Preikestolen in winter: what changes
The trail to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) is normally open all year. Winter changes the walk, though: snow, ice, short daylight and quick weather changes are all part of it, and spikes or crampons and suitable clothing can be necessary. A guide is recommended in winter.
The distance stays the same: about 8 km there and back, around 4 hours and 500 metres of climbing (2026). In winter, treat the 4 hours as a plan for good conditions, not a promise. Snow and ice slow you down, and the light fades early.
Our picks: guided winter hikes
The combination with a fjord cruise is a long day with snow spikes, poles and a head lamp if needed, while the other two are plain guided winter hikes with transport from Stavanger.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Fjord cruise and guided winter hike to Preikestolen
- Snow spikes if needed
- Poles and head lamp
- Packed lunch
Two hours on the fjord first, then a guided winter hike, with transport and a drop-off at your Stavanger hotel.
Check availability →
Guided Preikestolen winter hike with crampons
- Crampons and hiking poles
- Local professional guide
- Parking fees
A guided winter hike with gear for snow and ice and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle included.
Check availability →Guided winter hike to Preikestolen
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Round-trip transfer
A guided winter hike with the transfers from Stavanger arranged for you.
Check availability →Preikestolen winter tours from Stavanger
Guided winter hikes with equipment and transport, with live prices and availability.
Guided winter hike to Pulpit Rock
What the winter tours include in 2026.
Fjord cruise and hike
The winter tour from Strandkaien in Stavanger runs about 9 hours. It combines a 2-hour fjord cruise on the Lysefjord with a guided hike. It includes a professional guide, snow spikes if needed, hiking poles, a head lamp, a packed lunch, transport and a drop-off at your hotel in Stavanger. Snacks and drinks from the kiosk on board cost extra.
Hotel pick-up winter hike
Another winter hike also runs about 9 hours and includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, a professional guide and a round-trip private transfer. Check the booking page for gear, since it does not include the same equipment.
Short days
The sun rises late and sets early in the dark months. A guided tour plans the day around the light, which is one reason a guide is worth considering. See the guided Pulpit Rock tours for all tour types.
For most visitors without winter hiking experience, a guided tour with spikes and a head lamp supplied is the simplest choice. It does not remove the effects of weather, and a tour can change or be cancelled when conditions require it.
Winter hiking safety on the trail
Practical points in plain terms.
- Snow and ice can cover the path. Spikes or crampons may be needed, and the right clothing matters.
- Daylight is short. Plan a start that leaves you time to be off the trail before dark, and carry a head lamp.
- Weather can change fast. Turn back if conditions get worse, and follow local notices at the trailhead.
- Do not count on a self-guided winter walk being safe at any time. Conditions vary from day to day.
Coastal temperatures give a rough idea of the cold: the WMO normals for Sola station near Stavanger (1991 to 2020) show daily highs of 4.8 °C in January and 4.6 °C in February, with lows of about 0 °C. That is a coastal station, not the plateau, which sits 604 metres above the fjord.
Kjerag in winter
A different trail with a different season.
Kjerag is not a winter alternative. The Kjerag season is over, with the road and path expected to reopen on 1 May 2027. That date is an expectation, not a guarantee. Read the Kjerag page for planning ahead, and the best time to visit page for seasons across the fjord.
Getting to the trailhead in winter also needs a plan. See getting there for bus, ferry and car, and check the current timetable before you go. More on the Norwegian fjords in winter is at the fjords guide.
Plan the rest of your trip
More on the fjord and the trail.
Preikestolen in winter: frequently asked questions
Is Preikestolen open in winter?
The trail is normally open all year, but expect snow, ice, short daylight and quick weather changes. Follow local notices.
Do I need a guide in winter?
No law requires one. A guide is recommended in winter, especially without experience, and guided winter tours supply equipment such as spikes.
Do I need spikes or crampons?
They can be necessary when there is snow or ice. The guided winter tour includes snow spikes if needed, hiking poles and a head lamp.
How long is the winter hike?
The trail is 8 km there and back, about 4 hours in good conditions. The guided winter tour from Stavanger runs about 9 hours with the cruise and transport.
Does the winter tour include lunch?
Yes, the winter tour with the fjord cruise includes a packed lunch. Snacks and drinks on board cost extra.
Can I visit Kjerag in winter?
No, the Kjerag season is closed, with reopening expected on 1 May 2027. Plan Preikestolen instead.