The route is a straightforward uphill walk following the well-made path that is followed by hundreds of Preikestolen walkers every day.  It’s unlikely to be a quiet walk!  The path goes through a series of steep sections interspersed by gentler flatter bits. The steeper sections are usually stepped.  The last three-quarters of an hour is done at altitude and cross a relatively level section, passing two large ponds and a huge ice-worn slab before the path edges around the cliffside and onto Preikestolen itself.  Here you’ll be able to edge nervously to the sheer drop above the Fjord 640metres below or dance frivolously!

In poor weather, which is what we had the first time, the idyllic much-published picture of the rock is very different.  In fact, the whole walk is very different.  Our first attempt was during a raging thunderstorm and as we headed up, scores of ill-equipped walkers streamed down the path, barely noticing us or recognising we had large rucksacks on.  On more than one occasion as you were stepping over a puddle to a small rock, a foot would land on it first and a damp body would push past. Don’t expect the usual British etiquette here! No polite “hellos” or”you-firsts”.

The Preikestolen rock itself, in the rain, is interesting.  A strong wind blew the newly formed streams back up over the edge in impressive up falls or water-ups! Torrents of water poured down the short flight of wooden steps at one stage and what had been a small stream on the way out had transformed into a deep, wide and fast-flowing river.  The lesson… extreme caution should be taken in poor weather.  Assuming you’re backpacking with the proper equipment, then you should be relatively OK but beware of the danger of lightning and avoid sheltering under rocks during storms… spark gaps are deadly.