Preikestolen (The Pulpit rock)

Pulpit Rock is one of the most famous places in Norway. It can be seen on many of the country's advertising brochures. Therefore, the place is very popular, especially in the high season (July-August), consider this.

Also pay attention to the weather. Use this website, weather there is provided hourly. In addition to the precise rain forecast, there is a description of the clouds - low, medium or high. If you see a 100% low clouds, then it makes no sense to go, as the top will be covered with fog.

Ascent starts at Preikestolen Fjellstue hotel and car park. The difference in height is only 340 meters, so the rise is quite easy. However, if you go not in the morning and in good weather, there will be thousands of other tourists and walk will be tedious.

To avoid this, we spent the night in a hostel near the start of the trek.


This is it


Booked through the official website (https://english.preikestolenfjellstue.no/accommodation/). There is no prepayment and if you want to change the date or cancel a reservation then contact hostel by email.

Hostel price is 100 euros per night for a room. And that is "cheap", as the hotel is even more expensive. Rooms are very basic, but with heating. Toilet and shower are shared.


There is a nice common area where all the guests spend their time. You feel like in the stories "Ten Little Indians" or "Hotel Dead Mountaineer".




It makes sense to bring food with you as the prices in the restaurant are quite high. (divide by 10 to convert to the EUR).


We started at 8 am, at this time there were still low clouds that looked to us like a fog. View of the hotel, hostel and parking.






Beauty on the way






Only few steps left, the last part of the path you go along the cliff. Norway is unique country with no fences in such places. However, despite the danger, there were no tragic incidents here.


That's the rock. In the morning there is still not many people.


Half an hour later, their number has increased significantly.


An hour later, when the weather improved, there was almost no free space. However, we should say that it was high season and Saturday.

Most tourists make hazardous photos on the edge of 600-meter cliffs.


This is side view.


And bottom view from the ferry


Experienced Norwegian parents tied children.


The view of Lysefjord.


In 2018 Preikestolen became the location of the key scene in the movie Mission Impossible: Fallout. The heroes of Tom Cruise and Henry Cavill made an incredible battle here. The premiere of the film took place on the top of the cliff. Information on this event Tom Cruise posted on his page which has 12 million followers (as of 2018).


Getting there: The best way is by car. Ferry from Stavanger to Tau (~20 euro), then 15 minutes to the parking lot (Preikestolen Fjellstue). Parking fee (~ €10), free of charge for hotel guests. By public transport it will cost you about 30 euros per person. The same ferry Stavanger - Tau, then by bus. Find here information, schedule and online tickets.