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This is the shocking moment a baby was allowed to crawl perilously close to the edge of a steep cliff in Norway so that her parents could snap a keepsake photograph.

Dressed in a pink outfit and cap, the young child was accompanied by four adults, who were at least a few feet away from her, and would have faced certain death if she had rolled in the wrong direction.

Hiker Fred Sirevag, who snapped the chilling photo, said he couldn't believe his eyes when he encountered the scene as he made his way up to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a steep cliff that has a 1,982ft drop.

Shocking: A baby crawls along the edge of a steep cliff in southern Norway while an adult snaps a keepsake photograph

Mr Sirevag's photo has been circulated online and in the Norwegian press, leaving people shocked and outraged that the baby was put in a dangerous situation at the tourist attraction.

He was sitting down in a safe spot with his 11-year-old daughter when the family placed the baby, unaware of the danger that she faced, on the mountain ledge.

He told the Norwegian News Agency: 'They let the baby crawl near the edge and they even walked back a few steps so that they could take pictures of the baby with Preikestolen in the background.

'I think it was really disgusting. A baby can roll in any direction. I think it's very irresponsible.' 

Hiker Fred Sirevag, who snapped the photograph of the family, said he was stunned when the baby was placed so close to the mountain ledge

Preben Falck, CEO of the Stavanger Tourist Association, encouraged people to use extreme caution when they hike up to Pulpit Rock.

He told the Norwegian News Agency: 'I have taken my children to Preikestolen and kept them at a safe distance away from the edge. 

'All parents are different, but I wouldn't look after my children like that.' 

Tourist draw: Tens of thousands of people visit Preikestolen, known as Pulpit Rock, in Forsand, Norway every year

Pulpit Rock towers over a fjord in the municipality of Forsand and is one of Norway's most popular attractions, drawing tens of thousands of holidaymakers every year. 

Last year, a Spanish man plunged to his death while taking photos, reigniting the debate over whether a security fence should be installed to protect visitors.

But Falck believes a fence or signs would spoil the experience: 'We cannot put up signs telling that parents should not put their children down near the edge. Nor do I think we should put up fences and secure the area.'