• HOME
  • PLAN
  • BEEN
  • STAY
  • FOOD
  • SHOP
  • LINK
  • About
  • Sitemap
  • About
  • Sitemap
facebook twitter pinterest instagram rss
WanderLex
  • HOME
  • PLAN
  • BEEN
  • STAY
  • FOOD
  • SHOP
  • LINK
Home  >  Norway • Stavanger  >  Preikestolen Pulpit Rock hike

Preikestolen Pulpit Rock hike

Alex Posted onOctober 16, 2017May 20, 2018 Lysefjord, Norway, Preikestolen, Pulpit Rock, Scandinavia, Solo Travel, Stavanger 4 Comments

I woke up early the next morning overwhelmed with anticipation for the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) hike. The walk from Best Western Havly Hotell to Fiskepiren Ferry Terminal took me around ten minutes. I bought the round trip tickets and boarded the Ferry from Stavanger to Tau. It was a comfortable forty minutes ride in the modern Ferry and I arrived at Tau soon after. I spotted the green bus with ‘Preikestolen’ signage waiting at the bus stop and hopped on. However, I understand that not all Preikestolen bus schedules lined up with the Ferry’s arrival timings so it’s best to check beforehand.

Fiskepiren Ferry Terminal in Stavanger

Onboard Stavanger-Tau Ferry

Cars unloading at Tau Ferry Terminal

Preikestolen green bus at Tau

It’s very obvious when the bus arrives at the Preikestolen base where all passengers alighted. Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) trailhead is clearly marked right next to the carpark. Time to rock (pun intended)!

Hut at Preikestolen bus stop

Preikestolen trailhead sign

Pulpit Rock map overview

The hike up to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)

The Preikestolen hike is less than four kilometres which take an estimated two hours to reach one way. I stopped to take pictures very often so it took me more than two hours for the way up. And there was still some snow and ice which made the hike somewhat more challenging. I would rate the hiking difficulty as moderate because a good part of the trail consists of rocky terrain which can be slippery and difficult to navigate at times. Stepping on an unstable rock will probably result with an undesirable sprained ankle.

It’s not a walk in the park, so put on a sturdy pair of shoes or boots. Food and water are essential items to bring along too.

Terrain of Preikestolen

Terrain of Preikestolen

Terrain of Preikestolen

Terrain of Preikestolen

Preikestolen base topview

Terrain of Preikestolen

Terrain of Preikestolen

Terrain of Preikestolen

After the initial steep and rocky ascend, the trail then rewards hikers with easier flat grounds as such.

Flat grounds along Preikestolen hike

Flat grounds along Preikestolen hike

Flat grounds along Preikestolen hike

But Rocky will be saying hi again thereafter and if you are lucky (unlucky) like me, snow and ice await too.

Terrain of Pulpit Rock

Terrain of Pulpit Rock

Terrain of Pulpit Rock

Terrain of Pulpit Rock

Terrain of Pulpit Rock

Terrain of Pulpit Rock

Then there is the frozen lake of Tjodnane, which is the place for a nice cool dip during summer I believe.

Frozen lake of Tjodnane to Preikestolen

Frozen Tjodnane lake to Preikestolen

Near Frozen Tjodnane lake to Preikestolen

The trail is very well marked by a red ‘T’ (Tourist route?) pointing to Preikestolen along the way. Although some of the marks are being covered by snow, it’s easy to find another one nearby. And there is this Preikestolen map which shows you how much further to the top, like a progress chart.

T-marked towards Preikestolen

Progress map towards Preikestolen

T-mark towards Preikestolen

Direction sign towards Preikestolen

T-mark to Preikestolen

There was more snow nearer to the top and it slowed me down by quite a bit. But knowing that I am very near to my destination kept the motivation level on overdrive mode.

Snowy terrain of Pulpit Rock

Snowy terrain of Pulpit Rock

Soon enough, I have a wonderful view of Lysefjord from the top down and it’s amazing.

Lysefjord view from the top down

Lysefjord view from the top down

Hikers and the Lysefjord view

I was delighted when I finally reached the infamous huge plateau that hangs 604 metres above Lysefjord. Preikestolen looks like a massive granite block with a somewhat flat surface which is so different from the surroundings. There was a Norwegian band recording their Music Video and they were inviting people to be the cheering crowds. Can anyone tell me the band’s name?

Approaching Preikestolen

Rock band MV at Preikestolen

There are no safety barriers or railings at the edge so it’s possible to tumble down to the depths below, which is a plunge of 604 metres or 1982 feet. Thank goodness that Preikestolen deaths are uncommon but do not make silly attempts here to increase the statistics though! I don’t really have a fear of height but being at the edge unnerves me so I approached slowly and carefully. But soon enough, I was peeking over the edge and dangling my feet out while enjoying the view.

Hikers at Preikestolen Pulpit Rock

Peeking over the edge at Preikestolen

The top down view from Pulpit Rock

Lysefjord Cruise Ship

Wanderlex at Preikestolen Pulpit Rock

I wanted to capture the view from above so I continued to the higher ground. And my, Preikestolen looks stunning from up here. The dark clouds were kind enough to reveal some sunlight and blue sky for a while before covering up all over again. Oh well…the fast-changing Preikestolen weather. Anyway, I had my packed sandwiches and marvelled at the wonderful views for the longest time before leaving reluctantly.

Hike to above Preikestolen

Picture of Preikestolen from above

Wanderlex and Preikestolen Pulpit Rock

Preikestolen Pulpit Rock Norway

The way down was much more difficult as there were many hikers going in the opposite direction. There were ‘human traffic jams’ every now and then at the narrower paths, rocky areas and the icy parts. Preikestolen is, after all, a very popular attraction and definitely worth the hassles. I would love to do the Kjerag hike in the near future. For that, I would probably opt to stay at Preikestolen Mountain Lodge. So for now, it’s mission accomplished and time to rest my tired feet.

What are your thoughts about Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)? Leave a comment and share it with me.

Previous Article Quaint city of Stavanger
Next Article Onward to Finland, Hei Helsinki

About Author

Alex

A Singapore Travel Blog about one guy, his camera and an irresistible impulse to travel. Join his adventures to find travel reviews and tips @ WanderLex.com. Read more

Related Posts

  • Akershus Fortress Oslo

    Akershus Fortress and Oslo Harbour Promenade

    May 31, 2018
  • Oslo City Hall

    The Low-Key Charm of Oslo

    May 20, 2018
  • Port of Stavanger

    Quaint city of Stavanger

    October 10, 2017

4 Comments

  1. Lydia Reply
    January 11, 2018 at 9:18 pm

    Beautiful place! Really wana go there one day..Norway is still on my list for the longest time

    • Alex Reply
      January 27, 2018 at 8:52 am

      Hi Lydia, thanks for dropping by my humble blog. Don’t wait, make Norway your next destination! :)

  2. joyce Reply
    April 12, 2018 at 6:23 pm

    Wow! Beautiful photography. Thank you so much for share.

    • Alex Reply
      April 16, 2018 at 12:32 pm

      Hi Joyce, many thanks!

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

facebook twitter pinterest youtube instagram rss
© Copyright 2019. All Rights Reserved by WanderLex.com.