Our day at Preikestolen and hiking to Pulpit Rock is one of the highlights of our Norway trip. The hike, the views and the infamous rock itself were all picture perfect and we had an incredible adventure.
Before our hike we had lots of questions around its practicalities, what we needed to bring and how difficult it was to make it to Pulpit Rock. Now that we’ve done it, we wanted to share the benefits of our wisdom with you. Here’s our ultimate guide to everything you need to know about hiking Preikestolen and standing on Pulpit Rock!
Click here to read about our Pulpit Rock adventure!
1 | How Difficult is the Pulpit Rock Hike?
We’re relatively fit and we found Pulpit Rock a moderate two hour hike each way. After our Kjerag adventure the previous day, Preikestolen was much kinder on our legs and lungs! However, it’s still a 300 metre ascent and there are 2 taxing uphill sections: the first is a climb at the very beginning of the hike and the second is a boulder filled section half way up. Both left us out of breath and we were relieved when we reached some easier terrain!
The Route Map:
Where to Stay When Visiting Pulpit Rock
Hiking Pulpit Rock is one of the must do Norway experiences, however the hike is very popular and can get very busy during peak periods. We recommend booking your accommodation well in advance and staying as close to the hike as possible to allow for an early morning or late evening hike to the summit.
- Wathne Camping: We stayed here in a cosy cabin in Lysefjord between our hikes of Kjerag and Pulpit Rock. The cabins are spacious and very comfortable with everything you’ll need to relax and unwind after hiking. This was one of our favourite cabins in Norway. It’s a 30 minute drive to the Pulpit Rock car park from the site – Click here for best prices!
- Hostel Ryfylke Vandrerhjem Vaulali: A good budget option if you’re looking for something basic to get some rest on your in between hikes check out this cosy hostel – Click here for best prices!
- Lilland Hotell Apartments: A modern apartment option located in Tau close to the ferry from Stavanger with free parking. Perfect for a short stay while visiting Pulpit Rock – Click here for best prices!
- Haabakk on Sea: Another perfet apartment option located just outside Tau and less than 20 minute drive to the Pulpit Rock car park. close to the ferry from Stavanger – Click here for best prices!
Click here for the best places to stay in Pulpit Rock
2 | How do I find my way to Pulpit Rock?
Pulpit Rock is a popular hike so it’s easy to follow the crowds most days! The route is well signposted with a mix of very pretty wooden signposts and stone piles with a painted red T. The route is also marked with poles detailing the distance hiked and the distance left to hike which is a great motivator when the going gets tough!
Where to? Preikestolen of course!
T marks the way!
Nearly half way there!
3 | Can I hike to Pulpit Rock if I’m scared of heights?
I’m not the biggest fan of heights and I found the hike to Pulpit Rock easily manageable. There are a few places where the path is narrow and the drop is visible but it’s possible to stay close to the rocks and not look down!
On Pulpit Rock itself I stayed away from the edge and appreciated the stunning views. When I wanted to check out the drop to the fjord below I had to get on my hands and knees !
5 | Is it safe to hike to Pulpit Rock?
There are no particularly difficult parts of the hike but, as with all hikes, it’s important to watch your footing. There are sheer drops along a significant part of the route and it’s easy to get carried away when taking photographs so be sure to mind your step.
6 | What to wear to hike Preikestolen
Layers! The weather is very changeable and we experienced rain, snow, wind and blistering sunshine during our hike! Bear in mind we hiked up early in the season (early June) however the weather is very changeable. Our gear included:
- Hiking boots (we recommend boots rather than runners for the terrain)
- Leggings
- Waterproof pants
- Long sleeve cold weather top
- T-shirt
- Lined waterproof jacket
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Suncreen – regardless of the weather this is really important!
- Waterproof Dry Bags for our camera equipment. These are so important if you’re carrying electronics while hiking/camping.
When it rains, it pours! Actually it hails! All wrapped up:
7 | Food and Drinks for Preikestolen
There are no shops on the climb so bring enough food and drink supplies for the hike! We brought 1.5 litres of water and some energy bars. For hikes, I am the designated water carrier while Dave takes care of the camera equipment. I used a CamelBak rucksack which holds 1.5 litres of water and has a bite valve at the front to make for easy sharing between the two of us. These packs are extremely useful and I don’t even notice I’m carrying it most of the time which can only be a good thing!
8 | What else to bring?
We also brought our cameras and a GoPro to record the action – not forgetting lots of spare batteries and an extra memory card!
9 | Base Camp! Preikestolen Information Centre
The hike starts from close to Preikestolen Fjellstue. There’s ample parking, a hiking map, toilets and a small information centre. Parking costs 100 NOK and is payable by cash or credit card on exiting the car park.
Pulpit Rock parking:
10 | Where to Stay
We spent the night in the relative luxury of a campsite cabin in Wathne, a 30 minute drive from the beginning of the Preikestolen hike. Despite our aim to sleep in our tent, the unrelenting rain and the need for a hot shower and a warm bed after climbing Kjerag all convinced us to splash out on an ensuite cabin! It was bliss!
Hiking Pulpit Rock is one of the must do Norway experiences, however the hike is very popular and can get very busy during peak periods. We recommend booking your accommodation well in advance and staying as close to the hike as possible to allow for an early morning or late evening hike to the summit.
- Wathne Camping: We stayed here in a cosy cabin in Lysefjord between our hikes of Kjerag and Pulpit Rock. The cabins are spacious and very comfortable with everything you’ll need to relax and unwind after hiking. This was one of our favourite cabins in Norway. It’s a 30 minute drive to the Pulpit Rock car park from the site – Click here for best prices!
- Hostel Ryfylke Vandrerhjem Vaulali: A good budget option if you’re looking for something basic to get some rest on your in between hikes check out this cosy hostel – Click here for best prices!
- Lilland Hotell Apartments: A modern apartment option located in Tau close to the ferry from Stavanger with free parking. Perfect for a short stay while visiting Pulpit Rock – Click here for best prices!
- Haabakk on Sea: Another perfet apartment option located just outside Tau and less than 20 minute drive to the Pulpit Rock car park. close to the ferry from Stavanger – Click here for best prices!
Click here for the best places to stay at Pulpit Rock
11 | Getting to Preikestolen and Pulpit Rock
Preikestolen is about a 90 minute drive from Stavagner. During the summer it is possible to get a ferry from Stavanger to Tau and, from Tau, Preikestolen is a 30 minute drive.
12 | Kjerag and Preikestolen
We hiked Kjerag the day prior to our Pulpit rock hike and spent the night at Wathne Campsite, about a 90 minute drive from Stavagner. Kjerag is a much more intensive climb than Preikestolen and we preferred to tackle it with fresh legs the previous day! To read about our Kjerag hike, click here!
Camping under Kjerag!
So there you have it, all our best tips on hiking Preikestolen! Most of all have fun and enjoy the incredible scenery along the way!
Click here to read about our Kjerag adventures and here to read more on our Pulpit Rock adventure!
Good info for anyone thinking of going there.
Hello! Do you HAVE to go on a guided tour on this hike, or is it possible to hike the trail alone?
Hi Laura, no need for a guided tour for Pulpit in normal season, it’s a relatively easy hike. Maybe outside of the main hiking season of April to October you might need to consider one depending on conditions.
Elaine
Hi did u buy or rent a tent there , we have never camped in our lifes and so wanna try it .
And is Norway as windy as Iceland
Hi Archana,
we were in the very same position when we visited Norway – it was our first experience camping together. We bought a 3 person tent with us and some basic camping supplies (check out our packing essentials here and it was a lot of fun. Most campsites are very well sheltered so no issues with the wind for camping. Obviously some of the hikes are exposed but the wind was not extreme by any stretch. The best advice would be to bring layered clothing as the weather changes quickly.
Hi David,
We are planning the Pulpit Rock Hike in August.We will be stayng in Stavenger the previous night.My first question is if you need to go with a guided tour and I can see you have already previously replied that guided tour is not necessary.
My next question is-
1)To take ferry from Stavanger to Tau is it necessary to have a car?I was told by my airbnb host that we will need car but I am confused why is taking a car necessary.Please enlighten me if you can.
2)This is our first trip to Norway so is it easy to find the way up in the hike and also the bus stop from Tau to Preikenstolen parking where the hike begins?
Hi!
i think your host probably meant that you will need/it is easier to get to and from the ferry with a car?
The hike is easy to follow and will probably be really busy! We drove but I think I recall the bus stop being beside the car park.
Elaine