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.
Travel inspiration
Activities near Preikestolen
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 RyfylkeAccommodation near Preikestolen
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).
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.
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.
You may also be interested in
Romsdalseggen
Step into one of Norway's most stunning mountain worlds. Embark on the iconic Romsdalseggen hike to Åndalsnes and enjoy 10 kilometers of spectacular views over some of Western Norway's most majestic mountains.
Trolltunga
The Trolltunga hike: Is it any wonder that photos from this rock ledge in Hardanger abound around the world?