Preikestolen Pulpit Rock Guided Hike Stavanger

The bus ride from Stavanger through the Ryfylke Tunnel

The day starts in Stavanger, where the group meets and boards a bus for the trip to the trailhead. The road goes through the Ryfylke Tunnel, a subsea road tunnel that runs deep below the fjord and is one of the deepest of its kind in the world. It saves a long drive around the fjord, which is one reason the hike fits into a six-hour half-day.

Your guide gives information about the area and the route on the way. Getting to Preikestolen without a car is a common question, and this bus is the simplest answer: you do not need to park, buy tickets for local buses or work out the timetable. The transfer to the meeting point in Stavanger is not included, so plan how you will reach it.

The trail to Preikestolen

The Preikestolen hike starts from the trailhead and follows a well-marked path of about four kilometres each way. It climbs through forest and open rock, with stone steps in the steeper sections, and gives views of small lakes and the surrounding mountains as you gain height. Most people find it moderately demanding, and it is best in sturdy shoes.

Your guide sets a steady pace so the group stays together, and you stop for short rests. The hike is one of the most popular in Norway, so the trail can be busy in summer, and a guided group makes it easier to keep moving and to stay on track. Bring water, as it is not included, and layers for changes in the weather.

Preikestolen, the Pulpit Rock

Preikestolen is a flat rock plateau about 25 metres square that stands roughly 600 metres above the Lysefjord. Its sheer drop and its view of the fjord make it one of Norway's best-known landmarks. Standing near the edge, you can see the fjord wind between steep granite cliffs and, on a clear day, the mountains beyond.

Take your photos, sit for a snack and follow your guide's advice about staying safely back from the edge. The best time to visit Preikestolen for fewer crowds is early in the day and outside the main summer weeks. This guided trip leaves in the morning, which helps, and the snack included gives you a break at the top before the walk back.

Practical tips: fitness, weather and what to bring

This is a real hike, not a short walk. You should be comfortable walking on uneven paths for a few hours and be able to manage steps. Wear hiking shoes or sturdy trainers, take a waterproof jacket and warm layer, and bring a water bottle and, if you like, extra food, as lunch is not included.

Weather in Rogaland changes quickly, and low cloud can hide the view. Your guide will decide whether the hike goes ahead safely and will adapt the pace. If you are wondering whether the Preikestolen hike is worth it, the answer is yes for most walkers, because the scenery along the way and the platform at the top are among the best in southern Norway.