Preikestolen without the stampede. This full-day outing combines a calm Refsvatnet canoe crossing with a quieter hidden trail hike up to the cliff above Lysefjorden.

I love the variety of the day: you’re not just grinding uphill, you’re also paddling first, then hiking to the 604-meter reward. I also love the crowd advantage, because this route is designed to keep you away until the top, and it can even put you in a spot where you look down on the people lined up for photos.

One consideration: this is still a hike, and the day involves about 3 hours up plus roughly 2.5 hours down, so you’ll want a moderate fitness base and good rain protection since the trip depends on weather.

Key highlights

• Refsvatnet canoe ride first, with guide instructions so you know what to expect before paddling
• Hidden trail approach that’s built for fewer people, even in summer
• 604-meter Preikestolen viewpoint with time to take in the fjord panorama
• Small group size (max 8) for easier pacing and more personal attention
• Packed lunch included from a historic Norwegian restaurant (dietary needs handled by contact)
• Guides like Stephan, Chris, and Allen focus on steady pacing and comfort on the go

Why This Day Trip Feels Different Than the Usual Preikestolen Plan

Preikestolen is famous for a reason. But fame also attracts crowds, especially if you arrive on the main trail when foot traffic is highest. This tour changes the rhythm by starting with the lake—so your day begins calmer, and your hike comes later, with a better shot at quiet.

I like that it’s not just about getting to the viewpoint. The pacing is built into the plan: time to adjust clothes and gear after the canoe, time to rest, and time for snacks and photos on the hike up. You’re not rushed from one checkbox to the next.

The other difference is the approach itself. You’ll hike an old, forgotten trail and reach Preikestolen after about three hours, which adds a feeling of achievement. And based on what guides describe and what people report, you can even arrive higher than the usual photo line, giving you a view of the queue below.

Stavanger Pickup at 7:00 AM: Simple Logistics, Early Start

You’ll start with pickup from designated locations in Stavanger. The general pickup time is 7:00 AM, and the exact time is confirmed on your schedule or your pickup timetable. After pickup, expect about a 45-minute drive to Preikestolen Basecamp.

This early departure matters more than you might think. Preikestolen is popular, and the earlier you move through the day’s steps, the more likely you are to avoid the densest periods—especially because this route is designed to keep groups away from the busiest areas.

At the end, the activity returns you to the same meeting point area, the Preikestolen Fjellstue area near Preikestolen. That keeps things straightforward: no complicated transfers or guessing where to meet later.

Preikestolen Basecamp to Refsvatnet: Lunch, Canoe Gear, and Safety Briefing

Once you arrive at Preikestolen Basecamp, the day gets practical right away. You’ll collect your packed lunch and your canoe equipment, then walk down to the lake beach at Refsvatnet.

Before anyone starts paddling, the guide gives instructions on safe canoeing and explains what conditions to expect. That setup is useful if you’ve never canoed in open water before. You’re not left to figure it out on the fly while everyone stares at the fjord like it’s a movie scene.

This section also works as a gear-reset. If you’re traveling with a camera bag, extra layers, or a small day pack, you’ll have a chance to organize things before you get wet or start moving. The guide also talks through the hike ahead, so you understand the timing before you commit energy climbing later.

Canoe Across Refsvatnet: A Calm Intro Before the Climb

The canoe part isn’t just a “bonus.” It sets the tone. You’ll paddle across Refsvatnet, land at the shore, and then move onto the hike along the old forgotten trail.

What I like here is that the canoe leg gives you a break from road travel and a different type of effort. You’re using your upper body, you’re outside, and you’re absorbing views from water level—before the steep work begins.

Also, because the group is kept small (maximum of 8 travelers), the logistics of getting everyone onto shore and ready to hike tend to feel smooth. A smaller group usually means fewer bottlenecks when you’re switching from paddling to hiking mode.

If you’re worried about the canoeing itself, the key is that you get instructions first. And once you’ve landed, the guide transitions you into the hiking plan so you’re not mentally juggling two activities at once.

The Hidden Trail Hike to the 604m Preikestolen View

This is the main event. After canoeing, you hike along the old, forgotten trail. The pace is designed to be steady and human—enough challenge to feel like you earned the view, but with stops built in for adjusting clothing, grabbing snacks, and taking photos.

Expect around 3 hours to reach Preikestolen, which sits 604 meters above Lysefjorden. At the top, you’ll face the cliff edge and the panoramic fjord view. That reward makes the climb make sense, especially because the route is planned to reduce the crowd crush that many people deal with on the main trail.

One of the strongest impressions from guide-led experiences is that you often don’t see much of anyone until you’re close to the viewpoint. That quiet can change everything. Instead of weaving around people for the best angles, you get space to breathe, stop moving, and enjoy the fjord without constant interruption.

You’ll also get that fun “hike hierarchy” feeling: people queuing on the main route often become the background view once you reach your spot on the hidden trail approach. It’s not the goal, but it’s a nice perspective.

Timing, Fitness Level, and Why the Pace Feels Fair

The tour is listed for travelers with moderate physical fitness. “Moderate” matters here because you’re not just walking on flat ground. You’re hiking upward for about three hours, then heading back down for roughly 2.5 hours.

The pace being adjustable is key. Guides such as Stephan, Chris, and Allen are known for keeping an eye on how everyone is doing and making adjustments on the go. That means if someone’s not feeling it that day, the group isn’t forced to pretend everything is easy.

I also like that the trail approach isn’t described as a sprint. You’ll have time to rest and enjoy snacks, and the schedule allows breaks for photos. In other words, you’re hiking, but you’re not stuck in permanent forward-only mode.

Practical tip: wear shoes with solid grip. Norway can be wet even when rain seems intermittent, and the trail can feel different when damp. If you run cold easily, bring a layer you can access quickly after you start sweating and then cool down.

Packed Lunch in the Middle of the Day: Fuel Without the Fuss

You’ll receive a packed lunch after reaching Basecamp. The food is included and comes from a historic Norwegian restaurant, and dietary restrictions can be handled if you contact the operator in advance.

This matters because it’s one less thing to plan while you’re in a hurry. Instead of stopping somewhere touristy and overpriced, you eat on your schedule while still inside the tour flow.

During the hike, you’ll also have time for snacks and rest breaks. That means you’re not just relying on one meal far away from when you actually need energy. It’s a more realistic approach for a long day that includes canoeing plus uphill hiking.

If you have dietary needs, this is the place to be proactive. Contact ahead so the lunch matches what you can eat, then you can focus on the views instead of thinking about food.

What If It Rains or the Weather Turns?

This experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor and the tour can’t run, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s important because safety and trail conditions matter on a cliff-edge hike.

Rain doesn’t automatically ruin the day, either. People have done the hike even with off-and-on rain, and in those cases the payoff at the top still makes it worth dressing right and staying flexible. When clouds roll in, the views may change, but you still get the fjord perspective and the hike experience.

Pack smart: a waterproof layer and quick-dry socks can make you feel human instead of soggy. If your canoe clothes are wet or damp afterward, you’ll appreciate having a change-ready layer for the hike.

Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For

At $212.61 per person, this isn’t a budget trip. But you’re also not paying for a single activity.

You’re getting:

• Stavanger pickup and round-trip transport time
• A guided day built around a canoe ride
• A guided hidden trail hike to Preikestolen
• Packed lunch included
• A small group experience (max 8), which often means less waiting and more attention

The biggest value point is the combination and the crowd strategy. One review-style theme you’ll feel instantly is that the hidden trail approach changes how it feels to reach Preikestolen. If you’ve ever stood in a line for a photo, you already know why that matters.

Also, this is presented as a unique offering: you won’t find another operator running this exact hidden trail + canoe combo in the same way. If your goal is to spend the day in nature with less time dealing with crowds, the price starts to look more fair.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Option)

This trip is ideal if you want an active day that’s still scenic, guided, and organized. You’ll enjoy it most if you:

• like getting your day going early
• don’t mind a challenging hike with built-in breaks
• want a viewpoint day that avoids crowd overload
• enjoy mixing water time with land time

It might be less ideal if you’re looking for an easy, mostly flat walk. The total hiking time and elevation mean your legs will feel it. It’s also not the best match if you’re strongly weather-sensitive and don’t have rain gear.

If you love the idea of canoeing but are a little nervous, the guide instruction helps. If you love the idea of hiking to Preikestolen but hate crowds, the hidden trail concept is the whole point.

Should You Book the Preikestolen Hidden Trail Hike + Canoe?

Book it if you want Preikestolen with breathing room. This tour’s core strength is the way it combines paddling and hiking while keeping the trail experience calmer than the usual main-route crush. I’d also pick it if you appreciate small-group guidance and pacing that actually considers comfort, not just speed.

Skip it if you want the most direct, simplest route with minimal physical effort. The hidden trail still demands effort, and it can involve rain-adapted hiking depending on conditions.

If you’re deciding between crowd-heavy main trail timing and a guided hidden approach, I’d choose this. You’ll spend the day outdoors in two different ways, you’ll get a serious payoff at the cliff edge, and you’ll likely spend less of the day sharing the view.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Preikestolen Hidden Trail Hike + Canoe Trip?

The trip runs about 9 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 7:00 AM.

Is pickup offered from Stavanger?

Yes. Pickup is offered from designated locations in Stavanger, with a general pickup time of 7:00 AM and exact times confirmed by the operator.

Where do we meet and where does the tour end?

You meet at Preikestolen Fjellstue (Preikestolvegen 521, 4105 Jørpeland, Norway). The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What is included besides the hike?

Canoe ride equipment and a packed lunch are included, and you’ll get safety instructions for canoeing.

How challenging is the hike?

It’s listed for travelers with moderate physical fitness. You’ll hike up for about 3 hours and down for about 2.5 hours.

How big is the group?

The group size is capped at a maximum of 8 travelers.

Is lunch included, and can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Yes, packed lunch is included from a historic Norwegian restaurant. You need to contact the operator to provide dietary restrictions.

What happens if weather conditions are poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

Yes. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time for a full refund.