The weather in Western Norway can change several times on one hike, and what you carry decides whether that is a minor detail or the thing you remember about the day. This guide sets out what to pack for hiking in Norway on a day hike such as Preikestolen, Kjerag or Månafossen: footwear, layers, what goes in the backpack, and what changes in winter.
The basic idea: layers, not one big jacket
On a typical day hike near Stavanger you might start in a mild, sheltered car park, climb hard through forest until you are warm, and then arrive on an open plateau with a cold wind coming up the fjord. One heavy jacket does not handle that well. Several thin layers do, because you can add and remove them as you go.
A good system has three parts:
- A base layer next to the skin that dries quickly. Wool or synthetic fabric is better than cotton, which stays wet and cold once you sweat.
- A warm middle layer, such as a fleece or a light insulated jacket, for breaks and the summit.
- A wind- and waterproof outer layer, jacket and ideally trousers, for rain and wind.
Visit Norway’s advice for Preikestolen is clear on what not to wear: no jeans, trainers or other everyday clothing. Jeans are heavy and cold once they get wet, and it rains often in this part of Norway.
Footwear: the most important choice
If you only invest in one thing, make it your shoes. The trails around Stavanger mix stone steps, bare granite, roots, mud and wet slabs. Visit Norway recommends good hiking boots with plenty of foot and ankle support, and the Preikestolen trail operators advise water- and mud-proof boots that come above the ankle.
- Choose boots or hiking shoes with a deep, grippy sole. Wet rock is where most slips happen.
- Walk them in before the trip. New boots and a long descent are a recipe for blisters.
- Pack a pair of spare socks. Dry feet halfway through the day feel very good.
What goes in the daypack
Visit Norway suggests a backpack of around 30 litres for a day hike. That is enough room for the items below without feeling heavy.
- Water. On popular trails such as Preikestolen there is nowhere to refill along the way, so carry what you need for the whole hike.
- Food. A proper packed lunch and snacks. Eat a good breakfast before you start too.
- Extra warm clothing. A hat, a scarf or buff, and gloves or mittens, even in summer. It is often colder and windier on top than at the trailhead.
- Rain gear, even if the morning looks clear.
- A fully charged phone, and ideally a small power bank. Do not rely on your phone for navigation, because coverage in the mountains is not guaranteed.
- A map, a headlamp and a small first aid kit with blister plasters.
- A bag for your rubbish. There are no bins along the Preikestolen trail, so everything you carry in, you carry out.
- Sun protection in summer: sunglasses and sunscreen, especially on open rock.
Check the forecast, then check it again
Norwegians check the weather on Yr, the forecast service from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and NRK, and so should you. Visit Norway’s advice is not to set off if the forecast shows strong winds, heavy rain or fog, and to remember that the weather can change quickly even when sunshine is forecast.
The Norwegian Trekking Association’s mountain code puts it well. Among its rules: plan your trip and tell someone where you are going, be prepared for bad weather and cold even on short trips, and turn around in time. In its own words, “there’s no shame in turning around.”
Start early enough to finish in daylight, especially from autumn to spring when the days are short. Our guide to the best time to visit Stavanger has daylight and weather month by month.
Extra items for winter hiking
From late autumn to spring, snow and ice can turn a familiar trail into a different hike. On top of the list above:
- Wool base layers, a warm hat and mittens rather than thin gloves.
- Spikes or crampons for your boots when there is snow or ice on the trail.
- A headlamp is essential rather than optional, because daylight is short.
- A warm drink in a flask makes breaks far more pleasant.
If you arrive without the right gear for Preikestolen, the Adventure Center at Preikestolen BaseCamp rents out equipment all year. According to the trail operators it is not possible, or necessary, to book in advance. Our guide to Preikestolen in winter explains what to expect on the trail in the cold season.
A quick packing checklist
- Hiking boots with good grip, walked in
- Base layer (wool or synthetic), warm mid layer, waterproof jacket and trousers
- Hat, gloves and a buff, plus spare socks
- Daypack of around 30 litres
- Water and a packed lunch with snacks
- Phone, power bank, map and headlamp
- First aid kit and blister plasters
- Sunglasses and sunscreen (summer) or spikes and a flask (winter)
- A bag for rubbish
Which hike are you packing for?
The list above works for most day hikes in the region, but the details shift with the route. Preikestolen is a well-used trail of about 8 km return, so the key is good shoes, layers and enough water. Kjerag is longer and steeper, with chains on bare rock, so grip, gloves and extra food matter more. A short walk like Månafossen still has a steep, often wet start, so good shoes are just as important as on the longer hikes.
What we take care of on a guided day
When you hike with us, we send practical advice on clothing and equipment before the day, based on the route, the season and the forecast. On our private days we bring food and snacks, and your guide keeps an eye on the weather and adjusts the pace and plan with you if conditions change. You still need your own boots and clothing, but you do not have to work out the details alone. See our hiking and mountain adventures for the routes we guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hike in Norway in trainers?
For popular routes like Preikestolen, Visit Norway advises against trainers and everyday clothing. Wet rock and roots call for proper hiking boots or shoes with a good grip.
Do I need waterproof clothing in summer?
Yes. Rain and wind are common all year in Western Norway, and it is often colder on top than at the trailhead. A waterproof jacket belongs in your pack in every season.
When do I need spikes or crampons?
Whenever there is snow or ice on the trail, which in the mountains can be from late autumn well into spring. Check current conditions before you go, or ask your guide.
How big should my backpack be for a day hike?
Around 30 litres is enough for water, food, spare layers and a small first aid kit.
Read the full Norwegian Mountain Code from the Norwegian Trekking Association, and Visit Norway’s advice on hiking to Preikestolen.
Why travel with NORDIQ Travel?
NORDIQ Travel is a small team based in Stavanger. John and Gert Olsson started guiding here in 2019, under the name TrollAdventure. Both work as firefighters in Norway, and our guiding network is built around people from the emergency services: fire, police and medical. We also hike these mountains because we love it, not only because it is our job.
That shows in how we work: careful preparation, clear communication and calm decisions when conditions change. We plan your days, sort out transport and ferry connections, match you with a local guide and set the pace around the people travelling. You have one person to talk to from your first message to your last day, and we will always tell you honestly what is possible, and what depends on the weather and the season.