Preikestolen Sunrise Hike

The Preikestolen is a cliff that towers 605 meters above the Lysefjord. The top of this remarkable plateau in Norway is a square of 25 meters and practically flat. It offers a spectacular view.

The trail to the top of the Preikestolen is about 6 kilometers (one and a half hours), and the views are more than worth the effort. The Preikestolen is a cliff towering 605 meters above the Lysefjord. Bring a picnic basket and check the weather in advance, because fog or rain could spoil your day.

Consider that with 200,000 hikers a year, this is the most popular of all hikes in Norway. So it can be really busy here at times. But there is an alternative.

You can go on a so called Preikestolen Sunrise Hike where you (hopefully) will see the sun rise over the fjord whilst standing on the top. Even if it is cloudy, it is still quite spectacular.

You leave in the middle of the night with a guide. As dawn settles you will slowly start to see the contours of the landscape. By the time you have reached the top, you will see the sun rising over the fjord.

It is half past four in the morning. When I get to the top I see only one thing: dense fog. I am fed up, but I can also enjoy the thick tufts of clouds that pass by. It gives everything a unique atmosphere.

My guide says this can happen with nature. It is Mother Nature reigning here. We wait an hour, but it doesn't clear up. It's time to go back. The Outdoorlife Norway guide shows photos from the day before. I don't want to keep that from you ...

Remarkably, there is no fence here. You can just look straight over the edge, into the fjord. It can be chilly in the early morning, so dress well. It can also be slippery due to rainfall, so make sure you wear appropriate footwear.

The Preikestolen is a 2-hour drive from Stavanger. Most guided hikes will leave from Stavanger.

More information: outdoorlifenorway.com/product/preikestolen-sunrise-hike/