond to ferry times, so there will be one waiting for you when you leave. During the hiking season, buses run regularly from the port in Tau to Preikestolen Mountain Lodge, where you can start the hike to Preikestolen. A bus ticket costs approximately 30 NOK or 3.50 USD. In the low season (October - March) the bus only goes to Jørpeland, where you have to take a taxi or Uber. This will be the most expensive tariff.

The entire drive to the start of the trail takes approximately 1-2 hours, so make sure you take this into account.

Organized tours from Stavanger

If you don't want to organize your way to the hike yourself, you can book a tour with several companies operating in Stavanger. This is much more expensive and you often have to hike in a group. I usually choose the DIY option when I can because I prefer this type of independent travel.

If you just want to book transportation through a travel company, you have two options. Remember that they simply arrange the same or similar bus and ferry options as described above.

Transport with: www.tide.noTransport with: www.pulpitrock.no

Drive your own car

If you are lucky enough to have your own car in Norway, your best bet is to start from Stavanger to Lauvik Wharf (RV 13). Here you can take the car ferry to Oanes.

Once you reach Oanes, continue on RV 13 towards Jøssang. There are several signs for Pulpit Rock, so keep an eye out. You will also need to pay a parking ticket once you reach Preikestolen Mountain Lodge.

About the hike

The hike itself is around 7.6 km return from Prekestolen Mountain Lodge (Preikestolen Fjellstue). The recommended time for this is 4-5 hours, but it took us a little longer due to the icy path in the winter season.

Those hiking to Preikestolen will find that the trail is well marked, with trailheads scattered all the way to Pulpit Rock. The terrain is gently undulating, winding through forests, valleys and rocky hills with flowing (or frozen) rivers. The last kilometer before Preikestolen offers incredible views of the Lysefjord.

Best time to hike to Preikestolen

Hiking to Preikestolen has seasons. The hiking season is April to September, when the weather is warmer, the days are longer and there is no ice on the trail. During this time, buses and tours cater to those hiking to Preikestolen.

Due to its popularity, I've heard that both the trail and the Preikestolen viewpoint can get quite busy in high season. The hiking trail is officially closed in the winter months. However, when I saw the Lysefjord from over 600 meters above sea level, I was determined to reach Preikestolen in Januray.

Be prepared in the off-season

The hike is definitely doable in the winter months, but is a little more patchy. Much of the trail is covered in ice, resulting in slippery crossings next to steep cliffs. It can also get quite cold and windy. We were lucky to have good weather, but temperatures will still be below zero for most of the hike. It is important to monitor weather conditions as things can change quickly.

The days are also much shorter. You need to take this into account if you hike to Preikestolen in winter. Leave earlier and ensure you have enough daylight for the return hike back to the lodge.

After the hike we returned to Preikestolen Mountain Lodge and found it empty. Luckily we had a cell phone with us to call transport. It wouldn't have been fun to run an additional 9 km through Fiordland at night when it was minus 10 degrees. Make sure you plan ahead.
alt=“Icy paths while hiking to Preikestolen in Norway”>

Recommended equipment for hiking to Preikestolen

Regardless of the time of year, the hike to Preikestolen requires some protection from the elements. During the summer and peak hiking seasons, the hike is fairly easy. Normal hiking clothing with some wind protection is sufficient.

It is also recommended to bring a water bottle. There are several flowing streams on the way to Preikestolen. Drinking Norwegian mountain water straight from the stream is as fresh as it gets.

If you really want to hike to Preikestolen in the off-season, you will need additional equipment. Warm clothing, a waterproof jacket and some food are strongly recommended. You also need comfortable hiking shoes. Although I didn't have them, we met another hiker on the trail who had crampons for the icy parts.

Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) viewpoint.

Most people hike to Preikestolen to see the famous flat Preikestolen viewpoint. Standing close to the edge and looking down at the seemingly endless abyss into the frozen fjord is a wild experience.

Originally the name of the ancient site was Hyvlatonnå, which means “planed tooth” in English. However, Preikestolen received its new name about 100 years ago, when tourism first began in the region. It is said that a local tourism organization, Stavanger Turistforening, wanted to set up the site for trekking.

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