Preikestolen is a 604 metres (1982 feet) high cliff that is approximately 25 by 25 metres (82 by 82 feet) square and almost flat, and is a famous tourist attraction in Norway. Preikestolen is around a 45 minute drive (20 minutes on the ferry, 25 minutes from the Tau ferry terminal to the parking lot of Preikestolen) from Stavanger, it will take approximately 1-3 hours to hike and is 3.8 km each way. Preikestolen is above the Lysefjord. This hike can be made almost year round, though if there is thick fog or strong wind the hike is discouraged. Also, snow will make this hike quite a bit tougher. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and clothes, pack a snack and take water.
How to get to Preikestolen
By Ferry
Ferry leaves from the Fiskepiren Terminal and takes you to Tau, from there you will ride the coach(bus) that will take you to Preikestolen. The ferry+coach cost 200 kr for adults and 100 kr for children as of May 2010. June – August the ferry goes daily. You can download the Ferry schedule here and more info here.
By Bus
Kolumbus.no will help you find the best route, just enter your address and Preikestolen in the til box.
By Car
By car from Stavanger – directions here.
By car from Sandnes – directions here.
Staying overnight?
The Preikestolen fjellstue (hostel) has a variety of rooms. They also have a restaurant that has Traditional Norwegian food, give it a try!
What to see around and at Preikestolen
There are many things to do in the Preikestolen area, the options listed below are form Stavanger Turistforening.
PREIKESTOLEN (PULPIT ROCK) 4 hours
This fascinating sheer rock face hangs 600 metres above the Lyse-fjord. For almost 100 years, people have resolutely made their way to the egde of the precipice, experienced the pull of the abyss and enjoyed the fantastic panorama over the Lyse-fjord and the surrounding mountains. In 2008, the Pulpit Rock was conquered by 118000 people, from many different countries.
The walk from the lodge to the Pulpit Rock is no more than 3 kilometres, but can take about 2 hours each way. The first half is along a stone-flagged path, built in the solid Norwegian tradition. The second half is, however, very rocky and awkward. The walk has a height difference of 350 metres and requires both you and your footwear to be in good shape. But the experience is well worth the effort, whatever the weather.
VATNERINDA RIDGET 2 hours
Height difference: 90 metres. Vatnerinda is the name of the ridge behind the Preikestolhyttalodge. The ridge were pushed up by the Lysefjord glacier some 10.500 years ago. The path goes mostly through twisted pine woods and small lakes.
ULVASKOG WOODT 3 hours
Height difference: 80 metres. Ulvaskog is a wooded area with tall pine trees and glittering small lakes. Resistance forces hid here during the last war and the old bog cabin was renovated in 1995 as part of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. The route first passes through open pinewoods to Kjermskaret, north of Grydeknuten hill. From here it goes steeply down the hillside to Jydalen valley and crosses a demanding boulder-field beside Jydalsvatn lake.The path continous across polished granite slabs with scattered stunted pines, before descending into the enchanted Ulvaskog wood. This route is very sheltered and and is especially suitable for cold windy days.
REFSVATNET LAKE CIRCUIT 3 hours
Height difference: 80 metres. From the sandy beach below Preikestolshytta lodge, follow the old track to the mountain farm Torsnes. People lived here until 1962. The path continues through thick, twisted birch woods, over bare rock and small marshy patches to the outlet of the Refsvatnet lake. Just beyond, you will come to the fork for the path down to Refsaa quay on the Lyse-fjord. The route continues in undulating country through pine woods to Lenne. This was the top station for the motorised lift which used tocarry materials and provisions from the Lyse-fjord up to Preikestolshytta lodge. The lift was abandoned when the motor-road to the lodge was opened in 1961. From here, the route climbs steeply up to Litlafjellet. From the hilltop you can see Lyse-fjord and the farms on the other side. The path now snakes between open reaches of low mountain pine, over marshy patches and back to the lodge.
MOSLIFJELL MOUNTAIN 3 hours
Height difference: 450 metres. Follow the path towards Pulpit Rock until Kogabekkmyra marsh, where an arrow points towards Moslivarden. The path goes northwards and climbs steadily over the open mountainside to the top.From the cabin at 718 metres above sea-level, you should get a stupendous view over the islands of Ryfylke, the plains of Jæren and the mountains of the interior. We recommend you to take the same route back, since the mountain is very steep and it is hard to find another way down.
Photos from the flickr creative commons via Lars Christopher Nøttaasen
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About Fonda LaShay
Fonda is an American who has been living in Stavanger since July of 2008 with her Norwegian samboer. She enjoys tea, visiting with friends, music, taking photos and traveling. She loves the rain, but really dislikes when her feet get wet - this is always challenging since it rains so often in Stavanger. Follow Fonda LaShay on Google+ Fonda is a design blogger - blogging about design, architecture, photography, and music. Check out her blog!
1 comment
Cynthia
Sep 12, 2010
Preikestolen is a definite must-go when one is in Stavanger. It is easy to get to the area and a fairly easy hike to get to the top. The views are amazing! Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you go. Also, for those bringing your dogs, be sure to have them on a leash when you are right at the top – I have heard horror stories of dogs falling off the edge because they could not stop running in time and of dogs chasing thrown food over the edge. I do not know how true these stories are but better be safe than sorry!