Preikestolen (Norway) is a huge cliff located opposite the Kjerag plateau in Norway. The rock is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful places not only in Scandinavia, but also in the world.
General information
One of the most beautiful cliffs in Scandinavia, Preikestolen, is located 604 meters above one of the deepest fjords in Norway, Luce Fjord. The top of the cliff has a surprisingly regular shape (a square) measuring 25 meters by 25 meters, with a large viewing platform that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Norwegian fjords. The estimated age of the cliff is 10,000 years.
In English, the name is “Preacher’s Pulpit” or “Pulpit Rock”, which means “Preacher’s Pulpit” or “Rock Pulpit”. In the past, this place was called Hyvlatonnå (from the Swedish word for flat or straight).
Today, Preikestolen is a popular tourist destination. It is home to one of the most famous viewing platforms and offers a variety of hiking trails. On average, the site is visited by 90,000 to 100,000 people every four months. The peak visitation was recorded in 2009.
In order to get to Prekestolen, you need to have at least minimal athletic training, and be prepared for the fact that the route goes through different heights. The average time it takes to climb is 2 hours.
Note! The most picturesque road in Norway is the Troll Road. Detailed information about it can be found on this page.
How to get to Preikestolen Rock
Preikestolen is one of the most famous natural attractions in Norway, so it is easy to get to the town that is adjacent to the rock.
First, you need to get to the nearest major city – Stavanger, 50 km from the cliff. This is not difficult: Stavanger has an airport, a port, a railway station and a bus station. How to get to Stavanger.
Next, in Stavanger, you need to take the Fiskepir terminal ferry to the city of Tau, which runs every half hour. The journey takes about 45 minutes. You can buy tickets for the boat on board or book them online on the website fjords.tide.no. You can only purchase tickets at the ticket office during peak hours.
The next stage of the journey is a bus ride. They are located right at the pier and are waiting for tourists. It is important to note that if you have purchased a combined ferry and bus ticket, your vehicle will be white with the Tide logo, while if you have two separate tickets, your vehicle will be green. The bus ride takes less than an hour and ends at the Pulpit Camping and Tourist Center. Here, you will find a restroom and a kiosk selling tourist brochures. This is the starting point for the hiking trail to Preikestolen.
A combined ferry + bus ticket in both directions will cost 490 NOK for an adult and 240 NOK when booking online and somewhat more when purchasing on board. One-way fare is 290 kroner, for children 4-15 years old – 160.
If you’ve arrived in the town by car, you don’t have to worry about parking your vehicle. There is a paid parking lot at the foot of Preikestolen.
Now you can start climbing. As a rule, it takes from 2 to 3 hours to climb to the top of the cliff (depending on your age and health). The route is only 4 km long, but you need to understand that this road leads to the mountains, so you will not be able to walk quickly and simply.
Guided tours
As for places where you can sign up and then go on excursions, the first place to visit is Preikestolhytta Youth Hostel, which has a tourist center and tour guides.
However, if you are going to get to the Preacher’s Chair on your own, then you should not be afraid of getting lost – there are signs and signs everywhere, on which you can see the distance to various towns and villages. The rock is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Norway, so the authorities do a lot to ensure that tourists know how to get to Prekestolen.
Climbing, way to the cliff
For the first 15 minutes, tourists will have to walk along a wide pebble road, which will later be replaced by a swampy area and a narrow path covered with stones. This can be considered the first part of the climb. After completing this part, you can take a break by the lake and regain your strength, as the second half of the climb is much more challenging.
The second part of the road looks like a staircase made of stones, but it is not very comfortable to climb (the slope is too steep, and it is dangerous to go down). As a rule, tourists spend most of their time on this part of the route, as it is the most challenging and requires maximum concentration. The final part of the journey is the road along the cliff, which offers an impressive view of the fjords. After completing this part, you can take a break and take a few memorable photos of the Norwegian Preikestolen. Many tourists also enjoy picnics at the top of the cliff.
Remember to be extremely careful at the very top of the cliff. There are no fences, as there was an accident on Prekestolen: in 2013, a Spanish tourist crashed here.
You will be interested! Another equally popular rock in Norway is the Troll’s Tongue. How to get there and interesting facts about it are collected in this article.
Where to stay
If you decide to climb the Preacher’s Chair in Norway in the morning, when there won’t be many tourists, it makes sense to stay near it for the night. There are several hotels located nearby:
Preikestolen fjellstue and Hostel
Hostel located at the very foot of the mountain, at the starting point for the ascent. This is a great place for those who don’t want to overpay for service and various amenities in their room. It’s also a great option for those who want to take some beautiful photos of Preikestolen.
Three-Bedroom Holiday home in Jørpeland 1
This is a guest house for families with children in the Norwegian town of Jørpeland. Here you can take a break from the bustling city and spend your time productively. Among the nearby attractions, you can mention not only Preikestolen (8 km) and Luce Fjord (7 km), but also the Ryfylkevegen, which can be used to get to the most famous tourist places in Norway.
Verkshotellet Jørpeland
Another hotel is located in the picturesque village of Jørpeland, 9 km from Preikestolen. The rooms are simply decorated in a Scandinavian style. Each room has a private bathroom. Breakfast is included in the price. Free parking and Wi-Fi are available.
It’s good to know! Accommodation in Jürpelann starts at 100 € per night!
When is the best time to go
Prekestolen Rock is located in the west of Norway, near the city of Stavanger. This area has a mild climate. The average temperature in winter is -3 degrees Celsius, and in summer it is +17 degrees Celsius. The best time to visit the rock is from early April to late August. During this period, the temperature is more comfortable and the amount of precipitation is relatively low, making the hike to the rock more enjoyable and safe. Additionally, ferries and buses operate to Prekestolen from April 8 to October 1.
Useful tips
- You can exchange your dollars for Norwegian kroner in Stavanger or Oslo, as there may not be any banks in smaller towns.
- If you plan to reach the top of Preikestolen, you should not take small children with you, as they will not be able to walk that far.
- You will probably get hungry during the climb to Prekestolen, so it is worth taking something to eat with you. And don’t forget about water.
- If you are going to climb the Preikestolen (Norway), then it is necessary to take only warm and waterproof clothes. Rain and fog are typical Norwegian weather. Also do not forget about comfort, and on the journey take only comfortable clothes and shoes, ideally: trekking boots, windproof jacket, woolen underwear and sweater, a spare set of clothes and socks, a scarf, hat and gloves.
- Other necessary items for a hike to the cliff: sunglasses and sunscreens, trash bags, first aid kit, and a pocket knife.
- The phone should be fully charged and placed in a plastic bag.
