The Pulpit Rock or Preikestolen is a mountain plateau that hangs 604 meters above the Lysefjord in the Ryfylke municipality in southwestern Norway. It’s one of the most famous tourist attraction in Norway and as such receives a lot of visitors. But don’t let the sometimes maddening crowd dissuade you from exploring this amazing natural wonder.
Lonely Planet called Pulpit Rock, one of the most breathtaking viewing platforms in the world. It’s well worth the hike for its postcard-perfect fjords, dizzying heights, and an epic view at the end of the trail.
Selfie time at Pulpit Rock
The flat mountain plateau was formed from melting frost about 10,000 years ago when the edges of a glacier reached the cliff, and it cracked and broke off a sizeable angular block. You can still see big cracks on the plateau today, and eventually, it will, at some point, crack and part of the Preikestolen will go plummeting into the LyseFjorden below. No worries, it won’t break in the foreseeable future, so you’re safe walking on the plateau for now.
Pulpit Rock Crack
Getting there
You can take the route to Oanes and continue along in RV 13 to the Preikestolen if you’re driving. If you’re going by public transport, you’ll have to take the ferry from Fiskepirterminalen in Stavanger across to Tau. From Tau, some buses run to Pulpit Rock cabin several times a day.
The main season is from April through September, but you can hike all year round. If you want to hike in the winter it’s better if you take a tour like the Guided Winter Hike to Pulpit Rock Preikestolen. The trail gets lets traffic during the offseason you’ll deal less with the crowd.
The hike follows a very well marked trail and isn’t particularly difficult. It covers about 6 kilometers round trip and should take no more than 4 hours with time spent enjoying the vistas factored in. The Preikestolen’s amazing views, easy access, and relatively easy trail make it very appealing to many people, and hence it can become very crowded.
Ferry To Pulpit Rock
Preikestolen can be steep
Although considered a moderate trail, good hiking shoes and perhaps some hiking poles are recommended as some sections are steep and sometimes slippery. The trail throws you into a very steep section right off the start, not as steep as I’ve encountered at Reinebringen, but steep nonetheless. You’ll find yourself scrambling up some granite boulders, pushing through crowds of people, and all the while surrounded by beautiful pine forests that meander through a rocky meadow.
You’ll continue on the well-maintained trail as it jaunts onto various mountainsides before finally funneling into the Pulpit Rock itself. Crowds of tourist will be the bulk of your obstacles on this trail as you’ll have to share some narrow sections and will probably end up waiting in queue to pass people up in the narrow areas.
Very Crowded Easy Trail. Pulpit Rock.
It won’t take long before you’re working up a sweat. It’s not unusually cold here in the summer (August), but the weather is unpredictable, so I suggest you bring layers. I recommend you give yourself 4-5 hours, or maybe more, to enjoy this trail even if you’re not a hiker. Bring some snacks or pack lunch to replenish your energy. You can also have lunch while your feet are hanging on the edge of the Pulpit Rock!
Pulpit Rock Preiskestolen
There are no water sources along the way that’s suitable for drinking. So it’s recommended that you carry a few liters water on the trail. Tours are being offered but I say save your money (Norway’s not cheap!) and do the hike yourself, it’s not difficult, and you can’t get lost with hundreds of people along the way.
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Warning! There’s been a reported death of a tourist falling off the cliff in Pulpit Rock. Use your due diligence when near the cliff. It plunges nearly 2,000 meters into the Fjord below, that’s one sharp fall.
From Stavanger: Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) Guided Hike
Crowds Pulpit Rock
HIKE THE PULPIT ROCK (PREISKESTOLEN) YOURSELF
- Take the ferry from Fiskepirterminalen in Stavanger to Tau. From Tau take the bus to Pulpit Cabin.
- It’s 4 kilometers from the trailhead to Pulpit Rock.
- Bring enough water for a 4-5 hour hike and some snacks for energy.
- Bring layers of clothes for the variable weather.
- Good hiking shoes a must.
- Hiking poles optional but your knees will thank you for it.
- Be patient dealing with the crowd.
- The Season is from April through September.
- The trail can sometimes be wet and slippery so take caution.
One of the many epic views from discovering Norway by Car
Going by Car?
- You can hike Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) all season.
- Head out to Lauvvik via the Rv 13 National Tourist Route, Ryfylke. Take the ferry across Oanes (8 minutes) and continue along Rv 13 and follow the signs to Preikestolen.
- You can also take the ferry from Stavanger to Tau (40 minutes) then continue the drive south on Rv 13 and follow the signs to Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen)
Travel Resource & Planning For The Pulpit Rock
If you’re planning to go to Norway and then the Pulpit Rock soon, read my guide about the best travel backpack and backpacking tents, you’re allowed to pitch a tent just about anywhere in Norway and you should take advantage of this fact! I also recommend you bring along a good travel camera and a decent tripod
Packing Guide
Check out my gear guides to help you pack right for your trip. Get a rolling luggage if that’s more your style or travel backpack, and other cool travel accessories.
Flight Booking
Catch cheap flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite flight search engine. Also, read which days are cheapest to book your flights or how to land cheap mistake fares.
Accommodation
I use Booking.Com to book all my hotels and hostels. I also use Airbnb to rent apartments from locals, up to $55 Airbnb credit when you sign up! Since you’re in Norway and Stavanger at this point, you’re not that far from Lofoten and I bet you have this already in your itinerary. You should stay in one of the Rorbuer! I wrote an article about here: Lofoten Rorbuer.
Getting Around
I use Booking Buddy to find cheap car rental overseas. Sometimes I use bikes and scooters to get around, and I rent them via Bikes Booking which gives reasonably cheap rates.
Insurance
I always recommend having your trip covered in case of unfortunate incidents. World Nomads is a good place to start and they’ve never let me down. I’ve also used Travelex and Roam Right in the past, both are good options. Do some comparison shopping and find the one that caters to your trip best.
Best Guide Book – Insight Guides Norway (Travel Guide with Free eBook)
Recommended Reading – Rick Steves Northern European Cruise Ports
Budgeting
Read how to travel in Norway on a budget! Want to travel on a budget? Check out my guide on how to travel cheap (and sometimes free!), also don’t forget to read my in-depth guide on how to budget for travel to save you a lot of time and money.
HAVE YOU HIKED THE PULPIT ROCK?
Thanks for the description of the hike, we’re thinking of going to Norway this summer, but not sure of the route. I don’t particularly enjoy the crowds and we carry our two sons with us (we’ve hike with the oldest in yosemite)
This hike is way too crowded. Instead, go to Lofoten and do the Hermanndalstinden or Reinebringen if you don’t have the time. I recommend you tour Norway by car. The most beautiful spots can only be discovered by driving around. Also, there’s the “Free To Roam” which allows you to practically camp or car camp just about anywhere.
I love to hike and if I ever make it to Norway I will be checking this place out as well as your list of best hikes for Norway. The views are just incredible even though it seems like a popular place. I cannot believe how people were sitting on the edge of the cliffs it seems crazy to me. Thanks for sharing the inspiration. Happy Roving!!!
Some people have fallen off the Preikestolen, I wasn’t dumb enough to sit at the edge myself :)
I absolutely love Norway and hope to go back someday to try some hiking. I like the photos that show how popular the hike is. I’ve never been on a hike that had so many people!
Preikestolen is insanely popular, but still worth the hike. It’s short and easy.
I have been to Norway a few times and never done this hike. It looks kind of busy, but it must be worth it for that amazing scenery. Norway never ceases to amaze me. I’m not so sure about standing one foot on either side of that crack (but maybe I’ve just watched too many movies which involve the ground opening up beneath your feet)!!
Preikestolen is just one of many Norway hikes :) This one was the first I did because it was the most recommended. In hindsight, I would recommend Hermannsdalstinden.
instead :)
Great overview. We are heading to Norway next year and would love to do some hiking so I will check out your other posts as well. Thanks!
The Pulpit Rock is just one of many hikes. Good luck with Norway next year, you’ll love it!
Wow it truly looks so beautiful! But it looks like everyone else had the same idea for a hiking spot!! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos and helpful write-up!
Preikestolen is way crowded! If you’re going to Norway, head out to Lofoten and do the Reinebringen hike, it’s way more exciting.
Norway is so beautiful. I’ve hiked a bit myself but I definitely wouldn’t go alone as this is not a trail for beginners. I liked the advice you gave and how to get there.
Oh Preikestolen is not that difficult :) But if you’re hesitant, yes, take a companion.
Wow these photos and views look amazing. I am so afraid of heights though, I would probably be standing 100 meters back from the edge ha ha. I would love to do some of the hikes though – easy to moderate hikes are my fav :).
Oh yeah, the Pulpit Rock is definitely easy to moderate. If you’re queasy with the heights definitely stand back. I’m not personally but I had vertigo looking down from there :)
Its so beautiful! Although I dont like the crowds,I would probably go for this hike anyway. As someone who has problems with the height, second photo made me dizzy just by looking at it.
I, like you, hate massive crowds so I wouldn’t do this hike again. But as far experiences go, the Preikestolen is definitely a must :)
Wow, it’s a beautiful, but busy spot. Do you think waking up really early would make a difference in how crowded it is up there?
Early? No I doubt it, Everyone has the same idea :) Pulpit Rock is what it is, a popular tourist destination but you shouldn’t miss anyways :)
Wow there are so many people there, I cant believe how busy it looks especially when you see those photos of one person standing on the rock.
Try going there in the summer ;0 Preikestolen is always going to be that busy. If not your cup of tea, I recommend Hermannsdalstinden.
Preikestolen is high on my list, though I’ve only ever seen the amazing shots with only one person standing on the rock looking over into the amazing landscapes. I guess it’s a little more touristy than those pictures suggest :D Thanks for sharing real photos!
Oh yeah, Preikestolen is very touristy that is no doubt. But it’s still worth the hike :)
We went in early May and it was not crowded at all. It’s only 600 m fall also.
Nice! May must be the should season! Good to know and 600m is still a gnarly drop :)