If you’ve heard about one hiking trip in Norway I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen). With its moderate distance and jaw dropping cliff it is no wonder this is Norway’s most popular hike – more than 270 000 hikers complete the trip – every year!
The trip starts at Preikestolen Mountain Lodge where there is a large parking lot. The trail is easy to find – just follow the red T painted on rocks showing you the way. The hike is 3.8 km each way and most people use 1.5 – 2 hrs from the lodge to the plateau.
A large part of the trail has been upgraded by sherpas in 2013/2014, especially some of the steeper parts where they have built stairs by natural stone. It is still a hiking trail so wear sturdy boots.
You will ascend about 330 meters, but that will all be forgotten once you get to the edge of Lysefjorden and the 604 meter (1982 ft) drop from Pulpit Rock.
This is raw wilderness and there are no safety rails.
Did you know there is a crack all across Pulpit Rock (you can see it in the photo below). It is believed that the plateau will one day fall into the fjord like the mountain that once surrounded it. Would you risk crossing the crack?
10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TRIP TO PULPIT ROCK
1.How to get there? Most people will drive or take the bus from Stavanger as this is the closest city to Preikestolen, just 1 1/2 hour away.
If you drive yourself: You will have to cross the fjord by ferry. There are two options, either Stavanger – Tau or Lauvvik – Oanes. Check out the ferry times before you leave, they are less frequent during weekends.
If you take the bus: If you don’t have a car or don’t want to worry about parking fees at Preikestolen Mountain Lodge there are several companies offering to take you there by bus. Check out Tide or Boreal for tickets. Alternatively stop by the tourist information in Stavanger and they will help you out with tickets.
2. Parking: Parking at Preikestolen Mountain Lodge is 150 NOK, which you pay with card or cash at the time of exit. Taking into account the number of people who will likely be hiking the trail I recommend starting early to ensure you get parking at Preikestolen Fjellstue. Please note that during high season the parking lot gets full early and you could be turned around due to lack of parking. Consider taking the bus.
3. When to go? The best time is summer and fall. Snow and ice can cover the trail until mid-May. On the other hand, if you don’t mind hiking on snow this it the only time of year you could have it all to yourself –
4. Best time of the day? If you want to avoid the crowds you should get an early start. Drawback is that you will meet the crowds on the return. Alternatively you can do this as an afternoon hike. In summer the sun doesn’t set before late in the evening.
5. Foot wear? Please put on some sturdy boots. This is a hiking trail and you will be hiking on uneven ground, boulders, mud and mountain. No flip flops or high heels belong on this trail. Every year the local rescue service is dispatched to rescue hikers with twisted ankles, fatigue, etc.
6. Clothing: This is a mountain plateau and weather can change quickly. Be prepared for wind, rain and cold weather. The weather on the parking lot is not necessarily representative of what you will meet on the mountain plateau.
7. Fog! Be aware that the fog can come drifting in making it impossible to navigate. This is not a place you want to get lost. If you find heavy fog when you get close to the plateau please consider turning around. As mentioned earlier, there are no safety rails in the area and steep cliffs.
8. Food and water: There is no serving so you need to bring your own refreshment and lunch bag. Also note that there are no toilets available after you leave the parking lot at the Preikestolen Lodge.
9. Safety? The local Red Cross society recommends that if you want to look over the edge you should get down on your belly and crawl out. Don’t sit on the edge and lean forward.
10. Photography tip: You’ll get some great photos with Lysefjorden in the background if you continue the hiking loop to the small look-out above the plateau.
Happy hiking!
Wow!!! This looks amazing but that crack looks frighteningly large. Did you cross it? Did you walk to the edge? There are no safety barriers of any kind! I’d love to see this one day. Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks Annika! After struggling up the hills for over an hour I definitely had to walk out to the edge, but approached it very carefully:)
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very beautiful and iconic place!
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Thank you so much, this is definitely an iconic hike in Norway!
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Indeed very beautiful landscape. (Suzanne)
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Thank you very much Suzanne! Such an amazing view from the Pulpit Rock:)
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wow beautiful and impressive landscape !
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Much appreciated Marc!
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WOW!
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Thanks Cindy – that is exactly what I was thinking as well!
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Incredible view, and that water is an amazing color! And I might not cross that crack …
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Thanks Emilie! Once you’re up there you feel an urge to cross the crack that you cannot resist! 😉
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Beautiful! (Good advice too!)
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Thanks a bunch! Heard on the news the other day (it was a warm and sunny day) that over 7000 were trying to visit the Pulpit Rock that day – complete chaos! 🙂
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Once there…, yes I would risk! ( What definitely would scare me is the lack of barriers…..)
I’m enchanted by these photos and by the way you captured the landscapes!
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Thank you so much for the encouraging comment! Once you are up there you almost have to get out on the rock, that is the whole purpose of the trip! 🙂
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Wow is that ever amazing!
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Yes – it is a pretty spectacular spot. Thanks a bunch!
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happy hiking! Beautiful spaces….
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Thanks a bunch! Always lovely to get out into nature, even if it is not as spectacular as Pulpit Rock.
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Your majestic photos and your account took my breath away dear Inger!Fantastic the views from the Pulpit Rock provided you keep your eyes straight …,not even one single look down.Frightening the height,but I would love to stand there just once in my lifetime.Superb hiking and experience 🙂
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Thank you so much the lovely comment Doda! Pulpit Rock is quite an iconic hike – it took my breath away as well:) Just be careful on the edge!
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Even by looking at it I feel awe … 🙂
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One for the bucket list. Great tips!
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Yes – this is bucket list worthy hiking! 🙂
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Well, that’s stunning! Great images and great reading.
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Very much appreciated! 🙂
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Beautiful photos and detailed info. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you so much Anna! 🙂
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That looks amazing! I don’t know how close to the edge (or the crack) I would want to get though!
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It was pretty amazing Amanda, what a view! I am sure once you get up there you can’t resist checking out the rock and try sitting on the edge:)
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That is some serious drop. I’m not usually scared of heights but I’m willing to make an exception for this one and be pretty much in need of a fresh pair of knickers!
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Haha..very funny! It is a serious drop for sure so smart to threat it with respect. But once you are up there you almost have to make it to the edge to take in the drop:)
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This looks like such an awesome, breath taking place! I would like to go there one day!
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It is pretty jaw dropping, bucket list worthy! Hoping you’ll get to experience it:)
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Me, too! Keeping my fingers crossed! 🙂
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I hiked up Preikestolen once in 1998 (where only 90.000 people p. a. did this hike) and in 2010. It’s always mind blasting there. The first time we had thick fog but felt never unsafe. I guess it was better for us not to see the yawning depth on our way to the plateau. 🙂 Back then only the cliff trail existed 🙂 We startet both hikes very early and it was always a great experience.
Ha en finfin dag!
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Awesome to hear that you have had this experience! I just love the view of the fjord you get on this hike, and getting out on Pulpit Rock itself is off course the highlight of the trip. Seems there is more and more visitors each year so good thing you have already done it before the huger crowd came:)
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I can see why there are not any safety rails, as drilling holes with a hammer drill could cause the whole rock to let go! Wow! How many people have fallen off that, Inger?
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I never thought of it that way, but yes you’d probably not want to make to much hammering on this one. And it wouldn’t be the same with safety rails I would say:) I haven’t hear of anyone falling of this one, but it has probably happened. Usually newspapers will not write about it as it might encourage behaviour you don’t want to see…like i.e. golden gate in SF.
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Absolutely gorgeous!
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Much appreciated! 🙂
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Great photo’s, Inger. I’m just curious about the azure coloured water – it looks so calm!
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Thanks Maurice! The water is pretty calm as it is a fairly long and narrow fjord, so not affected that much by wind and waves.
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Wow, beautiful pictures, this rock is impressive.
Thank you for letting us discover.
Have a nice day.
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Thank you so much Hervé! My pleasure:)
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It’s a stunning place Inger. Wow it must have been incredible.
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It is pretty impressive Sue! A bit crowded for my taste though – but guess you can’t blame other for also wanting to experience this icon:)
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I will surely attempt this walk when in Norway. Good advice. Shots are as usual fantastic.
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Thanks Alix! Yes – you should try out this hike! It is well worth it, but beware of the crowds:)
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Amazing landscape view,beautiful blue colored water bnuth ‘i am afraid on high places
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I am not to fond of heights either, but you’d be absolutely fine on this hike. Getting close to the edge is not required to get a good view:)
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Yup, I’ve seen many photos of this and it’s on my list! Gorgeous. Thanks for the tips!
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Thanks Caroline! Seems social media is giving this hike an additional boost so reply crowded up there nowadays. It was on the local news the other day as over 7000 wanted to make the hike in one day!
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Dramatic? Yes. But not a very good place for a soccer pitch.
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Haha..awesome comment! Absolutely not the place for a soccer pitch! 🙂
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Thank you! It genuinely was a stunning view, though. 🙂
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Such and awesome sight! It looks as though many people don’t heed the Red Cross warning., and get very close to the edge. I think I’ll be content to look at the crack via your photos. 🙂
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It is a pretty awesome sight isn’t it Sylvia. You are absolutely right there are many getting very close to the edge – too close in my opinion! I am sure if you had hiked up there you would risk it and cross the crack!
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I’m not so sure that I would. 😕
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Superb! I am getting vertigo just looking at it 🙂
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Thanks, it is a pretty awesome spot! 🙂
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You must be at your computer, or iPad, or Nook, or something…like me. Thanks for another, like, on Elm Drive Images.
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I have passed under Pulpit Rock on a boat and it was beautiful. Lovely photographs and blog. Thank you for the follow. I was born at 37 degrees north in San Francisco. Kerry
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San Fransisco is lovely Kerry, you are very lucky:) I have also passed under the rock once, but is was a bit foggy that day so didn’t get a clear view. Happy we had such a lovely weather when admiring it from the opposite side this time:) Thank you so much for stopping by.
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I have lived in many places, Inger, but San Francisco is not my favorite 😦 Now I live in southern Texas – I love the heat and friendly folks.
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I am surprised to hear so! We once did a small road trip from SF and south along the coast. I found it beautiful! 🙂
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The water! SO blue, it’s gorgeous.
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Yes isn’t it – looks so refreshing! 🙂
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It looks like a great place to hike and enjoy the breath taking view from the edge and far away. Good tips.
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Thanks! It is a pretty awesome hike, which is why it is so popular as well. Good thing is as you say, you will have an awesome view if you chose to go out on the rock or not:)
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Beautiful scenery. Thanks for taking us there.
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My please, thanks for following along! 🙂
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Wow – amazing and vertiginous!
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Yes – this is definitely one of the most vertical and largest drops I have hiked to:)
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Amazing landscape.
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It sure is! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment:)
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I’ve seen many photos and being an inveterate traveler, I’ve always wanted to go there, but I’d never actually read much about it! Very interesting summary – and now I’m freaked out by that crack and the idea of that rock falling!
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Haha.. the crack has been there for years and it doesn’t seem to be any movement in it (as least not yet….) so don’t let that scare you off! 🙂
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Fantastic post and gorgeous photos! Oh my gosh, that crack… I would be scared.
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Thank you so much Jane! Don’t worry about the crack, what is the chance it is going to fall exactly the day you visit? 😉
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simply stunning 🙂
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Much appreciated Joshi!
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Inmensidad, vértigo, peligro, maravilla, …… Impresionantes imágenes!
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Yes – a combination of all four. That is probably what makes it so popular. Thank you very much for the lovely comment!
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That’s a mighty scary rock!
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Scary and impressive – just what makes it attractive:)
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Absolutely stunning.
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It sure is a stunning location Bob! Thanks for leaving a comment:)
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Beautiful post…
Incredible images and very useful notes 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
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Thank you very much for the lovely feedback! Glad you enjoyed the view:)
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This is a fantastic place, I really wish I will come here next time I travel in Norway!!!!! Thanks for your fine photos and story 🙂
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I would have thought this would be one of the spots you for sure would have visited already Truels! You definitely have to put in on your list for next time:)
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Have seen quite some pictures
You’re lucky
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Thank you very much! We are pretty lucky to live so close that we can visit here any day!
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Great
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Wow, what a rock … that’s very impressive.
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Thanks Jan – I fully agree with you, I was very impressed by the view. Even if I had already been there once before!
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So amazing, and so scary. I don’t know if I’d cross the crack – I’d keep that a spur of the moment decision… 😅
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I am sure you wouldn’t be able to resist once you were up there Anita! 🙂
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I would not be brave enough to risk crossing the crack. But that water is so blue! Beautiful!
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I am sure you wouldn’t be able to resist getting out on the rock once you were up there! And to be honest, most people probably don’t know/or think about the crack and what it will lead to one day:)
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Great pics !!!!!!!!!!!
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Thank you so much for the sweet comment! 🙂
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Looks like an amazing hike! I want to strap on my hiking boots right now!
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Thanks a bunch Maria! Actually now would probably be a good time to hike there as most of the crowds go during summer:)
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