Hiking Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen): Trail Details and My Tips

Hiking Pulpit Rock, or the Preikestolen hike, is something I’d recommend pretty much anyone do. If you’re interested in doing the Pulpit Rock hike, you’re going to have certain questions: how long is it, is it a moderate hike, how safe is it, et cetera. Let me satisfy your curiosity by drawing on my own experience with this absolute showstopper of a Norwegian hike!

In this article, not only will you find my personal, detailed account of hiking to Preikestolen, but also Preikestolen hike statistics, maps, hotel and restaurant recommendations, and answers to FAQs. Strap yourself in for burning thighs, Yosemite-like landscapes, and out-of-this-world fjord views—this is Pulpit Rock!

Psst—if you want even more Norway hiking tips, be sure to read my article on the best hikes in Norway:

 

1. Pulpit Rock hike statistics

• Distance: 8 km (5 mi), out-and-back
• Elevation gain: 398 m (1,306 ft)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Hiking time: 4–5 hours
• Trailhead: Google Maps link to trailhead

Are you ready?

 

2. Pulpit Rock hike map

See the Pulpit Rock hike map in more detail on Alltrails

 

3. Where to stay to hike Pulpit Rock

First off, the city of Stavanger makes a good base for the Pulpit Rock hike because it’s only 39 km (24.2 mi) from the trailhead. There, Ydalir Hotel is a great choice of place to stay. I found it really modern and comfortable, the rooms are of a decent size, and they offer free parking.

Ydair Hotel is located to the southwest of the city center next to Stavanger University’s campus.

Bonus fact: This place is actually a non-profit hotel, with all of its earnings going to the university. I thought that was pretty cool!

The only downside? The breakfast. Okay, to be fair, it’s not that the quality of the food was bad; I just thought that that the variety was somewhat limited. But hey, grab a croissant and power through because the main event awaits!

Find your accommodation in Stavanger

 

 

4. Hiking Pulpit Rock: How to get to the trailhead

The Pulpit Rock trailhead (Google Maps link here) is a 45-minute drive from Ydalir Hotel, through central Stavanger and northeastward through the Ryfylke Tunnel.

Fun fact: As of 2024, the Ryfylke Tunnel is the world's longest subsea road tunnel, and the deepest tunnel in the world, period. It’s 14.4 km (8.9 mi) long, and at its deepest, 292 m (958 ft) below sea level. So, sorry if you’re claustrophobic; you could reach the trailhead by looping south instead, but it’d more than double your driving time!

Parking at the Pulpit Rock trailhead

You’ll arrive at the Pulpit Rock parking lot (P1), which has 400 spaces. If it’s full, you’ll be directed to Moslimyrå parking lot (P2), just 1 km (0.6 mi) back up the road.

Map marking the Pulpit Rock trailhead and nearby parking lots
 

It costs NOK 250 (USD 23.17) to park in either lot and just NOK 40 (USD 3.71) if you leave within two hours (though naturally, this isn’t happening if you want to get to the cliff and back). You pay the parking toll by card when you leave the parking lot.

Important note: You’re not allowed to stay in the parking lot overnight. That means no camping, and no sleeping in your car!

To finish the Pulpit Rock hike full of unforgettable views in the best possible way, it is important to find a good place to eat

 

5. An overview of the Pulpit Rock hike: trail stages

• Stage 1: Uphill right from the beginning, forested landscapes, and an eventual plateau. Expect burning thighs thanks to Norway’s giant natural staircases.
• Stage 2: More climbing, more leg burning, and stellar views over lakes. Expect mist and mystique.
• Stage 3: Anticipation, lots of rocks, and Lysefjord! Expect to feel amazing, despite having mild vertigo and/or developing a slight fear of heights.

Feels like you’re on top of the world

 

Hiking Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen): Stage 1 of the trail

The hike begins at around 250 m (820 ft) above sea level, and in a way that makes you think, “Oh, this’ll be easy!” Famous last words.

The first section greeted us with a steady uphill, right from the parking lot. Not even five minutes in, and I’m already huffing and puffing a little. But hey—I chose to hike to a giant cliff, so of course it’s going to go up.

The path is well-maintained, but don’t expect a smooth walk—this isn’t your local park trail. It’s rocky, uneven granite, and it has enough jagged stone steps to make your thighs burn early on. I like to call this bit “Norway’s natural StairMaster”, here to remind you that you're in Viking territory now. Every step felt like Thor himself designed the route, just to toughen me up.

But while I was cursing the incline, I caught glimpses of the surrounding forest. Suddenly, it all felt worth it. And I knew the view was only going to get better.

This is the terrain we’re dealing with. Think about that when you’re choosing your dress code for the Pulpit Rock hike

PSA: Leave your flip-flops, sneakers, stilettos and slippers at home!

We passed by some fellow hikers, and it was entertaining to see the variety of footwear choices. There’s always one brave (or moronic) soul in flip-flops, shuffling along as if they’re heading to the beach.

Pro tip: Don’t be an idiot—wear sturdy hiking boots!

Now, you’ll get a brief rest

About 20 minutes in, you hit a plateau, which is enough to trick you into thinking the hard part is over. It’s not, but at least this flat bit gave us time to catch our breath, adjust our backpacks, have a snack, and take in the scenery. What we see at this point is pure Norway: birch trees, granite boulders, and little streams running down the side of the trail.

Then, just as we started to get comfortable, the path started climbing again. You knew it was coming (I mean, future you does because you’re reading this right now). Still, you’ll soldier on, reminding yourself that the views are only going to get better...

Here we were still smiling, but don't let the plateau fool you!

 

Hiking Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen): Stage 2 of the trail

After you’ve survived the first section and you’re starting to feel pretty confident, the second third of the Pulpit Rock trail rolls in to remind you who’s boss. The incline doesn’t mess around here—it gets steeper, and the trail gets even rockier.

This was the stage when I started to wonder whether the Pulpit Rock hike could be a metaphor for life’s struggles. But this makes me sound like some TED Talking asshole, so I’ll move on.

Gorgeous landscapes featuring lots of steps

At this point, the trail winds through some beautiful forested areas, with lush greenery all around. It’s quiet, serene, and slightly mystical, with moss-covered stones and mist rising off the ground. I half expected to see a troll or a goblin (or whatever—I’m not that into fantasy) pop out from behind a tree.

This part of the hike also entails massive stone steps, an unwelcome guest to greet your already tired legs. It felt like my mother-in-law had signed me up for a surprise CrossFit session. My calves were burning, but I just kept thinking, “No pain, no gain.” (Seriously, I promise I’m not a TED Talker.)

Here’s where the amazing views of lakes, cliffs, mountains and beautiful Norway nature appeared

...but the flat bits do come eventually

But it’s not all hard work. There are a few flat bits in stage 2—little rewards from the mountain gods. And when you hit one of these, you get stunning views over the surrounding valleys and lakes below.

This is when you stop, take a deep breath of that crisp Norwegian air, and remember why you’re here.

Note: It rains a lot in Norway. It rained when we were on the hike, but surprisingly, the trail wasn’t that slippery. The granite seems to have some kind of anti-slip magic built into it, which would add to the mystique of the place. Anyway, just make sure you bring a good waterproof jacket!

Then, the forest starts to thin out and the landscape turns even more rugged, with granite cliffs appearing on either side of the trail. It’s all very other-worldly. The terrain is still rough, but the excitement starts to build. We were getting closer to the top, and with every step, the promise of that iconic view over Lysefjord started to feel real.

 

Hiking Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen): Stage 3 of the trail

The final stretch of the Pulpit Rock hike is where things really start to get exciting (read: both thrilling and mildly terrifying). The trees have mostly disappeared by this point, leaving you surrounded by sheer granite and an open sky that makes everything feel a little more epic.

Are we there yet? Please?

“Are we there yet?”

The path gets narrower and steeper. The adrenaline kicks in, and suddenly, the tiredness and the burning legs don’t seem to matter anymore. You’re too busy thinking, “Am I really about to walk out onto that massive cliff?” The excitement is palpable; everyone around you has that “we’re almost there” energy.

As I climbed higher, the trail turned into a series of rocky ledges with views to give me a hint that the climax was near. This is where you get your first real glimpses of Lysefjord— pristine, blue, and endless.

But don’t get too distracted, because the trail gets a bit technical here. It’s not exactly dangerous, but you do need to watch your footing as you navigate some uneven terrain. You can handle it—you should be an expert in hopping over rocks at this stage!

Oh, and there’s also the small matter of the pretty significant drop-off on one side. If you weren’t afraid of heights before, this might be the moment when you develop a healthy respect for them. I myself was suddenly very aware of how solidly my boots were planted on the ground.

Views that rival Yosemite

Now that’s the epic Pulpit Rock with all the views and wonders it has to offer!
 

Then, just like that, we saw it: Pulpit Rock in all its dramatic glory. It’s a surreal sight—this massive, flat stone platform jutting out over a 600-meter drop straight into the fjord below. The crowd thins out as everyone spreads across the rock, but let me tell you, standing at the edge is not for the faint-hearted. Take it from me—looking down at that vertical drop will make your knees feel like jelly.

Fun fact: The platform is around 625 m² (6,724 ft²) in area, so no sweat—it’s not actually very easy to fall to your death!

I really thought that this was like something straight out of Yosemite, or dare I say, even better. The vertigo-inducing views are comparable to Glacier Point or even Half Dome—just without the death-defying climb. Yep, Pulpit Rock’s much more chill, comparatively.

If you only have time for one hike in Norway, the Pulpit Rock is definitely the one you should do

Final thoughts

Pulpit Rock isn’t just a hike; it’s a moment. A precious, four-hour moment. The scenery is unforgettable, the hike itself is challenging enough to feel rewarding but not impossible, and the sense of accomplishment when you reach the top is second to none.

Would I call it the best view in the world? That’s up for debate (I’ve done a lot of hikes!), but it’s absolutely in my top tier. If you only have time for one hike in Norway, you should probably make it this one.

 

BONUS TIP: Where to eat after hiking Pulpit Rock

On your way back to the hotel, stop in the center of Stavanger for a hearty, well-earned meal. We tried out two places. (Not on the same night, though with how hungry we were after the hike, we probably could have eaten twice...) Trust me—either of these options will give you the calories you’ll need after conquering Pulpit Rock.

I know what you’ll think: neither of these places are authentically Norwegian. But frankly, by the time I’d hiked for four hours, got my adrenaline pumping atop a 600 meter-high cliff, and driven nearly 80 kilometers, I didn’t feel like messing around with cold, pungent herring and a few sad pieces of crisp bread.

Olivia Torget for Italian food

Olivia Torget (Google Maps link) is a solid choice if Italian food is your thing, and it isn’t too pricy. My personal recommendation: the Risotto Milanese.

Døgnvill Burger for burgers (shocker)

Døgnvill Burger (Google Maps link) is a bright and modern restaurant specializing in quality burgers and reasonably-priced drinks. My personal recommendation: the Blåmandag burger.

 

 

FAQ 1: How long does it take to hike Pulpit Rock?

Depending on how fit you are, how much hiking experience you have, and how much time you spend on the cliff, it takes between 2 and 2.5 hours to reach Pulpit Rock. Therefore, allow 4–5 hours to complete the hike, including the descent.

Just wow!

 

FAQ 2: Is hiking Pulpit Rock difficult?

Pulpit Rock is a moderate hike, manageable for most people, with a well-maintained, rocky trail that gains 450 meters in elevation. While the four-hour round trip can be a bit challenging because of the uneven granite terrain, it’s suitable for anyone with decent fitness. Just avoid sneakers and prepare for possible rain!

 

FAQ 3: Should I start the Pulpit Rock hike early?

Because Preikestolen is a busy place, you’ll likely share the hiking trail with many others. Starting the Pulpit Rock hike early in the morning (say, 3 am) will give you the best chance of avoiding the masses. Certainly, consider a Pulpit Rock sunrise hike as you’ll also be rewarded with some truly spectacular views!

We actually went in the late afternoon, the crowds still thinned out nicely, and we got some softer, golden dusk light for our photos.

The early bird catches the worm

 

FAQ 4: How safe is Pulpit Rock?

Concerning the cliff edge, fortunately, there have been no recorded accidental falls from Pulpit Rock. As I mentioned, the flat bit of cliff that you see everyone standing on in the photos is 625 m² (6,724 ft²) in area, which is a large enough surface to make you feel safe.

As for the trail, it’s generally safe if you wear proper hiking shoes. Yet, you’re bound to see some people attempt it in flip-flops or heeled boots, which is definitely risky. While there are a few spots where you need to scramble, Pulpit Rock isn’t a dangerous trail as long as you're properly prepared.

 

FAQ 5: Do I need a guide when hiking Pulpit Rock?

In principle, you can hike Preikestolen year-round without a guide, but from November to April, it’s strongly recommended that you go with a guide and have specialist equipment such as hiking poles, crampons, and torches.

If you’re an experienced hiker and you choose to go without a guide in fall or winter, it’s crucial that you follow the advice of the staff at the parking lots and trailhead.

 

FAQ 6: When is the Pulpit Rock hiking season?

In short, the peak season for hiking Pulpit Rock is summer, when the days are long. From May to October is when it’s considerably safer to hike Preikestolen, as there’s less chance of it being snowy and icy on the trail.

Summer is the best time for Pulpit Rock hike

 

FAQ 7: Which has a higher drop: Pulpit Rock or Trolltunga?

Trolltunga has the higher drop. While Pulpit Rock’s drop is “only” 600 m (1,969 ft) over Lysefjord, Trolltunga is 700 m (2,297 ft) above Ringedalsvatnet lake. If you’re now wondering which of the two is better to visit, my article on Trolltunga might help you decide:

 

 

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