Preikestolen Hidden Trail Hike + Lunch and Canoe Trip

A quieter route changes Preikestolen. I like the canoe crossing on Refsvatnet and the old trail that avoids the main path for much of the climb. I also like the small group size, with no more than eight people and guides such as Stephan, Chris, and Allen helping hikers manage the effort. The main drawback is clear: this is a demanding nine-hour day, not a casual sightseeing outing.

The reward is more than the famous cliff. You get viewpoints above and around Preikestolen, a chance to see people queuing at the main viewpoint from higher ground, and a packed lunch from a historic Norwegian restaurant. Still, the trail can be tough, rain can arrive, and you need moderate physical fitness.

If you want the classic Preikestolen photograph with the shortest and most familiar route, this is not the simple choice. If you want a quieter approach, a canoe trip, and more time in the outdoors, this small-group adventure offers strong value for the price.

Key points at a glance

• Canoe across Refsvatnet: The day begins with a paddle across the lake before the hike starts.
• Old, quiet trail: The route uses a forgotten trail that can remain free of crowds, even during summer.
• Views from above Preikestolen: The route reaches viewpoints higher than the famous cliff, looking down toward the queue at the main platform.
• Long but measured day: Expect about three hours uphill, time at the cliff, and roughly two and a half hours back down.
• Lunch and equipment included: Your package includes a packed lunch from a historic Norwegian restaurant and canoe gear.
• Small group format: The maximum group size is eight, with pickup from designated Stavanger locations offered.

Why this Preikestolen day feels different

Preikestolen, also called Pulpit Rock, is one of Norway’s best-known outdoor sights. The cliff rises 604 meters above Lysefjorden, and the main hiking route is popular for good reason. It leads to an extraordinary view.

The problem is that popularity changes the mood. In busy periods, the familiar route can feel more like a line than a wilderness walk. This experience takes a different approach. You start at Preikestolen Basecamp, collect your food and canoe equipment, then walk to Refsvatnet before paddling across the lake.

From there, you continue on an old trail instead of following the standard route for the whole climb. That matters if you want quiet stretches, a slower pace, and more room to stop for photographs. The route is not promoted as an easy shortcut. It is a longer, more physical way to reach the area around Preikestolen.

I especially like the combination of activities. The canoe crossing is not a decorative extra added to a hiking trip. It changes how the day begins and gives you a peaceful stretch on the water before the harder walking starts.

Starting at 7 AM from Stavanger or Preikestolen Basecamp

The listed start point is Preikestolen Fjellstue at Preikestolvegen 521 in Jørpeland. Pickup is offered from several designated locations in Stavanger, with the general pickup time around 7 AM. Exact pickup times depend on your selected location, so check the timetable carefully.

The drive from Stavanger takes about 45 minutes. That early start is useful for two reasons. First, it gives you enough daylight and time for the full route. Second, it helps you reach the trail before the day becomes busy.

At Basecamp, you collect your packed lunch and canoe equipment. This makes the beginning fairly straightforward, but you should arrive ready for a full day outside. Wear clothing you can adjust as conditions change, since the pace includes stops to change layers, rest, eat snacks, and take photographs.

The activity ends back at the meeting point after the return drive. The advertised duration is about nine hours, so avoid scheduling another major activity that evening. You may be tired by the time you return, especially if the weather has made the trail harder.

Paddling across Refsvatnet before the climb

The canoe section starts at the beach of Refsvatnet. Before setting off, your guide gives instructions about safe canoeing, the route, and expected conditions. That briefing is important because the paddle is part of the transport plan, not just a quick photo stop.

You cross the lake by canoe, then reach shore and begin the old trail. The water provides a calm opening to a strenuous day, and it also gives the experience a more local, outdoor feel than a standard road-to-trail excursion.

The tour includes canoe equipment, which saves you from arranging gear separately. Still, you should listen closely during the safety talk and follow your guide’s directions. The supplied information does not give a precise paddling time or distance, so do not treat the canoe segment as a fixed-length attraction.

This part may appeal most to people who enjoy variety. You are not simply walking uphill for several hours. You paddle, carry on by foot, stop to eat, adjust clothing, and pause at viewpoints. That variety can make the long day feel more manageable.

The old trail and its three-hour uphill effort

After landing, you hike along an old and forgotten trail toward Preikestolen. The route is described as quiet, with the strong possibility of seeing no one until reaching the main viewpoint area. That level of solitude is one of the biggest reasons to choose this trip.

Do not confuse a quiet route with an easy route. The uphill portion takes about three hours, and the guides keep a pace that allows for rests and equipment changes. The route has been described as tough, and one wet-weather outing included rain that came and went during the climb.

Your guide makes adjustments as needed. Stephan has been praised for keeping the mood fun, while Chris and Allen are described as highly fit and experienced with the route. The important point for you is not the guides’ fitness. It is their attention to how the group is coping. The pace can change when someone is tired or hurting.

That support helps, but it does not remove the physical demands. You should be comfortable with a long hike and uneven outdoor conditions. The tour specifies a moderate fitness level, which is a useful warning for anyone tempted by the word canoe in the title. This is primarily a full hiking day with a paddle at the beginning.

Reaching the 604-meter cliff above Lysefjorden

After approximately three hours of hiking, you reach Preikestolen, 604 meters above Lysefjorden. The cliff face is sheer, and the fjord view is the payoff for the effort.

The route offers more than the standard front-facing experience. Parts of the trail reach higher viewpoints, giving you a different angle on Preikestolen and the fjord. From above, you may be able to look down toward people waiting at the main platform for their own photograph.

That perspective adds useful context. Preikestolen is not only a flat rock ledge with a famous view. It is part of a larger high area with changing angles toward the fjord. You can appreciate the scale of the cliff and the setting around it instead of seeing only the final photo spot.

Your time at the top is meant for relaxing, enjoying the scenery, and taking pictures. The information provided does not promise a fixed amount of time at the cliff, so the exact stay will depend on the group, conditions, and pace.

Rain can affect this section. A wet day may reduce visibility and make walking less comfortable, but the experience can still be worthwhile when the clouds open. The operator requires good weather and may cancel for poor conditions, offering another date or a full refund.

The two-and-a-half-hour return to Basecamp

After the viewpoint, you head down to the parking area. The descent normally takes about two and a half hours, which makes the return nearly as important as the climb.

Downhill walking is not automatically easy. Tired legs can make uneven ground feel harder, and wet conditions can add another concern. Use the rest stops. Eat from your packed lunch or snacks when needed, and adjust your clothing before discomfort becomes a problem.

The slower pace is a benefit here. You are not being pushed through a race. The guide allows time for rest, photographs, and changes to equipment. That makes the long return more practical for a mixed group with different levels of fitness.

Once you reach the parking area, you return by car. The day ends at the original meeting point, with the total activity taking about nine hours. Plan on a full day from early morning until late afternoon or later, depending on the group and road conditions.

Lunch, guides, and group size

Lunch comes from a historic Norwegian restaurant and is packed for the route. You should contact the operator with any dietary restrictions before the outing. This is a useful inclusion because stopping for a proper meal during a remote hike would be difficult and would add planning work.

The meal is practical rather than a separate restaurant visit. You carry it with you and eat during the day, likely around a rest stop or scenic pause. Bring snacks if you normally need extra food on long hikes, since the included lunch is not described in detail.

The maximum group size is eight people. That is small enough for the guide to notice when someone needs a break, and it suits a route where quiet is part of the appeal. A small group also makes canoe instructions and equipment handling less awkward than they would be with a large crowd.

The named guides connected with especially positive experiences are Stephan, Chris, and Allen. Their role matters on this route because navigation, pacing, safety, and encouragement are more important than on a straightforward marked walk. The guide is not just pointing out the next turn. The guide is helping the group handle a long day with changing conditions.

Is $212.61 a fair price?

At $212.61 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Preikestolen. You are paying for more than access to a hiking trail, though. The price covers guide service, pickup options from designated Stavanger locations, canoe equipment, the lake crossing, the packed lunch, and a small group capped at eight people.

The value depends on what you would otherwise arrange yourself. A standard hike may cost less and give you more control over timing, but it will not provide this canoe approach or the same guided route. Organizing transport, equipment, food, and route planning separately also takes time.

I think the price makes the most sense for you if avoiding the main crowd is a high priority. It also suits someone who wants a guide to manage the day rather than simply follow directions from a map. The value is weaker if you only want to reach the famous cliff quickly or if you are not interested in the canoe section.

The operator describes this as the only tour of its kind, but you should focus on the practical difference rather than the claim. You are buying a quieter approach and a more involved day, not a guaranteed private mountaintop. The cliff area itself can still be busy, even if the trail before it is quiet.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to hikers who are comfortable with a long, active day and who care about the route as much as the destination. It is a good match for people who enjoy quiet trails, small groups, scenic pauses, and a mixture of paddling and walking.

It may also suit you if you are visiting Stavanger without a car. Pickup is offered from several designated locations, and the return is included in the day’s plan.

I would be cautious about booking it for anyone with limited hiking fitness, a strong dislike of rain, or a need for a short and predictable outing. The tour requires moderate physical fitness, lasts about nine hours, and includes roughly five and a half hours of hiking time.

Service animals are allowed. Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and changes are not accepted within 24 hours. Since good weather is required, keep an eye on the operator’s instructions before setting out.

Should you book the hidden trail and canoe trip?

Book this tour if you want a quieter, more varied route to one of Norway’s most famous viewpoints. The canoe crossing, old trail, small group, packed lunch, and higher viewpoints give you more than the standard out-and-back walk.

Skip it if your priority is saving money, avoiding a demanding hike, or reaching Preikestolen by the simplest route. For the right hiker, though, the price buys a carefully organized day with real time outdoors, strong views of Lysefjorden, and a much better chance of enjoying the approach without a crowd around every bend.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed start point is Preikestolen Fjellstue, Preikestolvegen 521, 4105 Jørpeland, Norway.

Is pickup available from Stavanger?

Yes. Pickup is offered from several designated locations in Stavanger. The general pickup time is 7 AM, but you should check the pickup timetable for the exact time and location.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity takes approximately nine hours.

How long is the drive from Stavanger?

The drive to Preikestolen Basecamp takes about 45 minutes.

Is canoe equipment included?

Yes. Canoe equipment is provided, and the guide gives safety instructions before the crossing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A packed lunch from a historic Norwegian restaurant is included. Contact the operator before the trip with any dietary restrictions.

How long is the hike to Preikestolen?

The uphill hike takes approximately three hours. The return to the parking area normally takes about two and a half hours.

How fit do I need to be?

The tour requires a moderate physical fitness level. It is a long day with several hours of hiking, in addition to the canoe crossing.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.