Olden Shore Excursion: the Amazing Briksdal Glacier

A glacier walk with waterfalls does the trick. This four-hour Olden outing combines a scenic drive beside Lake Oldevatnet with a hike to Briksdal Glacier, and I especially like the turquoise lake photo stop and the chance to reach a glacier lake without arranging transport yourself. The guides also add local stories along the road, with guides such as Lulu, Laura, Gabriel, and Gabriele praised for their friendly help.

The main catch is the walk. It is not a technical mountain hike, but it does include uphill sections, steps, and a few steeper stretches. Rain can make the trail harder, and the tour may feel expensive if you see it mainly as a bus ride plus an unguided walk at your own pace.

Key points at a glance

• The glacier walk takes about 1 hour 45 minutes in the schedule: Most people describe the actual uphill walk as roughly 30 to 60 minutes each way, depending on pace and stops.
• A powerful waterfall comes halfway along the route: Bring waterproof layers, since spray can reach the path even on a pleasant day.
• Lake Oldevatnet adds a worthwhile photo stop: The turquoise water and mountain setting make the drive part of the experience, not just transport.
• The path is broad and mostly paved or gravel: It is manageable for many fit walkers, but not flat and not ideal for anyone with serious mobility limits.
• Troll cars can reduce the uphill effort: They are available at Briksdal, but they are not included in the tour price and still leave some walking.
• The meeting point is close to the cruise pier: You make your own way to Norway Excursions Olden, at Rv60 190 in Olden.

Why this Olden shore trip is worth considering

Briksdal Glacier, or Briksdalbreen, gives you a close look at one of western Norway’s great natural sights. You do not simply pull up beside the ice. You walk through a narrow mountain valley, past rushing water and waterfalls, until the glacier comes into view above a pale blue lake.

That gradual approach is the best part. The scenery changes with every turn, and the walk itself feels more rewarding than a quick viewpoint stop. I like tours that make the route part of the attraction, and this one does.

The outing is also well suited to a cruise day. The bus meets near the pier, the drive is organized, and the return ends at the same meeting point. That removes the worry of arranging a taxi or rental car while still giving you a good amount of time outdoors.

The 4.6 rating from 431 reviews suggests a consistently strong experience, though the score also reflects a real divide. People who enjoy walking tend to love the day. People expecting a fully guided, low-effort sightseeing trip can find the price hard to justify.

Meeting the bus near Olden’s cruise pier

You make your own way to the Norway Excursions Olden meeting point. It is within walking distance of the cruise port and many Olden hotels, which is useful for a port call where every minute matters.

Allow enough time to leave your ship, walk off the pier, and find the departure point. Cruise passengers must provide their ship name when booking. That information helps the operator plan around port schedules, but you should still check your own all-aboard time before committing to any shore activity.

The group can reach a maximum of 45 people. That means this is not a private outing, and the bus may feel busy, especially when a double-decker vehicle is used. Still, the large capacity helps keep the price below many cruise-line excursions.

The tour includes an English-speaking local guide. In mixed groups, the guide may speak more than one language, so commentary can vary. During April and October, limited guide availability can mean English-only guiding.

The drive through Olden and past Old Church

The first part of the journey takes you through Olden. You pass the Old Church, a small local landmark that gives the drive some sense of place before the mountains take over.

This section is brief, but it matters. A direct bus transfer would get you to the trailhead faster, yet it would miss the chance to hear about the area and see the settlement around the fjord and valley.

Several guides have received praise for their commentary on the drive. Lulu is described as lively and informative, while Laura was appreciated for her warm manner and help with photographs. Gabriel and Gabriele were also singled out for friendly, useful guidance. Guide quality can vary by departure, but the strongest part of the experience appears to be the human touch on the bus ride.

One caution: commentary is not guaranteed to be equally detailed every time. Some visitors found the guide excellent, while others felt the information was repetitive or light on local context. I would treat the guide as a welcome addition, not the sole reason to book.

Lake Oldevatnet makes a fine first photo stop

The bus follows the shore of Oldevatnet, often called Olden Lake in tour material. At Oldevatn Camping, you get about 10 minutes for photographs.

The lake is known for striking turquoise water, framed by mountains and often backed by snowy peaks. The stop is short, so have your camera ready before the bus pulls in. Ten minutes is enough for a few good photographs, but not for a proper walk along the shore.

This is one of the tour’s most valuable small details. You get two very different water views in one morning or afternoon: a broad turquoise lake on the drive out, then the smaller glacial lake beneath Briksdal Glacier. The first stop also breaks up the bus ride before the main walk.

Do not expect a long visit here. It is a scenic pause, not a separate attraction.

Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge marks the real beginning

At Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge, you leave the bus and start toward the glacier. The lodge area serves as the practical base for the walk, with the trail continuing into the valley.

The scheduled time at Briksdal Glacier is about 1 hour 45 minutes. That window covers the walk up, time at the viewpoint, photographs, and the return to the bus. Your guide may explain the route and offer help, but the walk is generally taken at your own pace.

That point is important. Some people expect a guide-led hike with the whole group moving together. In practice, you may walk independently along a clear route, with the guide checking on the group or joining portions of the walk. This arrangement gives you freedom to stop for photographs, but it also means you need to manage your own pace and watch the departure time.

The trail is wide and well maintained in many sections. It is described as sealed, paved, or mostly gravel, depending on the section and the wording used by different visitors. It is not a wilderness scramble. You should still expect uneven ground, steps, and uphill effort.

The uphill trail brings the waterfalls

The route to Briksdal Glacier is scenic from the first few minutes. Mountains rise around the valley, and a river runs close to the path. Waterfalls appear along the way, with the most memorable one arriving roughly halfway to the glacier.

The waterfall can be especially forceful after rain. You may get misted as you pass, so a waterproof jacket is more useful than an umbrella. Wet stone and damp paths also make sensible footwear important.

Descriptions of the effort vary. Some people call the walk easy, while others find it strenuous. Both views can be correct. The path itself is straightforward, but the uphill grade, distance, weather, and your own fitness make a big difference.

The tour asks for a strong level of physical fitness. I would call it an easy-to-moderate mountain walk with demanding sections, not a flat stroll. The first part can feel steep, then the route levels somewhat. You will probably stop often because the waterfalls and mountain views invite photographs.

The trail includes steps at one point, and wet weather adds another challenge. Wear shoes with a firm sole and clothing suited to changing conditions. The operator specifically advises appropriate shoes and clothing, and this is practical advice rather than empty fine print.

Reaching the glacier lake and Briksdalbreen

At the end of the route, you reach a viewpoint overlooking the glacier lake beneath Briksdal Glacier. The ice sits above the water, surrounded by steep mountains and raw natural scenery.

The glacier has shrunk over time, so do not expect the same ice edge shown in older photographs. That does not make the view less meaningful. In fact, the retreat is part of what you are seeing, and the distance between the present glacier and its former reach gives you a visible reminder of a changing climate.

The lake is often described as clear and aqua blue, with floating pieces of ice. That contrast between pale water, dark rock, white ice, and rushing streams creates the tour’s strongest view.

You should have time to pause, take photographs, and enjoy the setting before walking back. The return is easier in terms of direction, but it still requires care on steps and wet sections. Do not spend every spare minute at the viewpoint without checking the meeting time. The bus cannot wait indefinitely for a slow return.

Troll cars and the question of mobility

Troll cars, sometimes called troll trams, can take you much of the way toward the glacier. They are a useful option if the full uphill walk is too difficult, but they are not included in the listed tour price.

Even with a troll car, you should expect some walking near the upper viewpoint. One account describes roughly 15 minutes of walking after the ride. The exact effort can depend on conditions and where the vehicle stops.

This makes the excursion more flexible than the basic hike description suggests, but you should arrange the troll car separately and confirm availability. The tour data does not promise that a vehicle will be waiting for every person who decides not to walk.

Service animals are allowed. The operator still advises strong physical fitness, so anyone with significant mobility concerns should ask specific questions before booking rather than assume the alternative transport solves every problem.

What the $128.19 price really buys

At $128.19 per person, this is not a cheap transfer. You are paying for organized cruise-port transport, a local guide, the scenic drive, the Oldevatnet stop, and access to the Briksdal Glacier area within a roughly four-hour schedule.

The value is strongest if you want a simple, dependable shore excursion. You do not need to rent a car, work out the route, or calculate how long the drive will take. You also get commentary and a planned return to Olden.

The value is weaker if you only want transportation. A few people have felt that the tour amounts to a bus ride followed by a walk they could take on their own. No food or bottled water is included, and the entry line items do not list meals, drinks, or troll cars.

The group size can reach 45 people, and a double-decker bus may have tight seating. On the other hand, the buses have been described as clean, comfortable, and punctual. For a cruise stop, reliability has real value, especially in a place where missing the ship is a costly mistake.

Weather, timing, and what to pack

The experience requires good weather and can be canceled if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Pack for movement and rain:

• Waterproof outer clothing
• Shoes with good grip
• Warm layers that can be removed
• A small amount of food and water
• A phone or camera with room for plenty of photographs

The waterfall spray is worth planning for even on a dry day. In rainy weather, the route can become more tiring, and the short photo stop at Oldevatnet may feel less appealing. Still, clouds and rain can give the waterfalls more power, so poor weather does not always ruin the view.

Who should book this four-hour excursion

I would recommend this tour to you if you want one major nature experience during an Olden cruise stop and can handle an uphill walk. It suits people who prefer a planned outing, want local commentary, and value getting back to the pier without handling transport themselves.

It is also a good choice for photographers. The route offers repeated viewpoints rather than one single stop, and the combination of lake, river, waterfalls, mountains, and glacial ice gives you plenty to work with.

I would hesitate if you dislike group transport, want a private guide, or expect a flat path. I would also think twice if the price feels high for a sightseeing transfer. The hike is the heart of the day, so booking makes little sense if you cannot or do not want to walk and have not arranged a troll car.

Guides such as Lulu and Laura have helped make the day more personal for many people, but guide style is not fully predictable. The scenery is the dependable part. The commentary is a bonus that can be excellent or merely adequate.

Should you book the Briksdal Glacier shore excursion?

Book it if your ideal Olden stop includes a scenic bus ride, a real walk, loud waterfalls, and a close view of a glacier lake. The trail is not effortless, but it is broad and clearly marked, and the scenery gives you plenty of reasons to pause.

Skip it if you want a low-cost transfer, a fully escorted hike, or a completely flat route. For most fit cruise passengers, though, this is a strong way to see Briksdal Glacier in limited port time. Bring waterproof clothing, keep an eye on the bus departure time, and save some energy for the uphill sections. The glacier is worth the climb.

FAQ

Where does the Briksdal Glacier tour start?

The meeting point is Norway Excursions Olden, Rv60 190, 6788 Olden, Norway. It is within walking distance of the cruise pier and most hotels.

How long does the tour last?

The excursion lasts approximately four hours. The scheduled glacier portion is about 1 hour 45 minutes, with additional time for the drive, the Oldevatnet photo stop, and the return to Olden.

Is the walk to Briksdal Glacier difficult?

The trail is broad and mostly paved or gravel, but it includes uphill sections, steps, and some steep stretches. The operator asks for a strong physical fitness level. Rain can make the walk more demanding.

Are troll cars included in the price?

No. Troll cars are not included in the listed tour price. They can drive you much of the way toward the glacier, but you should still expect some walking near the upper viewpoint.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You make your own way to the meeting point in Olden.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are also offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.