Preikestolen packing list: what to bring and where to get gear
Quick answer: Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) is roughly 8 km round trip, about 4–5 hours, with 350–500 metres of climbing, so pack for a real mountain day even if it is sunny at the car park. Wear hiking boots with a lugged sole and ankle support, dress in wool and fleece layers under a wind- and waterproof shell, carry 1–1.5 litres of water plus snacks, and keep a headlamp, small first-aid kit and charged phone in a 20–30 litre daypack. The exposed plateau catches sudden wind, so check the forecast and skip the hike in strong wind, heavy rain or fog. We at Fiske & Jakt in Tau are right on the way to the trailhead for any last-minute gear.
Preikestolen is one of Norway's most visited hikes, with hundreds of thousands of people making the trip each year. The path was rebuilt with stone steps by Nepalese Sherpas in 2013, which makes it easier to follow but not flat: you climb and descend the same 350–500 metres over rock slabs, steps and boggy patches. Most of the trouble we hear about is not dramatic falls, but twisted ankles, blisters, and people getting cold and wet because they dressed for the beach.
Our shop sits on the road toward the trailhead, about a 20-minute drive away, and below is the practical packing list we give over the counter, with the reasoning behind each item.
1. Hiking boots with grip and ankle support
Footwear is the one thing not to compromise on. The Sherpa-built steps and bare rock slabs turn slick the moment they are wet, and on an 8 km out-and-back you spend the whole return walking downhill, exactly when a stiff sole and supportive cuff protect your ankles and toes. Choose boots with a deep, lugged rubber sole and, ideally, a waterproof membrane, and pair them with wool socks rather than cotton: wool keeps its cushioning when damp, so it rubs and blisters less over four to five hours. Smooth-soled trainers are the most common reason people slip on the descent, so leave them at home. See our footwear collection.
2. Wool and fleece layers, not cotton
Dress in layers so you can add and shed warmth as you climb. Start with a wool (merino) base layer, because wool keeps insulating even when you sweat through it, while cotton holds water against your skin and chills you the moment you stop. Add a fleece or light insulated mid layer for the top, where the plateau, 604 metres straight up from the fjord, can feel 5–10°C colder than the car park and far windier. A warm hat and thin gloves weigh almost nothing. Our wool base and mid layers and hats, gloves and flasks cover this.
3. A wind- and waterproof shell
Even on a bright morning, carry a proper rain jacket. Weather in the Norwegian mountains changes fast, and the exposed edge of Preikestolen catches gusts off the fjord with little warning. A shell that blocks both wind and rain keeps your warm layers working, because a soaked fleece stops insulating almost immediately. If the forecast already shows strong wind, heavy rain or fog before you leave, save the hike for another day: the view disappears in cloud, and wet rock near an unfenced 604-metre drop is not worth it.
4. Water and food that last the whole loop
Bring 1–1.5 litres of water per person. That covers four to five hours of steady effort for most people, and there is no shop or reliable drinking water once you leave the trailhead. Pack easy, high-energy snacks such as chocolate, nuts and a couple of sandwiches, and keep some for the return, because the classic mistake is eating everything at the summit and running low on the way down.
5. A headlamp, even in summer
A headlamp is cheap insurance. Sunrise and sunset hikes are some of the best times to go, with fewer people and softer light, but they mean walking in the dark at one end, and stone steps are hard to read by phone light. Days are short in spring and autumn, and even in summer it is easy to misjudge the return if you linger at the top. Keep one in your pack with fresh batteries. See our headlamps collection.
6. A small daypack with the essentials inside
A 20–30 litre daypack is the right size: big enough for your shell, a spare layer, food, water and the small stuff, but small enough that it does not throw off your balance on the steps. Inside, keep a compact first-aid kit (blister plasters above all), a fully charged phone, and something to keep valuables dry. Browse daypacks in our backpacks collection.
The packing list at a glance
- Footwear: hiking boots with a lugged sole and ankle support, plus wool socks.
- Base and mid layers: wool base layer and a fleece or light insulated top, not cotton.
- Shell: wind- and waterproof jacket, plus a warm hat and thin gloves.
- Water and food: 1–1.5 L water and high-energy snacks (save some for the descent).
- Light: headlamp with fresh batteries.
- Pack: 20–30 L daypack with a small first-aid kit and a charged phone inside.
- Before you go: check the forecast and turn back if it shows strong wind, heavy rain or fog.
Common mistakes
- Hiking in jeans or cotton: it soaks through and chills you fast, while wool and synthetics stay warm when damp.
- Trainers with smooth soles: the wet stone steps are where most slips happen on the way down.
- Trusting a sunny start: the top is colder and windier than the car park, and the weather can turn within the hour.
- Too little water or too much gear: 1–1.5 L is usually right, while a giant overloaded pack just tires you out on the steps.
- No headlamp on an early or late start: phone light is not enough on stone steps in the dark.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Preikestolen hike take?
Most people take about 4–5 hours for the round trip of roughly 8 km, with 350–500 metres of climbing, including time at the top for photos. Allow more with children, in poor weather, or during busy summer hours when the narrow sections slow down.
What shoes should I wear for Preikestolen?
Wear hiking boots with a deep, lugged sole and ankle support, ideally with a waterproof membrane, and pair them with wool socks. The stone steps and rock slabs get slippery when wet, and the long downhill return is hard on ankles and toes. Avoid trainers and smooth soles.
How much water should I bring for Preikestolen?
Carry 1–1.5 litres per person. That covers four to five hours of effort for most hikers, and there is no shop or reliable drinking water once you leave the trailhead. Bring a little extra on hot days, plus high-energy snacks, and save some food for the descent.
Do I need a headlamp for Preikestolen?
Yes, keep one in your pack. Sunrise and sunset hikes mean walking in the dark at one end, stone steps are hard to read by phone light, and days are short in spring and autumn. A headlamp with fresh batteries is cheap insurance even in summer.
Is Preikestolen safe in bad weather?
The trail is well built, but the plateau sits 604 metres above the Lysefjord with no railings at the edge, and it catches sudden wind off the fjord. Check the forecast and skip the hike in strong wind, heavy rain or fog — the wet rock near the drop is not worth the risk.
Where can I buy hiking gear near Preikestolen?
Our shop, Fiske & Jakt in Tau, sits on the road toward the trailhead — about a 20-minute drive away — so it is an easy stop for last-minute layers, socks, a headlamp or a rain shell. You can also browse our outdoor collection online and pick things up on the way.
Ready for the trail?
The right layers, footwear and light turn Preikestolen into an easy day rather than a cold one. You will find boots, base layers, shells, headlamps and daypacks in our outdoor collection. If you are driving in from Stavanger or Ryfylke, drop by our shop at Tau on your way to Preikestolen and we will help you fill any gaps, and see the shop at Tau for opening hours and directions.