Preikestolen

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Preikestolen

Preikestolen and Lysefjorden
Elevation 604 m (1,982 ft)
Translation Pulpit Rock (Norwegian)
Location
Preikestolen
Location in Rogaland
Coordinates 58°59′10″N 6°11′19″E / 58.98611°N 6.18861°E / 58.98611; 6.18861Coordinates: 58°59′10″N 6°11′19″E / 58.98611°N 6.18861°E / 58.98611; 6.18861
Topo map 1313 III Lyngsvatnet
Geology
Type Granite

Preikestolen or Prekestolen, also known by the English translations of Preacher's Pulpit or Pulpit Rock, is a steep and massive cliff 604 metres (1982 feet) above Lysefjorden, opposite the Kjerag plateau, in Forsand, Ryfylke, Norway. The top of the cliff is approximately 25 by 25 metres (82 by 82 feet), almost flat, and is a famous tourist attraction in Norway.

The tourism at the site has been increasing, around 2012, the plateau was each year visited by between 150,000 and 200,000 people[1] who took the 3.8 km (2.4 mi.) hike to Preikestolen, making it one of the most visited natural tourist attractions in Norway. In fact, there were so many tourists during the summer season of 2012 that a project to improve the path up to the cliff is currently under way.

Name

The old local name of the natural attraction is Hyvlatonnå (English: Planned Tooth). The name Prekestolen (without i) is a newer invention, around the year 1900 the lokal tourist organisation, Stavanger Turistforening wanted to promote the place for trekking and thus gave the place a more telling name. It has later on been adapted by the local community, and since the official form of Norwegian in the area is Nynorsk, the i has been added, hence the official name is now Preikestolen.

Access

Trail map and profile

The Pulpit Rock is located in Ryfylke, Rogaland, a county in Western Norway. The city of Stavanger, the fourth largest in Norway, is located only 25 kilometers from the site, and the parking facility of the Pulpit Rock is located about one hour from Stavanger by ferry and car.

The road to the site ends at a parking facility at Preikestolen Fjellstue. A trail extends from the parking facility to the site, which goes through a variety of mountain landscapes. A trip to Preikestolen from the closest car park takes about 3–4 hours for a round-trip hike.[2]

The walk to Preikestolen is very steep in places. The path starts at the Preikestolhytta, at an elevation of approximately 270 metres (886 feet) above sea level, and climbs to 604 metres (1982 feet). The hike takes 1–3 hours depending on experience and fitness level. Even though the elevation differential is only 334 metres (1096 feet) and the walk is not particularly long (3.8 km each way), the total elevation gain and loss over the course of the hike is more than one might initially expect, as the path climbs and descends various ridges.

The walk is not recommended in winter and spring when there is snow and ice, and the track may be slippery. The best season to hike the trail is from April to October. Sturdy shoes and rain gear are recommended for the hike.

A convenient alternative is available from mid June to mid August, a tourist ferry[3] from Lauvvik to Lysebotn that passes beneath the Pulpit Rock. Booking well in advance is recommended, as this is a very popular route. There is also a more expensive alternative available year round: another tourist trip sails through the Lysefjord.[4] Outside of summer, the weather may be wet and cold, and clouds can prevent seeing the rock. The ship stops at several small docks on the way in and out, including a layover at the end of the Lysefjord (Lysebotn).

Improvement project

In early April 2013, a project started to improve the path up to Preikestolen as the old one is so small that it often causes "delays", and at some points on the path its sometimes impossible to get through. The new path is expected to be completed during the Autumn of 2013 or early 2014.

Safety

In 2013 alone, some 200,000 people visited Preikestolen during the four summer months. Nevertheless, to this day no safety railing has been constructed on the edge of the cliff so as not to harm the natural beauty of the cliff.

Despite the insecure cliff, until October 2013 there had been no fatalities at the site, but there have been suicides and suicide attempts. In February 2000, an Austrian woman and a Norwegian man committed a joint suicide by jumping together off the cliff after meeting on the internet and forming a suicide pact.[5] In October 2004, a young German couple were on their way to the cliff to commit suicide but were stopped in time by the Norwegian authorities[6] In October 2013 another fatality occurred when a Spanish tourist fell to his death. The authorities have opted not to install fencing or other safety devices. Fatalities are extremely rare, and there have been worries that fences or other devices might encourage dangerous behavior such as climbing onto the fences.[7] It should also be noted that it is a policy from Norwegian authorities that "we cannot fence in all nature in this country", and this is supported by the Norwegian population who are generally more accustomed to the "dangerous nature" than foreign tourists.

Formation

The cliff was formed during the ice age, approximately 10,000 years ago, when the edges of the glacier reached the cliff. The water from the glacier froze in the crevices of the mountain and eventually broke off large, angular blocks, which were later carried away with the glacier. This is the cause of the angular shape of the plateau. Along the plateau itself there continues to be a deep crack. The cracks show that the plateau will at some point fall down, but all the geological investigations have revealed that this event will not happen in the foreseeable future, and the geologists have thus confirmed the safety of the plateau.[1]

Climate

Along the fjord there is a mild and humid coastal climate.[8]

Surrounding landscape

The cliff overlooks the densely and colorful green valleys of the Ryfylke region. The mountains surrounding the cliff reach heights of up to 843 meters. Some of the hilltops have plains which are interspersed with lakes.

The nearby mountain Kjerag (which reaches the height of 1,110 meters, near the bottom of the Lysefjord) is also a very popular hiking destination, and some actually rather go there due to the increasing popularity Preikestolen has gained, which has led to it becoming more crowded in comparison to Kjerag.

Trivia

A granite sculpture of the cliff was erected in the town Langeskov in Denmark to commemorate its twin town Forsand.[9]

Gallery

  • Lysefjord seen from the top of the Preikestolen hill

  • Preikestolen

  • View from Preikestolen, Lysefjorden below

  • Panoramic view from Preikestolen on Lysefjorden

  • Preikestolen, June 2009

  • On top of Preikestolen, June 2009

  • Preikestolen and surrounding area

  • View of Preikestolen in B&W

  • Preikestolen, from a boat on the Lysefjord

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mikalsen, Knut-Erik (17 July 2012). "Kan Preikestolen falle ned?" (in Norwegian). Aftenposten. Retrieved 23 July 2012. 
  2. ↑ Karlsen, Gard. Trip to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) - May 2003. Retrieved 2008-08-18
  3. ↑
  4. ↑
  5. ↑ Inngikk dødspakt Vg.no
  6. ↑ Ville hoppe fra Prekestolen - Innenriks - Dagbladet.no
  7. ↑ Knutsen, Håvard T.; Stenberg, Inger Johanne (9 October 2013). "– Vi har alltid fryktet at dette kunne skje" (in Norwegian). NRK. Retrieved 10 October 2013. 
  8. ↑ "Områdebeskrivelse" (in Norwegian). Preikestolen nasjonalpark. Retrieved 23 July 2012. 
  9. ↑ "Foreningen NORDEN, Langeskov.". Retrieved 23 July 2012. 

External links

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