Interesting facts about Preikestolen

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Preikestolen or Prekestolen, also known by the English translations of Preacher’s Pulpit or Pulpit Rock, is a famous tourist attraction in Forsand, Ryfylke, Norway.

Preikestolen is a steep cliff which rises 604 meters (1,982 feet) above the Lysefjorden.

Atop the cliff, there is an almost flat top of approximately 25 by 25 meters (82 by 82 feet).

It sits on the north side of the fjord, opposite the Kjerag plateau, located on the south side.

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.

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Climbing to Preikestolen is one of Norway’s most popular hiking trips.

The walk to Preikestolen is very steep in places. The path starts at the Preikestolhytta, at an elevation of approximately 270 meters (890 feet) above sea level, and climbs to 604 meters (1,982 feet). The walk is not particularly long, about 3.8 kilometers (2.4 miles) each way.

The view from Preikestolen is amazing. A dizzying cliff overlooking the dense, green valleys of the gorgeous, fjord-rich Ryfylke region.The mountains surrounding the cliff reach heights of up to 843 meters (2,766 feet) and some of the hilltops have plains which are interspersed with lakes.

An estimated 300,000 people visited Preikestolen during 2017.

The authorities have opted not to install fencing or other safety devices as they felt it would detract from the natural beauty of the site.

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BASE jumping, also sometimes written as B.A.S.E. jumping, is parachuting or wingsuit flying from a fixed structure or cliff. Preikestolen is a perfect spot for this extreme sport.

Preikestolen was voted ‘Most Breathtaking Viewing Platform’ by Lonely Planet in 2015.

In the final scene of the final episode of the second season of Vikings the main character, Ragnar Lothbrok, is seen sitting atop Preikestolen.

In 2017 Preikestolen was closed to the public for one week to facilitate the filming of Mission Impossible 6, starring Hollywood actor Tom Cruise.

Compressed air from Lysefjorden/Preikestolen is being sold in cans, mostly to China.

Preikestolen was once used for pagan rituals.