⛰️ Stavanger and Røfylke: Preikestolen after work

A day at work — and then quickly to the mountains: in this region, the fjord and trails are literally ‘right next door’. Below are three practical answers: how to organise an evening climb to Preikestolen, where to stay so that you are close to the trail and the city, and how to organise your family routine if you work offshore shifts.

🌅 Is it realistic to hike Preikestolen after 5 p.m. in the summer? [Summer][Lok]

The short answer is yes, with the right timing. The classic route is ≈8 km there and back, with an elevation gain of ~500 m, taking 4 hours on average. From the centre, the drive to the car park takes ~40 minutes by car via Ryfast; express buses run several times a day and take about 1 hour. In June–July, the long days help: sunsets are late, so starting at 5:30–6:30 p.m. is realistic (bring a flashlight anyway). Check the weather and return flights/parking on the day of your trip.

🏨 Where to stay for quick access to the trails and the city?

• Jørpelangen / Preikestolen BaseCamp. The nearest base is ~10 minutes from the Preikestolen car park and ~40 minutes to the centre via Ryfast. Accommodation options are available, ranging from lodges to cabins, plus cafés and rental equipment. Good for an early start/late finish.
• Stranda (Solbakken, Tau). Living on the ‘Ryvfyll side’ is convenient: a tunnel shortens the road to the city, and you can get to Jørpelangen from the centre by public transport.
• Stavanger city centre/Hinna Park. If offices, restaurants and schools are important to you, stay in the city, which is a few minutes from the Ryfast entrance and the same ≈40 minutes from the car park. The balance between ‘working in the city → track in the evening’ is very convenient.

⚓ How can you combine offshore shifts with family life in the city?

Typical rotations are two weeks on the platform / four weeks at home (options depend on the company), with a working day of up to 12 hours on board and an average weekly norm of 33.6 hours according to industry agreements. This dictates a simple principle: plan your family time on shore (kindergarten/school, clubs, evening walks by the sea) and flexible work in the city upon your return. For mobility, it is convenient to buy a 30-day Kolumbus ticket (valid on buses, trains and some ferries) — it saves on commuting and trips to the islands/coast. And for an ‘evening break’ after work, take a short run or walk along the waterfront in the city centre.

The summer formula is simple: find a place to live close to Ryfast and the trail, set off after 5 p.m. with plenty of daylight left, and have a backup plan for the bus/weather. It's convenient to live with a family in Jörpelangen (early starts) and in the city (schools, clubs, parks by the water). For those who work offshore, rotation plans and 30-day travel passes help — less logistics, more time together.

Save this guide and share your comments: what time did you start at Prekestolen and which areas were the most convenient for your daily routine?