Stavanger: Preikestolen Hidden Trail Hike + Canoe + Lunch

The clever part of this Preikestolen trip comes before you reach the famous cliff: you paddle across Revsvatnet, then leave the busy main route for an old trail used by very few people. You still reach the 604-meter-high Pulpit Rock, but the day feels more like a mountain outing than a standard sightseeing stop.

I like two things especially. The canoe crossing gives the morning a calm start, and the small group of up to eight lets the guide set a sensible pace. The packed lunch from Villa Rosehagen and hot berry juice are welcome touches on a long day outside.

The catch is the trail itself. This is not the easy version of Preikestolen. Expect rough ground, uphill effort, scrambling, and sections that may bother anyone with a serious fear of heights. You should be active and comfortable with a demanding hike.

The best parts of this Preikestolen day

• A quiet approach by canoe: Paddle across Revsvatnet before joining the old mountain path.
• A less-used route: The trail avoids most of the crowds until you reach the final section near Pulpit Rock.
• Six hours on foot: Allow about 3.5 hours up and 2.5 hours back, with time for rests, photographs, and lunch.
• Guides who focus on safety: Erlend, Allan, Line, and Stefan have each been praised for patient pacing, local knowledge, and careful help on harder sections.
• Lunch and warm drinks included: You collect a packed meal from historic Villa Rosehagen, with a snack and hot berry juice during the day.
• A true small-group outing: No minimum number is required, and the group is limited to eight people.

Why the hidden trail changes the Preikestolen experience

Preikestolen is one of Norway’s most popular mountain sights. The regular route is well known, and at busy times the final rock platform can feel more like a queue than a wilderness viewpoint. This trip takes a different approach.

After the canoe crossing, you follow an old, little-used trail that was rediscovered by a local guide. The route passes through changing mountain terrain and gives you time to notice details that are easy to miss on a crowded path. Guides have pointed out bird calls, edible plants, local customs, and features of the mountain along the way.

That slower, more personal style is the main reason to book this outing. You are not simply being delivered to a viewpoint. You are spending most of the day moving through the mountains with someone who knows how to read the route and manage the group.

There is an important limit to the promise of a crowd-free day. The hidden path may be quiet, but Preikestolen itself is still a major attraction. Once you reach the famous rock and join the final part of the standard route, you may meet other hikers. One practical advantage is that the approach provides other fine views of Lysefjorden, so the famous platform is not your only reward.

From Stavanger to Revsvatnet

The day begins with pickup at one of several locations in Stavanger, including St. Petri kirke, Victoria Hotel, Clarion Hotel Stavanger, Scandic Stavanger City, Thon Hotel Maritim, and other listed stops. There are also pickups at Preikestolen Fjellstue and Verkshotellet in Jørpeland.

The driving is part of the setup rather than a sightseeing stop. After about 30 minutes, you visit Villa Rosehagen to collect the packed lunches. This is useful because you do not need to organize a meal for a nine-hour outing, and dietary restrictions can be handled if you tell the operator in advance.

The next drive takes about 20 minutes to Preikestolen Basecamp. Restrooms are available there, so use them before setting out. You also collect life vests and canoe paddles before walking down to the shore of Revsvatnet.

Your guide gives a safety briefing, explains the canoe technique, outlines the trail, and talks through likely conditions. This matters if you have never used a canoe, and it is especially useful for anyone who is unsure around water. One participant specifically described being made to feel safe despite not knowing how to swim.

A peaceful canoe crossing on Revsvatnet

The canoe portion lasts about one hour. It is not a separate water-sports lesson or a long paddling expedition. It is the quiet way into the trailhead, and that change of pace works well.

You paddle across the lake in a life vest, with the group staying together. The water gives you a chance to settle into the day before the harder work begins. In good conditions, this may be the calmest part of the outing, with the mountains reflected around you and little human noise.

The canoe also gives the trip a sense of purpose. You are not just taking a vehicle to the start of a marked route. You are crossing the lake to reach a path that is not part of the usual Preikestolen routine.

Still, do not treat this as a gentle substitute for the hike. You need to paddle first, then spend hours on uneven mountain ground. If water makes you anxious, tell the guide at the start. The equipment and instructions are included, but you should be comfortable taking part.

Six hours on a rough mountain trail

Once ashore, the hiking begins. The uphill portion normally takes about 3.5 hours, though the pace depends on the group and conditions. This is a guided hike, not a race, and the schedule allows for clothing adjustments, snacks, photos, and regular rests.

The trail crosses several types of mountain terrain. Expect rocky ground and some scrambling, meaning you may use your hands as well as your feet. The route can be hard on the knees, particularly on the way down. Extra hiking poles may be available from the guide, but you should still bring suitable footwear and prepare for a physical day.

The trip information describes the route as suitable for people with hiking experience. If this is your first hike, you should book only if you are active and manage at least one good cardio workout each week. That is a useful standard, since the route is more demanding than the normal tourist walk implied by a simple visit to Pulpit Rock.

A guide can make rough ground safer, but cannot make it flat. You need balance, stamina, and a willingness to move carefully. Jeans and high heels are not allowed, and you should have hiking boots, warm layers, rain protection, and water-resistant trousers. Those items are not included, though rental or purchase may be possible by asking the operator.

Views before you reach the famous rock

One of the strongest reasons to choose this route is that the best view may come before Preikestolen. Guides know several points along the old trail where Lysefjorden opens out below you. Some sections provide a broad view with less obstruction than the famous platform itself.

That changes the rhythm of the day. Instead of saving every expectation for one crowded rock ledge, you get views along the way, then stop for lunch in a quieter setting. You can sit, eat, and look across the fjord without treating the meal as a rushed break.

The guide may also add small details about plants, birds, and Norwegian culture. Erlend, for example, has been praised for identifying bird songs, explaining edible plants, and putting the route into a local context. Allan has been noted for helping everyone feel included, while Line is described as patient and encouraging. Stefan has been praised for managing the more technical parts calmly.

Guides can vary on your departure date, so do not assume you will get a particular person. The useful point is the guide-led format. You have someone watching the route, adjusting the pace, and helping when the ground becomes awkward.

Lunch, hot berry juice, and the final climb

The packed lunch comes from Villa Rosehagen, an old restaurant with a local character. The exact contents are not specified, so you should advise the operator about dietary needs before the day begins.

A small snack and a serving of hot berry juice are also included. The warm drink is a simple but well-judged touch after several hours outdoors. Norway’s weather can change quickly, and a hot drink feels more valuable on a cool or wet day than it might when you first read the description.

Do not rely on the included food as your only preparation. Bring water and any extra snacks you normally need for a long hike. The group takes breaks, but you will be burning energy for most of the day.

After roughly 3.5 hours, you reach Preikestolen, the flat-topped cliff rising 604 meters above Lysefjorden. The reward is not only the rock itself. You have approached from a quieter side, seen other fjord viewpoints, and worked for the arrival.

What it is like at Preikestolen

At the rock, you can take in the classic view across Lysefjorden and spend time resting. This is the point where the quiet route meets the popular attraction, so the atmosphere may change quickly.

The cliff has sheer drops, and the trip is not suitable for anyone with a severe fear of heights. Even if you are comfortable on ordinary mountain paths, take care near the edge and follow the guide’s instructions. You do not need to perform for a photograph. The view is impressive without stepping farther than feels safe.

Some people may find the final rock less special than the viewpoints reached earlier, particularly if it is crowded. That is not a flaw in the scenery, but it is a good reason to value the entire route rather than judge the day by one famous platform.

You then walk back to the parking area. The return normally takes about 2.5 hours, and the downhill sections may be tiring after the climb. This is where hiking poles, good footwear, and a steady pace make a real difference.

Small-group value at $273

At $273 per person, this is an expensive day hike. You are paying more than you would for transport to the standard trail and a self-guided walk. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: transport from Stavanger, a trained local guide, canoe equipment, seasonal technical gear, the canoe crossing, lunch, a snack, and hot berry juice.

The group limit of eight is also important. A guide can pay attention to individual needs in a small group, particularly during canoeing and scrambling. The operator also does not require a minimum number of hikers, so the outing is not automatically canceled because demand is low.

For me, the value depends on your priorities. If you simply want to stand on Preikestolen, the regular route will be cheaper and more direct. If you want a quieter mountain day, local interpretation, a different approach, and help managing a demanding trail, the extra cost is easier to justify.

The nine-hour length matters too. You should not schedule another major activity afterward. Pickup times vary by location, so confirm the correct time for your chosen Stavanger stop before the day.

Who should book this hike?

I would recommend it to a fit hiker who wants more than the standard Preikestolen photograph. It suits you if you like quiet paths, small groups, local guides, and a full day outdoors. It is also a good choice if you are curious about canoeing but do not want to arrange a separate water activity.

It is less suitable for young children, pregnant women, and anyone under 100 centimeters or under 15 kilograms. Children under eight are not accepted. The route is also a poor match for first-time hikers who are not active, people uncomfortable with scrambling, and anyone with a serious fear of heights.

Come prepared for Norwegian weather. Bring hiking boots, warm hat and gloves, a rainproof jacket, water-resistant trousers, a small backpack, and enough water. Those items are not part of the standard package, although the operator can be asked about gear rental or purchase.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps the booking flexible. Those policies help, but they do not change the central decision: this is a demanding hike with a canoe at the beginning, not a relaxed sightseeing bus trip.

Should you book the hidden trail to Preikestolen?

Book it if avoiding crowds is your top priority and you are ready for a real mountain day. The canoe crossing, quiet old trail, strong guides, included lunch, and extra fjord viewpoints give you a fuller experience than simply walking the main path.

Skip it if you want an easy route, have limited mobility, dislike uneven ground, or mainly want a quick visit to the famous cliff. At $273, the tour earns its price through the route and guiding, not through a short stop at Preikestolen.

For an active visitor with one free day in Stavanger, I would choose this over a standard daytime hike. You get the iconic view, but the memorable part is likely to be the quiet water, the nearly empty trail, and the feeling that you reached the fjord from a less obvious side.

FAQ

How long does the Preikestolen hidden trail tour last?

The full activity lasts about nine hours. The canoe ride takes about one hour, the guided hike is listed as about six hours, and the remaining time includes transport, stops, and preparation.

How difficult is the hike?

It is suitable for people with hiking experience. The route includes uphill walking, rocky terrain, scrambling, and a return journey that can be hard on the knees. If this is your first hike, you should be active and able to manage at least one good cardio workout each week.

Is the canoe ride included?

Yes. The tour includes a canoe crossing on Revsvatnet, along with life vests and paddles. The guide provides safety instructions before the group sets off.

What food is included?

You receive a packed lunch from Villa Rosehagen, a small snack, and hot berry juice. Tell the operator about dietary restrictions in advance.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available at listed locations in Stavanger, including St. Petri kirke, Victoria Hotel, Clarion Hotel Stavanger, Scandic Stavanger City, Thon Hotel Maritim, and several others. Pickup is also available at Preikestolen Fjellstue and Verkshotellet in Jørpeland. Times differ by location, so confirm yours with the operator.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people under 100 centimeters, or children under 15 kilograms. It is also not a good choice if you have a severe fear of heights or are not comfortable with a demanding mountain hike.