Stavanger: Preikestolen Hidden Trail Hike + Canoe + Lunch

Skip the busy route to Pulpit Rock. This nine-hour outing combines a peaceful canoe crossing, a demanding mountain hike, and viewpoints most people never see. I like the crowd-free trail and the chance to start the day on Revsvatnet, Norway’s calm mountain lake, rather than on a packed walking path. I also like the small group size, capped at eight, which gives the guide room to adjust the pace and help with rocky sections. The main drawback is clear: this is not a gentle stroll. You need hiking experience, steady fitness, and a reasonable head for heights.

You paddle to the start of an old trail, hike for about three and a half hours, stop for a packed lunch, and reach Preikestolen, the 604-meter-high cliff above Lysefjorden. The route back takes around two and a half hours, with only the final part joining the usual path. Guides such as Allan, Erlend, Line, and Stefan are praised for calm safety advice, local knowledge, and encouragement, but the terrain still demands effort from you.

Key points at a glance

• A canoe crossing starts the adventure: You paddle across Revsvatnet for about an hour before reaching the quieter trailhead.
• The route avoids most crowds: The old path is used by very few people, even during the summer season.
• Expect real mountain walking: Rocky ground, uphill sections, scrambling, and a trail that can be hard on your knees are all part of the day.
• Lunch comes from Villa Rosehagen: A packed meal, snack, and hot berry juice are included, with dietary restrictions handled if you provide notice.
• The guide makes the difference: Safety help, trail-finding, rest breaks, and small details about plants, birds, and Norwegian culture add real value.
• The price reflects the logistics: At $273 per person, transport, canoe gear, guiding, equipment, food, and a very small group are bundled together.

Why this route feels different from ordinary Preikestolen

Preikestolen is one of Norway’s most famous sights, and fame brings people. The regular route can feel more like a queue than a mountain walk during popular hours. This experience takes a different approach. You reach the mountain by canoe, then follow a forgotten trail that was rediscovered by a local guide.

That choice changes the mood of the day. Instead of starting amid a large flow of hikers, you begin quietly on Revsvatnet. The reviews describe paddling across the lake with no one else in sight, an unusually peaceful opening for such a famous attraction.

The trail is not simply a shortcut. It is a more rugged route through several types of mountain terrain. You may need to use your hands on rocky sections, and the guide will choose the safest way through depending on conditions and the group. This is one reason the tour suits active hikers better than first-time walkers.

The reward comes before you even reach the famous cliff. One guide, Erlend, takes groups to viewpoints with broad views along Lysefjorden, sometimes with a clearer view than the crowded platform at Preikestolen itself. You still reach the famous rock, but the quiet route and the views along the way may become the strongest part of your day.

From Stavanger pickup to Revsvatnet

Pickup is available from a long list of locations in Stavanger and nearby Jørpeland. These include St. Petri kirke, Victoria Hotel, Clarion Hotel Stavanger, Scandic Stavanger City, Thon Hotel Maritim, Stavanger Bed & Breakfast, Preikestolen Fjellstue, and several others.

The exact pickup time depends on your chosen location, so check carefully rather than assuming every stop follows the same schedule. The vehicle is clearly marked, and the guide knows who is expected at each stop. Transport is included both ways, which matters because the trailhead is outside Stavanger and the day ends after a tiring hike.

The first drive takes about 30 minutes. You then stop at Villa Rosehagen, a historic restaurant, to collect the packed lunches. Tell the operator about dietary restrictions ahead of time. This is not the moment to hope a suitable meal will appear by accident.

After another 20-minute drive, you reach Preikestolen Basecamp. Restrooms are available here, so use them before setting off. You collect life vests and canoe paddles, then walk down to Revsvatnet. The guide gives instructions on canoe safety, explains the trail, and talks through the expected conditions.

One quiet hour on the canoe

The canoe crossing lasts about an hour and gives you a gentle start before the harder walking begins. You do not need previous canoe experience. Several people describe this as their first time in a canoe, and the guides helped them feel safe, including one guest who could not swim.

That said, a life vest is provided and safety instructions matter. The canoe is part of the route, not just a decorative extra. You must be comfortable sitting in a canoe and paddling across a lake under the guide’s direction.

The crossing also creates a useful pause. You can settle into the day, look around, and enjoy the quiet before the steep and rocky sections begin. The trip is described as canoeing rather than kayaking, so expect a traditional paddle-and-canoe setup.

When the group reaches the far shore, the walking begins on the old trail. This is where the tour becomes much more physical.

Three and a half hours on the old trail

The uphill walk takes about three and a half hours, including rests, photo stops, clothing adjustments, and lunch. The guides do not simply push everyone toward the summit. They keep an eye on the group, allow breaks, and help you manage the equipment and changing conditions.

The surface varies. You may walk through rough mountain ground, negotiate rocks, and scramble in places. The trail can be demanding on your knees, especially on the descent. Hiking poles are available from the guide if needed, which could be useful for balance and for taking pressure off your legs.

The pace is intended to be manageable, but manageable does not mean easy. The tour information recommends previous hiking experience. If this is your first hike, you should only consider it if you are active and complete at least one good cardio workout each week.

The reviews give a useful picture of the right fitness level. Strong hikers call the route moderate or challenging, while others stress that it is not suitable for beginners. The safest interpretation is simple: you do not need to be an expert mountaineer, but you should be comfortable with a long day, sustained uphill walking, uneven ground, and a few climbing moves.

A fear of heights also deserves honest thought. The route includes high mountain viewpoints and rocky terrain. If exposure makes you freeze, this is probably not the right way to reach Preikestolen.

Lunch, hot berry juice, and better viewpoints

The included lunch comes from Villa Rosehagen, and you eat it during the hike. A small snack and a serving of hot berry juice are also provided. The hot drink sounds especially welcome after several hours outside, particularly in cooler or wet conditions.

Lunch is more than a saving on food. It means you do not need to carry a full day’s meal, and the guide can choose a sensible rest point with time to enjoy the view. Bring your own water, since hydration is important during a long hike and the supplied information specifically advises you to keep hydrated.

One of the route’s best features is that you may stop at viewpoints before reaching Preikestolen. The cliff itself is famous, but the view from it can be partly obstructed depending on where you stand and how crowded the platform is. Along the hidden route, guides can take you to open viewpoints above the fjord with fewer people and less visual clutter.

That is a major value of this experience. You are not paying only to arrive at a famous rock and take the standard photograph. You are paying for access to a route and viewpoints that would be very difficult to find without a local guide.

Arriving at the 604-meter cliff

After the long approach, you reach Preikestolen, the flat-topped rock rising 604 meters above Lysefjorden. This is the dramatic finish most people have in mind when they book a hike here: a sheer drop, a broad fjord below, and a huge sense of height.

You have time to rest and enjoy the view before heading back. The guides can help with photographs, and Stefan is specifically praised for offering to take pictures during the more difficult sections. Photography is not formally included as a package, so ask the operator if you want a dedicated photography service.

The cliff may be crowded once you arrive, even if the rest of your route has been nearly empty. This is an important expectation to set. The tour reduces crowd exposure by using a quiet approach, but it cannot make Preikestolen itself private.

Some people may decide that the final crowded platform is less impressive than the open viewpoints reached earlier. That is not a failure of the tour. It is part of visiting one of Norway’s most popular natural sights. You get the famous destination, plus a more personal route to reach it.

The two-and-a-half-hour return

The walk down to the parking area takes about two and a half hours. Descending is often harder than expected. Loose or uneven rocks can test your knees, and fatigue can make simple steps less stable.

This is where a small group and attentive guide help. Allan is praised for making people feel included, while Line is described as patient and encouraging. Erlend adds natural details, such as bird calls and edible plants, and shares pieces of Norwegian culture along the way. These touches can make the return feel less like a long slog.

A dog sometimes joins the guide, including Erlend’s Border Collie. That is not guaranteed, so do not book the tour specifically for a canine companion. If the dog is present, it may add a friendly touch, but the guide and route remain the main attraction.

The final part joins the standard path, and you may meet more people there. Most of the secluded feeling has already come from the old trail, canoe approach, and quiet viewpoints.

At the end, you return to the vehicle and are driven back to Stavanger or an agreed drop-off location along the route. Expect to feel tired. This is a full outdoor day, not a quick sightseeing stop.

What $273 includes, and what it does not

The $273 price is high compared with simply taking transport to the normal Preikestolen trail. The comparison is not quite fair, though, because this is a small-group guided outing with a special route and canoe crossing.

Your fee includes:

• Transport from Stavanger or a location along the route
• A local guide for the full day
• Canoe use and life vest
• Seasonal technical equipment
• Packed lunch from Villa Rosehagen
• A snack and hot berry juice
• No cancellation due to a low number of hikers

The group limit is eight people. That is important. On a difficult route, a guide can give better attention to a group of eight than to a busload of people. There is also no minimum group requirement, so the tour is not cancelled simply because demand is low.

You must arrange or rent some personal gear separately. The operator can advise about a small backpack, warm hat and gloves, rainproof jacket, water-resistant trousers, and hiking boots. Jeans and high-heeled shoes are not allowed, and for good reason. Wear proper outdoor clothing and shoes that can handle wet, uneven ground.

At this price, the value is strongest if you care about avoiding crowds and want a guide-led route that would be hard to locate alone. If you only want the quickest or cheapest way to see Preikestolen, this is not the best fit.

Who should book this hike?

I would recommend it to an active adult who wants more than the standard photo stop. You should be comfortable with:

• A nine-hour day
• About three and a half hours of uphill walking
• About two and a half hours descending
• Uneven rocks and some scrambling
• A canoe crossing
• High viewpoints and exposure
• Changeable outdoor conditions

The activity is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people under 100 centimeters tall, or children under 15 kilograms. Those limits are useful, but fitness is the bigger question for most adults.

You do not need to know how to canoe before joining. You do need to listen to the guide and take the water portion seriously. If you have never hiked for several hours, choose the regular Preikestolen route or another easier outing instead.

Practical booking advice for Stavanger

Check the pickup location and time carefully. There are many options, but different stops have different pickup times. The operator provides a current timetable and asks you to contact them if you need the exact time for your location.

The tour is offered in Norwegian and English. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Stavanger plans are still moving around.

Tell the operator about dietary restrictions before the day. Pack water, dress in layers, and bring rain protection even if the forecast looks kind. The supplied food is helpful, but you still need to prepare for a long mountain day.

Should you book the hidden trail?

Book it if the idea of reaching Preikestolen by canoe and a quiet, rough trail sounds better than following the usual crowd. The strongest parts are the peaceful start on Revsvatnet, the secluded approach, the extra fjord viewpoints, and guides such as Allan, Erlend, Line, and Stefan, who are praised for safety, patience, humor, and local insight.

Skip it if you want an easy walk, dislike heights, or prefer to control your own pace. At $273, the tour is a splurge, but it includes transport, food, equipment, a maximum of eight participants, and access to a route you are unlikely to find alone. For a fit hiker who values quiet scenery over the cheapest possible visit, I think the price is justified.

FAQ

How long does the Preikestolen hidden trail tour last?

The experience lasts about nine hours. This includes transport, roughly one hour of canoeing, about three and a half hours hiking to Preikestolen, time for lunch and rest, and about two and a half hours walking back.

Is canoeing included?

Yes. Canoeing across Revsvatnet is included, along with use of a life vest and canoe paddle. The guide gives safety instructions before you set off.

Do I need previous canoeing experience?

Previous canoe experience is not stated as a requirement. The guide provides instructions, and the tour can accommodate a first canoe experience. You still need to follow the safety guidance.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A packed lunch from Villa Rosehagen is included, along with a small snack and hot berry juice. You should provide dietary restrictions in advance.

How difficult is the hike?

The hike is suitable for people with hiking experience. It includes uphill walking, rocky terrain, some scrambling, and a descent that may be hard on your knees. First-time hikers should only book if they are active and have regular cardio fitness.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Children under eight are not allowed. The tour is also unsuitable for children under 100 centimeters tall or under 15 kilograms.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The tour also offers reserve now and pay later booking.