Welcome to the Kristiansand River Tour — our most popular kayaking experience. This is a peaceful, beautiful and safe trip that takes you through some of the most beautiful countryside Kristiansand has to offer. The trip is suitable for everyone, whether you are a tourist, cruise passenger, permanent resident or trying kayaking for the very first time. You don't need any experience — just the desire to experience nature in a new way.
**What is Kristiansand River Tour? **
The Otra River Tour is a guided kayak tour in which we paddle with the current through an ever-changing landscape. We will pick you up at Nodeviga 3 in Kristiansand and drive you to the starting point. We start the paddling in scenic surroundings at Mosby, north of Kristiansand, and follow the calm river south. On the way we pass green woodlands, open riverbanks, old farms and bridges, before slipping in towards the city centre.
The tour ends at Kjøita, just outside Kvadraturen — Kristiansand's historic and urban centre. The whole trip lasts about 3 hours, there is about 2 hours of paddling and we paddle at a leisurely pace, with the possibility of breaks along the way. If the weather is warm and we are well located on the trail, we can take a bath in the river along the way. We arrange transportation from Kristiansand Port to Mosby, where we start the kayak tour.
**Why choose Kristiansand River Tour? **
Kristiansand River Tour gives you a close and quiet nature experience close to the city. The Otra River offers incredibly beautiful scenery, right next to the city. It makes the trip both exciting and accessible — whether you live in Kristiansand or are visiting the city for the first time.
You don't need any prior knowledge. Before we start, you will get a safe and clear introduction to paddling technique and safety, and along the way an experienced guide will accompany the group all the way. The kayaks are stable and the groups small, so you always have plenty of support and time to enjoy the surroundings.
The tour is suitable for both adults and children from 13 years old. The pace is calm, the mood is relaxed, and the experience offers a nice combination of silence, nature and mastery.
This is an incredibly nice way to experience nature around Kristiansand.
Perfect for active travelers: Paddle down the beautiful Otra River through calm waters and peaceful nature. A scenic kayaking experience suitable for beginners and for those who want to be active.
- 3 hours
- Location: Nodeviga 3, 4610 Kristiansand (near the harbour)
- Age limit: 10 years
Padlegleden is a southern-based experience and expertise environment that makes kayaking safe, accessible and inspiring — for beginners, families, businesses and visitors. We offer courses with Wet cards, guided tours of archipelago and river, team building for businesses and equipment rental. Our goal is simple: safe mastery, great service and memorable natural experiences.
This is how we work
We believe in small groups, clear and friendly instruction, and equipment that provides peace of mind. All of our products -- from intro courses to longer tours -- are designed for ordinary people, not for top athletes. The most important thing is that you feel cared for and go home with the experience of having learned something new.
The Entrepreneur's Story
The paddle trail was started by Hakeem Teland in 2023. Hakeem started paddling as a ten-year-old and early on became one of the country's top paddlers and has behind him a career at the top level — including a string of NM golds and international placings. After setting up as an activist, he wanted to use the experience to lower the threshold for others: give people a confident start, teach them good habits on the water and show off the South Country's nature from its best side. Today, Hakeem leads a small, dedicated team and is himself an active instructor and guide.
Lars Magne Ullvang
Our team also includes the national paddler Lars Magne Ullvang. He qualified for the Tokyo Olympics (2021) in the K-1 1000 m, and has several royal trophies and national titles on his merit list.
In addition to international experience, he has a background characterized by purposefulness and communicative ability, which makes him very well suited as a safe, calm and educational guide on the water. Several editorial reviews shed light on both his merits and his journey as a top athlete.
Why Choose Us
• Safety first: certified instructors, good safety regime and stable, custom kayaks.
• Mastery in focus: you get concrete, manageable steps — from boarding and disembarking to manoeuvring and rescue.
• Good experience: friendly follow-up, small groups and leisurely pace, so everyone hangs out.
• Proven customer satisfaction: Padlegleden has established a solid reputation in Sørlandet through good reviews and award-winning service.
• All year round: courses and tours are set up consecutively in season; team building and tailoring by appointment.
Vision and Ambition
We will be the first choice for safe and meaningful paddling experiences in Norway. That means delivering high quality every day, while sharing knowledge that makes people independent and safe on the water — whether they're joining a trip, taking a wet card, or building a new hobby for life.
Get in contact
Do you have questions about which scheme is best suited, or do you want a tailor-made scheme for family, group of friends or company? Send an email or call — we'll help you quickly find the right option.
Sincerely,
Team Paddle Trail