Traveling from Trollitunga to Pulpit Rock covers a distance of 137 miles (221km) via the shortest car route. There are two main drives you can take to reach Pulpit Rock. Though it may not be a long distance, the mountainous terrain, two-lane roads, and ferry crossings makes driving take longer than you may expect.
Read this informative article regarding hikes and sights in Pulpit Rock.
By Rental Car or Private Transfer
Duration: 5-6 hours
Road tripping from Trolltunga to Pulpit Rock is well worth the time. The shortest route is (221km) and will take around 5 hours and 15 minutes without any stops. This scenic drive gives you vistas of mountain passages, farmland, fjords, and lakes. You’ll start off going in the direction of Tyssedal where you’ll drive through mountain terrain with several switchbacks so take your time. The route becomes a bit easier once you reach Tyssedal and you’ll merge onto the RV13, the national road. The majority of the RV 13 parallels the Josenfjorden until you reach the ferry crossing at Nesvik.
Take the ferry from Nesvik to Hjelmeland. Ferries depart every 15 minutes so need to plan ahead of time or reserve ferry tickets. If you arrive during a crossing, the wait time is short to board the next ferry. This ferry operates all year.
Soon after, you’ll pass by Tysdalsvatnet lake on your left side, which is a nice spot to stop to stretch your legs before reaching the town of Jørpeland. This town is a good place to stop if you need a grocery store or want to have a meal. Jørpeland is the last stretch before reaching Pulpit Rock.
An alternative route takes longer, adding another hour to your journey and includes two ferry passages.
You’ll begin on the RV13 and go through mountain passages before the route becomes smoother and passes alongside Folgefonna National Park. Then you'll merge onto the E134 and shortly after you’ll pass by the tallest waterfall in Norway, Langfoss, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. The road parallels the Akrafjorden or Akfa fjord so have your camera ready. Soon after you’ll come upon the first ferry crossing, Mortavika-Arsvågen. Ferries depart three times every hour and the ride takes 24 minutes. When you disembark, you’ll merge onto E39 and go through several tunnels.
The second ferry crossing is between Lauvvika and Oanes where you’ll go through the Høgsfjord and takes 8 minutes. There are two crossings per hour, they operate year-round and reservations aren’t needed in advance.
As you continue on your journey, you’ll pass by the city of Stavanger, the third-largest city in Norway, which will be the last stretch before arriving in Pulpit Rock.
If you prefer to leave others in charge of the driving, you can always hire a private transfer. Private transfers are convenient and allow you to relax while enjoying the landscape.