Where on earth
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- Region
- Norway
- Biome
- Fjord cliff (0–1,100 m)
- Best season
- May – October
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Sea Kayaking
- Beachcombing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Fjord cliff (0–1,100 m)
- Best season: May – October
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit
Topic summary
Two classic Norwegian cliff-edge day hikes on the Lysefjord — Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) and Kjerag boulder.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: May – October
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Fjord cliff (0–1,100 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit trip tools
How to get there
Preikestolen is in Strand Municipality, Rogaland, on the north side of western Lysefjorden. Stavanger is Rogaland’s largest city and administrative centre. Confirm transport to the walking approach separately; do not assume a direct trail connection between Preikestolen and Kjerag.
- Stavanger
Regional planning base in Rogaland, not the starting point of the Preikestolen walking path. Arrange onward access separately.
- Preikestolen approach path
The most-used walking approach to the cliff is a 3.8-kilometre path improved by Nepalese Sherpas. Confirm the precise departure point before travelling.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Sea Kayaking
Coastal crossings, tides, and protected camps.
- Beachcombing
Tide-line walking between camps.
Animals around Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Preikestolen and Kjerag CircuitAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit
Planning to fish Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit, Norway? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Norway are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit?
- A Norway fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Norway fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit
Thinking about hunting Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit, Norway? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Norway are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit?
- Confirm the land around Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Norway?
- A Norway hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Preikestolen above Lysefjorden
Preikestolen, also called Prekestolen or Pulpit Rock, is a steep cliff above Lysefjorden in Strand Municipality, Rogaland. It stands on the north side of the fjord near its western end, with a drop of 604 metres to the water below. The almost flat summit measures approximately 25 by 25 metres: a compact destination rather than a broad plateau for extended wandering. Those proportions define the visit. The approach is a hike, but the final viewpoint requires particular care around the cliff edge. Plan to enjoy the fjord from a position comfortably back from the drop, and do not let the search for a photograph dictate where to stand. The height describes the cliff, not the hike’s total ascent.
The walking experience
The most-used approach to Preikestolen is a 3.8-kilometre path, improved by Nepalese Sherpas in 2013. That length describes the approach, not a complete Preikestolen and Kjerag circuit. Keep the distinction clear when planning the day: a named destination pairing does not establish a continuous walking route between its parts. Preikestolen is also a heavily visited natural attraction, with 300,000 visitors in 2024. Expect the experience to involve other walkers rather than solitude, especially where people gather on the relatively small summit. Path improvements do not remove the need for suitable footwear, weather protection, and careful footing. Leave enough flexibility to pause without feeling pressed to move toward the edge or follow another visitor into an uncomfortable position.
Stavanger context and trip planning
Stavanger provides the urban context for a visit to Rogaland. It is the county’s largest city and administrative centre, with a preserved old town on the west side of its waterfront. Its petroleum museum reflects the city’s role in Norway’s oil industry, while Stavanger cathedral remains largely unchanged since the early twelfth century. These are options for a separate city day rather than parts of the mountain walk. For an itinerary labelled Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit, establish the Kjerag approach and the connection between destinations before committing to a schedule. Treat the Preikestolen hike as its own outing until those arrangements are settled. Confirm actual trailhead transport, current conditions, and any access requirements with the relevant local operators or managing agency.
Route options
- Preikestolen approach3.8 kilometres for the approach path
Follow the most-used approach to the cliff above Lysefjorden. The stated distance is for the approach path, not a full circuit or a total including onward travel to Kjerag.
- Preikestolen cliff-top visit
The destination at the end of the approach is an almost flat top approximately 25 by 25 metres, standing 604 metres above Lysefjorden. This is a viewpoint visit, not a separate established trail. Stay comfortably back from the cliff edge.
Sample itineraries
- Preikestolen day hike · 1 day
Follow the most-used hiking path to Preikestolen and return without approaching the cliff edge. The path is described as 3.8 kilometres long; confirm the full return distance before setting out. The nearly flat summit stands 604 metres above Lysefjorden.
- Stavanger and Preikestolen · 2 days
Spend one day exploring Stavanger’s preserved old town, waterfront and cathedral. Set aside the other day for Preikestolen, arranging transport separately. This is a city-and-hike plan, not a verified continuous circuit linking Preikestolen with Kjerag.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; confirm current trail conditions
Do not assume the cliff path is ready for ordinary hiking based on the season alone. Check footing and weather before departure, and turn back if conditions make the approach unsafe.
Summer
Summer; choose the day by the forecast
Preikestolen is heavily visited. Leave room for other walkers and avoid gathering near the cliff edge. Carry water and weather protection even for a day hike.
Fall
Fall; check weather and available daylight
Allow enough daylight for the complete return walk. Treat wet footing, poor visibility or strong wind as reasons to reconsider an exposed cliff visit.
Winter
Winter; verify suitability before travel
Do not assume the hiking path is suitable for a routine winter outing. Confirm access and surface conditions locally. If snow or ice is present, reassess equipment, experience and whether to proceed.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; confirm current trail conditions | Do not assume the cliff path is ready for ordinary hiking based on the season alone. Check footing and weather before departure, and turn back if conditions make the approach unsafe. |
| Summer | Summer; choose the day by the forecast | Preikestolen is heavily visited. Leave room for other walkers and avoid gathering near the cliff edge. Carry water and weather protection even for a day hike. |
| Fall | Fall; check weather and available daylight | Allow enough daylight for the complete return walk. Treat wet footing, poor visibility or strong wind as reasons to reconsider an exposed cliff visit. |
| Winter | Winter; verify suitability before travel | Do not assume the hiking path is suitable for a routine winter outing. Confirm access and surface conditions locally. If snow or ice is present, reassess equipment, experience and whether to proceed. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit requirements and access rules with the managing agency before visiting Preikestolen or Kjerag.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Preikestolen rises 604 metres above Lysefjorden. A fall from the cliff edge would be catastrophic; keep well back.
- The summit is approximately 25 by 25 metres. Give other visitors space and never step backward toward the edge for a photograph.
- Wet or icy footing can make a cliff approach unsafe. Turn around rather than relying on the improved path to eliminate risk.
- Strong wind or poor visibility can make exposed terrain harder to judge. Reconsider the summit visit when conditions deteriorate.
What to pack for Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit
- Walking footwear with reliable grip
- Waterproof outer layer
- Warm insulating layer
- Drinking water
- Food and spare snacks
- Small first-aid kit
- Headlamp
- Route information covering the complete return walk
- Charged phone
- Offline map
- Backup power
Preikestolen and Kjerag Circuit FAQ
- Where is Preikestolen?
- Preikestolen is in Strand Municipality, Rogaland county, Norway. It stands on the north side of the western part of Lysefjorden.
- How long is the Preikestolen hike?
- The most-used path is described as 3.8 kilometres long. Confirm whether local route information gives one-way or return distance before estimating your total walking time.
- What is the summit like?
- The top is almost flat and approximately 25 by 25 metres, above a steep cliff rising 604 metres over Lysefjorden. Flat ground does not make the edge safe.
- Does this plan establish a circuit through Kjerag?
- No. Treat Kjerag as a separate planning task until its route, access, transport and current conditions have been confirmed. Do not assume a connecting hiking route.
- What can be included in a Stavanger day?
- Stavanger has a preserved old town west of its waterfront, a cathedral largely unchanged since the early 12th century, and Norway’s only petroleum museum.
- Is Preikestolen a quiet viewpoint?
- Do not count on solitude. Preikestolen recorded 300,000 visitors in 2024 and is among Norway’s most-visited natural attractions. Plan to share the path and summit.