Olden Shore Excursion: the Amazing Briksdal Glacier

A glacier, waterfalls, and a turquoise lake await. This four-hour Olden shore excursion combines a scenic drive, a short stop at Olden Lake, and a walk to the Briksdal Glacier. I especially like the easy-to-find meeting point near the cruise pier and the chance to see the glacier without arranging a car. The views from the trail are the real prize, with waterfalls, rushing water, and mountains appearing at nearly every turn.

The main catch is the walk. It is often described as easy to moderate, but the route climbs steadily and includes a few steeper sections and steps. In wet weather, the trail can feel much harder. At $128.19 per person, this is not a cheap bus ride, so you should book it for the scenery and the practical cruise-day transport, not simply for a transfer to the trailhead.

Key points to know before booking

• The walk takes place on a wide, maintained route, but expect uphill sections, steps, and a wet spray zone near a waterfall.
• The glacier viewpoint is reached on foot, with about 1 hour and 45 minutes allowed at Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge and the glacier area.
• Olden Lake makes a fine photo stop, with turquoise water and mountain views before the main walk begins.
• The tour begins within walking distance of the cruise port, with no hotel pickup or drop-off included.
• Guides can add real value, especially when they explain the countryside and help with photos, although mixed groups may receive multilingual commentary.
• Troll cars can reduce the walking, but you should arrange that separately and expect some walking afterward.

A practical way to see Briksdal Glacier from Olden

Briksdal Glacier, or Briksdalbreen, is one of the most memorable sights you can reach from Olden in a few hours. The glacier sits above a small lake filled with glacial water, and the route to it passes waterfalls and steep mountain walls.

I like this excursion because it solves the main problem of a cruise stop: limited time. You do not need to rent a car, work out the roads, or worry about getting back to the ship. The operator handles the drive, provides a local guide, and returns you to the same meeting point in Olden.

The trade-off is that this is a shared tour, with up to 45 people. A full bus can feel busy, and one review noted that space on a double-decker bus was somewhat tight. Still, the buses are described as clean and comfortable, and the organized schedule is useful when your ship has a fixed departure time.

The excursion is offered in English, though a multilingual guide may lead a mixed group. In April and October, limited guide availability may mean English-only service. If commentary matters to you, keep that shoulder-season detail in mind.

Meeting near the Olden cruise pier

You make your own way to Norway Excursions Olden at Rv60 190, 6788 Olden. The meeting point is within walking distance of the cruise pier and most local hotels, so this is a good fit for a port day. Hotel pickup is not included.

Allow enough time to walk from the ship, especially if your cruise arrival process is slow. At the start, you meet the guide and the other passengers before boarding the vehicle. The tour ends at the same place, which makes the return simple.

Cruise passengers must provide their ship name when booking. That information matters because the operator needs to match the outing to the port schedule. The experience is generally booked well ahead, with an average booking time of about 113 days, so I would not leave it until the last few days if Briksdal Glacier is high on your list.

Driving through Olden and past the Old Church

The drive begins through Olden, including a view of the Old Church. This part is brief, but it gives you a quick look at the village before the road follows the shoreline of Oldevatnet, also called Olden Lake.

The guide provides local commentary along the way. The best guides add useful context about the places you pass rather than simply pointing out scenery. Guides named in the feedback include Lulu, Laura, Gabriele, Gabriel, and others, with particular praise for Lulu and Laura’s friendly explanations and help during the walk.

That personal touch can make a difference. The actual route to the glacier is clearly marked, so you do not need a guide to find the path. The guide’s value comes from explaining the area, helping people keep track of the timing, and offering practical support. Several people appreciated guides who checked on the whole group or stopped to take photographs.

The experience is not designed as a private tour. Commentary can vary with the guide and the makeup of the group. One poor experience included repeated stories and limited local detail, so I would treat the guide as a useful bonus rather than the only reason to book.

Olden Lake: a turquoise ten-minute photo stop

The stop at Oldevatn Camping lasts about ten minutes. That is enough time for photographs, not a long walk or a full visit.

The lake is a strong opening scene. Its turquoise water, mountains, and distant glacier views give you an immediate sense of the setting. If the weather is clear, this may be one of the easiest places on the route to take a wide photo without hiking uphill.

Ten minutes passes quickly, especially if several buses are stopping in the same area. Keep your camera ready and listen for the guide’s return instructions. This is a short scenic pause, not a separate attraction with much time for exploring.

The Briksdal trail: easy footing, real uphill effort

At Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge, the walk begins. The route to the glacier viewpoint takes place over roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes of the excursion, including time to reach the lake, look around, and return.

The path is wide and generally well maintained. Some sections are paved, while other parts are gravel. That makes it much more manageable than a rough mountain hike, and some people have pushed strollers along it. Still, do not confuse a good surface with a flat route.

The first part can be steep, and there are additional uphill stretches and steps. Several descriptions put the walk to the glacier at roughly 30 to 60 minutes, depending on pace and stops. You will want time for photographs because the scenery keeps interrupting your progress in the best possible way.

The route is especially attractive around the waterfalls. One waterfall crosses the trail area and can send a fine spray over you. In rainy weather, the combination of wet conditions, slick footing, and uphill walking makes the route more demanding. Wear shoes with a firm grip and bring a waterproof jacket.

The river runs beside sections of the path, and the sound of rushing water adds to the setting. In clear weather, you can pause often without feeling that you are missing the main attraction. The guide may walk with the group, but the tour also allows people to move at their own pace.

That flexible approach is helpful for a mixed group. It also means you are responsible for watching the time. You cannot simply wander indefinitely, since the bus must return to Olden for the ship schedule.

Reaching the glacier lake

The reward is the viewpoint above the glacier lake. From there, you can see Briksdal Glacier spilling toward the water, with floating ice and mountains around it.

The glacier has shrunk significantly over time, a reminder that this is a changing natural feature rather than a frozen monument. Even so, the view is powerful, especially for anyone who has not seen a glacier up close before.

The lake’s clear aqua color gives the viewpoint much of its drama. In good weather, the combination of ice, water, rock, and waterfalls makes this the strongest part of the outing. The route itself is not just a path to the glacier. The scenery begins at the lodge and continues all the way up.

You may find the last section more tiring than expected. Some people describe the hike as easy, while others call it strenuous. Both impressions can be true. The path is not technically difficult, but the incline, distance, weather, and your own pace will shape the experience.

Troll cars are available for people who prefer not to walk the full route. They can drive most of the way up, but you should still expect a walk of about 15 minutes from the drop-off point to the glacier viewpoint. If you need this option, arrange it as early as possible rather than assuming a car will be waiting.

What the four-hour schedule feels like

The advertised duration is about four hours. That includes the drive from Olden, the Olden Lake photo stop, the walk, time at the glacier, and the return trip.

The stop at the glacier area is listed at 1 hour and 45 minutes, so you have a reasonable window for the hike and photographs. Faster walkers may have time to visit the gift shop or eat at the lodge area. If you walk slowly or stop often, most of your time will go toward reaching the viewpoint and returning.

The schedule is one of the tour’s biggest advantages for cruise passengers. You are not guessing how long the drive will take or trying to find public transport back to the pier. The final drive returns you to the original Olden meeting point.

The schedule is also the main pressure point. A late start, heavy rain, or a slow walk can reduce the time you have at the viewpoint. Keep your pace steady, and do not spend too long at the first waterfall if reaching the glacier is your main aim.

Is $128.19 fair for this shore excursion?

At $128.19 per person, the price requires some thought. You are paying for transport, a local guide, a scenic stop, and the convenience of a cruise-compatible return. The tour is also priced below comparable cruise-line excursions, according to the operator’s response to price feedback.

The value is strongest if you want a simple, guided day and do not want to rent a car. A self-drive visit could cost less for a group, but that would leave you responsible for navigation, parking, timing, and getting back to the ship. The excursion removes those concerns.

The value is weaker if you view it as only a short bus ride followed by an unguided walk. The path is easy to follow, and the guide may not remain beside you for every step. You are paying for the whole port-day arrangement, not for exclusive access or a private mountain guide.

I would book it if Briksdal Glacier is a priority and you want a straightforward option from the pier. I would compare alternatives if you are traveling with several people, have a rental car available, or dislike shared buses.

Rain, fitness, and what to pack

This outing needs good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Even when the tour runs, rain can change the experience considerably.

Bring:

• Waterproof outer clothing
• Shoes with good grip
• Warm layers
• Camera protection
• Water and a small snack if you need them

No food or free water is included, so plan accordingly. The waterfall spray can reach the path, and rain may last for much of the walk. Do not rely on a light jacket alone.

You should have a strong level of physical fitness for the full walk. The trail is not a technical climb, but it is uphill, and the return route still requires effort after you have reached the glacier. If stairs, inclines, or a long walk are difficult for you, consider the troll car option.

Service animals are allowed. The tour has a maximum of 45 people, which keeps it smaller than some large ship excursions but does not make it intimate.

Who should book the Briksdal Glacier tour?

I would recommend this outing to active cruise passengers who want dramatic nature without spending the day managing transport. It suits people who enjoy a steady uphill walk, frequent photo stops, and a clear natural attraction at the end.

It is also a good choice for families and mixed-age groups if the stronger walkers are willing to move at different speeds. The wide path makes the outing less intimidating than a rough mountain trail, while the troll cars offer another way to shorten the walk.

I would think twice if you have limited stamina, dislike wet weather, or expect a fully guided hike with constant commentary. The route is clear, and the tour allows independent walking. You need to be comfortable handling some of the walk on your own.

Should you book this Olden shore excursion?

Book it if you want the simplest reliable route from Olden’s cruise pier to a glacier, and if you are ready for a genuine uphill walk. The strongest parts are the waterfall-filled trail, the turquoise lake, the glacier viewpoint, and the organized return to port.

Skip it if $128.19 feels too high for shared transport, or if you would rather arrange a private drive and set your own pace. For most active visitors, though, the combination of scenery and cruise-day convenience makes this a sound choice. Just bring waterproof clothing, wear solid shoes, and save enough energy for the walk back down.

FAQ

Where does the Briksdal Glacier tour begin?

It begins 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 excursion last?

The excursion lasts about four hours. The glacier portion of the itinerary is scheduled for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, including time for the walk and the viewpoint.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How difficult is the walk to Briksdal Glacier?

The trail is wide and generally maintained, but it includes uphill sections, some steep inclines, and steps. You should have a strong level of physical fitness for the full walk.

Are troll cars available?

Yes. Troll cars can drive most of the way toward the glacier, though you should still expect about a 15-minute walk from their drop-off point to the glacier.

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. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time.