Norway - Preikestolen

Preikestolen or Prekestolen, also known by the English translations of Preacher's Pulpit or Pulpit Rock, and by the old local name Hyvlatonnå (“the carpenter-plane’s blade”), is a massive cliff 604 metres (1982 feet) above Lysefjorden, opposite the Kjerag plateau, in Forsand, Ryfylke, Norway. The top of the cliff is approximately 25 by 25 metres (82 by 82 feet) square, almost flat, and is a famous tourist attraction in Norway.

During the four summer months of 2009, approximately 130,000 people took the 3.8 km (2.4 mi.) hike to Preikestolen, making it one of the most visited natural tourist attractions in Norway.

Surrounding landscape

The cliff overlooks the densely and colorful green valleys of the Ryfylke region. The mountains surrounding the cliff reach heights of up to 843 meters. Some of the hilltops have plains which are interspersed with lakes.

The nearby mountain Kjerag (which reaches the height of 1,110 meters, near the bottom of the Lysefjord) is also a very popular hiking destination, and some actually rather go there due to the increasing popularity Preikestolen has gained, which has led to it becoming more crowded in comparison to Kjerag.

See also

1. Kjerag

2. Trolltunga

Preikestolen is one of Stavanger's most popular tourist attractions (together with the equally amazing Kjerag). In the following trip report I will give some details about my trip to Preikestolen (or Prekestolen as it is also refered to) on the 25th of May 2003. Preikestolen is known as the Pulpit rock in English by the way (which is a translation of the Norwegian name) and I think you will understand why when you see the pictures on this page.

 First of all a little bit on how you can get there: you have to take a ferry from Stavanger to Tau (time tables can be found on www.kolumbus.no). The trip takes a maximum of 40 minutes and it costs about 110 kroner for a car (including the driver) and about 30 kroner for each person. When you get to Tau you should take route 13 towards Sandnes and then follow the brown signs leading the way to the Preikestolen parking. The parking costs about 60 kroner for a standard car (there are different prices for motorcycles, RV's and so on).

 The trip from the parking to Prekestolen is not really that far. In distance it is about 3.8 kilometers but it will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes to the top. The parking is at about 270 meters above sea level and Prekestolen is at 600 meters which means that there is a 330 height difference. The path leading up to Preikestolen has been improved a lot since the first time I went up there (in 1989) but you still need a pair of good shoes (or boots). As the height difference suggest it is a bit of a climb at some places so bring some water, some snack and maybe even some dry clothes. Finding the way to the top is not a problem at all...just follow the path and if you can't see a path then you can look for the red T's :-) The path varies from gravel path, rocks and wooden paths. On the way up you will also find some benches and tables that can be used if you want to take a break and enjoy some of the food that you have brought along.

 So what is unique with this place? Well, as the name indicates (and the pictures show) this looks like a pulpit when seen from below. The rock itself is something like 25 by 25 meters and when you stand on the edge it is basically 600 meters straight down. And on clear days you get a great view of the Lysefjord. The path leading up to Preikestolen is also very scenic -  especially the last part when you start getting the first glimpse of the Lyse fjord.

 On the way down we met quite a few on their way up and some had the traditional question "How much longer to Preikestolen?" :-) It is always fun serving a white lie telling them that there is still 3 hours to go just to see how people react :-) Or even telling them that there are so many people there that you have to get in line to take a picture. But we did of course set the record straight before we said goodbye to people. We met a lot of different nationalities on the way: Norwegians, Danes, Swedes, Dutchmen, Germans and so on. I guess that proves that it is truly one of the major attractions in Stavanger.

 There are quite a few other trails in the area so if you like trekking it is possible to stay at the youth hostel Preikestolen fjellstue which is located near the parking lot. And if you don't want to stay there you can just stop by to get some Norwegian dishes...like komle (it is a mix between potato and flour made into balls - potato dumplings in other words :-). Well, for more information please check out their website.