How can I possibly sum up today with a short title? I can’t. There isn’t a word in the English language that might encompass the vision that awaited us at the top of our hike. Preikestolen – Pulpit Rock to us English speakers – is an extremely popular hike in the Southwest part of Norway.

When we pulled into the parking lot filled with buses and tour groups, we were fooled into thinking that the 8.5km hike would be fast and easy. Ha. It was easy to follow, the trail was beautifully laid out and it was near impossible to lose your way. But the 450m of elevation were no joke. The boulders and rocks and steps were a significant challenge to climb. The heat, while so welcome (the day started with rain), was unrelenting. Zero shade.

We were continually surprised at some of the people on the trail. We think they, too, were lulled into a false sense of security. At least everyone seemed to be wearing proper footwear and were carrying water bottles.

Anyway. Wow. At the risk of overusing this word – just WOW. The cliff jutted out from the mountain side creating a huge platform on which you could walk on, sprawl about and take in the fjords below. There is a huge split right down the middle of the platform teasing you with the possibility that it just may fall off. Eek.

We all politely stood in a line to take advantage of the best photo spot and as long as everyone played by the rules, you were able to get a picture that looked like you were the only person on the rock.

100% recommend this hike. Worth every drop of sweat.