Sometimes it’s best to leave it to Mother Nature… And while floating buildings and glass skyscrapers can be truly fascinating, in Norway it’s a spine-tingling cliff that never fails to entice with its outlook and uninterrupted views. Wild and beautiful year round, Preikestolen is without doubt one of the most stunning places on Earth that attracts thousands of annual visitors from around the world.
Towering an impressive 604 meters (1982 feet) in near vertical drop over the Lysefjord – the southernmost major fjord in Norway, Preikestolen is a natural rock formation as if cut out with a knife that was most likely formed by melting glaciers at the end of the Ice Age, some ten thousand years ago. When famous French writer Victor Hugo visited the fjords, he referred to them as ‘the most terrifying of the ocean reefs.’
The name Preikestolen is sometimes misspelled as Prekestolen. Translated from Norwegian to English, Preikestolen means Pulpit Rock, but before it was named Preikestolen, the Pulpit Rock was known by its original name as Hyvlatonnå, meaning ‘planed tooth.’ The most famous tourist attraction in Ryfylke and one of the most photographed sites, in 2011 Pulpit Rock was listed as one of the world’s most dramatic views and natural attractions by Lonely Planet and CNN GO travel magazine. It’s interesting to note that a granite sculpture of the cliff was erected in Forsand’s twin town, Langeskov in Denmark.
Preikestolen Accommodation
For those who wish to stay close to this awe-inspiring natural wonder, there are several accommodation options to suit any budget. Pulpit Rock Mountain Lodge is one of the best choices, located on route 13, the main road running through the area that promises stunning scenery, as well as great fishing and camping opportunities. The lodge has 28 guestrooms, a café, a restaurant and a conference room and can be reached by car or, in the summer months by bus from Tau.
Hiking
The access to this wonderful touristic spot is not an easy task. So make sure to wear sturdy shoes or boots for hiking. The hike to Preikestolen starts at Preikestolen fjellstue (mountain lodge) and takes about two hours. Get ready to climb up through a varied of boglands, screes and boulder fields and over bare rock. Everyone gets to climb 330 meters to get the top. Along the trail there are picnic areas and excellent bathing spots so make sure to bring a packed lunch. Best season for hiking is between April and October.
BASE Jumping
Pulpit Rock is aslo very popular with BASE jumpers and as far as BASE jumping is legal in this area, many jumping enthusiasts flock here to indulge in this extreme and one of the riskiest adrenaline sports in existence. Give yourself the pleasure of this exhilarating experience and pay Norway a visit.
Lysefjord Cruise
If climbing up the hike to Preikestolen does not interest you due to health concerns, another option to enjoy wondrous views of the Pulpit Rock is Lysefjord Cruise – a completely different adventure with one-of-a-kind experience. Seeing this magnificent vertical cliff from the ocean below is as breathtaking as seeing the fjord from up there.
Helicopter Flightseeing Trip
For a special celebration, or once-in-a-lifetime experience, if you can afford it, of course, why not take a helicopter flightseeing trip – a unique opportunity to see this majestic natural wonder. You can choose from 30 minute, 1 hour, or longer custom-made flights.
Other exciting things to do in the Pulpit Rock area include swimming, fishing, scrambling among huge mossy boulders, visiting wartime hiding places and above all going walking. Visitors will find exciting trails in mysterious woods and discover unique species of flora and fauna.
Preikestolen or Pulpit Rock is a place to be seen to be believed!