Preikestolen Hidden Trail Hike + Lunch and Canoe Trip

The unusual part comes before Preikestolen itself: you paddle across Refsvatnet, then follow an old, little-used trail toward the famous cliff. The route avoids the busy main path, giving you a quieter day and several viewpoints above the fjord. I like the canoe crossing and the small maximum group of eight. The main drawback is clear: this is a demanding nine-hour day, not a gentle sightseeing walk.

I also like that the guides, including Stephan, Chris, and Allen, adjust the pace for the group and check how everyone is doing. The packed lunch from a historic Norwegian restaurant is a useful touch, especially on a full day outdoors. You should still be ready for rain, rough ground, and roughly 5.5 hours of hiking.

Key points

• Canoe across Refsvatnet: Begin with a paddle across the lake before setting foot on the quiet trail.
• An old route to Preikestolen: The path offers a less crowded approach than the standard trail.
• Views from above the famous cliff: The hike can take you higher than Preikestolen, giving you a view down toward the people at the main viewpoint.
• Small groups of up to eight: A compact group makes it easier for the guide to watch the pace and make adjustments.
• Lunch and equipment included: Canoe gear and a packed lunch are provided, with dietary restrictions handled if you contact the operator.
• A full, weather-dependent day: Allow about nine hours, start at 7 a.m., and understand that poor weather can lead to a change of date or full refund.

Why this route feels different from ordinary Preikestolen visits

Preikestolen, also called Pulpit Rock, is one of Norway’s best-known viewpoints. The cliff rises 604 meters above Lysefjorden, and the final view is famous for good reason. The unusual feature here is not simply reaching the cliff. It is the way you get there.

Instead of beginning with the standard walking route, you leave Preikestolen Basecamp and make your way to Refsvatnet. Your guide provides canoe instructions, explains the trail, and outlines the conditions you can expect. Then you paddle across the lake before joining an old trail on the far side.

That opening changes the mood of the day. You are not simply walking behind a long line of people from a car park to a viewpoint. You get a quiet stretch on the water, followed by a route intended to avoid the largest crowds. The description promises a trail without crowds even in summer, and the experience is clearly built around that point.

There is one important distinction. The route is quiet, but the destination is still Preikestolen. Once you reach the famous cliff, you may see plenty of people who arrived by the main trail. One of the best views can be from higher ground along the approach, looking toward the cliff and seeing the queue below. That contrast gives the hike much of its character.

The 7 a.m. start from Preikestolen Basecamp

The listed meeting point is Preikestolen Fjellstue, at Preikestolvegen 521 in Jørpeland. Pickup is offered from several designated locations in Stavanger, but the exact pickup time depends on your chosen stop. The general start time is 7 a.m.

An early departure matters here. The day includes transport, canoeing, about three hours of hiking to Preikestolen, time at the viewpoint, and about 2.5 hours back down. Starting early leaves room for rest stops, photos, clothing changes, and the slower pace that a mixed group may need.

After roughly 45 minutes by car, you reach Preikestolen Basecamp. The guide collects the packed lunch and canoe equipment, then leads the group down to Refsvatnet. This is a practical beginning, since you do not have to arrange a separate lunch or rent your own canoe.

The maximum group size is eight. That is a meaningful limit on a physically active outing. A guide can keep a closer eye on the group, answer questions, and make small changes when somebody needs to slow down. The guides named in the supplied information include Stephan, Chris, and Allen. Stephan is described as fun and encouraging, while Chris and Allen have completed the hike many times and are especially attentive to group comfort.

Paddling across Refsvatnet

At the lake, the guide gives a safety briefing and explains how to handle the canoe. You are also told what to expect from the trail and the day’s conditions before the group sets off.

The canoe crossing is not presented as a separate long expedition. It is the link between Basecamp and the old trail. That makes it a smart addition: you get a genuine change of pace without turning the day into a specialist paddling trip.

Still, you need to be comfortable taking part in a canoe activity. The available information does not give a distance, exact paddling time, or specific canoe type, so you should not expect a detailed water itinerary. The important point is that canoe equipment and instruction are included, and the guide stays with the group as you cross the lake.

Refsvatnet also gives you a calmer opening than an immediate uphill start. You can get settled, listen to the instructions, and enjoy the surroundings before the harder part begins. Once you land, the character of the day changes quickly from water outing to mountain hike.

Three hours on the old trail

The walk to Preikestolen takes about three hours. That time includes a pace that allows for clothing adjustments, equipment checks, rest, snacks, and photographs. It is not meant to be a race.

The word old matters. This is described as a forgotten route rather than the main tourist path, so you should expect a more rugged and less straightforward walk. The available details do not provide a formal trail grade or exact distance. The safest reading is that you need solid footwear, reasonable balance, and the ability to hike for several hours over uneven ground.

The route’s reward comes in stages. Instead of saving every view for the final cliff, you get changing outlooks along the way. The quiet trail is the point, but it also creates a stronger sense of being out in the Norwegian outdoors rather than moving through a standard attraction corridor.

The guide’s role is important on this section. You are not left to find the old route alone. Stephan, Chris, and Allen are described as having repeated experience on the hike, and the pacing is adjusted if someone is struggling. That does not make the walk easy, but it does make the experience more manageable for a group with different speeds.

You should read the moderate fitness requirement seriously. The total hiking time is around 5.5 hours, and the day lasts about nine hours once driving, canoeing, breaks, and time at the top are included. Anyone with a health concern should judge the outing against that commitment before booking.

Reaching the 604-meter cliff above Lysefjorden

After approximately three hours, you arrive at Preikestolen, 604 meters above Lysefjorden. The cliff face is sheer, and the open view across the fjord is the payoff for the long approach.

This is the part people picture when they hear Preikestolen. You have time to relax, take photographs, eat lunch, and enjoy the view before heading back down. The packed meal comes from a historic Norwegian restaurant, and you should contact the operator ahead of time with dietary restrictions.

The higher viewpoints along the route add another layer. One account of the outing describes reaching a point above Preikestolen, where you can look down toward the cliff and see people lining up for their photographs. That is a useful reason to choose this route beyond simply avoiding crowds. You see the famous rock from a different angle and gain a sense of its position above the fjord.

Conditions will shape this stop. In clear weather, the panorama should be the day’s central reward. In rain or low cloud, the view may be reduced, and the rocks and trail can feel more demanding. The experience requires good weather, and the operator may cancel for poor conditions, offering another date or a full refund.

Lunch, breaks, and the rhythm of the day

A packed lunch sounds like a small inclusion, but it matters on a long hike. You do not need to stop at a café or carry out a separate food plan. The scheduled pauses also give you time to adjust clothing, check equipment, snack, and take pictures.

The itinerary does not state exactly when or where lunch is served. It is sensible to expect the meal to fit around the hiking schedule rather than a fixed restaurant-style break. Bring water and any extra snacks you personally need, since the supplied information confirms the lunch but does not specify the portion, drinks, or additional food.

The slower rhythm is one of the tour’s strengths. You are given time to respond to the weather and to how the group feels. That is especially useful on a route that is physically harder than the standard sightseeing version of Preikestolen.

It also means the day can feel long. If you prefer a quick climb, a short photo stop, and a fast return, this outing may test your patience. It is designed for the whole experience, not just the final viewpoint.

The descent and return to Basecamp

After time at Preikestolen, the group starts back down. The return to the parking area normally takes about 2.5 hours, which is a substantial second half of the hike.

Downhill walking can be tiring in a different way from the ascent. Your legs may feel heavy, and uneven ground requires attention even when the main climb is over. The guide’s willingness to adjust the pace becomes useful again here.

The tour ends back at the meeting point at Preikestolen Fjellstue. From there, the group returns by car if pickup and transport were arranged through the activity. The published duration is approximately nine hours, so plan to keep the rest of the day light.

Do not book this as a tight connection to an evening activity unless you have a large time cushion. The schedule includes outdoor conditions, group pacing, and a long descent. Those are exactly the things that make the day enjoyable, but they can also make the finish less predictable than a short city tour.

Is $212.61 a fair price?

At $212.61 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Preikestolen. The value depends on what you would otherwise have to arrange yourself.

The price includes pickup options, a guide, canoe equipment, canoe instruction, the canoe crossing, the less-used hiking route, and a packed lunch. You are also paying for a maximum group of eight, route knowledge, and support during a physically demanding day.

A self-guided visit may cost less, especially if you already have transport, food, and outdoor equipment. But it would not provide this particular canoe approach or the same help on the old trail. You would also be responsible for judging the route, handling the canoe arrangements, and managing the day’s timing.

I see the strongest value for someone who wants a special approach to Preikestolen and prefers not to organize several moving parts. The price is harder to justify if your only goal is to stand on the famous cliff as quickly and cheaply as possible.

The small group helps. With only eight places, the guide can notice when somebody is tired or uncomfortable. The experience is still active and demanding, but it is not a large coach outing where everyone must follow a rigid pace.

Who should book this hike?

I would choose this for a fit visitor who wants more than the standard viewpoint and likes a full outdoor day. It suits people who enjoy quiet trails, changing scenery, and a bit of variety in the form of a lake crossing.

It is also a good match if crowds are a major concern. The route is specifically intended to avoid the busy main path, even though the final Preikestolen viewpoint itself may be busy. The chance to see the cliff from above and watch the main-route queue below is a memorable detail.

You should think twice if you dislike canoeing, long hikes, wet weather, or uncertain mountain conditions. The activity requires moderate physical fitness, and the route’s quiet character likely comes with rougher footing than a straightforward paved attraction.

Service animals are allowed. Confirmation is received at booking, and dietary restrictions can be provided to the operator in advance. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund.

Should you book the Preikestolen Hidden Trail Hike?

Book it if you want the most distinctive version of a Preikestolen day: a canoe crossing, a quieter old trail, a small group, and time to see Lysefjorden from several angles. The guides’ repeated experience and attention to tired group members add real value on a demanding route.

Skip it if you want an easy walk, a flexible start, or the lowest possible price. This is a long day with a 7 a.m. start, about 5.5 hours of hiking, and a weather condition attached to the booking.

For the right person, the canoe and the quiet approach make the famous cliff feel less like a single crowded photo stop and more like a complete Norwegian outdoor outing.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

The listed meeting 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 a.m., but you need to check the pickup timetable for the exact location.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts approximately nine hours.

How long is the hike to Preikestolen?

The hike to Preikestolen takes approximately three hours.

How long does the return hike take?

The return walk to the parking area normally takes about 2.5 hours.

Is canoeing included?

Yes. The activity includes a canoe trip across Refsvatnet, canoe equipment, and instructions from the guide.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A packed lunch from a historic Norwegian restaurant is included. You should contact the operator with any dietary restrictions.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is eight people.

What level of fitness is required?

The activity requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You should be prepared for about 5.5 hours of hiking, including the route to Preikestolen and the return.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.