Located where the river Jørpelandsåna flows into the Idsefjorden, Jørpeland is a small town north-east of Stavanger. It’s been nicknamed “Pulpit Rock City” due to its proximity to Preikestolen and is on the doorstep of the “Norwegian Stonehenge” - a Viking-inspired sculptural artwork on the nearby islet of Klungholmen.
Things to do in Jørpeland
In the heart of town is the Jørpeland Church, a unique concrete building that was designed by Turid and Kristen Bernhoff Evensen in 1969. A short boat ride from Jørpeland’s harbour will take you to the islet of Klungholmen, which is home to the aptly-named “Norwegian Stonehenge”. This impressive stone circle surrounds a towering steel obelisk decorated with symbols and ornaments originating from the Oseberg Viking ship.
If you’re visiting in the summer months, head to the photogenic waterfall cascading along the Jørpelands River. The pool at its base is a popular local swimming spot. There are also several attractive beaches in the area where you can take a dip, including Barkavika and Nordlys.
Jørpeland is a short drive from one of Norway’s most famous natural attractions, Preikestolen, a dramatic cliff that rises more than 600 metres above the Lysefjorden. Translating as “Pulpit Rock”, it’s particularly striking due to its flat top, which provides a launching point for BASE jumpers to leap off. Preikestolen is accessed along a 3.8-kilometre-long hiking trail or can be viewed from below during a cruise on the Lysefjorden.
Getting around Jørpeland
Jørpeland is a 30-minute drive from the centre of Stavanger and 45 minutes from Stavanger Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Buses travel to Jørpeland and around the town itself. The centre of Jørpeland is compact enough to explore on foot while having your own vehicle is best for accessing Preikestolen.