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Preikestolen
This is one of the major tourist attractions of Norway with about 150,000 to 200,000 visitors per year and it remains a spectacular place despite frequent overcrowding. The Preikestolen is cliff at the north-western flanks of the Lysefjord. Its top is an almost rectangular and perfectly even platform with ruler-edged rims. The flanks of the cliff tower down to the fjord beyond vertical for more than 600 metres. Preikestolen is the last remaining section of a much longer cliff band hanging over the fjord and large cracks in the platform alongside the upgoing mountain flank indicate, that it won´t be there for ever (it sure is safe for now).
Access to this natural wonder is via the 523 running along the archipelago north of Stavanger and a steep but well-kept dead-end road up to the visitor centre at the Revsvatnet lake. There´s large parking facilities up there plus additional overflow parking along the road, all of them demand parking fees. From here a well maintained albeit steep and sometimes slippery path over rocky terrain leads up to a ridge. From here it is a slow ascent along some lakes and over a couple of slabs to the ridge above the fjord. Then it is just a couple of more hundred meters along the brim via a mostly wider rock band to the Preikestolen cliff. As this is the main access path, some of the more exposed parts of the track have been eased by racks but there are no fences at the cliff edges. Norwegian authorities have – rightfully – stated that they cannot fence in all nature in this country and hikers are responsible for their safety themselves.
The view from up the cliff on the fjord is fantastic and worth the effort and the odd scare. Most visitors take the same main route for their return, but we recommend following the path up the cliff behind the Preikestolen for even better views down on the fjord and the pulpit and, on the way back down over a large slap, onto the inland mountains.
Hiking time is about 3 to 4 hours for people with normal fitness (time lost in hiker traffic jams not included). Some alpine experience is helpful and proper alpine boots are mandatory, as the track is often very uneven and when it is wet gets slippery. Take especially care on the way back down, as tiredness in combination with wetness may lead to a painful bump on the solid rock ground. Especially during summer season use the long days and hike in the morning or evening to avoid overcrowding.
For more visual impressions check the galleries from 2022 and 2010
Related stories: Nordsjøvegen 2022 – part 2
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