Frafjord Paddling & Månafossen Waterfall Hike Stavanger

REVIEW · STAVANGER

Frafjord Paddling & Månafossen Waterfall Hike Stavanger

  • 5.022 reviews
  • 7 hours
  • From $187
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Operated by Frafjord SUP & Kayak · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating★ 5.0 (22)Duration7 hoursPrice from$187Operated byFrafjord SUP & KayakBook viaGetYourGuide

Månafossen and the fjord in one packed day. This guided tour sends you from Stavanger to Månafossen for a hike to Norway’s 7th largest free-falling waterfall, then out onto the water in Frafjord with SUP or kayak gear. You also get a local, no-stress feel from the guides, including Gabriel, who’s upbeat and careful with conditions.

Two things I really like: you get a genuine mix of hiking and paddling, so the day never feels like one long repeat. And I love that the fjord session isn’t a quick photo stop; you’ll actually be set up with wetsuit and life vest and spend time on the water, finishing with coffee or hot chocolate at the pier.

One consideration: this is active, and it runs rain or shine, so you’ll want to be comfortable with cold, wet, and changing weather. If you have mobility limits, or if you’re outside the tour’s age fit, this may not be your best match.

Frafjord SUP + Månafossen in a single day: hike a major waterfall, then paddle a protected fjord.

92-meter Månafossen: a short, focused round-trip hike with a guided route.

Quality water gear included: wetsuit, life vest, and SUP/kayak for all experience levels.

Local guide energy: Gabriel and the team are friendly and pay attention to weather.

Time for photos and views: a photo vista stop plus refreshments at the end.

Stavanger To Frafjord: The Day Starts With a Real Plan

Frafjord Paddling & Månafossen Waterfall Hike Stavanger - Stavanger To Frafjord: The Day Starts With a Real Plan
This tour is built for people who want the fjord experience without renting a car. You meet at GuideCompaniet and hop into a minibuss (look for the Frafjord SUP & Kayak logo), then it’s about an hour of riding to the waterfall area. You’ll also get a couple of short in-between drives (around 10–15 minutes at one point, plus another scenic road stretch later), which is part of how they stitch the hiking and paddling together into one smooth day.

What makes this logistics chain work is that it protects your energy. You don’t have to figure out trail access, parking, and getting your gear from one place to another. You’re basically paying for the convenience plus the guided time—then spending your effort where it counts: on the hike and on the water.

The day length is about 7 hours, and the pacing is steady rather than rushed. That matters because both activities are weather-influenced. When it’s windy or chilly, you want the schedule to be forgiving and the guide to be thinking about safety first.

The Månafossen Waterfall Hike: Short, Steep, and Worth It

Frafjord Paddling & Månafossen Waterfall Hike Stavanger - The Månafossen Waterfall Hike: Short, Steep, and Worth It
The day’s first big nature hit is your guided trek to Månafossen, a 92-meter free-falling waterfall. The hike itself is about one hour round-trip, and the guided portion before you reach the main views is typically around 75 minutes in total for this stop. It’s not a marathon hike, but it can feel steep in places, which is why a guide route and steady pace helps.

This is the kind of waterfall hike where the payoff is clear the moment the sound hits. The walk gives you movement and time to get set, then you reach the waterfall and take in the scale of it. In the reviews, people consistently talk about the route being fun on the way up and down, plus enough time to stop for photos and just stand there for a minute. You’re not sprinting through the view.

One practical advantage: a guided hike means you’re not guessing your way in a trail system you don’t know. And since weather can change quickly in Norway, having someone monitor conditions helps you keep your footing without overthinking it.

You can also read our reviews of more hiking tours in Stavanger

Arriving at Frafjord: A Fjord You Can Actually Paddle In

Frafjord Paddling & Månafossen Waterfall Hike Stavanger - Arriving at Frafjord: A Fjord You Can Actually Paddle In
After the waterfall, you ride a short distance to Frafjord, only about 10 minutes away by transfer. This part of the day is all about the setting. Frafjord is a small, protected fjord, shielded from wind by the surrounding towering mountains, so it’s a more forgiving place to learn or relax into paddling.

Why this matters: fjord paddling is amazing, but wind is the thing that can turn a fun paddle into a grumpy one. When the water is sheltered, you can focus on balance, direction, and enjoying the views instead of fighting every gust.

You’ll get set up with the right equipment here. That includes quality SUP boards or kayaks, plus the safety gear that makes the cold feel manageable: wetsuits and life vests. You’ll also get a brief safety talk before you go out, and your guide will go with you onto the water.

SUP Or Kayak for Two Hours: Real Water Time, Not Just a Token Paddle

Frafjord Paddling & Månafossen Waterfall Hike Stavanger - SUP Or Kayak for Two Hours: Real Water Time, Not Just a Token Paddle
Your paddle time is around 2 hours on the fjord. This is long enough to get comfortable, not just long enough to say you tried it. You’ll start with guidance, then you’ll likely get time to keep paddling while feeling more in control as the session goes on.

I like that they provide gear designed for all skill levels. That doesn’t mean nobody feels awkward at first—it means you’re not stuck doing something beyond your ability because you lacked the right equipment. With wetsuits and life vests, the challenge shifts from survival mode to learning mode.

The guide (again, folks mention Gabriel) stays involved rather than disappearing. He’ll paddle with you and help you adjust to conditions, which is especially helpful when water movement and weather don’t behave like a calm swimming pool.

Also, expect the fjord to feel alive. In the reviews, people talk about spotting wildlife like a seal, and the sense that the water view is wide and immediate instead of something you only look at from shore.

One note on the more adventurous options: some days may include a more active fjord route, with people mentioning a wetter, playful portion where they even climbed up a small waterfall and swam. Don’t count on that exact version every time, but do know this isn’t always a stiff, stay-still paddle. It can be an action-filled water experience.

Coffee, Hot Chocolate, And Views From the Pier

Frafjord Paddling & Månafossen Waterfall Hike Stavanger - Coffee, Hot Chocolate, And Views From the Pier
At the end, you return to the waterside and wind down with coffee or hot chocolate. This is a small detail, but it’s the right kind of detail. After cold water time, something warm feels like someone thought about you as a human, not just a passenger.

You also get a short window for photos and reflection. Fjords are one of those places where you don’t need a guide voice to enjoy them; you just need a moment to look. The pier stop makes that easy instead of turning the day into a straight sprint back to Stavanger.

If you’re the type who likes to compare moments—water sound vs waterfall sound—this ending makes the whole contrast land.

Price and Value: Why $187 Can Make Sense Here

Frafjord Paddling & Månafossen Waterfall Hike Stavanger - Price and Value: Why $187 Can Make Sense Here
At $187 per person for about 7 hours, the price isn’t cheap. But this is also not just a ride to a viewpoint. You’re getting a bundle:

  • Transportation with pick up and drop off at the Stavanger hub
  • A guided hike to a major waterfall
  • SUP or kayak time in a protected fjord
  • Wetsuit and life vest, plus quality boards or kayaks
  • Safety instruction
  • Coffee or hot chocolate
  • A short photo vista stop for views along the way

You also save the hassle of coordinating trail access and water access on your own. For visitors without a car, that convenience can be the difference between doing a fun day outdoors and doing nothing because logistics feel like too much.

Is it the best value if you’re only interested in one activity? Probably not. But if you want a two-part nature day—waterfall plus fjord paddling—this price feels more like paying for an organized day than paying for a single photo.

What To Bring (And What To Wear) for Fjord Weather

Frafjord Paddling & Månafossen Waterfall Hike Stavanger - What To Bring (And What To Wear) for Fjord Weather
The tour is rain or shine, which is a big deal in Norway. They’ll keep operating unless weather becomes very adverse, and in that case you’ll be informed as soon as possible in advance.

Bring:

  • Swimwear
  • A towel
  • Sunscreen

Wear strategy is simple: plan for wet, cold, and wind. The wetsuit and life vest handle the water side, but you’ll still want to be prepared to finish the paddle feeling chilly rather than dry and warm.

One extra tip that’s practical without being fancy: bring the towel you actually want to use. After a wetsuit session, you’ll want to dry off properly before you hop back into the minibus.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

This is a good match if you want an active day that still feels guided and safe. You’ll spend time hiking and paddling, and the gear is designed for different experience levels. It’s also the kind of tour that can work for families, since people in the reviews mention kids enjoying SUP and the overall day.

It’s not a good fit if you have mobility impairments. The tour also isn’t suitable for babies under 1 year and isn’t meant for people over 70 years. If you’re in that range, it’s worth choosing something gentler so you can enjoy the day instead of battling discomfort.

If you’re a first-time paddler, you’ll likely feel supported. You’ll get instruction, safety talk, and a guide who stays with you. And if you already paddle, you may appreciate the time on sheltered water without constant fatigue fighting wind.

The Real Flow of the Day: How Each Stop Changes the Mood

Frafjord Paddling & Månafossen Waterfall Hike Stavanger - The Real Flow of the Day: How Each Stop Changes the Mood
Here’s how the emotional rhythm works, which is why this tour is satisfying.

First you hike to Månafossen. That’s your focus phase: steps, sound, and reaching the point where the waterfall dominates everything. Then you transfer to the fjord and switch to balance and control. SUP or kayak becomes the new challenge, and the protected setting keeps it from turning into a survival test.

Then you ease off with refreshments at the pier. That sequence matters. Waterfall hikes can feel intense; paddling can feel long. The coffee-and-hot-chocolate close makes it feel like an actual outing, not just two workouts in a row.

And along the way, you get scenic road views during the transfers, including a short 15-minute scenic segment and extra driving time. It’s enough to see the region, not enough to waste your day.

Tips for Getting the Most From Your SUP Or Kayak Time

Frafjord Paddling & Månafossen Waterfall Hike Stavanger - Tips for Getting the Most From Your SUP Or Kayak Time
You don’t need to be athletic, but you do need to take the safety briefing seriously. When you’re in a wetsuit and life vest, you’ll feel more confident—still, wind and water movement can surprise you if you ignore the basics.

A few things that help:

  • Listen closely to the initial paddling instruction so you know how the guide expects you to move
  • Keep your focus forward and adjust as needed rather than overthinking every tiny wobble
  • If you get a chance to explore more on your own later in the session, take it calmly and watch for guide cues

From the experiences shared, the guides tend to be flexible too. People mention having time to paddle more freely after the guided portion, so you might get a balance of instruction plus personal space.

Should You Book This Frafjord + Månafossen Day?

If you want one 7-hour day that mixes a major waterfall with real fjord paddling, I think this tour is worth serious consideration. It’s especially smart for you if you don’t have a car, because the transportation, gear, and guidance are all part of the deal.

Book it if:

  • You like active days with a clear finish and a warm drink waiting
  • You want SUP or kayak time in a sheltered fjord, not a stressful open-water gamble
  • You’re excited by the scale of Månafossen and don’t mind a short hike that may feel steep

Skip it if:

  • You need a low-mobility option
  • Cold wet conditions are a deal-breaker for you
  • You only care about one activity (waterfall only, or paddle only)

FAQ

What is the duration of the tour?

The tour runs for about 7 hours.

Where do you meet for pickup in Stavanger?

You meet at the GuideCompaniet meeting point, and pickup is done by a minibuss with the Frafjord SUP & Kayak logo. Arrive about 5 minutes early.

How long is the Månafossen waterfall hike?

The round-trip hike to Månafossen takes about 1 hour, with the waterfall guided portion listed at about 75 minutes.

How long will I paddle in Frafjord?

You paddle in Frafjord for about 2 hours.

Do you provide SUP boards or kayaks, and do I get fitted with equipment?

Yes. You’ll use quality SUP boards or kayaks, and you’ll be provided with wetsuits and life vests. Instruction and safety briefing are also included.

What should I bring with me?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Is the tour canceled if it rains?

The tour takes place rain or shine. Very adverse weather may cause cancellation, and you’ll be notified as soon as possible in advance.

What languages are the tour guide speaking?

The live tour guide is available in English, Danish, German, Norwegian, and Swedish.

Is alcohol allowed?

No. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments, babies under 1 year, and people over 70 years.

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