The Pulpit Rock hike is an all-time Norwegian favorite for anyone coming to visit Norway. When arriving at Pulpit Rock and the weather is not a Norwegian fairytale, what do you do? You still go hiking! I highly mean if it is still safe! It is only a drizzle of rain! You should not go hiking if the weather is truly bad and challenging. Then you should turn back and wait for another day with safer weather.
Pulpit Rock is your dream hike, and in Norway, we don’t have bad weather, only bad clothing!
Pulpit Rock Hike Guide
When the Weather is not picture-perfect
Sometimes we have rain and fog in Norway, but that doesn’t mean you can still perform the Pulpit Rock hike. You most certainly can, if you have prepared for a rainy day in Norway. Please do not take the hike in “bad” weather if you don’t have appropriate clothing and shoes, that can be dangerous. Read: How to Pack to Norway.
Perform The Pulpit Rock Hike for the Pleasure of the Hike and Not the View
Even so, you may not see much. The hike itself is in pristine nature, and the pleasure of hiking is very much alive even do the reward will most likely be the hike itself and not the view from Pulpit Rock. You may not get the perfect picture, but you will get the bonus of having done the walk to Pulpit Rock, and you can still enjoy the scenery. The fog itself is sometimes a mysterious fairytale. Enjoy seeing the Pulpit Rock from a different angle. If you are lucky, maybe it clear up when you reach Pulpit Rock.
Explain Bad Weather
Clarifying the term “Bad Weather” in the Pulpit Rock hike scenario means rain and some fog. It does not imply a full storm, heavy rain, and heavy fog. If you are unsure if the weather is okay enough to perform the Pulpit Rock hike: Please ask the professionals in the cabin’s reception before starting the trek. Respect what they are saying because they want you to be safe.
Check the Weather Forecast Before Starting the Pulpit Rock Hike
No Shame to Turn Around in the Mountains
Don’t be ashamed to turn around is maybe one of the most important ones of the Norwegian Mountain Code. Have the circumstances changed? Should you turn around? If you are not feeling sure about the weather, turn around. If the fog surrounds you, don’t panic, but do not walk around and lose the direction of your location. Try to wait and see if it changes. You do not want to walk in the blind and fall out from the mountain.
Be Prepared for Bad Weather
If you are hiking in Norway, you must dress appropriately for the weather and Norway’s terrain. Weather changes quickly in the mountains, especially on the Western coast of Norway. Bring extra clothing, and the shoes must be hiking shoes. I highly recommend it with a Vibram grip. You must be prepared for the sudden change in the weather during the Pulpit Rock hike.
Pulpit Rock Hiking Information
Duration: 2 hours one-way in total 4 hours hiking.
Level: The hike is red, which means you need to be in shape and have done some hiking before performing the hike to Pulpit Rock.
Trail style: A mix of rocks and natural trails, also Sherpas from Nepal build the many stairs to Pulpit Rock.
Trail length: 4 kilometers each way
Height above sea level 270 meters above sea level
Height above sea level 604 meters above sea level
Elevation of the hike 334 meters (around 1100 feet)
Packing to Pulpit Rock for A Day Trip
Preparing your backpack for the hike is all about setting yourself up for a pleasant hike and spectacular day at Pulpit Rock. If the weather is not excellent maybe plan on how long you want to stay at the Pulpit Rock.
Read: 7 Tips for Packing to Norway from a Norwegian & Checklist for Visiting Norway
Time needed: 5 hours
WHAT TO PACK FOR A DAY TRIP AT PULPIT ROCK, NORWAY
- HIKING SHOES
GORTEX & VIBRAM GRIP.
- RAIN CLOTHS IN ALL WEATHER
You never know when the weather changes in the mountains.
- WARM DOWN JACKET
Layer up, while waiting for a better view or taking pictures of the Pulpit Rock. Down Jacket inside rain jacket if raining.
- WOOLEN HAT or HEADBAND
The cold wind in the ear is the worst. Don’t get sick when traveling in Norway.
- GLOVES
It sucks to be cold.
- WATER BOTTLE
Bring enough water, maybe even warm water if cold.
- FOOD
Snack Bar, Nuts, and whatever you like to keep you going.
- COMPEED BLISTER PLASTER
You never know when you will have bad luck.
- PAPER
Small Kleenex tissues for any situation. Remember if you need the nature toilet, bring back the paper with you.
- A PAIR OF DRY SOCKS & WOOL SWEATER
Being cold is not fun. If having blisters dry socks can help reduce the friction.
- SEATING PAD
To use during your lunch break, don’t want to get cold.
- CAMERA OR FULLY CHARGED PHONE
You will take 1349 photos at the Pulpit Rock
HOW TO GET FREE PARKING
at the Pulpit Rock Hike
Do you want to save 250 NOK on the parking fee? It is possible, but you will have to eat a very good meal, Preikestolen: Pulpit Rock Basecamp. Because parking is FREE for dining guests. Why not pay 269 NOK and have: Freshwater trout from Sirdal with cucumber salad and sour cream sauce instead of parking for 250 NOK? Ask for a token at the restaurant, you can leave the parking for FREE.
Why not spoil yourself with a lovely meal before or after the Pulpit Rock hike?
Awesome Accommodation at Pulpit Rock in Norway
The best part is you can stay the night at Preikestolen: Pulpit Rock Basecamp. The facilities are new and fresh. Or if you like more the outdoor scene, I recommend the Hikers Camp.
My Personal Experience of the Pulpit Rock in Bad Weather
Finally, summer vacation in Norway, and we – Mum, Sister, and I decided to the Pulpit Rock hike. We arrived in the late afternoon at 18:00 and had dinner at Preikestolen Basecamp, because we wanted to see if the weather changed, and also get FREE parking. It was rainy and foggy during our dinner.
Should We Stay, Or Should We Go?
We asked the lovely girl at the reception, and she recommended doing the hike, even do the weather was not picture-perfect. You know what? I don’t regret the Pulpit Rock hike in bad weather. Nature was scenic (coming from a Norwegian Girl), and the hike itself was a nice change after a long day of road-tripping from Southern Norway and Jaeren, one of the 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes. We did not get the best pictures, but the Pulpit Rock was still a splendid walk in Norway.
When to Perform the Pulpit Rock Hike?
Pulpit Rock is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Norway, and also a beautiful hike, which means it is also a crowded hike. By this, you should try to perform the hike during peak hours, which means waking up early or going later in the evening. This is mostly for the summer months. In Norway, you can take advantage of the many hours of daylight during the summer.
In the summer it can be perfectly fine to start the hike at 05:00 in the morning and reach the Pulpit Rock for sunrise or maybe you even do it for sunset. Try to avoid the time between 09.00-15.00, if you by any chance can do that, you will not need to walk with 1000 other people.
Personal Experience for Start Time at Pulpit Rock Hike
We started the Pulpit Rock Hike at 7:00 p.m. in July. Blessed by bad weather in the forms of rain and fog. By this, it was no point waiting for better light. The light will be shit anyway at this point. When I do the Pulpit Rock next time, I would love to have a sunrise or sunset view of the Pulpit Rock. Maybe sunset in the summer (our fall sunrise). And then walk back in the beautiful summer lights of Norway, have dinner at Preikestolen Base camp, and stay the night as well. The pleasure of being Norwegian is that I have the chance to perform Pulpit Rock more than once and learn from previous experience.
Summer 2020 The Police Closed Pulpit Rock for More Hikers
The day after our evening hike, they closed the Pulpit Rock hike due to many people at one time, trying to perform the hike to the Pulpit Rock.
We were supposed to do the Pulpit Rock the day the Police closed the trail. How lucky that we did the hike in bad weather the day before closing.
The Mountain Code of Norway
Whether you’re in the forests or the mountains, always follow the mountain code when you’re hiking in Norwegian nature.
1. Plan your trip and inform others about the route you have selected.
2. Adapt the planned routes according to ability and conditions.
3. Pay attention to the weather and the avalanche warnings.
4. Be prepared for bad weather and frost, even on short trips.
5. Bring the necessary equipment so you can help yourself and others.
6. Choose safe routes. Recognize avalanche terrain and unsafe ice.
7. Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are.
8. Don’t be ashamed to turn around.
9. Conserve your energy and seek shelter if necessary.
Read the full information about the code at DNT.
Other Great Blog posts About the Pulpit Rock
How To Hike To Preikestolen, The stunning Pulpit Rock In Norway
Read More at Unusualtraveler.com
Hiking Pulpit Rock, Norway (PULPIT ROCK HIKE GUIDE)
Read More at Fjordsandbeaches.com
Pulpit Rock was Great, What’s Next?
If you think the Pulpit Rock was a great experience and easy, I recommend you to try another iconic hike in Norway, which is Besseggen.
You might also like
Leave A Reply