Pulpit Rock

Visit this towering viewpoint high above the fjords

Even the most casual online searches of Norway’s best bits will bring up a photo of Pulpit Rock (“Preikestolen”). This unusually flat, square rock juts out a staggering 604 metres (1,982 feet) above the Lysefjord. It’s one of the most visited attractions in Norway and for good reason.

Walking up to Pulpit Rock takes approximately 2 hours on a steep 3.8 kilometre (2.4 mile) trail with an ascent of about 334 metres (1,096 feet). The best season to hike the trail is April to October. Please note that this natural landmark doesn’t have safety railings, so hikers are urged to use caution around the cliff edges.

Rest assured that the views from the top are well worth the effort. Film fans may also recognise the landmark from Mission: Impossible – Fallout, where it was the setting for Tom Cruise’s heart-stopping abseil.

For a view of Pulpit Rock that’s a little closer to the ground, many cruise tours and passenger ferries also pass beneath this striking feature year-round.