Olden Shore Excursion: the Amazing Briksdal Glacier

The payoff here is a close view of Briksdal Glacier spilling toward a pale blue glacial lake, reached by a mountain walk lined with waterfalls. The trail is not a wild scramble, but it is uphill in places, and rain can make the outing feel much harder.

I like two things right away: the drive beside turquoise Oldevatnet, with a photo stop before the hike, and the freedom to walk at your own pace while still having a guide and organized transport. Guides such as Lulu, Laura, and Gabriele have been singled out for useful commentary and help with photographs.

The catch is simple: this is not just a scenic bus ride. You need solid physical fitness for the uphill walk, wet weather is possible, and the group can reach 45 people. The excursion costs $128.19, so its value depends on how much you want the convenience of timed cruise-port transport and a guide.

Key points to know before you book

• The glacier walk takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes of the stop: You have time for the trail, photos, the viewpoint, and a short pause by the lake.
• The route is wide and mostly paved or sealed: It is manageable for many walkers, but steep sections, steps, and wet surfaces still require care.
• A waterfall marks a memorable point along the way: Expect spray, especially after rain, so a waterproof layer matters.
• The excursion starts near the cruise pier: You make your own way to Norway Excursions Olden, with no hotel pickup or drop-off.
• The scenery begins before the hike: The drive through Olden and the stop at Oldevatn add real value beyond simply being dropped at the trailhead.
• Troll cars can reduce the walking: They may be available for those who cannot manage the full uphill route, but they are not listed as included in the tour price.

Why Briksdal Glacier makes a strong Olden shore day

Olden is a small place with outsized scenery. The road to Briksdal Glacier follows water, cliffs, mountain slopes, and rushing falls, so the drive is part of the attraction rather than dead time between the port and the trail.

Briksdalbreen is reached from Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge by foot. At the end of the path, you look across a glacial lake toward the ice. The glacier has retreated over time, so you are not walking onto the ice itself. The reward is the view from below, where floating pieces of ice may sit in the clear lake beneath the glacier.

I would choose this trip for the combination of scenery and ease. You do not need to arrange a rental car, work out the route, or watch the clock alone on a cruise day. The operator handles the drive back to Olden, which matters when your ship has a fixed departure time.

The tradeoff is that the experience is shared with a fairly large group. With a maximum of 45 people, the bus may feel busy, and some excursions use a double-decker vehicle. The payoff is a straightforward outing with a clear meeting point and return plan.

Meeting near the pier in Olden

The starting point is Norway Excursions Olden on Rv60, within walking distance of the cruise pier and most hotels. You are responsible for getting there, so allow enough time to leave the ship, walk off the pier, and find the meeting place.

This arrangement is handy for cruise passengers. You do not need a hotel transfer, and the excursion is built around a return to the same area in Olden. At booking, cruise passengers must provide their ship name, which helps the operator plan around port calls.

Look for the local guide and the group vehicle at the meeting point. Guides may work in more than one language when groups are mixed. In April and October, guide availability is limited, so the tour may be conducted in English only.

The bus is part of the experience. Past outings have included clean, comfortable vehicles, sometimes double-decker buses. Space can feel tight when the vehicle is full, but the higher seating can give you a useful view during the drive.

The road past Old Church and Oldevatnet

The outing begins with a drive through Olden, passing the Old Church. It is a small detail in the schedule, but it gives you a quick sense of the settlement before the road opens toward the water and mountains.

The main photo stop is at Oldevatn Camping, beside the turquoise waters of Lake Olden. You get about 10 minutes here. That is enough for photographs and a quick look, but not enough for a long walk along the shore.

The lake stop is worth keeping in the plan. It breaks up the drive and gives you a wide view before the closer, more dramatic scenery around Briksdal. On a clear day, the contrast between the pale water and dark mountain sides is especially striking.

Your guide provides commentary along the route. Guides including Lulu and Laura have been praised for explaining sights from the bus, while Gabriele has been described as friendly and helpful on the walk. The quality of commentary can vary with the guide and language mix, so I would treat the spoken information as a welcome extra rather than the main reason to book.

The Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge trailhead

After the drive, the bus stops at Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge. This is the starting point for the walk to the glacier. You are given roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes at the glacier stop, allowing time for the walk in, the viewpoint, photographs, and the return.

The path is broad and clearly marked. Much of it is paved, sealed, or compacted, which makes it more approachable than a rough mountain trail. Do not confuse a good surface with a flat route, though. The first part includes an incline, and there are steeper stretches and steps along the way.

Some people reach the viewpoint in about 30 to 40 minutes, while others take closer to an hour. Your pace, weather, and how often you stop for pictures will make a difference. The guide may walk with the group or check on people along the route, but the tour also allows you to move at your own speed.

That flexibility is useful. You can slow down for photographs without feeling tied to a single pace, yet you still have a fixed time to return to the bus. Keep an eye on your watch, especially if you stop often.

Waterfalls, spray, and the uphill work

The walk is scenic from the first steps. A river runs beside parts of the path, and waterfalls drop down the mountain slopes. One waterfall is close enough that you may get sprayed while passing. After rain, the water can be powerful, and the path may feel wet even if the sky has cleared.

This is where footwear matters. Wear shoes with a firm sole and good grip. Sandals, smooth trainers, and casual shoes are poor choices for a wet uphill route. A waterproof jacket is sensible, and a rain cover for your phone or camera can save a trip photograph.

The physical rating deserves an honest explanation. The route is sometimes called an easy or green hike because it follows a maintained road. Yet you are still walking uphill, with steps and inclines, and the weather can add difficulty. I would rate it as easy to moderate for a fit walker, but more demanding for anyone unused to hills.

You do not have to race. Stop at the waterfalls, take a breath, and let faster walkers move ahead. The schedule gives you time, but it does not give unlimited time, so avoid treating every bend as a long rest stop.

Reaching the glacier lake viewpoint

At the upper viewpoint, the path opens toward the lake beneath Briksdal Glacier. The ice, mountain walls, rushing water, and floating pieces of ice create the big moment of the excursion.

The view changes with weather. Sun can bring out the blue and green tones in the water, while cloud and rain give the glacier a more dramatic, subdued look. Poor weather does not erase the scenery, but it can reduce visibility and make the walk less comfortable.

The glacier has shrunk considerably over time. That is worth understanding before you go. This is not a walk across an enormous wall of ice. You see the glacier from the viewpoint across the lake, with the surrounding mountains doing much of the visual work.

Set aside time to look rather than simply take one photograph and turn around. The walk itself offers changing views, and the upper viewpoint gives you a chance to appreciate the scale of the valley. The 1 hour and 45 minute stop is designed to allow a measured visit rather than a quick photo dash.

Troll cars and mobility concerns

Troll cars may be available to drive much of the way toward the glacier. They can make the outing possible for people who cannot manage the full uphill walk, but they are not included in the stated tour price.

Even with a troll car, you may still have a walk of about 15 minutes to reach the glacier viewpoint, based on the experience described by a senior couple who used this option. That means the cars reduce the hardest part, but they do not remove walking altogether.

The tour requires a strong physical fitness level, so do not book it assuming the bus will take you all the way to the lake. If you have mobility limits, check the availability and cost of troll cars before committing. The operator also advises suitable clothing and shoes, advice worth taking seriously.

Families with pushchairs may find parts of the road manageable, but the supplied information does not promise full accessibility. Steps, inclines, rain, and the remaining walk from the troll cars can still be difficult.

What the guides add to the day

The strongest guide experiences come from people who make the road and walk feel connected. Lulu has been praised for explaining sights from a double-decker bus and offering commentary in two languages. Laura has been described as helpful on the hike, including taking photographs and assisting people who found the climb harder.

Gabriele has also received praise for friendly help, while drivers such as Marius have been noted for getting the group back to the pier on time. These personal touches matter on a shore excursion. A guide who watches the pace of the group and helps with photographs can make the uphill section less stressful.

Still, you should know how the format works. The guide gives information during the drive and may join the hike, but you are generally allowed to walk at your own pace. This is not a private guided mountain trek with one person beside you for every step.

Some groups may include more than one language. In that case, commentary can take longer or be divided between languages. English is offered, but April and October departures may be English only due to fewer available guides.

Is $128.19 good value?

At $128.19 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Briksdal Glacier. A person who only wants transportation may feel the price is high, especially since the walk itself is on a public, marked route.

The value comes from the package: a local guide, the Oldevatnet photo stop, transportation from near the cruise pier, a scheduled return, and commentary during the drive. You are paying for a practical shore day with less planning and less risk of missing the ship than arranging the outing on your own.

I see the price as reasonable for cruise passengers who want structure and a guide. It is less convincing for confident independent visitors who can arrange their own transport and do not need the fixed schedule. The tour is also priced below comparable cruise-line excursions, according to the operator, though you should compare the exact inclusions before booking.

Food and drinks are not listed as included. Bring water and a snack if you need them. There is no promise of a meal, free water, or sandwiches.

Weather, timing, and the return to Olden

The excursion lasts about four hours from start to finish. The schedule includes the short meeting and return periods, the Oldevatnet photo stop, the drive to Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge, and about 1 hour and 45 minutes at the glacier.

Rain is a real possibility. Several outings have taken place in wet conditions, with spray from the waterfall adding to the challenge. The operator can cancel for poor weather, offering another date or a full refund. If the excursion runs, you should still prepare for rain rather than assume a clear Norwegian day.

After the walk, you return by bus to Olden and finish at the original meeting place. The organized return is one of the tour’s most useful features for cruise passengers. You are not left to arrange a taxi from a remote trailhead or judge the drive time back to port.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund under the stated policy. The operator may also cancel if a minimum number of people is not reached.

Who should book this Olden excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want a major natural sight without renting a car, prefer a fixed shore-excursion schedule, and can handle an uphill walk of roughly 30 to 60 minutes each way. It is also a good fit if you value a guide’s local commentary and want the Oldevatnet photo stop included.

You should think twice if you dislike group transport, want a private pace, or consider $128.19 too much for a bus ride and a marked trail. The guide may be excellent, but the group size and multilingual format can limit personal attention.

For anyone with limited mobility, investigate the troll car option before booking and confirm the remaining walking distance. For everyone else, bring strong shoes, rain protection, water, and a camera with room for plenty of waterfall stops.

FAQ

Where does the Briksdal Glacier tour start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The excursion lasts approximately four hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How much does the tour cost?

The stated price is $128.19 per person.

How long is the walk to Briksdal Glacier?

The walk can take about 30 to 60 minutes each way, depending on your pace. The planned stop at Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge is about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Is the path paved?

Much of the route is wide and paved, sealed, or compacted. It includes uphill sections, steps, and some steep inclines.

Are troll cars available?

Troll cars may be available to take you much of the way toward the glacier. They are not included in the tour price, and a remaining walk to the viewpoint may still be required.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour requires a strong physical fitness level. If you cannot manage the uphill walk, ask about troll cars before booking, since they may reduce but not remove the walking.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English. A multilingual guide may operate the excursion when the group includes different languages. Departures in April or October may be guided in English only.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience may be canceled because of poor weather. If that happens, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if your priority is a dependable, scenic route from Olden to one of Norway’s most memorable glacier viewpoints. The waterfalls, turquoise lake, and glacial viewpoint justify the day, while the guide and scheduled return make it a sensible cruise-port choice.

Skip it if you want a private outing or an effortless ride to the ice. The uphill walk is real, rain can make it tougher, and $128.19 is a fair but not low price. For a fit walker who wants to see Briksdal Glacier without sorting out transport alone, it is a strong Olden shore option.