Preikestolen at a glance
Preikestolen, also called Pulpit Rock, is a flat rock plateau above the Lysefjord in Rogaland. The plateau lies 604 metres above the fjord. Its steep cliff side is a well-known sight in Norway, and there are three ways to see it: on foot, with a guide or from a boat on the water.
The walk to the plateau is about 8 km return, takes around 4 hours and climbs 500 metres in total. A guided tour from Stavanger adds transport and a guide, and a fjord cruise shows the cliff from below. Each option suits different people and weather, and you can combine them.
Our picks: two ways to see Preikestolen
You can hike with a guide or see the cliff from the water. The guided hike with pick-up takes you to the trail, the tour with snacks and parking is also guided, and the catamaran stays on the fjord.
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.
Preikestolen hike with an expert guide
- Snacks
- Parking fees
A guided day hike to Preikestolen for people who prefer to leave the driving and parking to someone else.
Check availability →
Guided Preikestolen hike with pick-up
- Pick-up at central hotels or ports
- Parking fee at the trailhead
- Hiking snack
A guided day hike where the driver is also the guide, so parking at the trailhead is taken care of.
Check availability →Catamaran cruise past Preikestolen
- Close-up view of Preikestolen
- Ådnøy and Fantahålå
- Whisky Waterfall
A cruise that looks up at Preikestolen from the water instead of climbing to the plateau.
Check availability →Preikestolen tours and fjord cruises from Stavanger
Guided hikes with pick-up, cruises under the cliff and combination tours, with live prices and availability.
Three ways to see Pulpit Rock
Pick the one that fits your time, fitness and the weather.
On foot
You walk from the trailhead to the plateau and back. Plan for about 4 hours, and see the Pulpit Rock hike page for the route, ascent and what to carry. You need your own transport to the trailhead, or a bus or tour.
With a guide
Guided hikes start in Stavanger. One tour includes pick-up from central hotels or ports, a guide who also drives, a typical Norwegian hiking snack and the parking fee at the trailhead. Another starts at the cruise terminal and includes bus transport and a snack. Read guided Pulpit Rock tours for the full picture.
From the water
A boat in the Lysefjord shows the Pulpit Rock cliff from below. It does not reach the viewpoint on the plateau, and a cruise gives you neither a hike nor a landing. Compare a Lysefjord cruise with a RIB safari.
Preikestolen location
Where the rock is and how people get there.
The Preikestolen cliff stands on the Lysefjord in Rogaland, and Stavanger is the usual base. Tours and boats leave from Stavanger. See getting to Pulpit Rock for bus, ferry and car, and check the current timetable before you plan a return trip.
For the whole region, the Norwegian fjords guide puts the Lysefjord next to the other big fjords, and its Preikestolen overview gives the short version. This guide covers the Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock in depth.
Preikestolen parking
The price for a car parked more than 2 hours is NOK 275 (2026). Fees can change, so check the price on the day. The parking fee is not an entrance fee for the mountain. Guided tours that include it say so in their inclusions.
When to go and what to expect
Weather, season and daylight set the plan.
Open all year
The trail is generally open all year. Snow, ice, short daylight and quick weather changes make the walk harder in the cold months, and spikes and warm clothing may be needed. The winter page covers this.
Fog and cloud
Low cloud can hide the cliff and the fjord. Check the forecast on the day, and see the best time to visit for the seasons.
Advice for beginners
A guide is recommended without experience or in winter. No general legal rule requires a guide, so it is your choice.
Preikestolen: frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee for Preikestolen?
The parking fee at the trailhead is not an entry fee for the mountain: NOK 275 for a car over 2 hours (2026).
How high is Preikestolen?
The plateau lies 604 metres above the Lysefjord.
How long does the Pulpit Rock hike take?
About 4 hours return, for 8 km and 500 metres of climbing, in suitable conditions. It is a planning value, not a promise.
How much does parking cost at Preikestolen?
NOK 275 for a car parked over 2 hours, as of 2026. It is not an entry fee for the mountain.
Can I see Preikestolen without hiking?
Yes, from the water on a fjord cruise or RIB safari. You see the cliff from below, but you do not reach the plateau by boat.
Do I need a guide for Pulpit Rock?
No law requires one. A guide is recommended if you lack experience or go in winter.