Introduction
Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) is a steep cliff rising 604 metres above the Lysefjord in Strand Municipality, Rogaland, Norway, topped by an almost flat plateau of about 25 by 25 metres. It is reached via an 8-kilometer round-trip hike of moderate difficulty through swampland, forests, and Sherpa-built stone stairways, and is considered one of Norway's most famous mountain hikes, drawing over 300,000 visitors annually for its dramatic fjord views.