Pulpit Rock Excursion

[kmitchel]

Just got back from the 9 Day Norwegian Fjord cruise on the Magic and wanted to chime in on the Pulpit Rock Excursion for those of you thinking of attempting this hike.

When I arrived on the ship, my ticket for this excursion had a letter attached to it indicating that this was an "intense hike" intended for "fit" people. In preparation for the hike, I was jogging a couple of miles every other day and although I didn't consider myself a "hiker", I had been on many hikes in my life and didn't think this one would pose any issue.

My expectation was that the "path" up to Pulpit Rock would be a nice gravel trail with an occasional rise in elevation, but that was just not the case. I'll start by saying that about 1/3 of our tour bus did not make it to the top, which was deemed "typical" by the tour operator. The two hours we were given to climb to the summit was estimated if you were moving very quickly. The path was frequently large rocks and rarely a nice gravel path. Unless you have hiking shoes, be prepared to slip - a lot. I had on my running shoes and frequently slid around on the steep rocks which did slow my pace quite a bit.

Although many in our group found the 2 hours to be ample time to make it to the top, you will need quite a quick pace. You will not have a lot of time to stop to "enjoy the view" (or catch your breath) unless you are moving at a VERY steady clip.

The trail is marked with red "T"s on multiple trees/rocks, but it does not give you an idea of how far from the summit you are until you make it past the half-way point. There is a steady stream of hikers going up and down the trail, so your group tends to get spread thin very quickly. We were told by our guide that if we hadn't made the top by 12:30pm, we needed to turn around at that point and start down.

I was able to reach the top in 2 1/2 hours, spend 30 minutes at the top and then a similar pace down. Although the hike down was easier on your heart, it was MUCH harder on your knees. You also have to be mindful of the hikers behind you to ensure you don't hold up those attempting to pass you on the way up or down. I saw many people get accidentally bumped as people were trying to pass and one person in our group did have a little fall and got quite a number of cuts.

I was very happy to cross the excursion off my bucket list, but I do wish we had more time (or I was fitter) so I could have spent more time at the top. That being said, if you can make it to the top, the views were incredible!

During the cruise, I also hiked Mt. Varden, Mt. Floen and did the hike down from Briksdalbreen Glacier which were each between 5-8 miles with no issues at all, but Pulpit Rock was INTENSE.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

interesting...

 

[Bella29]

pictures please?!?

 

[anonymousegirl]

I did this back in 2006 on our own when I was touring around Norway for three weeks. Frommer's guide book called it a moderate hike "a little rocky at times". Rocky? I should say so--try boulders! And no guard rails, sometimes, barely a path! I was not in good physical shape (overweight with a sedentary job). It took me at least 3 hours up, and I threatened my husband twice with divorce! And also cried a little bit in sheer despair that I was ever going to reach the top. People who had passed me going up, now passed me on their way down. It was embarrassing! But everyone of them offer me encouraging words and support.

We finally made it up there and the view was spectacular. It does rate as one of my most memorable experiences. And now that I know just how long a hike, and how difficult, I would do it again, just be better prepared.
Oh, and my husband and I will celebrate 22 years together at the end of this month! [mostly because he is a saint!]

 

[Avery's mom]

KMitchel - we were on the same cruise and we also did the hike to Pulpit Rock - however - we were on our own. I will echo your sentiments about the intensity of the hike. My family did this knowing the intensity would be there, but we wanted the challenge. My husband and I are are what we call active, fat people. We are pretty active for our size, but we are still about 75 lbs overweight. To add to this, my husband carried our 18 month old son in our hiking backpack - which adds about 40 lbs to his frame. We hike most weekends, and we were still unprepared for the stamina required for this hike. Fortunately, we came with great shoes, walking sticks, and a determined attitude. We made it up in 2 hours and 5 minutes and down in 2 hours flat.

We loved the hike - however - we would have really liked to have complete it faster so we could have enjoyed more time at the top. By the time we reached the bottom, our legs were wobbly and we were desperate to get to the bus on time. The Norwegians are nothing, if not punctual - so we couldn't count on the bus/ferry waiting for us. we knew we had to get to the top by noon and to the bus by 2:30. I really felt badly for those people who were turned around by the Disney guides. There were some disappointed folks there that we saw turning back before they reached the top.

 

[Four Swampers]

I absolutely agree with your assessment of the hike. Rocky, steep, sweat-inducing despite temps in 60's. "Typical round trip of four hours" must be based on Norwegians, who seem rather fit.

All that said, the views are well worth it. Bring a picnic lunch for the top and have a great time.

People who have trouble with a few flights of stairs will likely not enjoy this strenuous hike. I did see children succeed. Also, a 76 year old guy who spent the last two summers hiking 1800 miles of the PCT from Mexico to Oregon did the round trip in two and a half hours, including 20 min at the top!

 

[mmouse37]

We took a boat tour on the EBTA in Stavanger that went past Pulpit Rock. Unfortunately the weather was not cooperating and most of the icon was shrouded in fog.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I have to say, Pulpit Rock didn't look nearly as intimidating from the bottom as it does from the top. But, I still wouldn't have been able to do the hike.

 

[varkgirl]

We did this excursion too - and you are especially right about it being hard on your knees! We are both 39, not athletes at all, but we like to walk and have hiked plenty of other places throughout our adult lives. This was absolutely brutal. We were covered in sweat and completely exhausted when we got to the top, and we only had about 5-10 min before we were told to turn around and go back. I had to buy a knee brace in the next port to make it through the rest of the week because I really messed up my right knee on the way down. This was the hardest thing we've ever done, for sure. It was, literally, uphill both ways.

 

[kmitchel]

I'm SO glad I wasn't the only one who felt this way after the hike! Now that it is over and my knees have recovered, I'm glad I did it, but I don't know if I would do it again if given the choice!

 

[DisneyHelen]

We did the hike also on 7 night norwegian cruise. We took our extendable walking sticks and they were great for taking strain off your knees.The hiking schedule does not give extra time.I took 2hours and 10 minutes up and 2 hours back. I am glad that I did it. The views are amazing.