Hiking Preikestolen without a guide

Can you hike Preikestolen without a guide?

Yes, in the main season from May to October, and most visitors do.

The route is a designated National Scenic Hike, with signs and red T markings all the way. Parking staff are on site year-round, and the foundation asks hikers to listen to their advice on conditions.

Winter is a different hike. From November to April, Visit Norway says you need special equipment and a guide. Our winter guide covers that season.

How do you drive from Stavanger to Preikestolen?

Take road 13 through the Ryfylke tunnel, exit at Solbakk, follow road 523 to Jørpeland, then turn off for Preikestolen Parking about 3 km past the town.

The drive takes about 40 minutes. The Ryfylke tunnel runs 14.4 km under the fjord and reaches 292 m below sea level, which Wikipedia lists as the longest subsea road tunnel in the world. Ryfast is a toll road with automatic tolling, so check how your rental company bills it.

From Forsand, cross the Lysefjord bridge and follow the signs for about 9 km. Full directions are on Preikestolen365. The old Stavanger-Tau ferry is gone; the tunnels replaced it.

Where do you park, and does the car park fill up?

At Preikestolen Parking, a paid car park run by the non-profit Preikestolen Foundation, and yes, it fills on busy summer days.

The busiest hours are about 08:00 to 16:00, worst on weekends and in June, July and August. When it is full, staff may stop you and ask you to turn around and wait a few hours. The foundation suggests spending that time in Jørpeland.

Life in Norway counts about 1,000 spaces across two areas, with chargers for electric cars at P1. Use the toilets in the service building before you set off; there are none on the trail.

Is there a bus to Preikestolen?

Yes, two private hiker bus companies run from Stavanger in season; tickets are sold online only, and a return is not valid with the other company.

Pulpit Rock Tours leaves from Stavanger, Jørpeland and Forsand. Go Fjords leaves from the Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel at Olav V's gate 3 in Stavanger, with fully electric buses. The ride takes about 50 minutes and drops you at the trailhead, then you hike on your own.

Buy your return with the same company as the outbound, because tickets cannot be bought on board and are not transferable. The 2026 pattern published by Preikestolen365 looked like this. For next season, see our hiker bus update.

Can you get to Preikestolen by public bus?

Partly: Kolumbus buses run from Stavanger to Jørpeland, but not up to the trailhead, so you finish with a taxi.

Fjord Norway describes Kolumbus bus 100 from Stavanger to Solbakk, about 30 minutes, with connecting buses to Jørpeland. From there Fjord Norway says to take a taxi to the car park. Check times in the Kolumbus journey planner.

Walking up from Jørpeland is possible, but it adds several kilometres of uphill road before the hike even starts. Skip it. This route mainly makes sense outside the hiker bus season.

What do you miss by hiking without a guide?

Mostly logistics and local stories; the trail itself is easy to follow alone in summer.

A guided day takes care of the transport, the timing and the pace. The guided hike listing states the guide grew up in a village on the Lysefjord, and the small-group hike listing mentions a quieter side trail when conditions allow. Both include the ride through the tunnel.

What you gain alone: your own start time. Start before 08:00 or after 16:00 in midsummer and you dodge the crowds that no tour can avoid. You can also stay on top as long as you like.

Hotel pickup in Stavanger, eight people at most and a guide who sets an easy pace, with parking covered.

★ 4.8 · 7 hours

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When does a guide make sense for Preikestolen?

Without a car, on a cruise stop with a fixed all-aboard time, outside the bus season, in winter, or on your first mountain hike.

• No car, no bus that day: the hiker buses stop running in winter, and the public bus ends in Jørpeland.
• Cruise passengers: the guided hike meets you at the Stavanger cruise terminal. Read our cruise ship post first.
• November to April: snow, ice and short days; Visit Norway advises a guide.
• Nervous hikers: someone who knows the trail decides when to turn back, which takes a weight off.
• Crowd-averse: the hidden trail hike uses a quiet back route.

What should you bring if you hike Preikestolen alone?

Proper boots, wind and rain layers, food and enough water for 4 hours, a charged phone and a head torch.

Visit Norway suggests a 30-litre pack with a map, first aid kit, head torch and spare warm layers including a hat and gloves. There is nowhere to refill water on the trail and no bins either, so everything you carry up comes down with you.

Check the forecast, trail conditions and the BaseCamp webcam on Preikestolen365 before you leave. Tell someone your plan and expected return. Do not set off if strong wind, heavy rain or fog is forecast.

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