Stavanger: Preikestolen Hidden Trail Hike + Canoe + Lunch

Preikestolen is one of Norway’s most popular sights, but this trip reaches it by canoe and a little-used mountain trail instead of sending you straight into the usual foot traffic. You paddle across Revsvatnet, climb through rough terrain, and arrive at the 604-meter-high rock above Lysefjorden after about 3.5 hours on foot.

I like the small groups of up to eight and the patient local guiding. I also like the extra viewpoints along the way, including places where you can see the fjord with fewer obstructions than from the rock itself. The tradeoff is real: this is not a gentle walk, and scrambling, steep ground, and a long descent demand decent fitness.

Key points to know before booking

• Canoe access: Begin with about an hour on Revsvatnet before reaching the quiet trailhead.
• A tougher route: Allow 3.5 hours to climb and 2.5 hours to return, with rocky scrambling along the way.
• Small local groups: The maximum is eight people, and the trip runs without a minimum number of hikers.
• A proper lunch stop: Your packed meal comes from Villa Rosehagen, a historical Norwegian restaurant.
• Guides who add more than directions: Allan, Erlend, Line, and Stefan are among the guides praised for safety, encouragement, nature knowledge, and good company.
• Crowds mostly arrive late: You may have the hidden route largely to yourself, but the final Preikestolen area can still be busy.

Why this Preikestolen route feels different

The standard walk to Preikestolen is famous for a reason, but fame brings people. In summer, the main trail can feel more like a shared procession than a quiet mountain outing. This alternative route changes the rhythm from the start.

You first cross Revsvatnet by canoe, wearing a life vest and carrying a paddle. The lake gives you a calm opening before the physical work begins. It is also a useful way to meet your group and hear the guide’s safety briefing, trail notes, and advice about clothing.

Once on shore, you follow an old trail that is not signposted like the main approach. It was rediscovered by a local pioneering guide, and the route remains much less used. That matters most if you want time to hear birds, stop for photographs, adjust your layers, or simply walk without a steady stream of people around you.

The quiet does not mean easy. You cross rough ground, climb steadily, and tackle sections that require scrambling with your hands. If you have a severe fear of heights, this is a poor match. The route is best for an experienced hiker, or for an active person who gets at least one good cardio workout each week and understands that this will be a full-day effort.

From Stavanger to Revsvatnet

The day begins with pickup at one of several locations in Stavanger, including St. Petri Church, Victoria Hotel, Clarion Hotel Stavanger, Scandic Stavanger City, Thon Hotel Maritim, and Stavanger Bed & Breakfast. Pickup times vary by location, so you need to confirm the time for your chosen stop rather than assume every collection happens together.

The drive takes you toward Preikestolen. After roughly 30 minutes, the group stops at Villa Rosehagen to collect the packed lunches. This is a thoughtful touch. You are not relying on a snack bought at the trailhead, and the meal comes from an authentic local restaurant rather than being an afterthought in a plastic wrapper.

Tell the operator about dietary restrictions in advance. That is especially important here because the lunch is arranged before the hike begins. You should also bring enough water for a long active day, along with small personal snacks if you know you eat often on mountain walks. A snack and hot berry juice are included, but they are not a substitute for your own water and energy planning.

After another roughly 20 minutes in the vehicle, you reach Preikestolen Basecamp. Restrooms are available there, so use them before the canoe section. The group collects life vests and paddles, then walks down to the beach at Revsvatnet.

An hour of canoeing before the climb

The canoe crossing is more than a novelty. It keeps the group off the standard approach for a while and gives you a peaceful start beside the mountain. For first-time canoeists, the guide provides instructions and stays involved in the process.

You do not need to arrive as an expert paddler, but you should be comfortable following directions and working with the rest of your canoe group. One person specifically noted that they did not know how to swim and still felt well cared for by the guide, but that does not remove the need to take the water safety briefing seriously.

The included life vest is seasonal technical equipment. Ask about available gear if you need more help with clothing or footwear, since small backpacks, warm hats and gloves, rainproof jackets, water-resistant trousers, and hiking boots are not automatically included. Jeans and high-heeled shoes are not allowed, and both would be poor choices for this route anyway.

The canoe section lasts about one hour. Conditions can affect how relaxed or demanding it feels, so keep your expectations practical. It is a gentle introduction when the lake is calm, but it is still an outdoor activity, not a scenic boat ride with someone else doing the work.

Three and a half hours on the old trail

After landing, the guide sets the pace. The stated hiking time to Preikestolen is about 3.5 hours, but this includes time to rest, take photographs, eat, adjust clothing, and deal with the route’s more awkward sections. The aim is not to race uphill.

That slower pace is one of the strongest reasons to book a guided trip. The guide can point out safe lines through rocky sections, help you judge where to place your feet, and decide when the group needs a break. Stefan was praised for looking after people during the harder parts, while Line was described as patient and encouraging. Allan and Erlend were singled out for making the group feel included and for sharing details about local plants, birds, and Norwegian culture.

The trail passes through several types of mountain terrain. You may walk on rough paths, cross rocky areas, and use your hands for short scrambling sections. The route rewards a steady stride, but it does not reward trying to prove how fast you can go.

Wear proper hiking boots with good grip. Bring a small backpack with water, spare layers, and rain protection. Weather in the mountains can change your comfort quickly, and the equipment list makes clear that rain clothing and warm accessories may need to be rented, purchased, or brought from home.

Views that can beat the famous platform

The headline destination is Preikestolen, but the route’s own viewpoints may be just as important. One guide-led outing reached a high point with an open view along Lysefjorden, and the group found the view less obstructed than the one directly from the rock. That is a useful detail for photographers and for anyone who dislikes standing in a crowded queue for one familiar angle.

You should not think of this as a shortcut to avoid all people. The quiet trail is the main attraction, but once you approach the standard Preikestolen area, you can meet other hikers. The final rock is an internationally known sight, so some crowding is possible even after a peaceful ascent.

Still, the contrast is likely to be sharp. You may spend most of the climb seeing no one else, then reach the famous viewpoint and find it much busier. That makes the earlier solitude feel valuable rather than disappointing. You get both the lesser-known mountain experience and the iconic photograph, provided you are willing to share the final stop.

Preikestolen rises 604 meters above Lysefjorden. The cliff and fjord view are the reward for the long climb, but the guide may choose how much time the group spends at the top based on conditions, schedule, and the needs of the group. This is a guided day in the mountains, not an unlimited private stay at the rock.

Lunch with a fjord view

At some point on the ascent, the group stops for the packed lunch from Villa Rosehagen. The timing may vary with the pace and conditions, but the meal is built into the day rather than squeezed in after the hike.

I like this arrangement because it gives you a reason to stop before reaching the final goal. You can sit, eat, take in the fjord, and let your legs recover instead of treating lunch as something to consume while walking. The included hot berry juice is another small but welcome comfort in cool weather.

Because the lunch is packed in advance, share dietary restrictions before departure. The operator specifically asks for advance notice. If you have a large appetite after strenuous exercise, bring extra snacks rather than expecting the included meal to cover every calorie you will use.

The descent is where fitness matters

The return to the parking area normally takes about 2.5 hours. Going downhill can sound easier than climbing, but rough rocks and steep sections may be harder on your knees. One useful feature is that the guide can provide extra hiking poles if needed.

Do not schedule an important evening commitment immediately after the advertised nine-hour duration. Pickup, canoeing, rest stops, the ascent, time at Preikestolen, and the descent all have to fit into the day, and mountain conditions can affect the pace. You finish at the parking area, then ride back toward Stavanger for drop-off at one of the listed locations.

You can return to places such as Eilert Smith Hotel, Clarion Collection Hotel Skagen Brygge, St. Svithun Hotell, or Preikestolen Fjellstue. As with pickup, the exact timing depends on the location and the day’s progress.

Guides, group size, and the human side

A maximum of eight participants is a major advantage on a trail that requires occasional hands-on help and careful pacing. A large group would make the canoe section less personal and could create bottlenecks on the rougher parts of the route.

The guide is central to the value of this trip. Allan has been praised for safety and for sharing information about foraging, birds, and Norwegian culture. Erlend has been noted for identifying bird songs, edible plants, and local stories, and sometimes a guide’s dog may join the outing. Stefan has helped hikers through challenging sections and taken photographs, while Line has been praised for her patient, encouraging manner.

Guide assignments can vary, so you should not book on the assumption that one particular person will lead your date. What you can reasonably expect is a Norwegian or English-speaking local guide with experience in the area and responsibility for the route, canoeing, and group safety.

There is also no minimum number of hikers. That means the operator does not cancel simply because only a few people book. For a route built around quiet access, a small turnout can actually make the day feel more personal.

Is $273 a fair price?

At $273 per person, this is not a budget hike. The price makes more sense when you add up what you would otherwise need to arrange: transport from Stavanger, a full-day guide, the canoe crossing, life vest use, the packed lunch, a snack, hot berry juice, and seasonal technical equipment.

You are also paying for access to a route that is difficult to locate independently. The main Preikestolen trail is easy to find, but this old trail is precisely valuable because it is not the normal public route. The guide’s route knowledge and judgment are part of the product, not a minor extra.

The value is strongest for someone who places a high price on quiet, local interpretation, and a carefully managed adventure. If your only goal is to reach the famous rock as cheaply as possible, the standard route will likely be a better fit. If you want a full day with water, mountain terrain, lunch, and a small group, the cost is easier to justify.

Photography is not included as a package, though you can ask the operator about it. Guides may help with personal pictures, but do not assume a dedicated photographer is part of the standard price.

Who should book this hike?

I would choose this trip if you:

• Already hike regularly or have solid cardio fitness.
• Want a quieter alternative to the standard Preikestolen route.
• Enjoy a mix of canoeing, walking, and short scrambling.
• Prefer a group of eight or fewer.
• Value a local guide who can talk about plants, birds, culture, and mountain safety.
• Are comfortable with a nine-hour day and a tiring descent.

I would skip it if you want a simple, level walk, dislike heights, or have never exercised and are hoping the guide will make a demanding trail easy. It is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people under 100 centimeters tall, or children under 15 kilograms.

The route may also be a poor fit if you need a fully predictable surface. Rocky terrain, changing conditions, and a long downhill section are part of the experience. Good clothing and hiking footwear matter more here than they would on a short sightseeing walk.

Booking details worth checking

The activity lasts about nine hours, but starting times vary. Confirm your pickup time and location before the day, especially if you are staying in Stavanger and choosing one of the many hotel stops.

Live guiding is available in Norwegian and English. Transport is included from Stavanger or from a location along the road toward the parking area. The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option, which is useful when your plans are still moving.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 46 reviews, with especially strong praise for the guides, crowd-free trail, canoe opening, and safety support. Those strengths are credible reasons to consider it, but they do not change the physical demands. Plan for a proper mountain day, not a casual excursion.

Should you book it?

Book this Preikestolen trip if the standard crowded route sounds like the least appealing part of the famous sight. The canoe crossing, quiet trail, extra fjord viewpoints, local lunch, and small group create a fuller experience than simply walking up and taking a photograph.

Do not book it just because you want an easier way to Pulpit Rock. You will hike for roughly six hours in total, scramble over rocky ground, and return on tired legs. For fit hikers who want solitude and a guide-led adventure, $273 is a reasonable price for the amount of transport, food, equipment, and route support included.

FAQ

How long does the Preikestolen hidden trail tour last?

The activity lasts about nine hours. The hike takes approximately 3.5 hours up and 2.5 hours down, with about one hour of canoeing and time for lunch, breaks, and the viewpoint.

Is transport from Stavanger included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included at designated locations in Stavanger and along the route toward the parking area.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to eight participants. There is no minimum number of hikers, so the operator does not cancel because of low turnout.

Do I need hiking experience?

The hike is intended for people with hiking experience. First-time hikers should book only if they are active and complete at least one good cardio workout each week.

Is the canoe ride suitable for beginners?

The tour includes canoe instruction and life vests. The canoe section lasts about one hour, but you still need to follow the guide’s safety directions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A packed lunch from Villa Rosehagen, a snack, and hot berry juice are included. Dietary restrictions should be provided in advance.

What clothing and footwear should I bring?

Jeans and high-heeled shoes are not allowed. Hiking boots, rainproof clothing, water-resistant trousers, warm hat and gloves, and a small backpack are recommended. Some of these items may be available to rent or buy through the operator.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people under 100 centimeters tall, or children under 15 kilograms. It is also a poor choice for anyone with a severe fear of heights.