Our practical guide to hiking Pulpit Rock covers all the key things you need to know to plan a safe, and memorable visit on one of Norway’s truly iconic hiking trails.
Hiking Pulpit Rock, or Preikestolen as it’s known locally, was hands-down one of our favourite things to do in Norway.
With sublime views over Lysefjord, and a well-maintained, clearly marked trail, this iconic hike is a must-do when visiting Norway. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or occasional rambler like us, we’re pretty sure this one will tick a lot of boxes.
This is, however, a challenging hike in places and there are some practical considerations to be aware of before you head out.
So plan ahead and take all the necessary safety precautions to get the most out of an incredible day hiking Pulpit Rock.
Hiking Pulpit Rock – Snapshot
Location: Pulpit Rock is located just south of the town of Jørpeland in the southwest region of Rogaland, around 40km, or a 45-minute drive, from the city of Stavanger.
Start & Finish: The trailhead starts and finishes near Preikestolen BaseCamp at the end of the Fv529.
Distance: Approximately 8km round trip.
Time: 4-5 hours (including breaks)
Difficulty: According to Norway’s tourism site, the hike to Pulpit Rock is a ‘medium’ on the effort scale. By most accounts, it’s the easiest of the three major Lysefjord hikes, which include Kjerag and Trolltunga. As occasional hikers with an average level of fitness, we found the trail tough in places but very do-able.
What’s in this post?
Preparing for a Pulpit Rock Hike
– What to pack
– Best time to hike Pulpit Rock
– Best time of day to hike
– Where to stay
– How to get to Pulpit Rock
– Renting a car in Stavanger
Hiking Pulpit Rock – What to Expect
– Pulpit Rock hiking trail
– Trail conditions
– Facilities
– Safety tips
– What’s it like to hike Pulpit Rock?
Tours to Pulpit Rock
– Guided hiking tours
– Non-hiking options
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Preparing for a Pulpit Rock Hike
What to pack
It’s good to have a healthy respect for both the environment and the weather when hiking in Norway, so take the time to prepare properly and pack all the essentials needed for a safe and enjoyable hiking experience.
Footwear: Hiking boots or shoes with good traction are a must for hiking this, or in fact, any hike in Norway. The terrain is rocky, uneven and can be slippery in places, especially after rain, so appropriate footwear is key.
Clothing: The weather can change rapidly, so pack wet weather gear and layer up: we went from sweaty tees to jackets in a matter of minutes during our Pulpit Rock hike.
Water and Snacks: There’s not much around the area apart from a pricey restaurant at the carpark, which may not be open if you plan for an early start. Stock up on supplies before you arrive – carry at least a litre of water per person, along with some food or energy snacks to keep you going. We prepared a packed breakfast the night before, which we sat down to enjoy with epic views when we reached Pulpit Rock.
Hiking Poles: If you’re prone to knee pain, or just like some extra stability on an uneven path, consider taking hiking poles. The return journey is mostly down, uneven, and tough on the joints.
Camera: While most people have a decent enough phone camera these days, it’s still worth packing your DSLR camera if you really want to capture the stunning scenery in its high-resolution glory. Just remember to take some time to pause and enjoy the incredible scenery without looking through your viewfinder every now and again.
Best time to hike Pulpit Rock
Pulpit Rock can be visited year-round, but April to September is the main hiking season as the weather is generally better and the daylight hours longer.
July and August tend to be the busiest months, so if you’re after a slightly quieter experience, perhaps aim for May or September.
Whatever time of year you decide to go, be sure to consider the weather in your planning. Even in summer you may face rain or wind at the summit. Take extra care during or after rain as parts of the trail can become extremely slippery.
Best time of day to hike
We had to abandon our first attempt at hiking Pulpit Rock when we arrived mid-morning only to find a queue of cars backed up in both directions, all waiting to get into an already-full carpark. We even saw groups of people walking along the roadside having parked some distance from the trailhead.
Our second attempt had us parked up and on the trail by 7am and came with the bonus of having a much quieter trail and cooler temperatures. We even had a moment at the top when Pulpit Rock itself was completely empty, a magical few minutes that was all too fleeting!
While we aren’t early morning people, we do recommend an early start for this hike. We were extra grateful for those moments of near-solitude as we passed the crowds of hikers coming up on our way back down.
Where to stay
There are a few convenient options for overnight stays ahead of hiking Pulpit Rock. Your choice will probably depend on how early you want to start your hike and what else you plan to do in the area.
The most practical base, especially if you plan a sunrise hike, is Preikestolen BaseCamp, located right at the trailhead. It offers simple rooms and easy access to the hike. They also have a Hikers Camp with ‘camping nests’, essentially basic camping pods with mattress, power points, and access to shared facilities.
Most people, however, tend to stay in Stavanger – around 45 minutes’ drive from the trailhead – due to its wider range of hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants. Staying in Stavanger also works well if you want a base from which to explore the many things to do in this area.
We stayed in a comfortable studio at Bjørvika Apartments – Sirkus Renaa, an easy 10-15 minute walk from central Stavanger. There are a few options to choose from here, including studios and 1 or 2 bedroom apartments.
Other options that get consistently good reviews include:
- Good value: Cozee Central Apartments – clean and tidy | central location | comfy bed | well equipped kitchen
- Mid-range: Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel – central location | gym and sauna facilities | clean, modern rooms
- Spend a bit more: Hotel Victoria – central harbourside location | spacious rooms | tasty breakfast | friendly staff.
Staying Longer? If you’re planning to spend a little longer in the area, or are visiting Stavanger as part of a longer trip, you might find our Norway road trip itinerary helpful.
How to get to Pulpit Rock
Getting to Pulpit Rock from Stavanger is fairly straightforward, with a few transport options worth considering.
By Car: Pulpit Rock is an easy 45-minute drive from Stavanger. Take the Rv13 via the Ryfylke tunnel before following the Fv523 for around 11km until you get to the Preikestolen turnoff, where you’ll take the Fv529 for the final 5km to the carpark at the trailhead.
By Bus: During the hiking season (April to September), the Preikestolen Express Bus run by Go Fjords offers direct services from Stavanger to the trailhead of the Pulpit Rock hike. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes and costs 550 NOK. In April, May and September, there are two morning departures; in June, July and August, there are four morning departures. For timetables and bookings visit their website.
Pulpit Rock Tours offer a similar service during hiking season for 498 NOK return. You can find more details, including timetables on their website.
By Organised Tour: there are a bunch of companies offering guided tours from Stavanger to Pulpit Rock, including transport and often meals and the services of a guide.
These can be a convenient option if you prefer someone else to take care of the logistics. See our suggestions at the end of this post for popular guided tour options.
Renting a car in Stavanger
Whether you’re enjoying a short break in Stavanger or travelling around Norway on a longer trip, hiring a car is often the most convenient way to get around. This is particularly the case if you plan to get off-the-beaten-track and visit some of the more remote parts of the country or want to start hikes like this one before the public transport options start running.
We’ve always found the best deals at DiscoverCars and they’re our go-to car hire provider these days, with great rates and free cancellation should your plans need to change.
Booking your Stavanger car hire in advance will get you the best rates and widest choice of vehicle.
Hiking Pulpit Rock – What to Expect
The Pulpit Rock hike is one of the most rewarding outdoor experiences in Norway, offering stunning views of Lysefjord and the surrounding area.
With the right preparation, it’s an accessible trail that’s manageable for most hikers – just be sure to wear sturdy shoes, check the weather forecast, and take your time to enjoy the scenery along the way.
Pulpit Rock hiking trail
The Pulpit Rock trail is a well-marked 8km return hike with almost 400 metres of elevation gain. It typically takes 4 to 5 hours to complete, depending on your pace, level of fitness, and how long you spend at the top.
From the carpark, the trail steadily climbs along a gravel and stone path that certainly got our hearts pumping. After this, the trail levels out before continuing across a marshy section, where raised wooden boardwalks help protect the ground underfoot.
You’ll then climb a steeper section with stone steps, before reaching a small plateau that’s ideal for a short break to hydrate and appreciate the views over the surrounding hills.
From here, the path winds through more uneven, rocky ground and past several small mountain lakes before the final ascent. Here, the landscape opens up to reveal incredible views of Lysefjord as you approach the hike ‘summit’, where the iconic Pulpit Rock juts out over the fjord with sheer drops on three sides.
For more detail, including maps and reviews, head to AllTrails’ hiking Preikestolen page.
Trail conditions
The Pulpit Rock trail is well-marked with red ‘T’ signs, which make navigation easy. However, the path is rocky in places, with a mix of gravel paths, stone steps, and uneven, sometimes rocky terrain. Some sections of the trail can be quite steep, but it’s manageable for most hikers.
Facilities
Preikestolen BaseCamp
Located at the base of the trail, the BaseCamp has a restaurant, café, souvenir shop and accommodation for those wanting to stay overnight – a particularly handy option for hikers wanting to experience sunrise at Preikestolen.
Parking
There’s a paid car park at the trailhead with space for 400 cars (and quite a few EV chargers). It costs 250 NOK for two or more hours, which pretty much covers most of us mere mortals taking on the trail. It’s 40 NOK for up to two hours.
The parking area can fill up quickly, particularly in peak season or anytime the weather is decent. Our advice: plan to arrive quite early or consider public transport if you’re visiting in summer.
If, however, the main car park is full when you arrive, there’s a second parking area called Moslimyrå Parking, around a kilometre back up the road with a further 600 spaces. It also costs 250 NOK for two or more hours.
Toilets
Toilets are available at the Preikestolen BaseCamp. There are no facilities on the trail itself.
Safety tips
Weather conditions: Be sure to check the weather forecast before your hike. Conditions on the summit can differ significantly from the base. If poor weather is on the cards, such as fog, strong winds or heavy rain, it may be safest to postpone your hike or turn back.
Stay on the trail: Follow the red ‘T’ signs to stay on the marked path. This is not only safer, but it also helps protect the environment.
No barriers at the summit: While the views from the top are breathtaking, be cautious near the edge. There are no safety barriers up here and the rocks can be slippery when wet.
Emergency contact: In case of an emergency, call 112. There’s mobile coverage on the trail but it’s also a good idea to let someone know your plans before you head out on any hike.
What’s it like to hike Pulpit Rock?
I have vivid memories of my heart hammering in my chest and my face being the shade of a ripe tomato when we first stopped to catch our breaths after setting out on our Pulpit Rock hike.
We had to stifle some slightly manic laughter when we realised we could still see the carpark: we’d literally just climbed the first 500-metres of the Pulpit Rock trail and our lungs already felt like they were on fire.
Looking up at the track disappearing into the trees, there was a brief moment where we both wondered if we’d manage to get through the next 3.5km.
Despite that initial shock to the system, we settled into a good pace and covered the distance to Pulpit Rock in around an hour and forty-five minutes.
The climb in altitude to Pulpit Rock is almost 400 metres, which makes for some steep and challenging legs over a relatively short distance. Fortunately, the climbs are linked by some flatter, breath-catching sections.
Our advice: take advantage of those flat stretches to catch your breath and take in the scenery and greenery along the trail, which changes constantly.
Apart from returning hikers who’d spent the night (or dawn) on the trail, we encountered few people on the path on our way up, and arrived to a near-empty rock.
Preikestolen translates as Preacher’s Pulpit, an apt name for the 10,000 year-old, square granite platform that soars out over the mesmerising Lysefjord. If ever there was a podium for worshipping nature, this is it.
The sweeping views here are worth every damn muscle ache.
We took turns edging towards the sheer drop and peering down at the glittering Lysefjord 604-metres below, then went in search of a higher vantage point and a spot to eat our pre-packed breakfast.
What we found was sublime: a rocky promontory with magnificent views over both Pulpit Rock and the fjord. It was just us, a forlorn seagull and a chill wind. Despite people continuing to arrive down below, there was even a moment when no one was on the rock and for one second, we felt like we had the world all to ourselves.
After soaking up the serenity for an hour, we began the trek back down: a two-hour walk and an entirely different experience. Hundreds of people were on the trail by mid-morning, with bottlenecks forming along some of the narrower stretches of path.
By the time we reached the final descent to the carpark, the busy paths were starting to get to us and my knees were screaming.
We’d do it again in a flash though: the effort and the crowds are absolutely worth it for the rewards at the top.
Tours to Pulpit Rock
Guided hiking tours
While it’s certainly straightforward enough to hike Pulpit Rock independently, there’s also something pretty nice about having someone else organise things for you and guide you along the way.
This is particularly the case if you want to hike out of season, experience sunrise at Pulpit Rock, get away from the main trail or enhance the experience with other activities like canoeing.
There are plenty of guided tour options available. The selection we’ve outlined below get great reviews from other travellers, and provide secure booking and free cancellation options:
- Preikestolen Classic Hike and Side Trail: Small group tour with guide to take you up to Pulpit Rock via a less used side-trail if conditions allow. Includes return transfer from Stavanger, along with snacks and juice.
- Preikestolen Hidden Trail Hike + Canoe & Lunch: For something a little different, this small group tour starts with a canoe trip across Revsvatnet Lake before your guide takes you up a less used trail to Pulpit Rock. The tour includes return travel to Stavanger, all equipment, snacks and a packed lunch.
- Preikestolen Sunrise Hike with Breakfast Buffet: You’ll be up very early for this small group tour that guides you to Pulpit Rock for sunrise. The tour includes return travel to Stavanger and mountain lodge breakfast.
Non-hiking options
If you don’t fancy sweating your way up to Pulpit Rock, you’ll be relieved to know that there are some less strenuous options that give you the chance to see this iconic rock, from the fjord instead.
As with hiking tours, there are a whole range of options out there. The tours we’ve rounded up below have received consistently decent reviews from other travellers, and have secure booking and free cancellation:
- Scenic Fjord Cruise to Lysefjord and Preikestolen: This half-day tour from Stavanger on a silent electric boat will take you from the city all the way up Lysefjord to Pulpit Rock. The tour includes an audio guide, while the boat has a kiosk for snacks, and toilet facilities.
- Lysefjord Sightseeing RIB Boat Tour: Departing from Stavanger Harbour, this RIB boat tour takes you up Lysefjord to see Pulpit Rock, Vagabond Cave, Whisky Falls and more. Trips are around two hours and include a guide.
Happy hiking to Pulpit Rock! If you’ve got any questions or comments, drop us a message below.
If you’re visiting Norway for longer, check out our Norway road trip itinerary and Norway page for travel inspiration and Ideas for this incredible corner of Scandinavia
How did you get to the spot where you can look down to the Pulpit rock. I was there but just made it onto the Rock but next time I also wanna have the view from above. Is it allowed? Do you have to scamble or is there a trail?
Hi there René, thanks for your comment.
Just before the final stretch of pathway out to the platform, there’s a path off to the right marked with red ‘T’ trail markers painted on the rocks. From here it’s a short (5 minute) trail up to the viewpoints over the platform.
As there are painted markers, we don’t believe there are any restrictions on taking this trail and it seems to be very popular.
Hi. When you say ‘early’ – how early did you start? We have a 5pm flight leaving Stavanger and just want to be sure that if we started at 9am, is that early enough and would it be early enough to miss most of the crowds?
Did you already have knee issues? Keen to do it though. Thanks
Hi there, thanks for your message.
If you have an early start you should be ok getting back to Stavanger.
We’re of average fitness (one of us already had very minor knee issues) and managed the whole thing in around 4 hours with some time spent at and around Pulpit Rock itself. Add 45 minutes each way for the drive and you’re looking at around 6 hours time commitment total, maybe 7 if you want to take your time.
While it’s hard to predict how busy it will be on any given day, the time of year, and even the weather on the day will affect how crowded the hike gets.
We started the hike around 7am in the middle of summer – there weren’t too many people on the way up but on the way back down, between 9 and 10, it was getting very busy.
Hope this helps – it’s a fabulous hike so we hope you can get there.
John and Danielle
Hi,
I am a moderate hiker (wouldn’t say I have lots of experience but relatively fit)
I want to try this with a few friends to make it up there for sunrise, in the middle of June, do you think we need a guide?
There’s not much information out there on this.
Thank you
T
Hi Tanzeer, thanks for your message. Preikestolen is an awesome hike – the trail is well marked and we found it easy to follow, though it was light when we did it so we can’t say whether it would be quite so straightforward in the dark/dawn light, especially if unfamiliar with the terrain. It would be amazing to watch the sunrise at Pulpit Rock, though we’d personally be a bit wary about navigating some of the more challenging sections/cliffside stretches in the dark or low light without a guide. The Preikestolen 365 website has good planning info. Would suggest checking out some hiking forums or talking to locals to help with your decision. Happy planning and we hope you have a fantastic hike!
That is perikestolen hike u r talking about. Pulpit rock is a huge round rock lodges and suspended between two cliffs.
Hi Raash, thanks for your message. Pulpit Rock is actually another name for Preikestolen. It’s called that because the huge, flat, square rock platform looks a bit like a preacher’s pulpit. The round rock that’s suspended between two cliffs is called Kjeragbolten, or the Kjerag boulder – we talk about that in another blog post. They’re both amazing sites at the end of great hikes, with incredible views over the Lysefjord in Norway. Cheers!