At the top
To visit Pulpit Rock is to end a climb of about two and a half hours on a plateau that three listings put at 604 metres (1,982 feet) above the Lysefjord. This guide sets out how each of the ten guided hikes on this site spends its time at the top, what the guides ask of you near the edge, and what the price covers, from $136 per person.
Quick answer
The short answer. To visit Pulpit Rock with a set break on the plateau, take our top pick at $167: pickup from your accommodation in Stavanger, about 2.5 hours up, a lunch break on top, 446 reviews at 4.8. For the lowest price, the $136 day from the Cruise Terminal (524 reviews at 4.8). To see the cliff from the water before you stand on it, the $281 RIB day. To look down on the rock first, the $177 quieter trail.
The plateau
A plateau 604 metres above the Lysefjord, reached in about 2.5 hours.
Three listings give the same figure: the rock stands 604 metres, or 1,982 feet, above the Lysefjord. The private day calls the top a plateau, and both it and our top pick set a lunch break there. The RIB listing says you will «step onto the Pulpit Rock plateau» after first seeing the cliff from the boat, «towering over 600 meters above you».
Two hikes add a second view. On the $177 quieter trail, the last climb reaches a mountain top at Neverdalsfjellet with views of Stavanger, the Lysefjorden and Preikestolen from above; then the group goes down to the rock itself for a break. The RIB day turns it round: the cliff from below in the morning, the plateau after the climb.
What you see on the day depends on the weather, and the listings say so. The sunrise listing promises its panoramic views only «weather permitting» and adds that weather conditions can affect the view. Plan to visit Pulpit Rock for the climb and the place, and take a clear view as a bonus.
From the top
Taken on different days and in different seasons; your day will look like one of them, or like none.
Seen from above, dozens of people stand and sit across the pale flat top, with the fjord shining far below to the right.
From the rocky edge, the dark blue water winds away between long rounded hills under a pale sky with thin cloud.
A handful of people on a snow-covered top under a low grey sky, white ridges behind and dark water deep below the cliff.
Time on top
When you visit Pulpit Rock with a guide, only one listing gives a clock time for the top. The others describe what happens there, quoted as written.
About 2.5 hours of hiking, then a lunch break with the view over the Lysefjorden. The itinerary gives 5.5 hours for the hike, breaks and photo stops together.
Two guided legs of 2 hours each, about 4 hours round trip. No set time on top; bring food for the day.
About 2.5 hours up at a pace your guide adapts to your fitness level, then a lunch break on the plateau.
A higher viewpoint first, then down to the rock for «a relaxing break». The listing allows 5 to 6 hours for the whole hike, counting photo breaks and lunch.
About 2.5 hours up in the dark with headlamps; the descent starts «when the group is ready» and takes around two hours. The sunrise breakfast waits at the bottom.
2 to 3 hours up, then time for photos and your packed lunch at the rock. Lunch is not provided, so bring your own.
A 30-minute break and photo stop in the itinerary, and a traditional Norwegian hiking chocolate at the top. The route is your choice or one of the guides' «recommended routes to Preikestolen».
The boat is the way to the trail. The itineraries give 4 hours and 5 hours for the hike; neither names a time on the plateau.
Near the edge
A briefing at the base and the guide's word on top.
Our top pick rates the hike «to moderate difficulty» and asks for a good fitness level, and the RIB listing calls the trail well-developed but still fairly steep. Before the climb, the guides brief you at the base: on the private day the briefing covers trail conditions, weather and safety, and on our top pick the guide shares what to expect.
At the top, the winter boat day says it plainly: «Follow the guide's instructions for safety.» The two-day trip with Kjerag is «not recommended for those with fear of heights». If you visit Preikestolen in winter, the trail may become slippery in the more demanding areas; the two winter hikes hand out crampons or spikes if the conditions require them, and one asks for hiking boots, which you can rent when booking.
On weather, two listings ask you to leave the call to them: «Let us take care of the weather evaluation.» The RIB listing says its day runs in all but the most severe weather.
Every hike, current price
All ten hikes, priced per person. The last column is what each listing says about the top.
| Hike | Price | Price is for | Length | What the price covers | At the top | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | $136 | per person | 6 hours | Bus from the Cruise Terminal, local guide, some snacks | Not set; two 2-hour guided legs | 4.8 · 524 |
| Winter day | $145 | per person | 9 hours | Pickup at 7:15, ferry, guide in English, crampons if needed | Photos and your own packed lunch | 4.3 · 4 |
| From the base by the trail | $157 | per person | 4 hours | Local guide from the base; no transfer | 30-minute break, hiking chocolate | 4.6 · 5 |
| Our top pick | $167 | per person | 7 hours | Pickup in Stavanger, guide, group of up to 8 | Lunch break on the plateau | 4.8 · 446 |
| Quieter trail | $177 | per person | 7 hours | Pickup in Stavanger or Sandnes, guide, group of up to 8 | Higher viewpoint, then a break at the rock | 5.0 · 21 |
| Sunrise | $271 | per person | 8.5 hours | Pickup, headlamps and poles, breakfast buffet after the sunrise climb | Descent when the group is ready | 5.0 · 3 |
| RIB day | $281 | per person | 7 hours | RIB out, minibus back, guide, audio guide in five languages | Not stated; 4 hours for the hike | 4.8 · 29 |
| Winter boat day | $292 | per person | 9 hours | Fjord boat, minibus, guide, winter hike gear, lunchpack | Not stated; 5 hours for the hike | 4.7 · 20 |
| Private day | $469 | per person | 7 hours | Private pickup from your accommodation or the airport, own guide | Lunch break on the plateau | 5.0 · 3 |
| Two days with Kjerag | $1,045 | per person | 2 days | Pickup, Preikestolen and Kjerag with a guide, fjord boat, dinner, night, breakfast | Not stated; 5 hours for the hike | 5.0 · 2 |
Our verdict
Book our top pick at $167 if you want to visit Pulpit Rock with a lunch break on the plateau and pickup from your accommodation: 446 reviewers rate it 4.8. On a budget, the $136 day from the Cruise Terminal, the most reviewed here at 524. For a view down onto the rock, the $177 quieter trail, rated 5.0 by 21 reviewers.
Book direct
Our top pick, the lowest price, the quieter trail and the RIB day. All four are priced per person.
★ 4.8 · 446 reviews
★ 4.8 · 524 reviews
★ 5.0 · 21 reviews
★ 4.8 · 29 reviews
In their words
Three reviewers who chose to visit Pulpit Rock with a guide, quoted as written.
Christian from Switzerland, on the $136 day: «We had enough time for the climb up, for the time on Preikestolen and for the return.» Jacques from Ireland, on the same day: «We had more than enough time for pictures and to enjoy the views at the top.»
Nicole from the United Kingdom, on our top pick: «We stopped for lunch on a quieter ledge above Prekeistolen before dropping down to get photos from the actual rock».
Before you book
What the listings ask you to bring when you visit Pulpit Rock with a guide.
The $136 listing names hiking shoes, a wind and rain jacket and trousers, a woollen layer, a knitted hat and gloves.
Bring it on the $136 and $145 days. Lunch comes with the winter boat day and the two-day trip.
The winter listing suggests a bottle you can refill on the trail.
The $136 listing asks you not to forget it.
Common questions
Three listings give 604 metres, or 1,982 feet, above the Lysefjord. The RIB listing, seen from the water, says the cliff towers over 600 metres above you.
About 2.5 hours on three listings, and 2 to 3 hours on the winter day. The way down is around two hours on the sunrise hike. The whole day runs 4 to 9 hours, or two days with Kjerag.
One listing gives a clock time: a 30-minute break and photo stop. Our top pick and the private day set a lunch break on top; the sunrise group starts down when it is ready.
Yes. The $136 day starts at the Cruise Terminal. The RIB day suits ships docking 8 hours or more, and the quieter trail can be adapted to suit cruise shore excursions.
Not for certain. The sunrise listing says «with a bit of luck» and gives its views as weather permitting. It starts very early, with headlamps and hiking poles handed out.
Two listings ask you to leave the weather evaluation to them, and the RIB day runs in all but the most severe weather. All ten listings offer free cancellation.
Your options
However you visit Pulpit Rock, the top is the same 604 metres above the Lysefjord. What changes is how you get there, who you share the climb with and how long the listing lets you stay. Check the date you want: prices and places are live.
Go deeper
Every guided Preikestolen hike bookable here, side by side: start, hours, group and what the price covers.
The trailThe path up: distance, climb and the steep sections, from the listings.
Sunrise hikeStarting in the dark to reach the rock at dawn: times and breakfast.
Winter hikesSnow and ice on the trail: the winter hikes and what they supply.
Planning the tripOne day or two with Kjerag: how the hikes fit a trip to the area.
From Stavanger: Pulpit Rock Guided Hike with Pickup
★ 4.8 · 446 reviews · 7 hours