Reaching the base of the famous and impressive Pulpit Rock (locally known as Preikestolen) is relatively easy from the city of Stavanger. From the capital city, Oslo, the journey will take longer—depending if you choose to drive the 7.5 hours or combine a quick flight with a private transfer or local transport—to reach the beginning of the trail to hike up to Pulpit Rock.
If you have plans to hike the most well-known hiking trails in Norway—Kjerag, Pulpit Rock, and Trolltunga—you’ll want to sign up for this tour where you’ll have insider’s knowledge and everything planned out for your convenience.
From Stavanger
Duration: 1.5 hour by car, 1.5-2 hour by ferry and local bus or taxi
Driving from Stavanger is the easiest and quickest way to reach the base of Pulpit Rock, a distance of 23 miles (36.5 km). The trip takes an hour and a half and with a ferry crossing connecting Stavanger to the town of Tau. Ferries depart frequently, take forty minutes to cross, and you buy your ticket on board. On weekends, ferry services are reduced so you’ll want to time the ferry to avoid unplanned extra waiting time.
You can take a bus or walk to the ferry terminal in Stavanger to reach the town of Tau. Ferries take around forty minutes to cross and depart frequently during the week with a reduced schedule on weekends. Upon arriving in the town of Tau, you can catch a local bus to the Preikestolen Mountain Lodge, a thirty-minute trip. The Lodge is where you will begin your hike.
Travel time is around an hour and a half and will depend on the ferry and bus times. Ferries operate year-round and local buses operate from April to September and in the off-season, you can go by private transfer or taxi to reach the Lodge.
From Oslo
Duration: 2.5 hours by Plane+ car, 8 hours by Car
The fastest way to reach Pulpit rock from the capital city of Oslo—a distance of 281 miles (453 km)—is to fly directly to Stavanger. From Stavanger, you can go by car, by private transfer or by local transport.
Flying is an easy, non-stop, fifty-minute journey with multiple airline carriers offering flights daily. Tickets are reasonably priced and discounts are available if you purchase in advance.
Once you arrive in Stavanger, you can go by private transfer or rent a car directly from the airport to reach Pulpit rock, taking around an hour and a half. An alternative would be to go by taxi or local bus to the Stavanger Ferry Terminal, board the ferry to Tau and catch a local bus or taxi from there. From Tau, you can reach the beginning of the hiking trail for Pulpit Rock in about half an hour.
Going by car takes around 8 hours without stops so budget time to stretch your legs and a break for a meal. Leaving Oslo, you’ll begin on the E18—a toll highway—and after an hour’s drive, you’ll pass by the Gjellebekkmyrene Nature Reserve. This reserve is unique with many flora and fauna that only thrive in a lime, rich soil. You’ll pass by many rivers and lakes on this scenic drive, including the Drammenselvaone—one of the largest lakes in Norway. As you continue on, you’ll pass by the Frafjordheiane Natural Preserve where Kjerag is located.