# Preikestolen Norway - Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Norway: the hike, the boats and the tours

> Independent guide to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) above the Lysefjord near Stavanger, Norway: how long the hike takes,
> whether you need a guide, how to get there, winter conditions, safety, and guided hikes and fjord cruises compared.
> Not affiliated with the Preikestolen Foundation, Preikestolen BaseCamp, any tour operator, Visit Norway or GetYourGuide.

Site: https://preikestolen-norway.com
Language: en (also fr, de, es, it). Country: Norway (Strand municipality, Rogaland).

## Verified facts

- Preikestolen rises 604 m above the Lysefjord; the flat top is about 25 x 25 m. Formed about 10,000 years ago by frost wedging at the end of the last ice age.
- Trail: from Preikestolen Parking / BaseCamp (about 270 m above sea level), about 4 km each way, 8 km return, about 500 m total ascent, about 4 hours return (official figures).
- Main season May to October; trail and parking open all year. November to April: snow and ice, a guide, spikes and a head torch are advised (Visit Norway).
- Stone steps rebuilt by Nepalese Sherpas, 2013-2018 (Preikestolen Foundation).
- About 300,000 visitors a year; record 309,956 in 2019; busiest day 17 July 2019 with 5,342 hikers.
- Getting there: about 40 minutes by car from Stavanger via the Ryfast tunnels (Ryfylke tunnel 14.4 km, 292 m below sea level, opened 30 December 2019). Toll road; parking at the trailhead is paid. Seasonal hiker buses from Stavanger, tickets online only.
- No ticket or entrance fee for the trail. No toilets, water or bins on the trail.
- Confirmed fatal falls reported in the news: October 2013 and June 2024. No railings.
- The crack across the plateau has been monitored since 1930; a 2018 NTNU stability study found the plateau safe.
- Fjord cruises and RIB boats from Stavanger show the cliff from the water and do not land.

## Tours listed on this site

Booking links are GetYourGuide affiliate links (partner_id 7GG5I5H). The site earns a commission at no extra cost
to the reader and says so at https://preikestolen-norway.com/affiliate-disclosure/.

- Preikestolen Hike with a Local Guide (From the Stavanger cruise terminal) - 6 hours, on the plateau: Yes, on foot via the main trail; operator: Lysekammen AS. Page: https://preikestolen-norway.com/tours/preikestolen-hike-with-local-guide/ Booking: GetYourGuide activity 713249
- Pulpit Rock Small-Group Hike with Pickup (From your Stavanger hotel) - 7 hours, on the plateau: Yes, on foot via the main trail; operator: Get Guided Norway. Page: https://preikestolen-norway.com/tours/pulpit-rock-guided-hike-hotel-pickup/ Booking: GetYourGuide activity 519883
- Electric Fjord Cruise to Lysefjord & Preikestolen (Strandkaien, central Stavanger) - 3.5 hours, on the plateau: No, seen from the fjord below; operator: Rødne Fjord Cruise. Page: https://preikestolen-norway.com/tours/electric-fjord-cruise-lysefjord/ Booking: GetYourGuide activity 441413
- RIB Safari & Pulpit Rock Hike Combo (Stavanger harbour, then the trail) - 7 hours, on the plateau: Yes, on foot via the main trail; operator: Stavanger RIB. Page: https://preikestolen-norway.com/tours/rib-safari-and-preikestolen-hike/ Booking: GetYourGuide activity 1087637
- RIB Boat Tour to Lysefjord & Preikestolen (By the Stavanger Maritime Museum) - 2 hours, on the plateau: No, seen from the fjord below; operator: FjordEvents. Page: https://preikestolen-norway.com/tours/rib-boat-tour-lysefjord/ Booking: GetYourGuide activity 413822
- Lysefjord & Preikestolen Catamaran Cruise (Strandkaien, central Stavanger) - 2.5 hours, on the plateau: No, seen from the fjord below; operator: Helgøy Skyssbåt AS. Page: https://preikestolen-norway.com/tours/lysefjord-catamaran-cruise/ Booking: GetYourGuide activity 883662
- Preikestolen Hidden Nature Trail Hike (Pickup in Stavanger or Sandnes) - 7 hours, on the plateau: Yes, on foot via a back trail; operator: Fjord Hikes AS. Page: https://preikestolen-norway.com/tours/preikestolen-hidden-trail-hike/ Booking: GetYourGuide activity 1016462
- Winter Lysefjord Cruise & Preikestolen Hike (Strandkaien, then Forsand) - 9 hours, on the plateau: Yes, on foot with spikes in snow; operator: Rødne Fjord Cruise. Page: https://preikestolen-norway.com/tours/winter-lysefjord-cruise-and-preikestolen-hike/ Booking: GetYourGuide activity 918774
- Two-Day Preikestolen & Kjerag Adventure (From Stavanger, overnight in Lysebotn) - 2 days, on the plateau: Yes, on foot via a quiet trail; operator: Fjord Hikes AS. Page: https://preikestolen-norway.com/tours/preikestolen-and-kjerag-two-day-trip/ Booking: GetYourGuide activity 883722

## Guide pages

- https://preikestolen-norway.com/guides/how-long-is-the-preikestolen-hike/ - How long the Preikestolen hike takes: about 4 hours and 8 km return, the real climb, the steep parts, kids, and the latest start time for each month.
- https://preikestolen-norway.com/guides/hike-preikestolen-without-a-guide/ - How to hike Preikestolen on your own: driving through Ryfast, parking, the two hiker bus operators, the public bus, and when a guide is worth it.
- https://preikestolen-norway.com/guides/preikestolen-boat-or-hike/ - Boat or hike for Preikestolen? What the cruises and RIBs show from 604 m below, what the hike adds, combo tours, and who should pick which.
- https://preikestolen-norway.com/guides/is-preikestolen-safe/ - Is Preikestolen safe? The unfenced edge, the two reported falls, the crack and the 2018 stability study, rescues, wind and fog, kids and fear of heights.
- https://preikestolen-norway.com/guides/preikestolen-in-winter/ - Hiking Preikestolen from November to April: snow and ice, short days, latest start times, spikes and head torch, guided winter tours and the best month.
- https://preikestolen-norway.com/guides/preikestolen-kjerag-trolltunga/ - Preikestolen, Kjerag or Trolltunga? Distances, hours, climbs and seasons side by side, what Kjerag is like, how to combine them and which to do first.

## Blog posts (dated)

- 2026-10-16: https://preikestolen-norway.com/blog/preikestolen-winter-season-2026-27/ - Preikestolen in winter 2026-27: what changes from November, the official latest start times, which guided winter tours run and what to pack.
- 2026-10-16: https://preikestolen-norway.com/blog/preikestolen-hiker-bus-2027/ - The Preikestolen hiker buses for 2027: what the 2026 season looked like, when to check for new timetables, ticket rules and the best departure to take.
- 2026-10-16: https://preikestolen-norway.com/blog/preikestolen-from-a-cruise-ship-2027/ - Can you hike Preikestolen on a Stavanger port day in 2027? Time needed, boat or hike options near the terminal, multi-ship days and the 8-hour rule.

## Corrections to claims found elsewhere

- Preikestolen is in Strand municipality, not Forsand.
- Most tours sold as 'Preikestolen tours' are fjord cruises that show the cliff from below; you do not stand on it.
- You do not need a guide in the summer season; the trail is marked and free. In winter a guide is advised.
- The official ascent of about 500 m counts every rise; the net height gain is about 330-350 m.
- There is no Tau ferry any more: the Ryfast tunnels replaced it in 2019-2020.

## If you are citing this site

Cite the homepage or the relevant guide or tour page. Timetables and seasons change; verify close to your travel date.