Visit Norway’s epic Pulpit Rock as seen on Mission: Impossible – Fallout
A sheer rock face with an impressive 600-metre drop into the deep blue waters of the fjord below, surrounded by mountain peaks as far as the eye can see.
If that sounds like your cup of tea, then the filming location of Mission: Impossible – Fallout, starring Tom Cruise, should definitely be top of your bucket list.
‘Breathtakingly impressive’ does not even come close to describing the views from Pulpit Rock in Norway, known locally as Preikestolen.
Reward tip: Earn CashPoints when you book your flights to Stavanger with Norwegian, and earn even more points when you book your guided hike of Preikestolen via Norwegian Reward.
Note: Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, opening hours and availability of activities could be affected. Remember to check current travel restrictions before booking travel.
Setting the scene at Pulpit Rock
One of the most spectacular places to visit in Norway, this popular tourist hiking spot welcomes over 250,000 people a year and has now been made even more famous by its epic role in the 2018 Mission Impossible film.
In the movie, Tom Cruise dangles from the towering cliff face high above the majestic Lysefjord, in true Ethan Hunt style. The scenes were filmed over three days in November 2017, meaning Pulpit Rock was closed to the public for just over a week, with supplies being helicoptered in.
While the dramatic scene is actually said to be set in India in the film (don’t worry, no spoilers), Preikestolen is somewhat one of the star locations of the movie and was even featured in the teaser trailer which first aired during the 2018 Super Bowl in the US, as well as on Tom Cruise’s own Twitter page, where the actor gave us a taste of what to expect in the blockbuster.
#MissionImpossible trailer drops later today. I’m so excited for you all to see it. pic.twitter.com/TqgW4BtiTf
— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) February 4, 2018
The location became even more famous when a crowd of fans was treated to a unique cinematic experience right on the mountain itself. Around 2,000 people gathered in front of a giant screen on Pulpit Rock, ready to watch the pre-premiere of Mission: Impossible – Fallout.
After the action-packed film ended, they began their 2am descent back down from the cliff, equipped with spotlights and head torches.
How to visit Pulpit Rock
Located in Forsand, outside Stavanger in Western Norway, the 25×25 metre mountain shelf makes for an 8 km round hike, one which has relatively easy trails and is suitable for all ages.
Indeed, during the popular holiday month of August, Pulpit Rock is packed with tourists coming to explore the attraction, which has been dubbed as one of the world’s most spectacular viewpoints by both Lonely Planet and the BBC.
If you’re looking to visit this stunning location, then Norwegian offers direct flights to Stavanger from a range of airports, including London Gatwick.
From Stavanger, the Tau ferry is a preferred mode of transport to Preikestolen, and from Tau you will need to catch a bus to Pulpit Rock Mountain Lodge. You could also hire a car and drive there yourself, or include this site as a pit-stop in a road trip around Norway.
Hikers are advised to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and make sure they have food and plenty of water, as beyond the car park there’s nothing but nature.
Be aware that during winter, the weather can cause challenging conditions, with icy trails making the journey far more risky, and nightfall coming much earlier than in summer. Inexperienced hikers should definitely try to visit during the warmer months of the year.
There are plenty of guided hiking tours of Preikestolen to enjoy via GetYourGuide, so you can enjoy an organised trip to this natural wonder while earning CashPoints at the same time!
Tip: Staying in the area for a few days? Find out the best things to see and do in Stavanger.
Where to stay
Verkshotellet – A cosy 3.5-star hotel in a traditional wooden building, located in Jørpeland. The hotel is only 9 km from Preikestolen, but approximately 30 km from Stavanger. Price includes breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking.
You can also choose to stay in the city centre of Stavanger, which is approximately 26 km from Pulpit Rock.
Scandic Stavanger City – A four-star hotel with a restaurant located in the city centre of Stavanger.
Comfort Hotel Stavanger – A three-star hotel within walking distance from the most popular sights in Stavanger.
Sola Strand Hotel – A historic beach hotel which uses rooms and parts of old broken up ships as inspiration and actual materials for the hotel. Find out more in our post on the most incredible hotels in Norway.