Stavanger: Preikestolen Hidden Trail Hike + Canoe + Lunch

Preikestolen is famous, but the usual path can feel less like a mountain walk and more like a long queue with views. This canoe and hidden-trail route takes you across Revsvatnet first, then sends you up an old trail where you may have the mountain largely to yourself.

I like the quiet canoe start and the fact that lunch comes from Villa Rosehagen, a historical local restaurant. I also like the small group limit of eight and guides such as Allan, Erlend, Line, and Stefan, who are praised for calm safety advice, local nature knowledge, and patient help on rough sections. The catch is simple: this is a demanding hike, not a gentle sightseeing walk. Scrambling, steep ground, knees, and heights all matter.

Key points before you book

• Paddle for about an hour: You cross Revsvatnet in a canoe before reaching the lesser-used trail.
• Expect a serious day out: The uphill section takes about 3.5 hours, followed by roughly 2.5 hours back down.
• Enjoy better solitude: The quiet route can remain empty until you join the main Preikestolen path near the end.
• Lunch is part of the deal: A packed meal from Villa Rosehagen, a snack, and hot berry juice are included.
• Small groups make a difference: The maximum is eight people, and the tour does not require a minimum number to run.
• Pack for mountain weather: Hiking boots, rain protection, warm layers, water-resistant trousers, food and water are important.

Why this Preikestolen route is different

Most people reach Preikestolen, also called Pulpit Rock, by the well-used trail from Preikestolen Basecamp. That route is the practical choice for independent hikers, but it can be crowded, especially in summer.

This experience takes a more unusual line. After transport from Stavanger, you collect life jackets and paddles at the basecamp, walk down to Revsvatnet, and paddle to the far side. The canoe is not a short extra ride added for decoration. It is part of how you reach the trailhead, and it gives the day a quiet start before the physical work begins.

From the opposite shore, you follow an old, little-used path through changing mountain terrain. You should expect rocky ground and some scrambling with your hands. The guide sets the pace, allows time for clothing adjustments and rests, and points out places to stop for photographs.

The route reaches viewpoints before the final arrival at Preikestolen. One especially useful detail from the experience is that some views can be better than the famous rock itself, since they give you a broader look along Lysefjorden without the cliff platform blocking part of the scene.

From Stavanger to Revsvatnet

The day begins with pickup at one of several Stavanger locations, including St. Petri kirke, Victoria Hotel, Clarion Hotel Stavanger, Scandic Stavanger City, Thon Hotel Maritim, and Stavanger Bed & Breakfast. Pickup is also available at Preikestolen Fjellstue and Verkshotellet Jørpeland.

The exact pickup time depends on your location, so do not assume all meeting points run at the same hour. The operator provides a pickup timetable, and it is sensible to confirm your location and time before the day begins.

The first drive takes about 30 minutes to Villa Rosehagen. This is where the group collects the packed lunches. You should report dietary restrictions in advance, since the meal is arranged ahead of time.

From the restaurant, it is another 20-minute drive to Preikestolen Basecamp. This is the last easy place to use a restroom before the main outing begins. You collect seasonal equipment, including life vests and paddles, then walk down to the lake.

The guide gives a safety briefing before anyone gets into a canoe. This matters if you have little or no paddling experience. One participant specifically described being nervous about canoeing and unable to swim, but felt well supported by the guide. That does not remove the need to take the water seriously, but it shows why listening closely at this stage is important.

The one-hour canoe crossing

The paddle across Revsvatnet is a peaceful opening to a strenuous day. You are not racing across the water. The guide explains how to handle the canoe, helps the group get organized, and keeps the pace together.

For many people, this will be their first canoe experience. The activity is included in the price, along with life vests, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental. The water also gives you a chance to settle into the day before the uphill walking starts.

The canoe section has a practical drawback. Conditions on a lake can change, and you need to be comfortable taking part in a water activity before beginning the hike. The operator does not describe this as an optional add-on, so anyone uneasy around water should raise the concern before booking.

Once ashore, the character of the day changes quickly. The quiet paddle gives way to uneven ground, tree cover, exposed rock, and uphill effort.

A rougher trail with time to stop

The route is not simply a secret shortcut to Pulpit Rock. It is a proper mountain outing, with rocky sections and some climbing movement. You may need to use your hands for balance, and wet conditions can make rough ground harder to manage.

The uphill walk normally takes around 3.5 hours. That figure includes pauses, clothing changes, snacks, photographs, and the guide’s explanations. You should not read it as three and a half hours of nonstop walking, but you should still have solid fitness.

The experience suits people who already hike or who keep active with regular cardio exercise. It is not presented as a first-ever hike for someone with little training. One useful rule is supplied by the operator: if this is your first hike, book only if you are active and complete at least one good cardio session each week.

The guides bring more than route-finding skills. Erlend has been praised for sharing information about bird calls, edible plants, and Norwegian culture. Allan is noted for making people feel included and for explaining local wildlife. This gives the walk more texture than simply following a line on a map.

The guide names most often associated with the experience are Allan, Erlend, Line, and Stefan. You may not receive a specific guide unless that is arranged in advance, but the comments about them point to the kind of help you should expect: patient encouragement, safety checks, local stories, and assistance during harder sections.

Lunch with the fjord below

At some point along the route, the group stops for the packed lunch from Villa Rosehagen. This is a welcome pause because the climb is long and a small snack alone would not be enough for many people.

A packed meal also makes the timing more flexible. You are not tied to a restaurant schedule halfway up the mountain. Instead, the guide chooses a suitable rest point, and you can eat while taking in the fjord scenery.

Bring a water bottle and extra snacks even though food is supplied. The hike uses real energy, and personal preferences vary. The tour includes a small snack and hot berry juice, with the warm drink especially welcome after a cold or wet section.

The lunch stop is one of the better value details in the package. Norway is expensive, and buying food separately during a full-day outdoor activity can add up. Here, transport, canoe equipment, guide time, lunch, a snack, and a drink are bundled together.

Reaching the 604-meter cliff

After the quieter approach, you arrive at Preikestolen, the flat-topped rock rising 604 meters above Lysefjorden. This is the point where the hidden trail connects with the famous attraction.

You should expect more people here. The route can give you hours of quiet, but it does not promise an empty Pulpit Rock platform. One practical advantage is that your guide can help you judge the conditions and find a sensible place to enjoy the view.

The fjord is the reward, but the route also changes how you see it. Instead of only arriving at the final rock after following the standard path, you have already seen the water, crossed the lake, and approached the cliff from a less familiar side.

You should be careful around exposed edges. The information for this outing warns that it may not suit people with a severe fear of heights. This is not a minor note. The cliff is a major part of the experience, and the trail itself includes rocky sections where height and exposure may feel intense.

The long descent back to Stavanger

The return walk takes about 2.5 hours to the parking area. Downhill sounds easier, but it can be rough on knees and ankles. The rocky path requires attention, especially after several hours of climbing.

The guide carries or can provide extra hiking poles if needed, which may help on the descent. Still, you should not count on equipment to solve every problem. Good boots, steady footing, and sensible pacing matter more.

Near the end, you join the main path for the final stretch. This is where the contrast becomes clear. The earlier route can feel private, while the regular trail is more likely to have other hikers.

Once back at the parking area, you return to the vehicle for the drive to Stavanger. The full day runs about nine hours, though the exact schedule depends on pickup location, group pace, weather, and time spent at viewpoints.

What $273 includes

At $273 per person, this is not a cheap way to visit Preikestolen. You can hike the standard route independently for less. The price makes more sense if you value the parts that are difficult to arrange alone.

You are paying for transport from Stavanger, a local guide, the canoe crossing, seasonal technical equipment, lunch, a snack, hot berry juice, and a route that is not normally used by independent visitors. The group limit of eight also gives the guide more room to watch footing, adjust the pace, and answer questions.

The no-minimum policy is another practical advantage. The tour does not require a certain number of people to run, so a small booking is not automatically a reason for cancellation.

The value depends heavily on your priorities. If your main goal is simply to stand on Pulpit Rock, the standard path will be cheaper. If you want a full mountain day with paddling, local interpretation, and fewer people for most of the route, the cost is easier to justify.

Photography is not included as a separate package. Guides may help take pictures, as Stefan did for one group, but you should not assume a professional photo service unless you arrange it.

Clothing, fitness, and who should skip it

Do not wear jeans or high-heeled shoes. You need hiking boots, warm clothing, a rainproof jacket, and water-resistant trousers. A small backpack, warm hat, gloves, and some hiking gear can be rented or purchased through the provider, but check availability rather than assuming every item will be waiting for you.

This outing is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people under 100 centimeters, or children under 15 kilograms. Those limits are part of the operator’s safety guidance.

You should also think honestly about your fitness. The canoe is gentle compared with the trail, but the walking includes long uphill and downhill sections, rocky terrain, and scrambling. A regular hiker with suitable clothing should find the challenge manageable with rests. Someone who rarely exercises may find the day too demanding.

The group is small, but that does not make the route easy. Small groups improve communication and support. They do not remove steep ground, wet rock, heights, or tired legs.

Practical booking advice

The tour is offered in Norwegian and English. Pickup and drop-off are available at several Stavanger locations, with some options near the basecamp and Jørpeland. Confirm the correct pickup time for your chosen location because the schedule differs by stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your Norway plans depend on weather or transport connections.

I would also contact the operator before booking if you need a special diet, want a particular guide, need rental equipment, or hope to arrange photography. Dietary restrictions must be provided in advance.

Should you book this Preikestolen experience?

Book it if you want more than the standard Pulpit Rock walk. The canoe crossing, old trail, quiet viewpoints, packed lunch, small group, and local guides create a fuller day than a direct hike from the basecamp.

I would choose it for an active visitor who values solitude and is happy to pay for guiding and transport. I would not choose it for a casual sightseeing day, a first walk in the mountains, or anyone uncomfortable with heights and rough scrambling.

The best reason to book is the route itself. You may spend most of the climb without meeting anyone, then reach one of Norway’s best-known viewpoints with a better sense of the mountain around it. Just arrive prepared for a real hike, not a scenic stroll with a short photo stop.

FAQ

How long does the Preikestolen canoe and hike tour last?

The full experience lasts about nine hours. The canoe ride takes about one hour, the uphill hike normally takes around 3.5 hours, and the return walk takes about 2.5 hours, with time also needed for transport, lunch, and stops.

Is transport from Stavanger included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available at several designated locations in Stavanger, as well as some stops near Preikestolen and Jørpeland. Pickup times vary by location.

How difficult is the hike?

The hike is suitable for people with hiking experience or active people who exercise regularly. It includes uphill and downhill walking, rocky ground, and some scrambling. It is not recommended as a first hike unless you are physically active.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a packed lunch from Villa Rosehagen, plus a small snack and hot berry juice. You should tell the operator about dietary restrictions in advance.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to eight participants. The tour also has no minimum number of hikers, so it does not cancel simply because few people have booked.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear hiking boots and bring warm layers, a rainproof jacket, water-resistant trousers, a small backpack, water, and any extra snacks you prefer. Jeans and high-heeled shoes are not allowed. Equipment may be available to rent or purchase through the provider.