Fjelltur
Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock): the hike, the season and where to stay
A flat rock shelf 604 metres above the Lysefjord, and Norway’s most visited natural attraction. Preikestolen is one of the few big hikes most people can manage. Here is the distance, when to go, our advice and the hotels near the trail.
The rock shelf is as flat as a floor, and then it simply ends. Straight down, 604 metres below you, the Lysefjord lies like a narrow dark ribbon between the mountain walls. Preikestolen, Pulpit Rock, is Norway’s most visited natural attraction, and one of the few big hikes in the country that most people of normal fitness can manage.
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Short answer: Preikestolen
Distance: Around 8 kilometres return.
Time: Four to five hours, with breaks.
Height: 604 metres above the Lysefjord.
Base: Preikestolen mountain lodge, around an hour’s drive from Stavanger.
Stay by the trail
Right at the trailhead: Preikestolen BaseCamp. See rooms at Preikestolen BaseCamp
The hike
The path starts at the car park and lodge, alternating between steep stone steps and flatter stretches over bog and rock. It is well marked and maintained, but the ground is rocky and uneven all the way. The final hundred metres run along the cliff face before the plateau opens up.
When to go
The usual season runs from spring to autumn. In winter the path can be covered in snow and ice, and a guide is recommended. Around midday in summer it is very busy, so start early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Good to know
Wear good boots: The path is rocky and can be slippery.
Bring layers: It can be cold and windy at the top, even if it is warm at the car park.
Keep away from the edge: There are no railings.
Bring food and water: There is nothing to buy at the top.
The fjord landscape of western Norway.
See Preikestolen from the fjord
Fjord cruises run from Stavanger into the Lysefjord, beneath Preikestolen and past waterfalls and sheer cliffs. It is a fine way to see the rock shelf from below, especially for those who would rather not hike, and pairs well with the hike the next day.
Where to stay
Preikestolen BaseCamp: at the trailhead
Rooms right by the trail and the mountain lake, so you can set off early before the crowds.
Book your stay: See rooms at Preikestolen BaseCamp
Eilert Smith Hotel: in Stavanger
An elegant boutique hotel in central Stavanger, with a restaurant and roof terrace.
Book your stay: See rooms at Eilert Smith Hotel
Hotel Victoria: by the harbour in Stavanger
A historic hotel on Vågen, in the heart of the city.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Victoria
Combine with Kjerag
Kjerag lies at the far end of the same fjord, and many do both hikes on one trip. Read more in our guide to Kjerag.
Frequently asked questions about Preikestolen
How long is the Preikestolen hike?
Around 8 kilometres return.
How long does it take to hike to Preikestolen?
Four to five hours, with breaks.
Can children hike to Preikestolen?
Yes, many children do it, but it is long and rocky for the youngest. Keep well away from the edge.