Stavanger: Preikestolen Hidden Trail Hike + Canoe + Lunch

Quiet routes make famous places feel new. This 9-hour Preikestolen outing combines a peaceful canoe crossing with a demanding mountain hike on a little-used trail. I like the small groups of no more than eight and the guides’ careful, friendly approach, especially during the rocky sections.

I also like the packed lunch from Villa Rosehagen, the hot berry juice, and the time built in for rests and photos. The main caution is simple: this is not a gentle walk. Scrambling, steep ground, and a total hiking time of about six hours mean you should already be active and comfortable outdoors.

Key points at a glance

• A quiet start on Revsvatnet: Paddle for about an hour before reaching the old trail.
• A route most visitors never see: The path stays quiet until the final approach to Preikestolen.
• Small groups matter: With a maximum of eight people, the guide can watch your footing and adjust the pace.
• The best views may come before Pulpit Rock: One high viewpoint can offer a clearer view of Lysefjorden than the crowded rock itself.
• Food is part of the experience: Your packed lunch comes from Villa Rosehagen, a historic local restaurant.
• Fit hikers only: Expect rocky ground, uphill work, some climbing, and a knee-heavy descent.

Why this Preikestolen trip feels different

Preikestolen, also called Pulpit Rock, is one of Norway’s most famous viewpoints. The standard path is popular for good reason, but fame brings crowds, especially in summer. This trip takes a different approach. You begin by canoeing across Revsvatnet, then follow an old trail that sees very few people.

That change matters more than it may sound. Instead of starting among a large stream of walkers, you spend the first part of the day with water, trees, rock, and mountain silence. The canoe ride is not a token extra squeezed into the schedule. It is the gateway to the quieter route.

I especially like that the experience does not promise total solitude at the main attraction. You may have the hidden trail mostly to yourself, but Preikestolen itself can still be busy. One especially useful point from the route is that the scenery before the famous rock may be even better in places, with open views across Lysefjorden and fewer people in front of your camera.

The tour earns a 4.9 rating from 46 reviews, and the praise is remarkably consistent: quiet scenery, safe guiding, the unusual canoe start, and guides who make the day personal. Names that come up include Erlend, Allan, Line, Stefan, and Alan. That variety suggests the company has several strong guides rather than relying on one star employee.

Pickup in Stavanger and the ride to the trailhead

The day begins with pickup at one of several points in Stavanger or along the route. Options include St. Petri kirke, Victoria Hotel, Clarion Hotel Stavanger, Scandic Stavanger City, Thon Hotel Maritim, Stavanger Bed & Breakfast, and other listed hotels in Stavanger and Jørpeland.

The vehicle is marked, but pickup times differ by location. You should contact the operator for your exact time and check that you have selected the correct pickup table. This is a small detail, but it prevents the classic holiday mistake of waiting at the right hotel at the wrong hour.

The first drive takes about 30 minutes. The group then stops at Villa Rosehagen to collect the packed lunches. This gives the meal a local connection rather than making it feel like a standard packaged tour sandwich. Tell the operator about dietary restrictions in advance, since the lunch is included but special arrangements need notice.

After another 20-minute drive, you reach Preikestolen Basecamp. Restrooms are available here, so use them before the canoe and hike begin. You collect life vests and paddles, then walk down to Revsvatnet.

Canoeing across Revsvatnet

The canoe ride lasts about an hour and offers a calm opening to a strenuous day. Your guide gives instructions on safe paddling, explains the trail, and talks through expected conditions before you set off. If you have never canoed before, that briefing should help you get started without turning the first few minutes into a comedy of crossed paddles.

One review described a first canoe trip that felt safe and enjoyable, even for someone who could not swim. That does not remove the need to take the activity seriously, but it highlights the value of the life vests and close guide support. You should still be comfortable getting into a canoe and paddling on the lake.

The water crossing also helps spread out the day. You are not thrown straight into an uphill climb after leaving the vehicle. Instead, you get time to settle into the group, look around, and enjoy a quieter part of the area before the physical work begins.

The canoe is shared equipment, and the group is small. That makes this feel more like a guided outdoor outing than a large transport operation. Still, the paddle is part of the physical demand. Save some energy for the hike, especially if canoeing is new to you.

The old trail and its rocky challenges

After reaching shore, you begin along an old, little-used trail. The path passes through several types of mountain scenery and includes rocky sections where you need to use your hands as well as your feet. This is the part that separates the tour from a standard sightseeing walk.

The pace is not described as a race. There is time to adjust clothing and equipment, stop for snacks, rest, and take pictures. That sounds generous, but you still need a decent base of fitness. The full uphill section takes about 3.5 hours, and the return takes another 2.5 hours.

I would rate this as a serious day hike rather than an easy or moderate tourist stroll. People with regular hiking experience should find the guide support useful, but you need to be ready for uneven ground and uphill effort. If this is your first hike, the operator advises booking only if you are active and complete about one good cardio workout each week.

The route can also be hard on your knees. Hiking poles are available from the guide if needed, according to one account, and they may be especially useful on the way down. Wear proper hiking boots, not casual sneakers. The tour does not allow jeans or high-heeled shoes, and those rules make sense once you consider the rock and changing conditions.

Guides who make the hard parts manageable

The strongest feature here is the guide service. The guides are local, trained, and experienced, but the more important point is how they use that experience. They watch the group during difficult sections, explain where to place your feet, and keep the pace human.

Stefan was praised for helping with challenging parts and taking photographs. Allan was described as warm and attentive, including during the canoe section. Line was noted for being patient, encouraging, and good at giving each person in the group attention without filling every quiet moment with talk.

Erlend added another layer to the outing by pointing out bird calls, edible plants, and Norwegian customs. That turns the walk into more than a route between two viewpoints. You get small details about the place that you would likely miss while concentrating on your boots.

Some departures may include a guide’s dog. One Border Collie received its own affectionate praise, but a dog is not guaranteed as part of the tour. You should book for the route and guiding, not for canine company.

A group of up to eight is a sensible size for this terrain. It keeps the outing social without creating a long line on the trail. It also lets the guide respond to different abilities. No minimum number of hikers is required, so the tour is not cancelled simply because bookings are light.

Lunch, snacks, and the best viewpoint before the rock

The packed lunch arrives from Villa Rosehagen, and you eat it during the hike at a suitable rest point. The exact menu is not specified, so contact the operator about dietary needs before the day. Bring water as well. The included snack and hot berry juice are welcome, but they are not a substitute for your own hydration and extra trail calories.

The lunch stop is one of the day’s smart design choices. After several hours of walking, a proper break gives you a chance to eat, change layers, and enjoy the view without rushing. One route account describes a high point with an unobstructed view over the fjord that was used as the lunch spot. From there, the view could be better than the one from Pulpit Rock itself.

That is an important distinction. Preikestolen is the famous goal, but famous does not always mean best in every direction. The hidden route gives you a chance to appreciate the rock from above and around it, rather than seeing only the standard photo angle.

You also get time for the hot berry juice, a small but fitting Norwegian touch. It is the kind of comfort that matters more after a hard climb than it would at the start of the day.

Reaching Preikestolen at 604 meters

After roughly 3.5 hours of hiking, you reach Preikestolen, a sheer cliff 604 meters above Lysefjorden. The final reward is a broad fjord view and the famous flat-topped rock formation.

You should expect other people here. The secret trail is quiet, but the main attraction is not guaranteed to be. One useful account described meeting people only after reaching Pulpit Rock, then finding the rock itself crowded. That person preferred the earlier viewpoint and did not feel the need to squeeze onto the rock for another photograph.

Your guide will help you make the most of the stop, but you still need to use good judgment near the cliff. If heights make you seriously uncomfortable, this may not be the right hike. The route includes exposed-feeling rocky terrain, and the destination is a sheer cliff above the fjord.

Take your time here. The tour allows a period to relax and enjoy the scenery before turning back. The best memory may be the contrast between the quiet route and the busy final meeting point.

The 2.5-hour descent and the return to Stavanger

The way down normally takes about 2.5 hours. Do not treat the return as an easy afterthought. Descending uneven rock can be tiring, and the route may feel heavier on your knees than it did on the way up.

This is where proper clothing and footwear pay off. The operator can provide seasonal technical equipment, but personal gear such as a small backpack, warm hat and gloves, rainproof jacket, water-resistant trousers, and hiking boots may need to be rented or purchased separately. Ask about rental options before the day if you lack any of these items.

Once back at the parking area, you return to the vehicle for the drive to Stavanger. The listed drop-offs include many of the same hotels and city locations used for pickup. The total experience lasts about nine hours, so leave the evening open. You may be tired, especially after the paddle and long descent.

Is $273 a fair price?

At $273 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Preikestolen. The price includes transport from Stavanger, a local guide for the day, canoe use, life vests and seasonal technical equipment, a snack, hot berry juice, and a packed lunch.

You are paying for access to a route that is difficult to find without local help, not simply for a ride to the standard trailhead. The small group size also matters. A guide leading eight people through rocky ground can offer a more personal and safer experience than a large coach-based outing.

The value depends on your goal. If you only want a straightforward walk to the classic viewpoint, you can find simpler options at a lower cost. If you want quiet mountain time, a canoe crossing, guiding, transport, and food in one long day, the package is easier to justify.

Photography is not included, though you can ask about a separate photography package. That may matter if professional images are important to you. Otherwise, guides may help take personal photos when conditions and time allow.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. The activity is offered in Norwegian and English.

Who should book this hike?

I would recommend it to regular hikers who want a less usual route to a famous Norwegian sight. It suits people who value silence, small groups, local interpretation, and a full outdoor day more than a quick tick on a sightseeing list.

It is also a good choice if you are visiting Stavanger and want transport handled for you. The pickup network removes the need to arrange your own ride to Basecamp, and the included lunch keeps the day simple.

I would not choose it for young children, pregnant participants, or anyone under 100 centimeters or 15 kilograms, since those restrictions are clearly stated. Children under eight are not accepted.

You should also skip it if you dislike canoes, have a severe fear of heights, or rarely exercise. The tour is not suitable for someone hoping for a flat, easy walk. Good clothing, proper boots, water, and enough food for a long day will make a real difference.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about nine hours, including transportation, canoeing, hiking, and the return drive.

How long is the canoe ride?

The canoe section lasts about one hour on Revsvatnet.

How long does the hike take?

The uphill hike takes approximately 3.5 hours, and the descent normally takes about 2.5 hours.

Is lunch included?

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

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to eight participants.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

It is intended for people with hiking experience. Beginners should book only if they are active and complete about one good cardio workout each week.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the idea of paddling across a quiet lake, walking an old rocky trail, and reaching Preikestolen with far fewer people appeals to you. The strongest reasons are the small group, excellent guide care, unusual route, and viewpoints that may be better than the famous rock itself.

Skip it if you want an easy family walk or only need the standard Pulpit Rock photo. At $273, it asks you to pay for a full day of guiding and outdoor logistics, but for fit hikers who want a quieter and more personal way to see Lysefjorden, that is a fair trade.