Preikestolen, also known as Pulpit Rock, is perhaps Norway’s most iconic viewpoint. This dramatic cliff rises 604 meters (1,982 ft) straight up above the stunning Lysefjord. At the top of the cliff, you’ll find a large plateau about 25 x 25 meters (82 x 82 ft) in size. This impressive rock formation was shaped by a combination of geological processes over millions of years. The hike to Preikestolen is not difficult, and you’ll be enjoying the view in just 1.5 to 2 hours. However, this also means that Preikestolen can get quite crowded, which might affect your experience. Here, we share tips on how to avoid the crowds and what to keep in mind when visiting Preikestolen.
The hike to Preikestolen in brief
Distance: 8 km (5 mi) in total
Duration: 3 to 4 hours of hiking
Elevation Gain: 500 m (1,640 ft)
Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
Is the hike to Preikestolen accessible for everyone?
The hike to Preikestolen is technically not difficult but involves a significant amount of elevation gain, which requires some stamina. It’s manageable for anyone with a good base level of fitness. The trail is well-marked, and you don’t need a guide to complete it.
What is the hike to Preikestolen like?
The hike to Preikestolen starts with a fairly steep path. The trail is built with large stones that serve as steps. In the beginning, you walk through a forest, and later you pass open stretches of wetland. Some parts of the trail are flat with boardwalks and bridges to keep your feet dry. After a while, you’ll encounter mountain lakes, and the landscape gradually becomes more rocky. It’s less steep at this point, but you’ll still gain elevation. Fortunately, you can start to enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding area. Only in the last minutes of the hike will you get a view of the Lysefjord. At this point, the wide trail runs along a massive drop, so if you’re afraid of heights, it’s wise to stay as far to the right as possible. After a few more minutes of walking, you’ll reach the famous view at Preikestolen.
Tip: Wear layers because you’ll quickly warm up during the hike, but it can be chilly at Preikestolen due to wind and rain.
The plateau of Preikestolen
From the plateau, you look down hundreds of meters—600 meters (1,969 ft) to be exact. It’s incredibly impressive, but also quite thrilling since there are no railings. If you want to look straight down over the edge, lie flat on your stomach and extend your head over the edge. For those with a fear of heights, this can still be quite challenging.
Hike the Hill Trail to the viewpoint where (almost) no one goes
Most people only walk to the plateau and then turn back. If you continue further up, there are several viewpoints offering fantastic views of Preikestolen and the fjord. Since you’re viewing the plateau from a higher vantage point, the view is even more spectacular. There are various paths and viewpoints marked as Hill Trail in the Maps.me app. This path is not maintained and can be a bit tricky to navigate, requiring some additional climbing and scrambling, but the views are definitely worth it. The photo below was taken early in the morning before the crowds arrived. 
Avoid the crowds by starting your hike very early
Preikestolen is one of Norway’s most famous attractions and receives around 3,000 to 5,000 visitors daily during the summer months. The trail is quite narrow, so you’ll often find yourself in a line of people going up and down. This can be frustrating as it prevents you from setting your own pace. We chose to start our hike early in the morning. In June, we parked our car at 5:30 AM and there were only two other cars at that time. We hiked up in 1.5 hours and enjoyed the fantastic view with only a handful of others. The early wake-up was definitely worth it! Unfortunately, there was no sunrise during our visit, but it must be spectacular here.
By the time we headed back down around 8:00 AM, the trail was significantly busier. Around 8:30 AM, tour buses arrive, and large groups start making their way up, sometimes causing bottlenecks. Starting the hike early will certainly enhance your overall experience. You can see the difference in the photos below. The left photo was taken at 6:00 AM and the right photo at 8:30 AM. If you prefer not to wake up so early, you might also consider hiking late in the afternoon or evening.
How long does the hike to Preikestolen take?
On average, people take about two hours to hike up to Preikestolen. Factor in about 1.5 hours for the return trip, and you’ll be looking at a total of around 3.5 hours. If you’re in good shape and hike at a less busy time, you’ll likely spend about 1.5 hours going up and 1 hour coming down.
How to get to the starting point of Preikestolen?
By Car: The easiest way is to drive to the starting point of Preikestolen. There are two different parking areas where you can park your car or camper. More information about parking is covered in the next section.
By Bus: If you don’t have your own transportation, you can also take the bus to the starting point of Preikestolen. Multiple buses depart daily from Stavanger. Check the current departure times.
By Tour: If you want to visit Preikestolen at sunrise but don’t have your own transportation, consider the Preikestolen Sunrise Tour. You’ll be picked up at your accommodation in Stavanger and start the hike early in the morning with a guide. Once at Preikestolen, you can enjoy the view in peace and reward yourself with a delicious and well-deserved breakfast afterward.
Parking at Preikestolen
There are two parking areas at Preikestolen: Preikestolen Parking – P1 and Moslimyrå Parking – P2. P1 is directly at the trailhead, while P2 is about a kilometer away. If you park at P2, you’ll need to walk an extra kilometer (uphill) to reach the start of the Preikestolen hike.
During peak season, P1 is often full, and you may need to park at P2. It is not allowed to park on the roadside within 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) of these parking areas.
Tip: If you’re camping at a site near Preikestolen, you might be able to use a shuttle service. Check with your campsite’s reception for more information.
Packing List for the Hike to Preikestolen
- Waterproof wind jacket
- Rain pants
- Backpack
- At least 1 liter of water
- Snacks
- Hiking boots
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- Optional: trekking poles
Camping near Preikestolen
Traveling with a camper, caravan, or tent through Norway? Just a 5-minute drive from the start of the Preikestolen hike, you’ll find Preikestolen Camping. This is a great campsite with good sanitary facilities.
Visiting Preikestolen from Stavanger
The charming city of Stavanger is about a 40-minute drive from the start of the Preikestolen hike, making it an ideal base. Stavanger boasts a beautiful old town, many accommodations, and a plethora of excellent restaurants. It is also known as the culinary capital of Norway!
Our favorite places to stay in Stavanger
For a unique stay, try RoaldsPiren, just outside Stavanger. Here, you’ll stay in a cozy wooden boathouse right on the water. After a day in Stavanger, you can enjoy the sunset from the dock. If you prefer a modern apartment, Bjørvika Apartments is the perfect choice in Stavanger. You can choose from various beautifully styled apartments with easy parking in the nearby garage. If you have a slightly larger budget, you might also consider Home Again Apartments in the city center. These apartments offer a balcony, a TV with streaming services, a well-equipped kitchen, and convenient parking in a nearby garage.
Tip: If you prefer to stay closer to the start of the Preikestolen hike, Preikestolen Hotel & BaseCamp is perfect as it is only 150 meters (492 ft) from the trailhead.
 RoaldsPiren |
 Bjørvika Apartments |
 Home Again Apartments |
