Preikestolen: Day Trips and Tours from Stavanger

The rugged natural scenes that Norway offers are some of the most breathtaking in the world. Grand fjords flanked by dramatic mountains and verdant forests are a staple on the Norse landscape.

Preikestolen is one of the most iconic destinations in Norway. Pulpit Rock, as it is also known, is a flat-topped cliff that dangles more than 600 meters above Lysefjorden.

Here is everything you need to know about Preikestolen, the ultimate adventure playground for nature lovers and one of the most breathtaking destinations for day trips from Stavanger.

How to get to Stavanger from Preikestolen?

Preikestolen is in the south of Norway and is a short drive from the bustling city of Stavanger. It looks out over Lysefjorden and can be reached by car or bus.

From Stavanger to Preikestolen by car

The world’s longest under-sea tunnel recently opened and has made the road between Stavanger and Preikestolen a breeze. You can reach your destination in just over 40 minutes thanks to the 14.4-kilometer-long Ryfylke Tunnel.

Get on the Rv13 (the tunnel road) in Stavanger and veer onto the Fv523. Follow that road for 10 kilometers and turn left on the Preikestolvegen that leads up to base camp.

Guided tour to Preikestolen from Stavanger

There are many shuttle buses leaving from the center of Stavanger, close to the Hilton Hotel. These shuttles drop you off at the start of the hiking route but are not guided. Book a guided tour to Preikestolen to enjoy the security of an expert guide along the route.

Both guided tours and shuttles drive through the Ryfylke tunnel, which takes around 40 minutes from the city.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Stavanger from Preikestolen?

Most day tours to Preikestolen offer hotel pick-up, affording you a relaxed start to an exhilarating journey. Tour times vary depending on whether it is a sunrise or sunset tour and if it is in the winter or summer.

Drive through the world’s longest under-sea tunnel and re-emerge on the other side in the verdant forests of southern Norway.

Start the 4-kilometer trek up to Pulpit Rock, appreciating the stunning views and grand scale of the landscape along the way. Once you reach the impressive cliff destination, take a break and enjoy a light snack before heading back down the same route.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Preikestolen?

The treacherous hike to Pulpit Rock is a whole day's adventure on its own. There are also various ways to experience this natural wonder above and beyond hiking.

Guided tours to Preikestolen from Stavanger

A guided tour to Preikestolen is the best way to get to one of Norway’s most famous attractions. An expert guide will accompany you on the 8-kilometer hike, ensuring your safety and sharing knowledge about the fascinating Norwegian nature.

These tours include hotel pickup and drop-off for the most comfortable experience. Most tours are also limited to only eight people at a time. Choose from tours at sunrise or sunset, or book a tour in the winter for a challenging winter-wonderland adventure.

Day trip to Preikestolen plus a cruise on Lysefjorden from Stavanger

The journey to Preikestolen is an unforgettable one, but why only enjoy the view from the top? This tour also includes a cruise on the deep blue waters of Lysefjorden. Sail past thundering waterfalls and verdant islands to reach the village of Oanes.

From Oanes you will be taken to the trailhead of Preikestolen, where the self-guided hike starts. The addition of the cruise before the hike gives you the chance to appreciate the sheer scale and majesty of the hike you are about to undertake.

Private tour to Preikestolen from Stavanger

The peak of hiking luxury is a private guided tour to Preikestolen. The journey includes a private pickup, a scenic ferry ride and a personal guide to take you up to the plateau. After the hike, you will be treated to a piping hot bowl of Norwegian soup and freshly baked bread at the Preikestolen Mountain Lodge.

The tour concludes with a visit to one of the most iconic monuments in Norway, the ‘Swords in Rock’ Viking monument. The operator also offers additional rentals like day packs and hiking equipment, ensuring you will have everything you need for an unforgettable trip.

Helicopter ride to Preikestolen from Stavanger

The hike up to Preikestolen can be intimidating at best, so why not get a bird’s eye view from the lap of luxury? Take a helicopter ride from Stavanger to journey over the fjord waters and up to Preikestolen.

Wiz through the canyon past waterfalls and cliffs to reach the iconic Pulpit Rock hanging high above the ground.

How much does a tour to Preikestolen from Stavanger cost?

Day trips to Preikestolen cost, on average, around $100, while some are as low as $50. More expensive tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off, as well as a guide that will accompany you on the hike.

A Preikestolen hike that includes a cruise costs around $120. The private hike is $944 but can be for as many as four people.

The helicopter adventure to Preikestolen is the most expensive at $1,155 but is for up to five people.

What will you see and do on a Preikestolen day trip from Stavanger?

Preikestolen is one of the most iconic sites in Norway and hikers flock from across the world to undertake this epic expedition. The journey to get to the spellbinding cliff is half the fun, and both the record-setting tunnel and ferry voyage to the starting point offer unique experiences.

The tunnel has been engineered with special lights to mimic daylight to help drivers combat anxiety while driving deep under the sea. The ferry and private cruises pass through the belly of the fjord canyon while the rock walls loom over you from either side.

The main event is the 8-kilometer round-trip hike to and from Pulpit Rock. The scenery on the hike is among some of the best in the world, overlooking the sprawling fjord as you climb higher to the summit.

Pulpit rock itself is a 25-meter square cliff ledge. Test your nerves and see if you can get close to the edge for a spine-chilling photo to remember your trip by.

When is the best time to visit Preikestolen?

Pulpit Rock is open all year round, and the busiest months are July and August. During these months, the sun sets well past 10 pm, and hikers start their journey late in the afternoon to enjoy the sunset. In the winter, you need special equipment for the snowy conditions, and the window for hiking in daylight is much shorter.

During the fall and spring, you will encounter the best colors along the route, and you can enjoy milder weather and fewer people on the trail.

Travel tips

• This trail is rated moderately hard, so only embark on the hike if you have some experience hiking rough terrain.
• Be well prepared with plenty of water, comfortable hiking shoes and the right gear if you take on the trail in the winter.
• Allow yourself plenty of time to reach the peak as there is 500m of elevation gain. You don’t want to miss the sunrise or sunset due to ill planning!