Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen)
Songesand, Noruega, 4129
The trek to Pulpit Rock—called Preikestolen (“pulpit” or “preacher’s chair”) in Norwegian—is among the most scenic hikes in Norway. Make the moderately challenging hike to the cliff plateau, and you’ll be rewarded with a perfect natural stone viewing platform that extends out over the Lysefjord. Along the way, you’ll encounter Norwegian swamps, forests, and stone steps built by Nepalese sherpas.
The basics
The hike, which starts at the Preikestolen Mountain Lodge, is a challenging 2.5 miles (3.8 kilometers) each way along well-marked paths. Keep in mind that the Pulpit is a popular tourist attraction, and depending on the time of year, you may encounter crowds. While you can take on the trail on your own, less experienced hikers may wish to minimize risk by joining a guided excursion that also provides easy transportation from Stavanger. If hiking isn’t in your plans at all, you can view the platform on boat tours from below, or even fly above the fjord and rock formation on a helicopter.
Things to know before you go
- Prepare for a medium difficulty-level hike with steep sections and 1600 feet (500 meters) of elevation gains.
- Check weather conditions and trail status before starting the hike. Stay on designated paths and avoid risky areas near the cliff edge.
- Plan for a round-trip hike of about 4–5 hours, including time for breaks and enjoying the view from Pulpit Rock.
- The Preikestolen Mountain Lodge offers parking, restrooms, and a visitor center with information and safety guidelines for the hike.
- Cell coverage in the mountains is spotty—bring a paper map rather than relying on a mobile device.
- More than 300,000 hikers visit Pulpit Rock annually.
- The parking lot near the trailhead is equipped with electric vehicle charging stations.
How to get there
The trailhead lies about 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Stavanger in Western Norway. The best way to reach the trailhead is on the Preikestolen Express Bus, which provides direct round-trip transportation multiple times a day from April to September. You can also opt for a guided day trip that includes transportation; make the 40-minute drive from Stavanger yourself; or take a ferry to Tau and then drive or take a bus to the Preikestolen Mountain Lodge.
When to get there
While you can visit year-round, the prime hiking season is from May to October, though the weather is more cooperative (and the daylight hours longer) from June to August. If you plan to visit at other times of the year, it’s a good idea to organize transportation ahead of time and ensure you have the right gear and preferably a guide.
Helicopter tours over Pulpit Rock
Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) rises about 2000 feet (600 meters) over the Lysefjord, and is surrounded by fjords, mountains, and beautiful Norwegian scenery straight out of a traveler’s Scandinavian dream. If you’re looking for a thrill (and have the cash) you can opt to take a helicopter tour over the fjord and plateau. These flights typically depart from helipads near Sola (pickup from Stavanger is included) and last about 40 minutes.
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