58.99° N · 6.19° E
Fjord Norway · Rogaland
Photoshoots at Preikestolen
A photoshoot at Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) is a hiking session with an independent local photographer on the flat cliff plateau about 604 m above the Lysefjord in Rogaland, reached on a trail of about 4 km each way, arranged through Fjordly from NOK 6,500.
Pricing
From NOK 6,500
- Region
- Fjord Norway
- Elevation
- 604 m
- Photo spots
- 5
Starting price. The exact price depends on photographer, place, date, time and add-ons, and is stated in your proposal before you book.
Quick answers
- How much does it cost?
- Photoshoot in Preikestolen starts from NOK 6,500. The final price depends on the place, duration, date, time of day, travel and any add-ons such as video, and is stated in your proposal before you book.
- When is the best time?
- Sunrise hikes are the most popular plan: you start in the dark or at first light with headlamps and reach the plateau as the sun comes up, before the main stream of hikers.
- Which experiences are available here?
- Elopement Photography, Proposal Photography, Couple Photoshoot, Engagement Photography, Solo Traveler Photoshoot, and Norway Photo Tour
- Getting there
- From Stavanger, drive through the Ryfast tunnels to the Jørpeland area and on to Preikestolen Fjellstue; the trip takes around 40–45 minutes.
- Where does it take place?
- Popular places include The Preikestolen plateau; The ridge above the plateau; Mountain lakes on the trail; Refsvatnet and the trailhead area. Your photographer suggests the best spot for your date, the light and the crowds.
- How does booking work?
- Send a free request with your place, date and plans. Fjordly checks which photographers are available and replies with a proposal stating the photographer, the package and the exact price. Nothing is booked until you accept.
Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, is a square-topped block of rock that ends in a sheer wall above the Lysefjord, east of Stavanger. The top is roughly the size of a tennis court or two and almost perfectly flat, which is why it has become one of the most recognisable places in Norway, and one of the busiest trails.
There is no road to the top. A session here is a hike: about 4 km each way on a marked trail, with around 500 m of ascent and roughly two hours each way at a steady pace, plus time on the plateau. That suits couples who enjoy being outdoors, and it is the setting for many elopements at Preikestolen. It is not the right place for a quick session in smart shoes.
Sessions at Preikestolen start from the fjord and Arctic price of NOK 6,500; the hike makes them longer than a city session, and sunrise starts add to the plan. The elopement service and proposal photography pages explain how those sessions are run.
Photo spots — Preikestolen
- 01
The Preikestolen plateau
The flat top of the rock, ending in a vertical drop of around 600 m to the fjord. There are no fences. Photographers frame couples sitting or standing well back from the edge and use the long lens or the angle to make the drop read in the picture, rather than putting anyone near it.
- Best time
- Sunrise and early morning before the day hikers arrive; evening in summer
- Access
- About 4 km on the trail from the Preikestolen Fjellstue parking area, roughly two hours each way
- 02
The ridge above the plateau
Rock slopes rise behind and to the side of the plateau, and from them you look down on the whole of Preikestolen with the Lysefjord beyond. This is where the classic picture of the rock is taken. With the photographer above and you on the plateau, it shows the scale far better than a shot taken on the top itself.
- Best time
- Morning, when the plateau is still quiet
- Access
- A short, steeper walk and scramble from the plateau on worn paths; dry rock and good shoes needed
- 03
Mountain lakes on the trail
On the upper part of the trail you pass small lakes and open, rocky ground with views across Ryfylke. They make quiet stops for portraits on the way up or down, without the crowd that gathers on the plateau.
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon; calm days for reflections
- Access
- On the main trail, roughly between the halfway point and the plateau
- 04
Refsvatnet and the trailhead area
The lake below Preikestolen Fjellstue, with forest and hills around it. It is a good place for the start or end of a session, and an alternative for family members who will not do the full hike.
- Best time
- Morning and evening
- Access
- Next to the parking area and lodge, flat walking
- 05
The Lysefjord from the water
Sightseeing boats from Stavanger sail into the Lysefjord and pass below Preikestolen, so you can see the rock as a sliver of grey wall high above you. It is a different, relaxed view of the place for anyone who cannot hike, and it works well as part of a longer day.
- Best time
- Daytime sailings in the main season; check the timetable
- Access
- Fjord cruises from Stavanger harbour, roughly three hours return; no landing at the rock
Daylight · 58.99° N · 6.19° E
The light in Preikestolen, month by month
- Longest day
- 18 h 24 min
- Shortest day
- 6 h 12 min
| Jan | 6 h 54 min |
|---|---|
| Feb | 9 h 12 min |
| Mar | 11 h 36 min |
| Apr | 14 h 24 min |
| May | 16 h 54 min |
| Jun | 18 h 24 min |
| Jul | 17 h 48 min |
| Aug | 15 h 30 min |
| Sept | 12 h 42 min |
| Oct | 10 h |
| Nov | 7 h 36 min |
| Dec | 6 h 12 min |
Best time
Seasons
The trail is best from about May to October, when it is usually free of snow and ice. July and August are the busiest months, with long queues for photos on the plateau in the middle of the day. Late May, June and September give long days with fewer people. From late autumn to spring the trail can be icy and snowy and daylight is short; in winter the hike is only recommended with a guide and proper equipment, so sessions then are rare and depend on conditions.
Time of day
Sunrise hikes are the most popular plan: you start in the dark or at first light with headlamps and reach the plateau as the sun comes up, before the main stream of hikers. In midsummer that means a very early start, because sunrise is early. Evening sessions also work in summer, when it stays light late, but you then walk down in the dusk. Midday is the hardest time, for light and crowds alike.
Weather
Weather on the plateau can be very different from Stavanger: colder, windier and often in cloud or fog that can lift or close in quickly. Rain makes the rock slippery. The photographer checks the forecast and may move the time or date if wind or visibility make the hike unsafe. Bring a windproof and waterproof jacket, a warm layer, water and food; see what to wear.
Getting there
From Stavanger, drive through the Ryfast tunnels to the Jørpeland area and on to Preikestolen Fjellstue; the trip takes around 40–45 minutes. In the main season buses run from Stavanger to the trailhead. Parking at the trailhead is paid; check the current fee. The photographer can usually meet you at the parking area or pick you up in Stavanger by arrangement.
Good to know
There are no fences or barriers on the plateau and the drop is sheer. Keep well back from the edge, do not sit with your legs over it, and take extra care in wind or wet. The trail has steep, stony sections and stone steps, so wear proper hiking shoes and carry your outfit in a backpack if you plan to change. There are toilets at the trailhead but not on the plateau. Drones are subject to rules from the Civil Aviation Authority (Luftfartstilsynet) and local restrictions, and are not welcome over crowds; ask in advance. Take all rubbish back down.
- Start early: a sunrise or early morning hike avoids the crowds on the plateau.
- Wear hiking shoes for the trail and change into nicer shoes at the top if you want.
- Pack a windproof layer, water, snacks and a headlamp for sunrise starts.
- Stay well back from the edge; the best photos are taken from a safe distance.
- Plan for at least five hours in total, including the hike and time at the top.
- Keep a backup date in case of fog, rain or strong wind.
Experiences in Preikestolen
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Photographer availability
We confirm availability for your date personally — send a request and we will check which reviewed photographers are free for this place and session.
Find My PhotographerFrequently asked questions
How long is the hike to Preikestolen?
About 4 km each way, with around 500 m of ascent, and roughly two hours each way at a steady pace. With time for photos, plan on five hours or more in total.
How much does a photoshoot at Preikestolen cost?
Sessions start from NOK 6,500, the fjord and Arctic starting price. The hike, sunrise starts and extra time raise the total, and everything is listed in your proposal before you book. See pricing.
Can we hike Preikestolen in winter?
In winter the trail is often icy and snowy and daylight is short, and it is only recommended with a guide and proper equipment. Most sessions take place between May and October.
Is Preikestolen safe for a photoshoot?
It is safe if you are careful. There are no fences, so the photographer keeps you well back from the edge and does not ask for poses near it. In strong wind or poor visibility the session is moved.
Can we elope at Preikestolen?
Yes, it is a well-known elopement location. Early morning gives you the most privacy. See elopements at Preikestolen and the elopement guide.
What if someone in our group cannot do the hike?
The Lysefjord boat trip from Stavanger shows the rock from below, and the area around Refsvatnet at the trailhead is easy walking. You could also add a session in Stavanger.
Nearby destinations
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