Preikestolen without the crowds is hard to beat. This day mixes a quiet, hidden trail with a calm canoe ride, plus an included packed lunch that keeps you fueled. The big tradeoff is that this is not a casual stroll, there is some scrambling and the height is real, so fear of heights can be a deal-breaker.

I also like how much you get for your time. In one long day, you get transport from Stavanger, a small group of just 8, and guides like Stefan and Allan (and sometimes Erlend, Line, or Lina) who focus on safety and pacing. Expect a more personal experience than the usual scramble for photos.

If you want the most famous viewpoint in Norway, but on your terms, this is built for you. You will trade some convenience for quiet trails, better angles over Lysefjorden, and fewer people around your summit moment.

Key things to know about this Preikestolen Hidden Trail day

• Small group size (up to 8) helps the trail feel uncrowded even in high season
• Canoe start on Revsvatnet sets a peaceful tone before the climb
• Hidden route, not the main path means you spend big chunks of the hike with very few people
• Guides handle safety and pace, with extra help if you need it in tricky spots
• Packed lunch plus hot berry juice keeps energy steady for the return down

Why this Preikestolen day hike feels different from the main route

Preikestolen is one of those places that people talk about like it is a single photo. But the experience is the journey, and this tour spends your energy where it matters.

You start with the water, canoeing across Revsvatnet to reach the shore for the hike. That alone changes the mood. Instead of walking straight into a line of visitors, you ease in with instructions, life vests, and time to get set. Then you switch to a trail that many visitors never find. The route runs along an old, forgotten path that was rediscovered by a local pioneering guide, and you follow it before joining the more crowded area near the end.

Two things I really like about this approach:

1. You get top-tier views over Lysefjorden while still feeling like you are out in the mountains, not stuck in a tourist funnel.
2. The hike pace is built for real people, not just fit hikers. You get breaks, snack time, and room to adjust clothes and gear so you do not cook yourself before the best parts.

Possible consideration: the climb is not just steep, it also includes rocky scrambling and some exposure. If your knees hate uneven stone or you are very anxious about height, you will need to think carefully before booking.

Pickup, Villa Rosehagen lunch stop, and the calm arrival at basecamp

The day starts with pickup around Stavanger, with many options listed, so you can likely match your hotel area to a convenient starting point. The guide drives a marked car and knows which group location to collect, and you get an exact pickup time through their process.

The first practical stop is Villa Rosehagen, where you pick up your packed lunch. This matters more than it sounds. On a tough day hike, having a real meal ready to go helps you skip the awkward snack scramble and focus on the trail. The tour also asks about dietary restrictions in advance, so you are not stuck guessing what you can eat.

After the lunch stop, you drive to Preikestolen Basecamp, where restrooms are available. From there, you get life vests and canoe equipment, then head down toward the lake where Revsvatnet meets the start of your adventure. You also get a heads-up on what conditions to expect and the safe way to canoe, plus tips that make your first paddle less stressful.

One nice detail from the way the guides lead is that they treat beginners with respect when it comes to safety. For example, Allan has specifically been praised for helping someone who does not swim feel secure in the canoe. So while you should still be realistic about the effort ahead, you are not just dropped into a risky activity.

Canoeing across Revsvatnet: 1 hour of focus and quiet

The canoe section is about one hour, and it works as more than a fun add-on. It is a reset. You trade crowded viewpoint stress for simple movement across water, with clear instructions from your guide.

Before you push off, the guide explains safe canoeing and how to handle the paddle and balance. You will also be wearing a life vest, and the group stays together with your guide managing the flow. If you have never canoed before, this is a good place to learn because the ride is structured and guided, not a free-for-all.

What you gain here is breathing room. People often underestimate how much mental energy the first part of a hike takes. Canoeing slows you down, lets you look around, and gets you into the right mindset before you start climbing.

And then there is the mood shift. The reviews give a clear theme: this water time feels peaceful, almost like you are stealing a quiet moment before the main attraction. That is exactly the kind of travel day I like, one where the journey actually gives you something, not just the end point.

The hidden trail hike: rocky steps, smart pacing, and fewer people

Once you land on shore, the real work begins. You walk along an old trail that the guide knows and you hike at a pace that allows rests and snack breaks. The route moves through different terrain, and it includes scrambling in rocky sections.

This is the part where you should be honest with yourself. This is not an effortless hike with flat footing. The tour is suitable for people with hiking experience, and if you are new, you should only book if you are already active, like doing one solid cardio workout weekly. The goal is to help you enjoy the day, not suffer silently.

What makes the hike better than doing it alone is the guidance:

• The guide helps you match pace to conditions, so you are not stuck pushing too hard from the start.
• You get stopping points for photos and short breaks.
• Guides also share details that make the trail feel alive. Erlend, for example, has been praised for teaching bird songs and foraging, like pointing out edible plants and helping you notice wildlife.
• If you worry about knees on uneven ground, one guide has been mentioned as having extra hiking poles to help.

There is also a safety reality check you should respect: if you have a severe fear of heights, this route may not be for you. Even if you handle hiking, the combination of rocky scrambling and big exposure can be intense.

The reward is that you spend a large chunk of the climb with very few people. Many days on the main route feel like you are in a line. Here, you often hike before you reach the final area where the crowd starts to appear.

Reaching Preikestolen: fjord views, lunch at the best angle, and hot berry juice

After about 3.5 hours of hiking, you arrive at Preikestolen, 604 meters above Lysefjorden. That number is impressive, but the feeling is the real souvenir. The cliff face overlooks the fjord, and the panoramic view is the payoff for every steep step.

One clever advantage of the hidden trail approach is that you do not treat Preikestolen as the only viewpoint. Some guides build in time at better angles along the way, including lunch spots with a clear view of the fjord. In one experience, lunch was taken at a viewpoint where the fjord was visible with no visual obstruction, and then Preikestolen was saved as the later stop.

You sit down for the packed lunch and you also get hot berry juice. That hot drink is not just cute, it helps you warm up and reset before the descent. It is the kind of small included detail that makes the whole day feel smoother.

Also, this is when you really understand the value of not being stuck with crowds. You can actually breathe, look around, and take photos without feeling like you are rushing through a checklist. Even when other hikers show up later, you have already earned your best quiet time.

After your time at the top, you head back down. The descent normally takes around 2.5 hours to the parking area. Then the day wraps with driving you back toward Stavanger.

Difficulty, what to bring, and the rules that matter on rocky terrain

I like when an outdoor tour tells you its limits clearly, and this one does. The hike is suitable for active people with hiking experience. If you are less experienced, plan on working with your body, not fighting it. The path has rocky sections and scrambling, and it can be heavy on knees for some hikers.

Important clothing and footwear rules are given up front:

• No jeans
• No high-heeled shoes

That makes sense for two reasons. First, jeans can get stiff or take too long to dry if conditions turn damp. Second, high heels have no business on rock. You want proper hiking shoes you trust on uneven ground. The tour also mentions that gear for rent or purchase may be available if you inquire, including things like a small backpack, warm hat and gloves, rain-proof jacket, water-resistant pants, and hiking boots.

A practical packing checklist based on what this kind of day demands:

• Layer up so you can adjust during the climb and chill at the viewpoints
• Bring rain protection, because fjord weather can change fast
• Use hiking shoes with grip you trust on rock and gravel
• If you like trekking poles, consider bringing your own, or ask during check-in since some guides have extras

One last safety note: the day includes scrambling and exposure, so if you are shaky with heights, you should think twice before booking.

Guides make the day: the small-group feel and safety-first leadership

The guide is the difference between just hiking and having a real experience. This tour runs with experienced local guides and a small group capped at 8, so you get attention when you need it. You also get group dynamics that feel friendly rather than chaotic.

The reviews highlight safety and care in two different settings:

1. Canoeing: Allan was praised for making a non-swimmer feel safe, with instruction and support.
2. Hiking: Stefan and Erlend were praised for guiding people through challenging parts safely and professionally, plus encouraging pacing and breaks.

Guides also add personality. Line was praised for being patient and encouraging, and Allan’s dog has been mentioned as an extra companion. Erlend has been praised with a border collie joining the outing, which can be a nice morale boost on a long day.

Some guides also offer to help with photos. That matters because Preikestolen is not just about selfies. A guide taking a few pics can help you capture the view without you having to constantly swap between focusing on your footing and trying to get the shot.

Price and value: what $273 really buys you

At $273 per person, this is not a cheap excursion. But if you break down what is included, the price starts to make sense for a high-quality day outside.

You are paying for:

• Transport from Stavanger to basecamp and back
• A trained local guide for the full day
• Canoeing equipment and a guided canoe ride
• Seasonal technical equipment and life vests
• An included packed lunch from Villa Rosehagen, plus hot berry juice and a small snack
• A small group experience designed to reduce crowd time

If you tried to piece this together yourself, the costs would stack quickly. You would still need to get yourself to the right starting area, arrange canoeing safely with gear and instruction, and figure out a route that avoids the main crowds. The value here is that someone else does the hard parts: planning the day, pacing you, and leading you to the better trail.

Is it worth it? For me, yes if your priority is experiencing Preikestolen in a more personal way. If your priority is budget, there are cheaper ways to reach the viewpoint. But if you want the quiet trail, the canoe start, and a guided, safer climb with time to enjoy it, this price is doing real work.

Should you book the Stavanger Preikestolen Hidden Trail tour?

Book this if:

• You want Preikestolen during the day without the usual crowd pressure
• You enjoy structured outdoor activities, especially if you want to try canoeing with guidance
• You are active enough for a longer day hike with rocky sections and some scrambling
• You like learning on the trail, like foraging and bird recognition, not just looking at scenery

Skip it or reconsider if:

• You have a severe fear of heights
• You are truly new to hiking and not currently active
• You do not feel comfortable with rocky terrain and exposure, even if you are willing to push through

If you fit the sweet spot, you will likely end up feeling like you did Preikestolen in a smarter way. You get the famous view, yes. But you also get a quieter trail, a peaceful start on the lake, and enough included comfort food to keep the day enjoyable from pickup to the drive back.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Stavanger?

The total duration is 9 hours.

Is canoeing included in this experience?

Yes. Canoeing is included and lasts about 1 hour.

Do you get lunch on the hike?

Yes. A packed lunch is included, picked up at Villa Rosehagen. You can share dietary restrictions in advance.

How many people are in the group?

This is a small group limited to 8 participants.

Is the hike suitable for beginners?

It is suitable for people with hiking experience. If it is your first hike, you should only book if you are active (about one cardio workout session per week).

What footwear and clothing are not allowed?

Jeans and high-heeled shoes are not allowed.

What age requirements apply?

Children under 8 years are not suitable, and the tour is also not suitable for children under 33 lbs (15 kg) or under 3 ft 3 in (100 cm).