Stavanger: Preikestolen Hidden Trail Hike + Canoe + Lunch

The clever part of this Preikestolen trip comes before the famous cliff. You paddle across Revsvatnet, leave the busy main route behind, and follow an old mountain trail that only a few people know. By the time you reach the 604-meter-high Pulpit Rock area, you have earned the view the hard way.

I like the small group of no more than eight, which gives guides such as Erlend, Allan, Line, and Stefan room to help with scrambling and keep the pace sensible. I also like the quiet canoe start and packed lunch from Villa Rosehagen, two details that make this feel like a full Norwegian outing rather than a simple walk to a famous viewpoint.

The catch is clear: this is not a beginner’s stroll. Expect about 3.5 hours uphill, rocky sections, some climbing with your hands, and roughly 2.5 hours back down. If you dislike heights, have weak knees, or only exercise now and then, the standard Preikestolen path may be a better choice.

Key points at a glance

• Canoe across Revsvatnet: Begin with a calm one-hour paddle before the hike starts.
• A quiet route to Pulpit Rock: The old trail avoids most of the crowds found on the usual path.
• Six hours on foot: Allow for a serious mountain day with uphill work, scrambling, rests, and a long descent.
• Lunch and hot berry juice included: Your meal comes from Villa Rosehagen, with dietary needs handled if arranged ahead.
• Guides make the difference: Erlend, Allan, Line, and Stefan are praised for safety, encouragement, local knowledge, and friendly company.
• Best for active hikers: Children under eight, pregnant women, and people below the stated height and weight limits cannot join.

Why the hidden route changes the Preikestolen experience

Preikestolen is one of Norway’s most famous sights, and fame brings crowds. The usual route can feel more like a popular mountain attraction than a quiet walk through Rogaland. This trip takes a different line for most of the ascent, using a forgotten trail that crosses varied terrain and gives you time to hear birds, look for edible plants, and learn about local customs.

The route does not remove people entirely. You eventually reach the Preikestolen area, where the famous cliff and final approach can be busy. Still, much of your day is spent away from the main flow. That matters if your main reason for booking is silence, open views, and a sense of moving through the mountains on your own terms.

One especially useful feature is that the route can offer fine views before you reach the best-known rock itself. The guide may stop at viewpoints above or near the cliff, where the full sweep of Lysefjorden can be easier to see. The famous platform can have a crowd on it, while a nearby viewpoint may give you a less obstructed look across the fjord.

Starting in Stavanger and collecting lunch

Pickup is available from 12 locations in Stavanger and around the Preikestolen area. These include central hotels, St. Petri Church, Stavanger Bed & Breakfast, Scandic Stavanger City, Thon Hotel Maritim, and Preikestolen Fjellstue.

The exact pickup time varies by location, so you should check it carefully rather than assume the tour begins at the same time for everyone. The marked vehicle and guide are meant to find you at the chosen stop, but being ready early is still sensible.

The first drive takes about 30 minutes. The group then stops at Villa Rosehagen to collect the packed lunches. This is a small but pleasant touch. Instead of handing you a generic snack, the tour uses food from an established local restaurant, and you can report dietary restrictions in advance.

After another drive of about 20 minutes, you arrive at Preikestolen Basecamp. Restrooms are available here, so use them before setting off. You collect seasonal equipment, life vests, and canoe paddles, then walk down to Revsvatnet.

Canoeing across Revsvatnet

The canoe ride lasts about an hour and gives the day a gentle opening. You are not thrown straight into a steep climb after the drive. At the water, the guide explains how to paddle, how to stay safe, and what to expect from the trail.

This part is suitable for someone new to canoeing, provided you follow instructions and are comfortable taking part in the activity. One participant specifically had never canoed before and felt well looked after. Another had concerns about swimming, and the guide took extra care in the canoe.

That said, a life vest does not make canoeing completely effortless. You will need to paddle, keep your balance, and work with the rest of the boat. If you are nervous on water, tell the guide before setting off. The calm setting is a lovely start, but it is still an active part of the day.

The lake also gives you a quiet first look at the area. The canoe section is often the least demanding physical part of the tour, and it creates a useful pause before the rocky trail begins.

The old trail and its rough sections

After landing, you leave the canoe behind and begin the main hike. The route follows an old, little-used path rediscovered by a local guide. It is not a polished walkway with a steady surface, and that is the point.

You cross several types of mountain terrain, with rocky stretches and sections that require scrambling. At times, you may use your hands as well as your feet. The guide sets the pace, gives advice on foot placement, and chooses safe lines through the more awkward areas.

The uphill portion takes about 3.5 hours. That time includes pauses to adjust clothing, drink water, eat small snacks, take photos, and enjoy the scenery. You should not treat the timing as a race, but you should take the length seriously. A long uphill day followed by a long descent can tire even regular walkers.

The guides are a major part of the value here. Erlend is praised for pointing out birds, edible plants, and details of Norwegian culture. Allan is described as patient, inclusive, and highly attentive to safety. Line is noted for her calm encouragement and ability to connect with each person in the group. Stefan receives praise for helping people through the harder sections and taking photos when asked.

Guides may also bring useful extra equipment, such as hiking poles. That can help on the way down, when tired legs and steep, uneven ground put more strain on your knees.

Lunch with a view above Lysefjorden

The packed lunch is eaten during the hike, usually at a place chosen for its view. This is a practical advantage. You do not need to carry a separate restaurant plan or wait until the end of a nine-hour day for a proper meal.

The food comes from Villa Rosehagen, and a small snack plus hot berry juice are also included. The hot drink is especially welcome in changeable mountain weather. Tell the operator about dietary restrictions before the trip, not at the last minute.

The lunch stop is more than a fuel break. It gives you time to sit still in a place where the fjord opens below you. Several parts of the route can provide a wider view than the final rock platform, so do not assume that the famous photo spot is automatically the best place to eat or look around.

Bring your own water. The included food is useful, but it is not a substitute for enough drinking water on a long hike.

Reaching Preikestolen at 604 meters

After the rougher trail, you reach the Preikestolen area, 604 meters above Lysefjorden. The cliff is a broad rock platform above the fjord, with a sheer drop and wide views along the water.

This is the point where the two versions of Preikestolen meet: the quiet route you have taken and the famous attraction known around the world. Depending on conditions and the day’s group, you may encounter more people here, especially close to the main rock.

That change in atmosphere is worth understanding before you book. The experience is not a private visit to an empty Pulpit Rock. Its strength is the way you reach the site, with most of the hard work done away from the main crowd.

If heights bother you, take that warning seriously. The cliff edge is exposed, and the route includes rocky sections where a fear of heights can make movement stressful. You do not need to pose at the edge for the view. Listen to the guide, stay well back from unsafe areas, and enjoy the fjord from a position that feels secure.

You have time to rest, take photos, and enjoy the view before heading down. Guides may help with photography, and the small group makes it easier to ask for a picture without holding up a large party.

The long descent back to Basecamp

The return walk normally takes about 2.5 hours. Downhill hiking can sound easier than climbing, but uneven rocks and tired muscles tell a different story. This is where good shoes, careful steps, and hiking poles can make a real difference.

The tour operator can advise about gear for rent or purchase, including hiking boots, water-resistant trousers, a rainproof jacket, a warm hat, gloves, and a small backpack. Jeans and high-heeled shoes are not allowed, and neither is suitable for this terrain.

Norwegian weather can change quickly in the mountains, so layers and rain protection are sensible. The activity includes seasonal technical equipment, but not every personal item you may need. Check your clothing before departure rather than relying on the word technical to cover everything.

After returning to the parking area, you get back into the vehicle for the drive to Stavanger. The full experience lasts about nine hours, so leave your evening fairly open. You may finish tired, especially after the rocky descent.

What the $273 price includes

At $273 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Preikestolen. The standard hike can cost less if you arrange your own transport and follow the public route. The question is what you are buying beyond the view.

Here, the price includes transport from and back to Stavanger, a guide for the full day, canoe use, life vests, seasonal equipment, the packed lunch, a snack, and hot berry juice. You also get a small group capped at eight people and a route that would be difficult to find without a local guide.

The no-minimum policy is another practical benefit. The outing is not canceled simply because only a few people book. That makes it easier to plan around a short stay in Stavanger.

I think the price makes the most sense if crowd avoidance and guidance matter more to you than saving money. It is less appealing if you are a strong independent hiker who is happy on the main path and already has transport, food, and equipment.

Who should book this hike

This trip suits you if you hike regularly, enjoy a challenge, and want more than a quick walk to a famous viewpoint. It is also a good fit if you prefer small groups and want a guide who can explain plants, birds, safety, and local culture along the way.

If this is your first hike, you should only book if you are active and complete about one good cardio workout each week. The route is described as moderate by some participants, but the total day is long and includes scrambling. Fitness labels mean different things to different people, so plan for a genuine mountain outing.

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 if you have a severe fear of heights or serious knee problems.

The group speaks Norwegian and English. Dogs may occasionally join a guide, as happened with Erlend and his Border Collie, but you should not assume a dog will be present on every departure.

Practical details before you reserve

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. That is useful when weather or transport plans are still being arranged.

Ask for the exact pickup time for your chosen location. The list includes 12 pickup and drop-off points, but timing differs by stop. Make sure you select the correct tour when checking the schedule.

Photography packages are not included, although you can ask the operator about them. Guides may take occasional photos, but bring your own phone or camera if you want a full record of the day.

You should also let the operator know about dietary restrictions in advance. Wear proper hiking shoes, avoid jeans, and bring rain protection, warm layers, water, and clothing that can handle a wet or muddy trail.

Should you book the hidden trail?

Book it if your ideal Preikestolen day includes a canoe, a serious hike, quiet mountain time, local stories, and a small group. The strongest part is not simply reaching the cliff. It is the route, the skilled guides, and the chance to see the fjord before joining the better-known path.

Skip it if you want an easy family walk, dislike scrambling, or mainly want a quick photo at Pulpit Rock. At $273, the tour asks you to pay for guidance and a special route, not just admission to a viewpoint.

For an active hiker who finds the usual Preikestolen path too crowded, this is a strong choice. Bring the right gear, prepare for a full day, and treat the canoe and lunch as part of the adventure rather than extras.

FAQ

How long does the Preikestolen hidden trail tour last?

The experience lasts about nine hours, including transport, canoeing, hiking, rest breaks, and the return journey to Stavanger.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $273 per person.

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to eight participants.

Is transportation from Stavanger included?

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

How long is the canoe ride?

The canoe portion takes about one hour.

How long is the hike to Preikestolen?

The uphill hike takes approximately 3.5 hours. The return walk to the parking area normally takes about 2.5 hours.

Is lunch included?

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

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in Norwegian and English.

Who should not book this activity?

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