Preikstolen is a high, high cliff.
- Preikstolen is a flat plateau 25 x 25 m (82 x 82 feet) cliff that is situated 604 meters (1982 feet) above the Lysefjord, ‘light fjord’, in Ryfylke, Norway.
- Preikstolen is also known as ‘Prekestolen’ in Norwegian and ‘Pulpit Rock’ or ‘Preacher’s Rock’ in English.
- Preikstolen is the one of the most famous and most visited destinations in Norway.
- It takes 1 to 3 hours to hike the 3.8 km (2.4 mile) walking distance to Preikstolen from the car park, one way.
- In 2012, Preikstolen had 150,000 to 200,000 visitors, and this has led to a new path being constructed which should be completed by early 2014.
Preikstolen
Image courtesy of L.C. Nøttaasen/Flickr
- Preikstolen is not often visited in winter and spring as the hiking trail becomes frozen and can be dangerously slippery, so the most common time to visit is from April to October.
- Although Preikstolen is so high up, there have been no accidents, and there has been no safety barrier constructed around the rock so as not to interrupt the amazing views of the surrounding areas and the beauty of the cliff.
- Although Preikstolen could be regarded as a suicide destination, there have only been a few reported suicides and attempts, although it is believed that many have suicided there even though there has been no media coverage on it so as not to encourage others.
- There is a large crack between Preikstolen and the mountain, which suggests that one day Preikstolen will fall away, although no-one can see this happening in their lifetime and is deemed safe at this stage.
- Preikstolen was originally named ‘Hyvlatånnå’, meaning ‘planed tooth’.
Bibliography:
Preikstolen, 2013, Wikipedia, < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preikestolen>
Pulpit Rock – Preikstolen, 2013, Norway, < http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Product/?pid=31157>
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