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Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)

Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) — the trail guide

The Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) is a 9.3 km trek in Norway, typically walked in 1 day, with 552 m of total ascent. It rates Moderate on our published rubric (59 m of gain per km, topping out at 633 m).

Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, is a sheer-walled plateau 604 m above the Lysefjord in Rogaland, southwest Norway, and one of the country's signature hikes. From the parking above Preikestolhytta lodge the marked path climbs roughly 4 km each way over rock slabs, boulder fields and Sherpa-laid stone steps, gaining about 500 m to the cliff top. Most walkers reach the edge in two hours; the exposed, rail-free summit and the fjord view are the whole point.

Quick facts

Distance9.3 km
Total ascent552 m
Typical duration1 day
Difficulty (computed)Moderate
Steepness59 m gain per km
High point633 m
CountryNorway
RegionNorway

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Moderate" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 341 m · high point 633 m · 552 m total ascent over 9.3 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 373 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan-3°238 mm
Feb-3°206 mm
Mar-2°157 mm
Apr103 mm
May12°122 mm
Jun15°142 mm
Jul16°10°199 mm
Aug16°10°215 mm
Sep14°227 mm
Oct227 mm
Nov212 mm
Dec-1°279 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)?

The Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) is 9.3 km, and most hikers complete it in 1 day. Total elevation gain is 552 m.

How difficult is the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)?

It rates Moderate on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 59 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 633 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)?

In Norway. The route starts near 58.990, 6.145 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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