Preikestolen Hidden Trail Hike + Lunch and Canoe Trip

The clever part of this Preikestolen trip is that you do not simply join the main trail and follow the crowd. You paddle across Refsvatnet, then climb an old route that reaches viewpoints above the famous cliff. I like the quiet approach and the chance to see people queuing at Preikestolen from higher ground.

I also like that the day includes a packed lunch from a historic Norwegian restaurant and a canoe crossing, not just a standard hike. Guides such as Stephan, Chris, and Allen are attentive about pace and comfort. The catch is simple: this is a demanding nine-hour day, with about three hours uphill and another two and a half hours back down.

Key points to know before booking

• Canoe across Refsvatnet first: The water crossing gives the day a proper adventure feel before the walking begins.
• A quieter route to Preikestolen: The old trail is designed to avoid the crowds found on the main path.
• Views from above the cliff: You may see Preikestolen and the people on it from a higher point along the route.
• Small groups of up to eight: That makes it easier for the guide to adjust the pace and help with clothing or equipment.
• Lunch and canoe gear are included: You collect both at Preikestolen Basecamp before heading to the lake.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and the trail is much less appealing in steady rain.

Why this route feels different from the usual Preikestolen hike

Preikestolen is one of Norway’s best-known viewpoints, so the normal route can feel like a shared procession, especially in summer. This trip takes a more unusual line. You begin at Preikestolen Basecamp, collect your lunch and canoe equipment, and walk down to Refsvatnet.

After a safety briefing, you paddle across the lake with your guide. Then you leave the obvious access route and follow an old, lesser-used trail toward the cliff. The quiet is a major part of the appeal. The route is not sold as a gentle shortcut, and it is not one. It is a more active way to reach the same famous sight.

I like the way the canoe changes the rhythm of the day. You are not walking from the first minute, and the lake gives you time to settle into the morning. It also makes this more than a regular hike with a different starting point.

The route is particularly appealing if you have already seen crowded viewpoints elsewhere in Norway. You get a sense of the terrain around Preikestolen rather than only arriving at the cliff, taking a picture, and leaving.

The 7:00 pickup and ride to Preikestolen Basecamp

The published start time is 7:00 in the morning, with pickup available from designated locations in Stavanger. Exact pickup times depend on the location, so you should check the schedule carefully rather than assume every pickup happens at seven.

The drive to Preikestolen Basecamp takes about 45 minutes. The stated meeting point is Preikestolen Fjellstue, at Preikestolvegen 521 in Jørpeland. Since pickup is offered from several Stavanger locations, confirm your precise pickup place and time when booking.

An early start is useful here. It gives the group a better chance of enjoying the quiet trail before the day gets busier, and it leaves room for the long walk back. Still, this is not a late-morning sightseeing outing. You need to be ready for a full day outside.

At Basecamp, you collect the packed lunch and canoe gear. Keep your clothing and small items organized at this point. You will be adjusting layers and equipment during the day, and the guides allow time for that rather than forcing everyone to move at one speed.

Refsvatnet canoe crossing

From Basecamp, the group walks down to the shore of Refsvatnet. The guide explains how to handle the canoe, discusses safety, and outlines the trail and expected conditions. That briefing matters, since the canoe is part of the route rather than a short optional add-on.

The crossing gives you a calm opening before the harder walking begins. From the water, you can enjoy the setting around the lake without the immediate effort of climbing. It also adds a practical note: you need to be comfortable taking part in a canoe trip as well as a hike.

The supplied details do not specify how long the paddle lasts or whether each person has a private canoe, so do not book this expecting a tightly timed water excursion. The canoe ride is one element in a much longer day.

Once the group reaches the far shore, the character of the trip changes. The guide leads you onto the old trail, and the real physical work begins.

Three hours on the old trail

The uphill walk takes about three hours. That is a substantial climb, even before you count the return. You should expect uneven ground and changing conditions, though the exact surface is not described. Moderate physical fitness is required, and the total walking time makes this a poor match for anyone seeking an easy outing.

The pace is built around the group. There is time to rest, eat snacks, change clothing, adjust equipment, and take pictures. This is important in western Norway, where conditions can shift and a dry jacket can matter as much as your camera.

The guides receive especially strong praise for staying aware of how people are doing. Stephan is described as fun and encouraging, while Chris and Allen are noted for their fitness and repeated experience on the route. The useful point for you is not that the guides are fast. It is that they are expected to watch the group and make adjustments if someone is struggling.

That does not remove the need for honest self-assessment. A guide can adjust the pace, but you still need to be ready for several hours of uphill hiking followed by a long descent. Bring suitable clothing and footwear, and plan to use the rest stops instead of trying to prove something on the first climb.

Reaching Preikestolen at 604 meters

After about three hours, you reach Preikestolen, the broad, famous cliff rising 604 meters above Lysefjorden. The reward is the dramatic view down into the fjord and across the surrounding mountains.

The route offers more than the standard arrival at the main platform. Along the way, and particularly from higher points, you can look toward Preikestolen itself. One useful visual detail is that you may see people lining up on the famous cliff for photographs from above.

That perspective helps explain why the hidden route is worth the extra effort. Instead of only looking outward from Preikestolen, you also get to look back at the landmark as part of the setting. It gives the day a stronger sense of place.

Time at the top is not described as a fixed number of minutes. The group relaxes, enjoys the views, and takes pictures before starting down. Weather will shape this stop. On a clear day, Lysefjorden should be the focus. In rain or low cloud, visibility may be limited, which is why the operator requires suitable conditions and may cancel for poor weather.

One person described hiking through on-and-off rain and still finding the effort worthwhile. That is a fair warning rather than a promise. The walk can remain rewarding in wet conditions, but the views are never guaranteed.

The packed lunch and what it adds

A packed lunch from a historic Norwegian restaurant is included. You pick it up at Basecamp before heading to the lake, so it is available during the hike rather than waiting for you at the end.

I like this arrangement because it removes the need to find food during a remote, tiring day. You can stop when the group takes a break and eat without breaking the schedule. The lunch also gives the experience a local touch, although the restaurant name and exact menu are not provided.

If you have dietary restrictions, contact the operator in advance. The tour specifically asks for this information, so do not wait until pickup. You may also want to bring extra snacks, since the timing and menu of a packed lunch may not match your normal hiking needs.

The long descent back to Basecamp

The return walk usually takes about two and a half hours. Descending can sound easier than climbing, but tired legs and uneven ground can make it demanding in a different way. Take your time, especially if the weather has made the trail wet.

The group returns to the parking area, then gets back into the vehicle. The activity ends at the original meeting point. With the 45-minute drive from Stavanger, the canoe, roughly five and a half hours of hiking, breaks, and time at Preikestolen, you should keep the rest of your evening flexible.

This is one reason the small group is valuable. With a maximum of eight people, the guide can keep track of everyone more easily than on a large coach excursion. It also means the experience should feel less like a mass outing and more like a guided day in the hills.

Is $212.61 a fair price?

At $212.61 per person, this is not a cheap way to see Preikestolen. But the price includes more than access to a walking route. You are paying for pickup options, guide service, canoe equipment, the canoe crossing, a packed lunch, and a small group capped at eight people.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If your only goal is to stand on Preikestolen as cheaply as possible, the standard route will likely make more sense. If you want a quieter approach, a guide who can manage the group, and a canoe trip built into the hike, this package offers more substance.

The low group limit is particularly important. A guide can respond when someone is tired, help with equipment, and give the group a more personal pace. You are also paying to avoid the main trail for much of the approach, though no route to a famous Norwegian viewpoint can promise total solitude at the final cliff.

Who should book this hike?

I would recommend it to fit hikers who want a full day outdoors and do not mind working for the view. It suits people who value unusual access, smaller groups, and time in the countryside more than a quick photo stop.

It is also a good choice if you have already done ordinary sightseeing around Stavanger and want an active day focused on Lysefjorden. The canoe crossing makes it more memorable than a standard out-and-back hike.

You should think twice if you dislike water activities, have limited hiking fitness, or need a short and predictable excursion. The route is long, weather can change the experience, and the descent still takes about two and a half hours after you have already completed the climb.

Service animals are allowed. The activity calls for moderate physical fitness, and the operator limits the group to eight people. Those details make the tour more manageable, but they do not turn it into an easy walk.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Check your pickup details carefully, especially if you are leaving from Stavanger rather than meeting at Basecamp. Wear clothing that can handle changing conditions, and keep an extra layer easy to reach during the walk.

Bring snacks in addition to the included lunch. The guide provides time for food and rest, so you will be able to use them. Also leave room for photographs, since the route is designed with pauses rather than a race to the summit.

Tell the operator about dietary restrictions before the morning of the trip. Finally, keep your plans flexible if the forecast is poor. The experience requires good weather, and cancellation for unsafe conditions results in either another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Preikestolen hidden trail?

Book it if you want the less ordinary version of Preikestolen: a canoe on Refsvatnet, an old trail, a small group, and views that include the famous cliff from above. The guides appear especially suited to groups that need encouragement and sensible pace changes.

Skip it if you want the cheapest or easiest way to reach the viewpoint. At $212.61, the value comes from the complete day and the quieter route, not from a simple transfer to a photo stop. For fit hikers who want a more active and less crowded approach to Lysefjorden, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Preikestolen Fjellstue, Preikestolvegen 521, 4105 Jørpeland. Pickup is also offered from several designated locations in Stavanger.

What time does the experience begin?

The stated start time is 7:00 am. Exact pickup times depend on your selected pickup location, so check the pickup timetable.

How long does the hike take?

The uphill section takes about three hours, and the return to the parking area usually takes about two and a half hours. The complete experience lasts approximately nine hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A packed lunch from a historic Norwegian restaurant is included. You should contact the operator in advance with any dietary restrictions.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is eight people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours before the start time.