Looking for a quiet alternative to Preikestolen or an extra hike because you’re staying in the area for a few days? Then the hike to Sollifjellet is definitely a must-do! We did this hike one day before hiking to Preikestolen. And what a difference — it was so peaceful on this trail to Sollifjellet compared to Preikestolen. From the top of Sollifjellet, you’ll have a stunning view of Preikestolen and the Lysefjord. I’ll tell you all about it in this blog.
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From Sollifjellet, you can see Preikestolen from the front!
The hike to Sollifjellet offers breathtaking views over the Lysefjord and the iconic Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). Especially in summer and on clear days, you’ll be able to spot the many tourists standing on the rock. But the biggest advantage is that this is a true hidden gem. It’s incredibly quiet along this trail! While thousands of people hike to Preikestolen each day in high season, we only encountered about ten people here during our 6-day road trip through Norway in May.
Sollifjellet is an easy hike and a great alternative to Preikestolen
For convenience, below you’ll find my statistics from the AllTrails app. As you can see, the distance and hiking time are very reasonable. Yes, you’ll have to climb a bit at times, but most of that happens towards the end of the hike.
Officially, the route is 5.6 km long, with an average hiking time of 2 hours and an elevation gain of almost 300 meters. In practice, you’ll probably walk a little more. We covered 5.96 km in 1 hour and 44 minutes, with an elevation gain of 306 meters — pretty accurate!
From the parking lot to the start of the trail
The route starts at the parking area “Wanderparkplatz über dem Lysefjord”, about 16 km and 25 minutes by car from the Lysefjord Bridge. It’s not the most pleasant road to drive — part of it is off-road, and the narrow section doesn’t allow two cars to pass. So it’s a bit of a gamble!
From the parking lot, you enter private property. It feels like you’re allowed to drive here, but technically, you’re not supposed to. The first kilometer isn’t very exciting, but soon you’ll see where the trail starts ascending.
Follow the red dots
The real challenge, in my opinion, is following the trail correctly. You’ll need to follow one red dot after another, which can sometimes be tricky to spot. That’s why I found it super helpful to use the AllTrails app — it allowed me to check the map whenever I wasn’t sure which way to go. And even though you’re walking up a mountain, it came in handy a few times!
Once you cross a small stream, the actual Sollifjellet hike begins. From here, you really need to follow those red dots carefully — though it quickly becomes clear which mountain you’re climbing.
Once you reach the base of Sollifjellet, the trail becomes a bit steeper. You’ll have to climb for a while here, but the view improves quickly as you go. When you reach the top, you’ll find a small lake where you can take a short break — but you’re not at the end yet!
The trail continues to the right of the lake. From here, it gets a bit more technical as you walk across large rock slabs toward the final point, but it remains manageable. Before you know it, you’ll be standing at the summit, enjoying an incredible view over the Lysefjord and Preikestolen!
Stay overnight at Preikestolen Base Camp
The Sollifjellet hike combines perfectly with the Preikestolen hike. You can see this trail as an alternative or as an addition to your itinerary. We did the Sollifjellet hike the day before heading to Preikestolen. After the hike, we stayed at Preikestolen Base Camp. This hotel is located right at the start of the Preikestolen trail. It’s a great place to stay if you want to start your hike early. If you prefer to avoid too many tourists and have a relaxed morning, definitely check if they have a room available!
And as you can see… the weather in Norway can change quickly. From a beautiful sunny day to fog the next morning. Still, it’s absolutely worth visiting Norway! You can find more tips in my blog 6 days in Norway in May.
