Mountain peaks

Preikestolen

Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock) towers 604 metres above the Lysefjord in Ryfylke, and has ranked top in international lists of unique nature-based experiences. Would you like to visit one of the biggest tourist attractions in Norway?

If Norway had been designed by landscape architects, Preikestolen would be a brilliant, award-winning work. No other mountain better sums up the dramatic beauty of the Norwegian scenery, and the iconic mountain plateau has a charm all of its own during every season.

Iconic mountain plateau

Measuring 25 x 25 metres, it was probably formed by frost erosion some 10,000 years ago. Water that had frozen between the cracks in the mountain blasted away huge angular blocks that the glacier had brought with it. The plateau was formerly known as Hyvlatånnå (planer blade) and was a well-known landmark for people sailing on the Lysefjord. It was not until around 1900 that the first tourists made their way to the top, and Preikestolen became a tourist destination.

Preikestolen hike

Some things haven’t changed though. If you want to stand on Preikestolen and gaze across the Lysefjord, there’s no way around it; you have to set off on foot. This means that you also get to experience the fantastic hike on the way up, along steep mountainsides, on narrow paths and up fantastic steps built by Sherpas in beautiful, lush nature.

The hike to Preikestolen is a total of 8 kilometers, and the round trip usually takes four hours. You can visit Preikestolen all year round. Sunrise and winter hikes are popular. Off season we recommend professional guides from Explore Lysefjorden.

Nothing beats the view

The highlight of the trip is undoubtedly the spectacular view that awaits when you stand on the iconic plateau and gaze across the famous Lysefjord, 604 metres below. Preikestolen has been named one of the world's most spectacular viewing points by both CNN Go and Lonely Planet. Visitors have shared their unique photos on social media, and a visit to Preikestolen is now on the bucket lists of both Norwegian tourists and those from further afield.

Click here for more information about the hike and the weather forecast.

Click for web camera from Preikestolen Basecamp.

How to get to Preikestolen?

You can get to Preikestolen in several ways, both by bus and car.

Buses depart daily from the centre of Stavanger to Preikestolen parking during the high season.

By car from Stavanger, drive the subsea tunnel to Solbakk and follow signposting to Preikestolen. Parking fee.

The car park has charging points for electric cars.

Accommodation near Preikestolen

In 1949, Stavanger Trekking Association built the cabin Preikstolhytta, and a road was built all the way up to make it easy to get there. Today, Preikestolen Basecamp comprises this old cabin, Preikestolen fjellstue (mountain lodge) with a restaurant, several mini cabins, a café and an activity centre.

Preikestolen camping is a popular campsite only five minutes' drive from Preikestolen Basecamp.

Click here for other accommodation in Ryfylke.

Preikestolen from the fjord

It is also wonderful to experience Preikestolen from the fjord. All year you can join a fjord cruise with Rødne from Stavanger. You can also take the Kolumbus ferry (all year) or Tourist ferry (summer season) between Lauvvik and Lysebotn.

Discovering Preikestolen

Around 1900 the gymnastic Thomas Peter Randulff was travelling in the Lysefjord with steamboat Oscar II. The captain of the ship pointed his finger at the special rock formation high above the fjord, and said; - This looks just like a pulpit! For the gymnastic and athletic Randulff the goal was set. He wanted to get to the top of this mountain. This was the start of the tourist traffic to Preikestolen.

Sustainable Destination

More than 300,000 people visit the icon towering above the Lysefjord every year. Endeavours are made to look after the environment and nature in the area to ensure visitors a great, unique experience. This work has resulted in Preikestolen being assigned National Hiking Trail status and, as part of the Lysefjord, the area is participating in the Sustainable Destination Program.

Activities near Preikestolen

Badstubåt på Preikestolen BaseCamp

Bathing and wellness

Floating Saunas at Preikestolen BaseCamp

Preikestolen

Enjoy a perfect start to the morning, or unwind after a day in the mountains, aboard one of Preikestolen BaseCamp's floating saunas, close to the trail to Preikestolen.

En person på kanten av Preikestolen mens sola skimtes bak fjellene.

Outdoor activities and nature

Guided sunrise hike to Preikestolen with Explore Lysefjorden

Stavanger

Premium guided hike: Explore Lysefjorden offers a unique Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) adventure. The hike starts at twilight, and you arrive at the iconic rock formation in time to catch the sun rising over the famous Lysefjord in Ryfylke.

Preikestolen Golfklubb

Outdoor activities and nature

Preikestolen Golf Club near Jørpeland

Jørpeland

Preikestolen Golfklubb, which is located near the iconic Preikestolen in Ryfylke, has a challenging and spectacular 9-hole course in scenic surroundings.

Vannaktiviteter på Preikestolen fjellstue

Outdoor activities and nature

Water activities at Preikestolen Basecamp

Preikestolen

Preikestolen offer rental of kayak, canoe, pedalos, rowboat and SUP board at the beautiful Refsvatnet lake, close to the trail to Preikestolen.

Flere folk som er på platået til Preikestolen.

Outdoor activities and nature

Hike to Preikestolen in the Lysefjorden

Preikestolen

Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock) rises 604 metres above the Lysefjord in Ryfylke, and is one of Norway's biggest attractions. The view at the top is stunning.

Varden på Moslifjellet med utsikt over berg, fjell og Lysefjorden.

Outdoor activities and nature

Moslifjellet

Preikestolen

Moslifjellet (718 m.o.s.l.) in Ryfylke has the same starting point as Preikestolen, but is higher and has a great view over the Lysefjord, most of outer Ryfylke, the archipelago and towards Stavanger. Why not hiking the both?

Badstubåt på Preikestolen BaseCamp

Bathing and wellness

Floating Saunas at Preikestolen BaseCamp

Preikestolen

Enjoy a perfect start to the morning, or unwind after a day in the mountains, aboard one of Preikestolen BaseCamp's floating saunas, close to the trail to Preikestolen.

En rød T på en stein med Lysefjorden i bakgrunnen.

Outdoor activities and nature

Hike around Lysefjorden

Preikestolen

One of Norway’s most spectacular multi-day hiking trails. World-reknown Preikestolen, Kjerag, and Flørli are all located along the Lysefjord in Ryfylke.

To barn som står ved Rindatrollet.

Outdoor activities and nature

Rindatroll - hike

Preikestolen

The Rindatroll stands not far from the Preikestolen mountain lodge. It is a fine little stroll, also for the smallest.

Møterom og teambuilding på Preikestolen fjellstue

Outdoor activities and nature

Teambuilding at Preikestolen Basecamp

Preikestolen

Preikestolen Basecamp specializes in designing nature-based experiences with team building, meeting facilities and meals for all needs and budgets.

Vannaktiviteter ved Preikestolen BaseCamp

Outdoor activities and nature

Kayak Rentals at Preikestolen BaseCamp

Preikestolen

Rent a kayak at Preikestolen BaseCamp and enjoy several hours on the quiet Refsvatnet lake, close to the path to Preikestolen.

Flere personer som tar bilde av Hengjanefossen.

Sightseeing

Hengjanefossen waterfall in Lysefjorden

Preikestolen

Sightseeing boats and private yachts often stop on Lysefjorden in Ryfylke to savour the view of the beautiful Hengjanefossen fall.

How to get here

Ryfylke is best known for the iconic mountains Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock) and Kjerag, which are both on the spectacular Lysefjorden. But when you drive along the Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke, between Lysefjorden in the south and Hårå in Røldal in the north, you will experience lots of contrasts among majestic mountains and deep fjords.

Getting to and around Ryfylke

Accommodation near Preikestolen

  • Preikestolen camping

    Accommodation

    Preikestolen Camping close to Preikestolen

    Jørpeland

    Preikestolen Camping, just outside Jørpeland in Ryfylke, is the nearest campsite to the starting point of the hike to Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock).

  • Inngang.

    Accommodation

    Preikestolen mountain lodge

    Preikestolen

    Preikestolen Basecamp is idyllically located near the shore of Revsvatnet lake and the trail to Preikestolen in Ryfylke, just 30 minutes from Stavanger.

  • Den spektakulære utsikten over Lysefjorden fra soverommet.

    Accommodation

    The Bolder by the Lysefjord

    Høllesli

    With its distinctive design and location by the Lysefjord in Ryfylke, The Bolder is a unique place to stay. Four of the cabins are designed by Snøhetta.

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