From our field notes
Trolltunga or Preikestolen: which Norwegian hike to choose?
Published 25 July 2026 · updated 25 July 2026 · 7 min read
They're the two photos that make every Norway road-trip hopeful dream: the stone tongue of Trolltunga hanging over Lake Ringedalsvatnet, and the vertiginous Preikestolen plateau towering over the Lysefjord. Many want to do "the" Norwegian hike without realising these two aren't in the same league. One is a 2-hour family walk, the other a 10-to-12-hour expedition. Here's the honest comparison to choose the one that fits your fitness, time and experience — and avoid one misadventure too many.
Preikestolen: the more accessible of the two
Preikestolen ("the pulpit") is a short, very busy hike: about 8 km round trip, 350 m of elevation, 4 to 5 hours' walking. The well-built, waymarked trail leads to a 25-by-25 m rock plateau overhanging the Lysefjord by 604 m — with no barrier at all, which means staying back from the edge, especially in wind or on wet rock.
The start is from the Preikestolen car park (paid), about 40 minutes from Stavanger via a ferry and a fjord road. It's the ideal hike for a family with children used to walking, or for anyone with only half a day. Downside: in summer the trail is packed, so set off early morning or late in the day.
Trolltunga: an expedition, not a stroll
Trolltunga ("the troll's tongue") changes scale entirely: 20 to 28 km round trip depending on the start point, about 800 m of elevation, and 8 to 12 hours walking in mountain terrain. It's no stroll but a real day's effort, often underestimated. The reward — the thin granite slab jutting into the void 700 m above the lake — is earned, and the queue for the photo can reach an hour in summer.
Access is from Skjeggedal, near Odda, with car parks at different levels (P2 and P3, the latter cutting the distance but pricey and limited). The window passable without winter gear runs roughly from mid-June to mid-September; off-season, snow demands a guide and equipment.
The "new adventurer" trap: prepare properly
Trolltunga's popularity has a documented downside. A Norwegian study published in 2021 in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism analysed the hikers' profile: many are "new adventurers", often physically fit but without real mountain experience, poorly equipped and inattentive to signs, which explains the parallel rise in rescue operations (study via Google Scholar: scholar.google.com/scholar?q=new+adventurers+extinction+of+experience+Trolltunga+hiking).
The figures speak: Trolltunga's visitor numbers went from about 800 in 2010 to tens of thousands, with dozens of rescues a year, often for walkers who set off too late, in trainers and without enough water. The lesson holds for both hikes: start early, carry water, snacks, a windbreaker and a headtorch, and check the forecast — in the Norwegian mountains, it turns fast.
| Criterion | Preikestolen | Trolltunga |
|---|---|---|
| Round-trip distance | ~8 km | 20 to 28 km |
| Elevation | ~350 m | ~800 m |
| Duration | 4-5 h | 8-12 h |
| Level | Family, occasional walker | Fit walker, day's effort |
| Access | 40 min from Stavanger | Skjeggedal, near Odda |
| Snow-free season | May to October | Mid-June to mid-September |
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Readers' questions
Trolltunga or Preikestolen for a first Norway hike?
Preikestolen if you want an accessible walk (8 km, 4-5 h) suited to a family or half a day. Trolltunga only if you're a fit walker with a full day: 20-28 km and 8-12 h of mountain terrain.
How long does the Trolltunga hike take?
From 8 to 12 hours round trip, for 20 to 28 km and about 800 m of elevation depending on the start car park. It's a real day's effort not to underestimate: set off early morning.
Can you do these hikes in winter?
Preikestolen remains doable part of the year with care, but Trolltunga is only passable without winter gear from about mid-June to mid-September. Off-season, snow demands a guide and proper equipment.
Are there barriers at the cliff edges?
No, neither at Preikestolen nor Trolltunga: the viewpoints are natural and unprotected. You must stay back from the edge, especially in wind, fog or on wet rock, and watch children.