Experiences
Pulpit Rock and Kjeragbolten: how to hike Lysefjord’s famous trails
A rock shelf 604 metres above the fjord and a boulder suspended in mid-air. How to hike Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) and Kjeragbolten, when to go and where to stay.
The last stretch follows a cliff wall, and then it opens up. A flat plateau, cut off as if with a knife, and 604 metres below lies Lysefjord, still and green. People sit with their legs over the edge. You stop a couple of metres back and just look.
Pulpit Rock, or Preikestolen, is Norway’s most famous hike, and Kjeragbolten, further into Lysefjord, is the most photographed boulder in the country. Here is everything you need to hike both, and the hotels that make it easier.
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How to hike Pulpit Rock
The hike starts at Preikestolen Mountain Lodge, less than an hour by car from Stavanger. The trail is about 8 kilometres return, with some steep sections of stone steps. Allow four to five hours with breaks.
Season: April to October without a guide. In winter the trail is icy and should only be hiked with a guide.
Start early: midday in summer gets busy. Arrive before 8am or go in the afternoon.
Gear: good shoes, a windproof jacket, food and water. There is no kiosk at the top.
From the water: you can also see Pulpit Rock from below on a fjord cruise from Stavanger.
Book the experience: See fjord cruises and tours from Stavanger
How to hike Kjeragbolten
Kjeragbolten is a boulder wedged in a crevice almost 1,000 metres above Lysefjord. The hike starts at Øygardstøl, at the top of the hairpin bends down to Lysebotn. It is about 11 kilometres return and harder than Pulpit Rock, with steep climbs and chains to hold on to. Allow six to eight hours.
The road to Lysebotn is only open in summer, usually from June to September. In summer there is also a ferry through Lysefjord from Stavanger.
Where to stay for Pulpit Rock
Stay by the trail if you want an early start, or in Stavanger for city life and restaurants in the evening.
Preikestolen BaseCamp
Sleep at the start of the trail, with lake and mountain views from the window. Hike to Pulpit Rock before the first buses arrive, and return to a shower and a meal in the café.
Book your stay: See rooms at Preikestolen BaseCamp
Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel, Stavanger
The Radisson Blu Atlantic sits in central Stavanger, by Breiavatnet lake and a short walk from the cathedral. Guests rave about the breakfast, and there are two bars and a restaurant.
Book your stay: See rooms at Radisson Blu Atlantic
Home Hotel Skagen Brygge
Skagen Brygge occupies the old warehouses along Vågen harbour, with breakfast and an evening meal included. The Lysefjord cruises leave almost from the door.
Book your stay: See rooms at Skagen Brygge
When is the best time to hike Pulpit Rock and Kjeragbolten?
June to August: the most reliable weather and all roads open, but the most people. Start early.
May and September: fewer people and still good conditions. Kjeragbolten may have snow in May.
October to March: only with a guide, and only Pulpit Rock.
Pulpit Rock and Kjeragbolten FAQ
How long is the Pulpit Rock hike?
About 8 kilometres return, with around 500 metres of ascent. Most people take four to five hours including breaks.
How long does the Kjeragbolten hike take?
About 11 kilometres return, and most people take six to eight hours. It is harder than Pulpit Rock, with steep sections and chains.
Can you hike Pulpit Rock in winter?
It is not recommended without a guide. The trail is icy and exposed from November to March, so join a guided hike.
How do you get to Pulpit Rock from Stavanger?
By car or bus it takes about an hour to Preikestolen Mountain Lodge. In summer, tourist buses run from central Stavanger.
Where should I stay for Pulpit Rock?
Preikestolen BaseCamp is right by the trail and gives you a head start in the morning. In Stavanger, the Radisson Blu Atlantic and Home Hotel Skagen Brygge are good choices.