Preikestølen

The pulpit is one of Norway's biggest attractions. The trip is so long and demanding that it gives a feeling of mastery to experienced hikers, at the same time as the trail is so well organized that most people reach the top.

The trip to the Pulpit Rock starts from the paid parking lot at the Pulpit Rock Basecamp, where there is a service building with toilets. 

For the first 500 meters, you walk up a winding gravel road with a climb of over 80 meters. It flattens out a bit, before the trail again continues steadily up the mountain. It is well organized with bridges over the wettest parts and on the steepest and most demanding parts, Sherpas from Nepal have built stone stairs. This makes the trip easier at the same time as the measures protect nature. There are many nice places to take a rest along the path, but on Tjødnane, about 1 kilometer from Preikestolen, you can combine the lunch break with a refreshing dip in the small pond.

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During the trip you walk through birch forests and on shiny mountains in a hilly terrain. When you get a glimpse of the Lysefjord, you know that it is not far off. As you walk along the famous fjord, the Pulpit Rock, with its characteristic shape, suddenly appears. Once on the flat plateau which is only 25 x 25 meters, you can enjoy the fantastic view of the Lysefjord, 604 meters below you. It is not without reason that CNN Go and Lonely Planet have named the Pulpit Rock one of the world's most spectacular vantage points. After you have taken the obligatory photos and had a well-deserved break, the trip goes back the same way.

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The trip is 4 kilometers one way and has a total altitude difference of 500 meters. It is common to rain around 2 hours each way.

You can go to the Pulpit Rock all year round, but the high season is from May to September. To avoid queues in the summer, you may want to take advantage of the long days by starting the trip early in the morning or late in the afternoon, but never so late that you do not return until it is dark.

It is becoming increasingly popular to visit the Pulpit Rock out of season. The sunrise in the autumn and the winter hike with spikes on a snow- and ice-covered path are unique hiking experiences you will never forget.

Remember packed lunches, good shoes and warm clothes, even in summer. Although there is a good temperature in the parking lot, there is often a cold draft at the top.

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Source: Visitnorway.no