This was one of those ‘where can we go with our air miles?’ trip. It was the Spring Bank Holiday, and the options were fairly limited. We ended up picking Stavanger. Unbeknown to me, it was also Whit Sunday, a national holiday in Norway. This meant the town was very quiet, with some businesses working reduced hours, or not at all. Fortunately, the ferries and buses to Preikestolen were still operating.
Preikestolen, also known as Pulpit Rock, is the primary reason we chosed Stavanger. It is a steep cliff, rising
The trail is mostly a steady climb, with several flat sections along the way. The path is in good condition, and reasonably well marked. It would be difficult to get lost with the ant line of hikers, all heading the same way. Though, this can sometimes result in a bit of a queue, especially in the narrower sections. If you would like to avoid the traffic, starting earlier in the day should help. Care is required at the top of the cliffs, as there are no safety barriers to spoil the natural beauty of the site.
The scenery was gorgeous. Even though the weather wasn’t on our side, it was still an enjoyable experience. It was raining on and off, and we found ourselves in and above the clouds at times. Every now and then, we were treated to clear skies, and fantastic views of the surrounding valleys, and fjord. The cool fresh mountain air was a treat. The experience would definitely have been better if the weather was nicer. However, if you can’t wait for fine weather, it’s still worth chancing it.