Private guided hikes to Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), Kjerag and quieter local trails — adapted to your pace.
PRIVATE HIKING TOURS
IN STAVANGER
CALM PACE · LOCAL KNOWLEDGE · PHOTOS INCLUDED
A more adventurous way to experience Pulpit Rock, starting away from the main trail and following a quieter, more rugged route through the mountains. An optional canoe crossing possible.
HIKING EXPERIENCES
Four ways to explore the mountains
GUEST REVIEWS
What guests say about hiking with me
“Espen was an absolutely fantastic tour guide—honestly one of the best we've ever had, and we travel quite a bit. This was our first hiking experience in Europe, and Espen made it truly memorable from the moment he picked us up at our hotel right through to reaching the summit of Pulpit Rock.”
Alfonso Garcia · USA
“The hike was spot on given our level and what we’re looking for.”
Niels van der Laan · The Netherlands
“Espen took me and my parents up Pulpit rock and it was great!”
Michelle Ramos · USA
YOUR LOCAL HIKING GUIDE
One guide. One group. One personal hiking experience.
I’m Espen, the local guide behind Stavanger Adventure. I personally plan and guide every hike — from the first conversation to the final steps on the trail.
Private groups only
Just you, your travel companions and your guide.
Local mountain knowledge
Local trails, changing conditions and years of experience in the mountains around Stavanger and Lysefjord.
Flexible pace
The hike is adapted to your fitness, pace and how you want to experience the day.
Weather & safety
I monitor the conditions closely and adjust the plan when needed, with safety and comfort always first.
ARRIVING BY CRUISE SHIP?
Hiking that fits your port day
I offer private pickup close to your cruise ship and plan the hike around your ship’s schedule. For Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), I allow comfortable time for transport, the hike and the return to Stavanger before departure.
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If your port time is limited, I can also suggest a shorter private hike that fits the time available.
Want something different?
Back Track
A more adventurous approach to Pulpit Rock. A canoe crossing may be possible, but the entire hike can also be completed on foot.
Want the classic?
Pulpit Rock
Experience Norway’s most famous viewpoint on a private hike adapted to your pace, with time to enjoy the trail, the scenery and the summit.
Quieter or more personal?
Custom Hike
A private hike tailored to your fitness, interests and preferred landscape — including quieter local mountains and lesser-known trails.
Want a bigger challenge?
Kjerag
A demanding full-day mountain hike through rugged terrain to Kjerag and the famous Kjeragbolten, high above Lysefjord.
Whether you want to experience Pulpit Rock, take a quieter route, challenge yourself on Kjerag or explore somewhere completely different, each hike offers a different kind of day.
FIND THE RIGHT HIKE
Which hiking experience suits you?
HIKING IN STAVANGER
Private hiking experiences near Stavanger
Stavanger is surrounded by some of Norway’s most dramatic hiking landscapes, from Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) and Kjerag to quieter local mountains and lesser-known trails. Stavanger Adventure offers private guided hikes for couples, families, friends and small groups who want a more personal way to experience the region.
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Every hike is adapted to your group, the weather and the conditions on the day. The pace is flexible, with time for breaks, photos and the scenery along the way — rather than simply focusing on reaching the summit as quickly as possible.
Choose the classic Pulpit Rock hike, take the alternative Back Track route, challenge yourself on Kjerag or let me design a custom hike around your fitness and interests. Pickup, local guidance and photos are included where relevant, and every experience remains private to your group.
Enjoy the day
Meet your guide, head for the trail and enjoy the day at a pace adapted to your group and the conditions.
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Confirm the details
You receive a clear plan with pickup time, meeting point, what to bring and total price.
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Get a personal plan
I check availability, weather and conditions, and recommend the best option based on your group, fitness and interests.
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Send your date
Tell me when you are in Stavanger, how many you are and which hike you are considering.
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No complicated booking process. Send the essentials, get a personal recommendation and receive a clear plan for your hike.
SIMPLE BOOKING
From idea to the trail
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions about hiking in Stavanger
Still wondering about something? Here are some of the questions guests often ask before booking a private hike.
Yes. All my hiking tours are private, so it is only you, your travel companions and me as your guide. There are no shared groups. This gives us the freedom to adapt the pace, breaks and overall experience to your group.
Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) is the classic choice and suits many active visitors. The Back Track offers a quieter and more adventurous approach through rougher terrain. Kjerag is a significantly longer and more demanding mountain day, while a Custom Hike is ideal if you prefer something quieter or tailored to your interests and fitness.
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If you are unsure, tell me a little about your group and I will recommend the hike I think suits you best.
You do not need to be an experienced mountaineer, but the hikes require different levels of fitness. Pulpit Rock is a moderate mountain hike with uneven and rocky terrain. The Back Track is more rugged, while Kjerag requires good fitness and confidence on steep mountain terrain.
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If you tell me your age, general fitness and hiking experience, I will give you a realistic recommendation rather than simply trying to sell you the hardest hike.
Not for every hike. Many of my guests are hiking in Norway for the first time. Pulpit Rock can be a good introduction for active visitors, while the Back Track, Kjerag and some custom routes require more confidence on rough and uneven terrain.
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Because the tour is private, I can adapt the pace and provide more guidance where needed.
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No. The main Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) trail is well marked, and many visitors hike it independently. A private guide is not simply there to show you the way — the value is in making the whole experience easier, more personal and better adapted to you.
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I take care of transport and timing, monitor the weather and trail conditions, adapt the pace to your group and help you through sections that may feel steep, slippery or exposed. Along the way, I share local knowledge, help with photos and make sure there is time to enjoy the landscape rather than simply follow the crowds to the viewpoint and back.
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For cruise guests, families, first-time hikers in Norway, changing weather or anyone who simply wants a more relaxed and personal day, having a local guide can make a significant difference.
Pulpit Rock is approximately 8 km round trip and most guests spend around 4–5 hours on the trail including breaks. With transport from Stavanger, I normally allow around 6–8 hours for the complete private experience.
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The Back Track is approximately 2 km longer and I normally allow about one additional hour. Kjerag is a full-day experience, with a considerably longer hike and more travel time from Stavanger.
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If you have less time available, I can also arrange shorter custom hikes closer to Stavanger or Lysefjord. These can be adapted to your schedule, fitness and the kind of landscape you want to experience.
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Exact timing always depends on your pace, the weather and trail conditions.
Yes. I regularly guide cruise guests and plan the day around the ship’s schedule. For Pulpit Rock, I can meet you close to the cruise ship, keep track of the time throughout the day and plan the return with a comfortable margin before departure.
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Send me the name of your ship, arrival time and departure or all-aboard time when you enquire. I will tell you honestly whether the hike fits your port day.
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Kjerag normally requires too much time for a typical cruise call, but shorter or custom hikes may be possible when Pulpit Rock does not fit.
For most private hikes, pickup and transport from central Stavanger or close to the cruise harbour are included as described on the individual tour page. I confirm the exact pickup time and location before the hike.
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Larger groups or special routes may require additional transport arrangements, which I will explain before you confirm the booking.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good grip and dress in layers. I recommend a waterproof jacket, an extra warm layer and clothing suitable for changing mountain weather.
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Bring a small backpack with enough water, lunch or snacks and any personal medication you may need. Even when the forecast looks good in Stavanger, conditions in the mountains can be cooler, wetter and windier.
Good hiking footwear with a reliable grip is important. Proper hiking shoes or boots are strongly recommended, especially in wet conditions and on the more demanding routes.
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Trekking poles are not essential for Pulpit Rock, but many hikers find them helpful for balance and for reducing strain on the knees during the descent. They can be particularly useful if you already use poles regularly.
Send me your preferred date, group size and the hike you are interested in. If you are arriving by cruise ship, include the ship name and port times.
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I will confirm availability and send you a clear plan with pickup, timing, what to bring and the total price.
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For most hikes, no deposit is required and you can pay by card or cash on the day. If special transport or an additional guide is required, I may ask for 20% in advance. This will always be explained clearly before you confirm.
I monitor the weather and trail conditions closely before every hike. Rain alone does not necessarily mean the hike has to be cancelled, but I may adjust the start time, route or plan if conditions require it.
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If I decide that conditions are not suitable for a safe and enjoyable hike and I have to cancel, there is no charge. If you have already made an advance payment, it will be refunded.
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Mountain weather can also affect visibility, so views from Pulpit Rock, Kjerag or other summits can never be guaranteed.
Tell me before the hike. Most of the standard Pulpit Rock trail is not directly beside a cliff edge, and you do not need to stand close to the edge when we reach the plateau.
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I can adapt how we approach the viewpoint so you can enjoy the experience while keeping a comfortable distance from exposed areas. The Back Track and Kjerag involve more rugged terrain and noticeable exposure, so they may not be the best choice if you have a strong fear of heights.
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If that is the case, I can also suggest a different private hike with less exposure, based on your fitness, interests and the time you have available.
Yes, children can join many of the hikes, but the right choice depends on their age, fitness, hiking experience and the conditions on the day.
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Pulpit Rock is normally the most suitable of the main hikes for active families. Kjerag is much longer and more demanding and is not something I automatically recommend for younger children.
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Tell me the ages of the children when you enquire and I will help you choose a suitable hike.
Do not expect toilet facilities once the hike has started. At Pulpit Rock there are toilets at the trailhead, but there are no toilets along the trail or at the summit.
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Facilities vary on other hikes, so I recommend using the available facilities before we start.
Most of my private hiking tours are designed for groups of up to four guests. Larger groups can often be arranged, but they may require a larger vehicle, additional transport or another guide depending on the route and group size.
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If you are more than four, send me the group size and I will suggest the best solution.
Private guiding, the transport described for the tour, local planning and photos from the day are included unless otherwise stated. I also carry appropriate basic safety equipment for the route.
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Food and drinks are not automatically included on every hike, but I can arrange simple food or a local lunch when agreed in advance — for example traditional Norwegian waffles with toppings. I will always let you know what is included before you confirm the tour.
The main hiking season is generally from late spring through autumn, when trails are normally free of snow and conditions are suitable for most visitors.
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Pulpit Rock can be hiked year-round, but winter conditions may involve snow and ice and require different equipment and experience. Kjerag is much more seasonal because the mountain road to the trailhead normally closes during winter.
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Custom hikes give me more flexibility to choose a route that suits the season and current conditions.