A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to look at the one that has been repeatedly described as the best viewpoint in the world: the Pulpit or Preikestolen in Norway. I was not going with my daughters, but I could see several little ones doing this hiking trail, on their own feet or comfortably in the baby carrier backpacks.
The first thing I thought, between the fatigue of this two-hour climb (plus another two hours of descent), surrounded by dreamlike landscapes, is “How is it possible? Will they get it? And yes, they get it. Let's see how.
This tour of ascent to the Pulpit is rated with medium difficulty level, and you can see all kinds of people doing it, older people, boys and girls with their baby carrier (baby included, of course), families with small children ... There are a few sections harder, but luckily they combine with other very easy ones to take a break from.
But if you or your children are not used to doing this type of mountain trekking you have to think about it. Instead, if you are one of those who often do these walks, everything is possible. As I say, I saw several couples who were with their baby in tow, although I would be afraid to do it, but I do not usually undertake climbs of this type.
The first thing to keep in mind, whether you go alone or as a family, is that you must wear good mountain shoes to avoid slips, and go well stocked with provisions to replenish forces during the journey or when you reach “the top”. A raincoat just in case it rains is also good. But let's cross our fingers to make good weather ...
Tips to climb the Pulpit with babies and children
If we go with our baby we have to take a good baby carrier with secure support and of course having sufficient strength and well-established balance, since there are some sections that require some effort (I will not say “climbing”, but there are very steep climbs through large stones and without protection or grip). Undoubtedly, the fathers and moms who were with their babies are tanned in this type of route.
With children, the climb is possible with great caution, helping them in the sections that need it, always accompanying them and protecting them to avoid falls. Making enough breaks and taking into account that it will cost them to climb the sections with large rocks, the route will last more than two hours.
For the descent we must take special precaution, because we will be more tired, the legs do not respond the same ... That is why we must rest and regain strength once we are in the Pulpit, and take the descent calmly.
But it will not cost us to rest in the Pulpit, because if there is luck and the fog does not cover the views, we are on a fjord at 604 meters surrounded by spectacular scenery. It is the Lysefjord, the fjord of light, which by the way can also be traveled by boat. A different perspective of the Pulpit ...
The route is well signposted and you will certainly not do it alone, as it is one of the most important tourist attractions in the Stavanger region and the Norwegian Fjords. To give you a better idea of what the climb entails, I leave this video that summarizes the climb in five minutes (with fall included at the end).
Personally, as I said, I would not be able to do it with the baby in tow, in this case I would choose other simpler routes, and in the area there are many proposals for hiking with children that also offer beautiful landscapes.
With my daughters of four and five years, after much thought, I think I would dare (since we are here ...), but as I said with great caution and taking it almost as a full day excursion. If the weather accompanies, there is no hurry, and along the route there are perfect places to take breaks, games, picnic ...
Do not forget to tell them the legends surrounding the Pulpit: between the Preikestolen plateau and the mountain you can see a crack. It is said that the day seven sisters marry seven brothers in the Lysefjord region, the crack will open, the Pulpit will separate from the mountain and sink into the fjord, forming a great wave that will ravage the region. But there is still much for this to happen ...
We are in the Stavanger Region. The base to climb the Pulpit through this hiking trail is reached from the town of Tau by bus, and if we come from Stavanger you have to take a ferry before. There is a paid parking lot, a hotel, cafeteria, toilets and a shelter cabin.
The views are beautiful from the base, and along the climb we see waterfalls, lakes, the Lysefjord, the sea in the distance ... We feel in the middle of nature very close to legendary stories, trolls, Valkyrie, dwarves and elves.
But the most spectacular will arrive at the Preikestolen. You know, if you are adventurous moms and dads, you are fit and accustomed to the mountain, this is an unforgettable climb and unrepeatable to do with babies and children.
Photos | Eva Paris and Max Froumentin, jcorrius on Flickr More information | Visit Norway In Babies and more | Hiking with young children: it is possible
Note | We have visited this destination thanks to an invitation from Visit Norway without any commitment of opinion or publication.
