🛶 The best routes for water hiking and kayaking in Norway
Top 3 destinations:
- Nærøyfjord — the narrowest and one of the most cinematic fjords in the world: cliffs, waterfalls, mini-villages. An excellent choice for your first solo trip.
- Lofoten Islands — crystal clear water, turquoise beaches and dozens of sheltered bays; it is important to catch windows in the wind and surf.
- Lysefjord — grandiose walls under Preikestolen and Kjerag, but the open water area requires careful planning.
🧭 Quick destination selection (experience/wind/time)
🛶 Nærøyfjord: how to organise your own excursion
Where to start: most often Gudvangen — a convenient entry point into the narrow fjord; it is possible to start from Flåm and cross Aurlandsfjord, but this route is longer and more exposed.
1-day formats (4–6 hours):
- Gudvangen ↔ Bakka: ~8–14 km along the coast. Calm terrain, waterfalls, photo stops.
- Gudvangen → Dyrdal → Gudvangen: ~18–24 km; if you feel strong and the weather is stable.
- Morning calm: setting off at 7–9 a.m. is quieter in terms of wind and motor traffic.
Rental/instruction: the villages at the start usually offer kayak/SUP rental and a short briefing; in high season, it is worth booking in advance.
Waterway rules: stay closer to the shore, cross the fairway at a right angle and quickly; give way to ferries and cruise ships, move away from their wake with your bow.
🧩 Day planner for Nærøyfjord (distance/speed/wind)
🌊 Lysefjord: independent route with Preikestolen and Kjerag
How to get to the trailheads:
- Preikestolen: road from Stavanger via a modern motorway and underwater tunnels towards Preikestolen Basecamp (previously accessible by ferry; today it is faster to travel by road).
- Kjerag (Lysebotn/Øygardstøl): in summer, the Lysevegen mountain serpentine road is open; outside the season, check the road accessibility and possible seasonal boats on the fjord.
Plan for 2–3 days (hiking + water):
- Day 1 — Preikestolen: 3.5–5 hour round trip climb, panoramic views over the fjord. Afterwards, a short walk on the water (boat/SUP session on the leeward shore in calm weather).
- Day 2 — Transfer to Lysebotn: during the summer window — spectacular descent along Lysevegen; at other times — detour through the valleys.
- Day 3 — Kjerag: 6–8 hours RT, windy plateau; only go out when the weather is stable.
🧩 Lysefjord: 2/3-day plan builder
Day 1: Preikestolen (morning) → shoreline walk / calm-water paddle (evening if calm).
Day 2: Transfer to Lysebotn → short hikes at the foot of the cliffs or short boat/kayak trip.
🏝️ Lofoten: where to paddle calmly and what to consider
Where the water is calmer: inner bays and fjords — Reinefjord, Nusfjord, the waters between Svolvaer and Skrova (an island with light-coloured sand).
What beginners should avoid: the side open to the ocean during high tide/wind (side waves, refraction near rocks).
Life hacks: start at dawn/evening (less wind), move ‘by the numbers’ of the bays, stay on the leeward shore.
🧩 Estimating time on the water with adjustments for wind/waves
🛡️ Water safety: brief and to the point
- Clothing for water, not air: when the water temperature is below ~12–14°C, use a wetsuit/dry suit. Always wear a life jacket.
- Communication and navigation: phone in a waterproof case + whistle/signal; it is good to have a backup communication device. Offline map/track, knowledge of tides/wind for the day.
- Minimum equipment: cockpit skirt, pump/float for self-rescue, spare warm clothing in a waterproof bag.
- Tactics: stay close to the shore, cross the fairway at a right angle, keep your distance from rockfalls and reflected waves near the cliffs.
- Weather and time: an early start means calmer winds and free moorings. If the wind picks up, head for the nearest sheltered bay/shore.
- Nature and etiquette: do not disturb birds and seals, keep your distance from fish farms, take all your rubbish with you.
🧩 Self-check of readiness
🧭 Route ‘All the main points of Lysefjord’ in 2–3 days
Day 1: Stavanger → Preikestolen trail (early start) → evening by the water in a sheltered bay/quay.
Day 2: Transfer to Lysebotn (in summer via Lysevegen — spectacular descent) → coastal trails and viewpoints at the foot of granite walls.
Day 3: Trekking to Kjeragbolten (in the morning). If the weather is unstable — reserve day/alternative: fjord cruise.
🎒 Equipment and budget
Conclusion: for your first solo kayaking trip, choose Nærøyfjord; for ‘postcard’ shots with turquoise water, choose Lofoten (with an emphasis on sheltered bays); for grandiose walls and a ‘combo’ with trekking — Lysefjord. An early start, waterproof clothing, coastal tactics and an honest assessment of the wind are the four pillars of safe enjoyment of Norwegian water trips.
❓FAQ
For your first solo trip, Nærøyfjord is safer in terms of terrain and traffic (if you go along the coast and start early). Lofoten has many sheltered bays, but ocean swells and side waves are often more challenging.
For beginners, the guideline is up to 5–6 m/s in sheltered water and without surf. If the forecast is higher or there is a strengthening/shift, postpone your trip. Water is always more important than plans.
Yes, if the water is cold (below ~12–14 °C) or you are going far from the shore. Dress for the water, not the air: it is better to be slightly ‘hot’ than to risk cold shock.
Use campsites/official sites. Follow the rules for parking and ‘Leave No Trace’: do not park on private meadows, protect sensitive areas.
Give way unconditionally, cross the fairway at a right angle, meet the wake with your bow, keep your distance and stay to the left/right of the shore.
In Nærøyfjord — the cliffs at Bakka and the cascades at the bends; in Lysefjord — the walls below Preikestolen and the bend at Lysebotn; in Lofoten — the glassy bays of Skrovi and the peaks of Reine on the horizon.
Early in the morning: the wind is calmer and there is less boat traffic; you will have a ‘window’ until the midday breeze.
Yes: a short morning paddle (2–3 hours) + an afternoon hike (Preikestolen/short Lofoten trails). Bring supplies for recovery and nutrition.
On open water — yes. Minimum: pump, float, practise getting back into the boat. In a group — assign roles in advance.
Today, it is more convenient to reach the main trails by road/tunnels. Summer water routes and the Lysevegen mountain road add to the spectacle, but depend on the season and weather.
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