When is the best time to hike to Pulpit Rock?

The best time to hike Pulpit Rock is the summer and fall months. During this time, the weather is warm, the days are long, and the trail is free of snow. June, July, and August are peak season for this hike, the time when crowds will be at their highest. September is one of the best months of the year to do this hike, since crowds are lower and the weather still remains relatively warm.

First Time Doing the Pulpit Rock Hike? Read This First!

Q: Is Pulpit Rock worth It?

If you are looking for a short, easy to moderate hike with views of a Norwegian fjord, then yes, this hike is worth it. To stand on iconic Pulpit Rock is icing on the cake. However, if you are looking for a more thrilling hike, Kjeragbolten and Trolltunga are two more hikes to consider.

The hike to Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) is one of the most popular hikes in Norway. With great views, a relatively easy hiking trail, and convenient accessibility from the town of Stavanger, this hike has a big appeal for many visitors to Norway.

With that being said, you should expect big crowds in the summer months. Unless you start your day early or time your visit for the end of the day, expect to share the trail with many other hikers.

With that being said, this is still an amazing experience. Pulpit Rock is a gorgeous spot in Norway and the views over the Lysefjord are incredible.

We did the Pulpit Rock hike on our first trip to Norway. At the time, Tyler and Kara were just kids. In fact, this hike was their introduction to hiking in Norway. And what a fantastic first hike!

To have the best experience, not only do you need to know what to expect along the trail, but also how to get here. In this guide, we cover:

Trail stats plus a step-by-step hiking guide
How to get to Pulpit Rock by public transportation and by rental car
Things to know as you plan your hike
How to do this hike with kids

Table of Contents

Pulpit Rock Hike: Stats & Trail Guide

Hiking Stats

Distance: 7.6 km (4.7 miles) out-and-back
Elevation Gain: 350 meters (1150 feet)
Difficulty: Moderate
Length of Time: 4 to 5 hours
When to Go: It is possible to hike to Pulpit Rock year round. If you plan to do this hike in the off-season (November through April), click here for important information.

How Hard is the Pulpit Rock Hike?

The hike to Pulpit Rock is classified as a moderate hike. Round trip, this hike is 7.6 km (4.7 miles) that takes 4 to 5 hours. Kids can do this hike. Our kids were 10 and 8 at the time, but adventurous kids 6 years and older can hike to Pulpit Rock.

Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.

Overview of the Trail

The hike to Pulpit Rock is just under five miles round trip. By Norwegian standards, it is classified as a moderate hike. This is a suitable hike for active adults and adventurous kids.

Guide books and the Visit Norway website recommends two hours to hike to Pulpit Rock, an hour to spend at Pulpit Rock, and two hours to hike back.

Pulpit Rock Trail Sign

On the Trail to Pulpit Rock

At noon we started our way up the mountain. It was very steep at first and it didn’t take long until we were scrambling up boulders amidst pine forests.

There were an incredible number of people on the trail. This was a sunny day on a weekend so the hike was very busy.

The trail alternates between relatively flat, easy sections and steep climbs up staircases built from giant rocks. For the first half of the hike to Lysefjord, there is not much of a view. You will hike in and out of pine forests as you climb up these long staircases.

The last kilometer, just before reaching Pulpit Rock, is the best part of the hike. The trail levels out and now you have views of Lysefjord.

First view of Lysefjord

To get to Pulpit Rock, there is one short section where the trail skirts the edge of a cliff, so if you have a fear of heights, this part of the hike might be challenging for you.

Cliff Trail to Pulpit Rock

PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you do not want to walk along the cliff trail, you can hike the Hill Trail to Pulpit Rock. As you approach Lysefjord, a second trail, labeled “Hill Trail” will break off from the main trail. This adds a little extra elevation gain but you can avoid walking along the cliff, great for families and those with a fear of heights.

Trail split for the Cliff Trail and Hill Trail

On Pulpit Rock

It took us an hour and forty-five minutes to reach Pulpit Rock. What a view, but wow, look at all of the people!!

August is peak season for vacationing in Norway and we were hiking on a perfect day just before the start of the weekend. The crowds were unavoidable.

We spent just enough time here to enjoy the view and take some photos.

For a view down onto Pulpit Rock, you can hike up the hill behind it for this view.

Return Hike and Getting Back to Stavanger

Now it was time to start the trek back downhill. Weaving between groups of people, hopping over rocks, crossing over wet, muddy areas, and climbing over thousands of boulders we made it to the starting point in just 45 minutes. Tyler and Kara may be kids, but they hike fast!

From the Pulpit Rock parking lot, return by car or by bus.

Is It Safe?

Yes, the Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) hike is generally safe, especially for first-time hikers, as long as you’re reasonably fit and take basic precautions. However, there are a few important safety considerations to keep in mind:

Stay back from the edge: There are no guardrails at the top, so stay a safe distance from the cliff.
Wear proper footwear: Good hiking shoes are essential and sections can be rocky or slippery.
Don’t hike in winter unless experienced: It becomes more dangerous without snow gear and experience

Here is an aerial photo of Pulpit Rock, to give you an idea of the exposed cliff edges and the final part of the trail | shutterstock.com

How to Get to Pulpit Rock

The Ryfylke Tunnel connects Stavanger with Tau. This tunnel is just over 14 km long and it is one of the world’s longest and deepest subsea tunnels.

Public Bus

There are two bus companies that provide transportation from Stavanger to the Pulpit Rock hiking trail:

Go Fjords (prices start at 550 NOK)
Pulpit Rock Tours (prices start at 500 NOK)

By Car

From Stavanger, you can now drive directly to the Pulpit Rock parking lot without taking the car ferry. By way of the Ryfylketunnelen, it is a 45-minute drive to the Pulpit Rock parking lot. You will have to pay a toll fee of 167 NOK one-way, 334 NOK round trip. There is also a parking fee of 275 NOK. This brings your grand total to 609 NOK to drive and park at Pulpit Rock.

Is Pulpit Rock Worth It?

The four of us had a good time hiking to Pulpit Rock. Climbing over the boulders was fun and the views from Pulpit Rock were amazing! Unfortunately, the crowds of people on the trails took away from the enjoyment of the hike. Still, we are glad we did it.

For someone looking for a relatively quick and easy hike with fabulous views of the Norwegian fjords, then yes, the Pulpit Rock hike is worth it.

However, if you have plans to visit Stavanger and only have time for one hike, take a look at Kjeragbolten. It’s a harder hike but you get the chance to do something crazy and stand on this boulder wedged between two cliffs. The views are also spectacular and the trail tends to be a little less crowded than Pulpit Rock.

Trail Guide

Hiking Kjeragbolten: Is It as Scary as It Looks?

Step-by-step trail guide for the hike to Kjeragbolten…do you dare?

Hiking with Kids

Tyler and Kara (who were 10 and 8 at the time) had a great time on the hike. Just put a boulder in their path and they have a good time.

As far as their hiking experience prior to this trip, we had done some hiking at home in Maryland and in Shenandoah, Virginia, and also in Cappadocia, Turkey. The hike to Pulpit Rock was easy for them, but they would be much more challenged in our upcoming hikes in Norway (Kjeragbolten, Trolltunga, and Romsdalseggen Ridge).

In our opinion, if you want to hike to Pulpit Rock with kids, your children should be at least six years old. It is a somewhat strenuous uphill climb over rocks and boulders to get to Pulpit Rock. There is also a short section of the trail just prior to Pulpit Rock with a drop off down to Lysefjord (but you can avoid this by taking the Hill Trail).

Norway Travel Guide

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When Can You Do This Hike?

The main hiking season for Pulpit Rock is from April through October. Peak season is during the summer months of June through August. Expect large crowds during these months. To avoid the crowds, hike on weekdays and start the hike early in the morning.

It is possible to hike Pulpit Rock year round. From November through March, temperatures will be very cold, snow could be on the ground, and you will have very limited daylight. Read this article to learn more.

Guided Hikes

If you prefer to hike Pulpit Rock with a guide, you have several options.

This tour includes a guided hike of Pulpit Rock plus a cruise on Lysefjord.

This small group tour includes your transportation plus a guided hike.

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Another beautiful view from the trail

Where to Stay in Stavanger

Hotel Victoria: This historic hotel is located on the waterfront in Stavanger.
Stay North Paradis: Take your pick from one and two bedroom apartments in this highly rated aparthotel.
Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel and the Clarion Hotel are both located in downtown Stavanger and get excellent reviews.
Central Stavanger Guesthouse is a good option for those traveling on a budget.

If you have any questions on how to do the Pulpit Rock hike, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.

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