For days leading up to our hike up to Preikestolen, also known as Pulpit Rock, we had kept our eye on the weather. If we were going to bust our asses hiking up to this cliff, we wanted to be able to see what there was to see. Fortunately, the timing worked out perfectly, as we had a weather window of three sunny days to choose from. We decided to arrive on the first one, hike on the second and travel on the third. A perfect plan, right?
Except it wasn’t. Because what the weather apps don’t always tell you is that, even though it is sunny, it can also be foggy. And when it’s foggy, you can’t see anything. That is what happened to us on our hike to Pulpit Rock. At least, that’s what happened for part of the day. Nonetheless we took off from our camping spot and made our way to the parking area at Preikestolen. Even though Norway has been somewhat crowded, especially at the most popular sites, it is still nowhere near its usual tourist capacity. So when we arrived at the parking lot, there were plenty of motorhome places to choose from. At the last minute I decided to take my hiking poles and as it turned out, I was awfully glad I had them with me.
Preikestolen is a rocky outcrop that was formed by glaciers. As the glacier reached the cliffs, water filled in the crevices, froze, and then thawed over and over, causing massive fissures. As the glacier continued to recede, most of these outcrops were ripped off by the ice and carried along in a glacial tumbling machine, then spit out as erratics somewhere down the line. Preikestolen was left behind, jutting out from the cliffside. At the top is a plateau measuring just over 80 by 80 feet and hovering nearly 2,000 feet above the Lysefjord. There is nothing to stop you if you go over the side, no fences, no ropes, no nets. Nada. Also, I must point out that one of these days the whole shebang will slide down and plunge into the Lysefjord below causing a massive tsunami. It’s inevitable, but for now, geologists have deemed it safe. I wonder, will a geologist be there the day it becomes unsafe? Will they sound the alarm in time to get people off? Will there be some nutter up there waiting to push me over the edge? This is why Steven says I am a catastrophic thinker, but these were the questions that floated through my mind as I hiked my way to the top.
According to just about every source out there, the hike to Preikestolen is of moderate difficulty. They are not kidding. It isn’t even a long hike, only about five miles round trip, but it will take 4-5 hours and that’s not including time spent at the top. The trail, which has significant shifts in terrain, includes swampland, forests, and stone stairways built by Nepalese sherpas. How cool is it that the Norwegians took one look at the terrain up to Preikestolen and said, “Y’all, we need to call in the pros, get the Sherpas on the line!” The Sherpas did a great job laying the rocky path, but it is still a hell of a jaunt up that mountain. I did fine on the uphill, but the downhill part is the worst for me because of those tight muscles in my lower back. Steven is the opposite, he’s like a mountain goat coming down, but uphill can leave him out of breath. Still, we made it to the top and back down again in one piece and it was spectacular.
In all our planning for Norway, Priekestolen signalled the end of our trip, as it was the southernmost sight we wanted to see. All we had to do now was plan our route out of Norway and our summer adventures there would be over, We could have just driven to the southern tip of the country and taken a ferry into the tippy top of Denmark, or we could travel east across Norway to Oslo, then south into Sweden. Though Oslo was never on our list of places to visit, we ultimately decided that’s the route we’d take. On the way there we found a lovely free camping spot right by a dam that offered free electricity and water, so we ended up there for two nights. After one more free overnight we arrived at the marina in Oslo where we stayed for three days to check out the town.
By now it was early September and even if we had wanted to stay longer, the season was changing and we knew it was time to go. We still had a couple of more weeks in Scandinavia, but the summer adventures we had long dreamed of were coming to an end. Fade to black…
Both Steven and I agree this trip was the best yet. we have plenty of exciting travel experiences ahead of us, but we can’t imagine topping this one.
And finally, Steven is continuing to draw and his latest artwork is of actress Jessica Chastain. If you would like to keep up with his art, you can follow him on his Visual Art Facebook Page here.
NEXT UP: Final days in Scandinavia
Good for you guys. Looking forward to doing the same trip next year. We also want to do the Trolltunga hike. Our son says it’s a tough one, so we better do it before we’re too old…lol!
There are a ton of great hikes in Norway you will run out of time before you get to even a few! We’ll be looking forward to your Scandinavian adventures next year!
Girl I’m still trying to calm my heart rate after those pics from the Pulpit edge!! Your lone victory pose is sooooo cool though 🙂 Maybe I could find one of those Sherpas with a Yak I could ride to the top? The roadside view of the fjord is magical. What an amazing summer – I’ve loved every mile of it!!! Great shots of the opera house. Love the unique sculptures. Makes me want to conversate with the artist.
I think Jessica is Steven’s best piece. When I look at her for a bit I swear I see her blink!
Pulpit Rock was a great exclamation point on a fantastical summer adventure! I did get a little brave there at the end (for me, anyway) inching toward the edge. There were folks out there sitting on the edge and it was all I could do not to throw up watching them. LOL. On this hike, I am one and done!
Thanks Jodee, Steven here. Yes, this particular portrait definitely has that effect. I feel like she’s moving if I stare at it long enough. 🙂
Another awesome trip and you done an out standing blog covering all of it. I think I will wait for the tram to be built before I try going up the Pulpit . Steven’s art work is getting better all the time and it was great to start with . Stay safe .
Thank you so much for your kind words, Vern! I’m glad to know you have enjoyed our adventures. As always, we love hearing from you, so thank you for taking time to comment.
Hi Vern, Steven here. Thanks for your kind words, I really appreciate it.
This was a superb post – one of your best, because of course the sights in the photos were so spectacular! That has been the case in a whole lot of this particular trip you two are on.
It has been such a joy to see photos of places that I will probably never see. Your fascinating journey has been enjoyed by many, I am sure! Thanks for all of it.
Plus I agree with the previous poster who said that the Jessica Chastain portrait is maybe Steve’s best!!
Thank you, we really hoped that we could convey the beauty of Noway and our wonderful experiences there. I’m so glad our posts resonated with you in that way. Thank you for taking time to comment!
Thanks Betsy, Steven here. That portrait is certainly one of my favorites.
Woah! That Pulpit hike might be worth the trip all by itself. The sculptures are cool too but they are no match for the natural beauty of Mother Natures creations.
I have to agree with you about Mother Nature besting the sculptures, Pulpit Rock is a good example. I know we all thought Alaska was spectacular, and it was, but Norway is in a class all by itself!
I have been following your blogs since the beginning and Steven’s Facebook page. HIs drawings are amazing. I look forward to each one. If you don’t mind I was wondering what brand of hiking poles you use.
Terry
Terry, thank you for taking time to comment. You are a real trouper to stay with us for so long! 🙂 Regarding my hiking poles, I purchased them in an equipment store in Saint Jean Pied de Port in France the day before we started our Camino. My poles feature a map of the Camino and were made specifically for pilgrim shops. All that is a long-winded way of saying I have no clue what brand they are or who manufactured them. I got very lucky, though, because I absolutely love them!
Thanks Terry, Steven here. I’m glad you are enjoying my artwork. At some point I want to get into doing landscapes. Watch out for one I recently completed coming up soon.
Stunning! Thanks for sharing your travels.
It is our pleasure to share, but gosh we are so far behind! We need some rest! 🙂 But happy news, a new post is coming today or tomorrow!
Absolutely stunning pictures I love being able to experience your adventures through your blog! I am always amazed at the beauty of your destinations. I hope you have a great winter and always safe travels! Hugs
Thank you, Dawn, and thanks for taking time to comment. I’m so glad you are enjoying our travels. We have indeed been to some amazing places and, we hope, more to come. Safe and happy travels to you and Darrel!
I just completed binge reading your Europe travel blogs. You are truly great storytellers! I look forward to following along on the rest of your travels. Hopefully someday soon we’ll be able to follow in your footsteps!
Thank you for your very kind words, Betsy. It takes great effort to read through our long missives! 🙂 I still have my fingers crossed that you will find the right motorhome for you and that we will meet up on the road! Until then, safe and happy travels!