Attractions
The
towering Pulpit Rock is no doubt the best-known tourist attraction in Southern
Norway. Photographs of this impressive cliff decorate the covers of many coffee
table books, travel guides and tourist brochures. Pulpit Rock rises a sheer 604
m above the waters of the Lysefjord. On top is a 25 x 25 metre plateau that is
almost as flat as a living room floor. The name Preikestolen (The Pulpit) was
actually coined by the Stavanger Mountain Touring Association just over a
hundred years ago. Today, few remember the original name – Hyvlatonnå – meaning
the metal bit in old wood planes.
The view from the summit is magnificent! You can see all the way to Lysebotn, the innermost village of the Lysefjord. And if you dare, you can crawl to the edge and peer 600 metres straight down into the fjord. Fortunately, no one has yet to fall off Preikestolen by accident, even though there is no protective fence.
Visitors eager to ascend Pulpit Rock need not make their way up the sheer face of the cliff. A well-marked trail starts at Preikestolhytta lodge. You reach the lodge by driving Rv13, the Ryfylke Road, turning off at Jøssang and continuing 5–6 km. There is plentiful space for buses and cars in the manned parking lot by the lodge. During the summer scheduled buses run from Tau village to Preikestolhytta lodge. The path to the top takes most people about two hours, the descent being somewhat quicker. This trail is well kept, but do choose suitable footwear – comfortable hiking boots, or sneakers if the weather has been dry for a while.
It need not be a sunny day for you to enjoy the hike to the top of Pulpit Rock. When the fjord and surrounding landscape is covered in mist and fog, the view from the summit is perhaps even more memorable.
Rising
like a majestic guardian above Tysdalsvatnet lake is Reinaknuten, the higher of
the two peaks of Bjørheimskjeften. From the summit, 778 metres above fjord level,
you can enjoy a wonderful panorama over most of the Ryfylke region, and the
heath lands that extend inland. Far below you is the Ryfylke Road, which takes
you to many more scenic adventures.
Start your mountain walk by the parking lot just above Bjørheimsbygd village, on the road to Jørpeland. Allow two to three hours to reach the summit. The terrain and landscape are varied, as is the strenuousness of the trail. Before the summit, there are some demanding ascents, but there is no hurry – and you will soon be rewarded with a magnificent view!
Jørpelandselva
river has a waterfall that is well worth a visit. To reach it, drive up
Dalavegen road, continuing almost 1 km along Rv13, the Ryfylke Road. The
waterfall appears on the right about 300 m past the turnoff to Jørpeland village
centre. It is a humble but beautiful waterfall, about 20 metres high, of which 4
metres is free fall.
In 2004, eager anglers caught more than 200 kg of salmon in Jørpelandselva. Parking is scarce by the waterfall, but you can leave your car at Jørpelands Brug by the harbour – the walk along the well-marked path takes approximately 15 minutes.