Quick answer
The trailhead for Preikestolen is at Preikestolvegen 521, 4105 Jørpeland, east of Stavanger on the far side of the Ryfylke fjords and reached by road through the subsea tunnel. Seasonal passenger boats and summer shuttle buses serve the same car park. Access to the cliff is free, and the recommended arrival window is 06:00–08:00, which avoids peak midday crowds and secures parking.
Preikestolen stands 604 metres above Lysefjorden, yet the road that reaches it now runs beneath the water rather than across it. The Ryfylketunnelen, opened in December 2019, carries traffic almost 300 metres below sea level between the Stavanger peninsula and Strand municipality, and it quietly rewrote the answer to how to get to Preikestolen from Stavanger. What was once a ferry timetable is now a continuous stretch of asphalt. The destination is a trailhead, not a turnstile. Preikestolvegen 521, 4105 Jørpeland marks the point where wheels stop and boots start, high on the mountain road above the fjord. From there the route climbs through birch scrub, over boardwalk laid across bog, and up granite steps rebuilt by Nepalese sherpa crews to hold the path together under heavy footfall. Nothing is ticketed at the cliff edge, so the logistics of arriving — not admission — are what shape the day. That makes the Stavanger to Pulpit Rock transfer a question of sequencing rather than distance. Self-drivers, seasonal express boat passengers and travellers on a guided Preikestolen hike all converge on the same car park below the lodge, and each option sets its own last-departure deadline for the return. Weather adds a second variable: the Ryfylke plateau holds cloud and ice long after the streets of Stavanger have dried out, and conditions on the summit rarely match the forecast read at sea level. The practical detail belongs in the sections that follow — route options, arrival windows, costs and a kit list are each treated separately below. Taken as a chain of short legs rather than one long haul, how to get to Preikestolen from Stavanger resolves into four steps: leave the city, cross beneath or over the fjord, follow the mountain road toward Jørpeland, then walk. For live conditions before setting out, the site's own channels — +4751517000 and https://preikestolen365.com — remain the reference point, particularly outside the high-summer weeks when daylight, not effort, becomes the limiting factor.
“The cliff is not gated; the journey is the part that needs planning.”
How to Get to Preikestolen From Stavanger: Transportation Options
Preikestolen is located near Jørpeland, accessible from Stavanger via a combination of ferry and shuttle bus or by private vehicle. The trailhead is situated at Preikestolvegen 521.
Shuttle bus from Stavanger city center to Preikestolen Basecamp
Drive via Ryfylketunnelen (Rv13) to Preikestolen parking
Ferry from Stavanger to Tau followed by local bus connection
Best Time to Visit: How to Get to Preikestolen From Stavanger Successfully
The best arrival window for visiting Preikestolen is between 06:00–08:00. Arriving during this period helps you avoid peak midday crowds and ensures parking availability at the trailhead.
Summer (June–August)
Very high crowdsMild temperatures of 10°C to 20°C
Expect heavy foot traffic on the trail during these months.
Shoulder Season (May/September)
Moderate crowdsCooler 5°C to 15°C; potential snow
Trails may have lingering snow or early frost.
Weekday mornings
Minimal crowds—
Arriving early on weekdays offers the most solitude on the path.
Verdict: The most effective strategy is to arrive between 06:00–08:00 on a weekday during May or September.
Admission Fees and Parking Costs for How to Get to Preikestolen From Stavanger
There is no entrance fee to access the Preikestolen hiking trail. Financial planning for your visit should focus on parking fees for your vehicle.
A typical adult pays 0 NOK for admission, with the final cost determined solely by vehicle parking fees.
Preparation Checklist Before You Learn How to Get to Preikestolen From Stavanger
Sort your gear, fitness and paperwork in the weeks and days before you leave Stavanger, so the only thing left to decide on the morning is when to set off.
-
Build up hiking stamina in advance — The 8 km round trip climbs roughly 350 m over uneven rock, so a few longer walks beforehand pay off.
-
Reserve a guided hike place early — Summer guided departures fill weeks ahead, and booking through the site's booking pages confirms your group and meeting point.
-
Break in ankle-supporting hiking boots — The trail crosses boulder fields and wet slabs where trainers slip.
-
Pack windproof and waterproof layers — Weather at the 604 m plateau shifts fast even when Stavanger is clear.
-
Carry photo ID and travel insurance details — Guides and any ferry or bus operator may ask, and insurers want them on file.
-
Download an offline trail map — Mobile coverage drops out in parts of the Ryfylke valley.
-
Save the visitor centre contacts — Keep +4751517000 and https://preikestolen365.com to hand for conditions or closures.
-
Fill two litres of water and food — There is no water source on the trail after the car park at Preikestolvegen 521.
Operating Hours When Planning How to Get to Preikestolen From Stavanger
The hiking trail to Preikestolen is accessible to the public at all times, operating on a 24-hour basis throughout the week.
| Monday | 00:00–23:59 | Open 24 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 00:00–23:59 | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | 00:00–23:59 | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | 00:00–23:59 | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | 00:00–23:59 | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | 00:00–23:59 | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | 00:00–23:59 | Open 24 hours |
Check availability
Frequently asked questions about how to get to Preikestolen from Stavanger
Everything you need to know about how to get to preikestolen from stavanger