TRAVELS: NORWAY (STAVANGER - Preikestolen)
15:56:00
Preikestolen, also known as 'The Pulpit Rock' is one of the famous and well visited hiking attractions in Norway, or in fact, worldwide. It is a square-ish outcropping formation of rock that stands 604 metres above sea level and Lysefjorden. To get to Preikestolen, we took a train from Oslo to Stavanger as it is the closest to the Lysefjorden.
(Photo source: Google images)
We boarded an overnight train (NSB) bound for Stavanger at 11pm and reached Stavanger train station at around 7.30 in the morning. The ride was fairly comfortable and we were even provided with blankets and mini inflatable pillows in the Standard Class seats.
When we arrived at the train station, we got changed into our hiking attire and then walked for about 15 minutes to our hotel (Stavanger Lille Hotel) to leave our backpacks there while we hike. The plan was to start the hike as early as possible (to avoid too many tourists) and to try catch the earliest ferry to Tau that morning; but unfortunately it started to rain which made us stay a little longer at the hotel lounge, where we had some coffee and other refreshments.
As soon at the rain stopped, we made our way to the Stavanger pier, and walked through Stavanger's old town, where you can see some of Norwegian's architectural heritage preserved in Old Stavanger dated since the 18th century.
Old Stavanger.
We boarded our ferry at the Fiskepirterminalen (ferry terminal) from Stavanger to Tau. (If you intend to do this trip, it is important that you book your tour/package in advance online). Upon reaching Tau, there will be a bus waiting for you (with the company's name labelled on the bus - don't get on the wrong bus! We went with Tide Reiser) and the bus will take you to the Pulpit Rock cabin.
Boarding the ferry.
View from the ferry ride.
At the Pulpit Rock cabin, there are toilets provided in case you needed to do your 'thing' before you start your hike, but there are no cafes or shops so make sure to bring your packed lunch and plenty of water. Basically, once you get off the bus, you are then free to start your hike and and meet back at the cabin and wait for the bus again for your journey home. Make sure you know what time the last bus departs, and keep track of your hiking time so that you don't miss the last bus!
At the foot of the Pulpit Rock.
Early stage of the hike where its still mostly flat areas before you get to the steep steps part.
That I just can't get enough of, hence the three pictures with the same view in a row. haha.
We walked through the rocky paths a little bit more...
Just look at that cliff edge. It makes my feet all shaky just even looking at those edges let alone stand or sit near the edge of the cliffs (yes, as irony as it may sound, I am pretty afraid of heights).
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...and there it is! The Pulpit Rock; or Preikestolen if you like.
There were already sooo many people when we arrived at the rock; I'm guessing its maybe because it was already noon and we went during summer (July 2015), therefore it was peak season for hiking the Pulpit Rock.
It was actually quite warm but a little foggy at times, but the fog cleared later on and the weather was perfect after that, so we took some time to have our lunch and just chill while enjoying the breathtaking views. :)
Looking forward to more awesome adventure trips like this one!
We boarded an overnight train (NSB) bound for Stavanger at 11pm and reached Stavanger train station at around 7.30 in the morning. The ride was fairly comfortable and we were even provided with blankets and mini inflatable pillows in the Standard Class seats.
When we arrived at the train station, we got changed into our hiking attire and then walked for about 15 minutes to our hotel (Stavanger Lille Hotel) to leave our backpacks there while we hike. The plan was to start the hike as early as possible (to avoid too many tourists) and to try catch the earliest ferry to Tau that morning; but unfortunately it started to rain which made us stay a little longer at the hotel lounge, where we had some coffee and other refreshments.
As soon at the rain stopped, we made our way to the Stavanger pier, and walked through Stavanger's old town, where you can see some of Norwegian's architectural heritage preserved in Old Stavanger dated since the 18th century.
We boarded our ferry at the Fiskepirterminalen (ferry terminal) from Stavanger to Tau. (If you intend to do this trip, it is important that you book your tour/package in advance online). Upon reaching Tau, there will be a bus waiting for you (with the company's name labelled on the bus - don't get on the wrong bus! We went with Tide Reiser) and the bus will take you to the Pulpit Rock cabin.
At the Pulpit Rock cabin, there are toilets provided in case you needed to do your 'thing' before you start your hike, but there are no cafes or shops so make sure to bring your packed lunch and plenty of water. Basically, once you get off the bus, you are then free to start your hike and and meet back at the cabin and wait for the bus again for your journey home. Make sure you know what time the last bus departs, and keep track of your hiking time so that you don't miss the last bus!
...and then we reached a part where the view was already spectacular.
That I just can't get enough of, hence the three pictures with the same view in a row. haha.
We walked through the rocky paths a little bit more...
Just look at that cliff edge. It makes my feet all shaky just even looking at those edges let alone stand or sit near the edge of the cliffs (yes, as irony as it may sound, I am pretty afraid of heights).
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...and there it is! The Pulpit Rock; or Preikestolen if you like.
After we both agreed that we had spent some worthwhile moments on the rocks, we slowly made our way down while there were still more people hiking up. We reached the Pulpit Rock cabin and waited for our bus. Many others were lining up with us all looking very well worn out but with satisfied faces painted on them - some were looking into their cameras/phones at photos they had taken during their hike; some were just happily chatting among their friends; while others just sat quietly from exhaustion.
When we got of our ferry at the Stavanger pier, we had our dinner a local Halal restaurant and walked back to our hotel. We stayed in the whole evening and had our much needed rest and made sure we had enough rest and sleep for the next morning's bus to Bergen. The hotel was so thoughtful and prepared us packed lunch (sandwiches, muffin, yogurt and juice - for two) and other complimentary refreshments. That nice gesture of the packed lunch made us through to Bergen the next day.
...and that was the end of our Preikestolen adventure.
Looking forward to more awesome adventure trips like this one!
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