Week 269 · Preikestolen · Lysefjord · Jorpeland · Norway
Pulpit
We originally planned two long hikes — Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen in Norwegian) and Trolltunga. Trolltunga has become more famous in recent years as social media has increased. Pulpit Rock was advertised as a 6-hour round trip while Trolltunga was 10–12 hours (which I assumed we would do faster).
Pretty much a perfect hike for us — we finished around 6 hours including several long breaks. Starting elevation 370m, top 604m, elevation above water 604m (it is the sea), horizontal 7,600m round trip (5 miles). Only stress was at the top on the cliff where people were running around trying to get the "best shot" — there are no guard rails and it is a 2,000 ft drop (but it is water) and we knew one of the overconfident people running around.
Once we took pictures, much nicer to step away from the edge (or have the kids step back) and relax and take in the view. We didn't hike to the next level overlook — it appeared a lot of shear face climbing was required. But if we would have investigated more, there was another way that was another 30-minute hike. I'd recommend adding this on to your hike.
Preikestolen ("Pulpit Rock") is a near-vertical cliff face rising 604 metres above Lysefjord in Rogaland, Norway. The flat plateau on top measures approximately 25 x 25 metres. It was formed approximately 10,000 years ago during the last Ice Age when water repeatedly froze in cracks in the rock, gradually breaking off the cliff face to create the sheer vertical walls. There are no safety barriers at the edge — despite 300,000+ visitors annually. The hike is 7.6 kilometres round trip with 334 metres of elevation gain and typically takes 4–6 hours. Preikestolen was featured in the 2015 James Bond film Spectre and the 2011 Tom Cruise film Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, significantly increasing international awareness and visitor numbers.
Only stress was at the top where people were running around trying to get the "best shot." There are no guard rails and it is a 2,000 ft drop — but it is water. We knew one of the overconfident people running around.
Once we took pictures, much nicer to step away from the edge and relax and take in the view. Tight squeeze in the last 100 meters. Optical illusion on the way up — we were in a safe spot. One photo required holding a squat for 20 seconds.
For Pulpit Rock, we based out of Jorpeland and this was our only 2-night stop. Bigger town than we thought and the view from our AirBnB was spectacular. I was expecting much more remote location and the view was not advertised.
"Pretty much a perfect hike for us. Only stress was at the top — no guard rails, 2,000 ft drop. Once we took pictures, much nicer to step back and take in the view."