Lysefjord Kayaking: Preikestolen from the Water

Six hours paddling into gorges and under cliffs, with Preikestolen rising above you

Half-day kayaking in Lysefjord with a live guide in English or Norwegian, paddling past waterfalls and seals to view Preikestolen from the fjord below. Kayak, paddle, spray jacket, buoyancy aid and spray skirt included. A chocolate snack stops the day. You must be able to swim and are at least 14 years old.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak safari in Lysefjord

• Paddle through Lysefjord waters
• See Pulpit Rock from below
• Explore Fantahålå gorge by kayak
• Stop at Hengjane mountain farm
• Lunch next to Fossånå Fossen waterfall

The experience

You paddle into Lysefjord with a guide who knows the water and the weather. The half-day means you're on the kayak for six hours total, moving through the fjord at the pace the conditions allow. Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) sits 604 metres above the water on the cliff face, and from a kayak below it, the scale shifts. You're looking up at the formation instead of down from the hiking trail. The perspective alone is what makes this different from the land-based route.

The itinerary moves through named stops: Fossånå Fossen waterfall, where you pause for lunch (bring your own); Hengjane, a 17th-century mountain farm with the Hengjanenibbå formation and Whisky Falls visible from the water; and Fantahålå, a large gorge that was once a hiding place and is only reachable by boat. Seals and sea eagles appear in the fjord, and the waterfalls cascade down the rock face as you paddle. The route changes if the weather demands it, and the tour runs rain or shine.

All kayaking gear comes with you: the kayak and paddle, spray jacket, buoyancy aid and spray skirt to keep water out. A chocolate snack is included. Bring water and lunch. The guide speaks English or Norwegian, and you need to be a swimmer and at least 14 years old to join.

What’s included

• Kayak and paddle.
• spray jacket, buoyancy aid and spray skirt.
• live guide in English or Norwegian.
• chocolate snack.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Norwegian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Nordic Paddling

Is this one for you?Book this kayak if you want to see Preikestolen from the water instead of from the hiking trail. It's the only way to view the cliff from below. You must be able to swim and at least 14 years old. The six-hour paddle suits anyone comfortable in a kayak for that length of time, regardless of fitness level.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Norwegian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I kayak Lysefjord if I've never paddled before?

Yes. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and requires no prior kayaking experience. You do need to be able to swim, and the guide will show you how to handle the paddle and kayak before you leave the shore.

What is Preikestolen and why does it look different from a kayak?

Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) is a 604-metre cliff formation that juts out over Lysefjord. From the famous hiking trail, you stand on top looking down. From a kayak on the water below, you look up at its full height and the rock face around it, which gives a completely different sense of its scale and shape.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my kayak?

The tour runs rain or shine. The guide may change the itinerary if conditions make certain areas unsafe, but you will still paddle and visit the main sites: the route adapts to what the fjord allows that day.

Do I need to bring my own lunch and water?

Yes. Bring a lunch pack and a bottle of water to drink during the paddle. A chocolate snack is provided, but no other food or drinks are served.

Is Fantahålå gorge safe to paddle into?

Yes. Fantahålå is a large gorge that was used as a hiding place centuries ago and is now a regular stop on the route. It is only accessible by boat, and the guide navigates it as part of the standard itinerary.