Also known as Pulpit Rock, the plateau stands 604 metres above Lysefjord and can be visited as a day trip from Stavanger.
Travelling independently is possible, but a guided tour can simplify transport, timing and trail logistics — particularly if you are visiting without a car, travelling outside the main summer season or simply prefer hiking with a local guide.
Compare the main ways to visit Preikestolen from Stavanger below.
Your options at a glance
Option
Best for
Plan around
Guided hike
Transport and trail guidance
Still a demanding walk
Transport only
Independent hiking pace
Arrange your return carefully
Cruise and hike
Two perspectives on Lysefjord
Allow a full day
Which Preikestolen tour should you choose?
Guided Preikestolen hike
A guided hike is the simplest choice if your priority is reaching the plateau itself.
Tours commonly combine transport from Stavanger with a guided walk, removing the need to organise your own journey to the trailhead.
This can be particularly useful for first-time visitors and travellers without a rental car.
Preikestolen transport + independent hike
Confident hikers may prefer transport-only options where available.
You still benefit from organised travel between Stavanger and the trailhead but can complete the hike at your own pace.
Lysefjord cruise + Preikestolen
If you have a full day available, some experiences combine a journey through Lysefjord with the Preikestolen hike.
This gives you two very different perspectives: looking up towards Pulpit Rock from the fjord and then looking down across Lysefjord from the plateau.
The standard Preikestolen hike is approximately eight kilometres return.
The route has around 500 metres of elevation gain and includes rocky terrain, stone steps and several steeper sections.
A typical round trip takes around four hours, although your time will depend on fitness, weather, trail conditions and how long you spend at the viewpoint.
Good footwear, suitable clothing, food and water are important even in summer, as conditions can change quickly.
How far is Preikestolen from Stavanger?
The Preikestolen trailhead is roughly a 40-minute drive from Stavanger under normal conditions.
The Ryfast road connection makes travelling between Stavanger and the Ryfylke side of the fjord much easier than in the past.
Travellers without a car can use public transport, seasonal transport services or book a tour that includes transfers.
Yes. Preikestolen is one of the most popular day trips from Stavanger. Allow enough time for transport plus roughly four hours for the return hike.
Yes. Preikestolen is the Norwegian name of the cliff commonly known in English as Pulpit Rock.
A guide is not normally required in suitable conditions during the main hiking season. However, guided tours simplify transport and can be valuable during winter, poor weather or for visitors who are less experienced in mountain environments.
Yes. Lysefjord cruises pass below Preikestolen, allowing you to see the cliff from the fjord without completing the hike.
Find the right experience for your dates
Check availability, meeting points and inclusions with the activity provider.
Guided hike1 / 5
Cruise + hike1 / 5