Experience the South's most beautiful coast in 3 hours. We paddle closely on the unique archipelago through narrow straits and quiet coves, while a local guide guides you safely along the finest routes. The trip is suitable for those who want a social, close to nature and memorable experience on the water.
Welcome to Lillesand Coastal Tour
Join us for a memorable nature experience in the southern archipelago — one of the most beautiful things Norway has to offer.
Whether you're a tourist looking to experience the best of the South, or a local who wants a new way to explore the archipelago, this guided tour is a safe, social and inspiring introduction to the world of paddling. You don't need experience or your own equipment — just the desire to experience the tranquility and closeness to nature.
**What is the Lillesand Coastal Tour? **
The Lillesand Coastal Tour is a guided kayak tour that takes you on an amazing journey through narrow straits, quiet coves and small archipelago areas around Lillesand. Here you paddle side by side with nature — without city noise and without stress. We start and end the tour in the same place, so you can safely park your car and enjoy a complete round trip at a leisurely pace.
The trip lasts about 3 hours and includes both paddling and breaks in beautiful places. Before we start, you will receive training on how to use the kayak, and along the way you will receive help, support and exciting stories from our experienced guides.
**Why choose a kayak trip in Lillesand? **
Lillesand is a gem of Sørlandet — a charming coastal town known for its white wooden houses, balmy harbours and what is known as the Blindleia — an iconic and protected inland waterway that stretches from Lillesand and westwards towards Kristiansand. For generations, this trail has been used by coasters, longshoremen and summer guests — and now it's your turn to experience it.
What makes kayaking perfect here is the proximity you get to both nature and history. You can paddle along rocky cliffs, glide past ancient harbors and marinas, and watch birds nesting in the reeds. Unlike a boat, the kayak allows you to get up close — without disturbing. Here it is easy to feel like part of the landscape.
This is not a performance tour. This is a leisurely journey of discovery -- to places you didn't know you could get to.
- 3 hours, starting 1 time per day
- 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Location: Kokkenes 18, Lillesand
- 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