Pulpit Rock in Norway towers above the fjord below, this sheer rock wall rises a whopping 604 metres above the landscape. From below the rock wall looks like a barrier put there by the gods. From the top you can feel like a god as you gaze at the surrounding landscape, rugged and lush, and watch the powerful fjord stretch into the distance.
At the top of the rock you might feel a little concerned as there are no fences, no precautions to stop people falling. In many ways this is a good thing as this natural wonder is unblemished by the fears of litigation issues, instead trusting people to respect the danger and stay safe. Even so, those who suffer from a fear of heights will probably not venture to the edge and may even be put off by the many maniacs, who willingly dangle themselves over the edge to get that awesome new photo for their Facebook profile. Don’t worry too much though, there has yet to be an accident.
Pulpit Rock is located in the Norwegian region of Ryfylk, known this for its natural beauty and its many places to camp hike and just enjoy the scenery.
Adventure like a Norwegian through the Ryfylke
The best way to experience Pulpit rock and the surrounding areas is to really get in touch with your adventurous spirit, the area is mostly wilderness and staying in a cushy hotel would do no justice to a visit to this natural gem. Norwegians love nothing more than getting outdoors, whether it’s a gentle hike through the wilderness or climbing rocky peaks, it wouldn’t be a real trip to Norway without adventuring through the Ryfylke.
The crowning glory of the region is Pulpit Rock, the hike up to the top of pulpit rock only takes about two hours and from most reports it is only moderately difficult with many families and younger children completing the climb with ease. The best way to enjoy a day trip is to leave in the morning and have lunch at the top before venturing back down. In the winter months it can get dark quite early so venturing up late in the afternoon is not recommended.
Climbing Pulpit Rock is hardly the only thing to do in the area; there are countless other outdoor activities that can be enjoyed on your stay. If, at the top of pulpit rock, you thought the idea of being high up was fun, were you tempted to sit on the edge and laugh in the face of vertigo? If this was the case you might to try abseiling, the many cliffs and peaks in the area have provided an opportunity for people looking to take their outdoor excitement to the next level.
Other than the jutting spectacle that is Pulpit Rock there is another highly noticeable feature of the landscape that can be enjoyed, that being the fjord. This giant body of water is known as the Lysefjord and it truly a grand spectacle; from the top of Pulpit Rock you can really appreciate this slow moving azure giant as it snakes its way across the landscape. The calm slow moving nature of the fjord means it’s a perfect spot for canoeing and kayaking. The great part about canoeing is you can make it whatever you like; challenge yourself to explore as much of Fjord as possible or just sit back casually cruising, enjoying the scenery.
To cap off your adventure why not try adventuring through the wilderness, just with a bit more speed. Another popular activity is to go biking through the region, there are many tracks in the region and they range from easy to hard. Biking is a great way to maximise how much of the landscape you can explore.
Where to Pitch Your Tent
As mentioned earlier this is a trip for the adventurous and staying in a hotel is just not what you want from a trip to the region, you’re going to want to camp. This being said there are a number of different campsites in the region from which you can choose from.
One of the best places to stay is Preikestolen Camping (Preikestolen is the Norwegian name for Pulpit Rock); this is the closest campsite to Pulpit Rock itself and offers a comfortable camping experience. The camp ground has all the facilities you would need, toilets and showers, a restaurant, a reception with free wifi and a staff that will help guide you to the local activities.
They can be contacted at:
Preikestolen Camping
Preikestolvegen
4100 Jorpeland – Norway
infor@preikestolencamping.com
+47 51 74 80 77
What’s the best time to go?
Norway can get very cold during the winter and the days are quite short at this time, this is why the best time of year is the summer months, this way you can fully enjoy the hiking and camping with on long warm days.
