Briksdal Glacier and Loen Skylift day Excursion

The big draw here is the pairing of Briksdal Glacier and the Loen Skylift in one well-packed day. You get ice, waterfalls, a short mountain walk, fjord views, and a Norwegian picnic without having to arrange separate tickets or find your own transport.

I like the small-group format, with a maximum of seven people, and I like that the Troll Car ride removes the hardest part of the climb to Briksdalbreen. The private vehicle, included lunch, snacks, and drinks also make the day easier, especially if you are coming from a cruise ship. The main consideration is the price, $400.27 per person, and the fact that seven hours can feel tight if weather, road conditions, or cable-car queues slow things down.

Key points to know before you book

• Briksdal Glacier by Troll Car: Ride up the steep mountain road, then walk about 15 minutes to the meltwater lake and river.
• Loen Skylift in seven minutes: The cable car rises from the valley to about 3,000 feet, with views toward Nordfjord, Loen, and the Olden Valley.
• A private group of up to seven: You avoid a large coach group and can travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide.
• Olden Lake picnic: A two-hour stop includes a picnic lunch with Norwegian specialties and options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets.
• Olden Old Church: The day begins with a quiet stop at a wooden stave church dating from the 1700s.
• Weather matters: Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, and cloud can reduce the value of the Skylift ride.

Why this Olden day trip works so well

Olden is one of those places where the scenery begins almost as soon as you leave the ship or hotel. The road heads through the village and into the Olden Valley, where farms, water, and steep mountains set the tone for the day.

This tour makes good use of that setting. Rather than spending the entire excursion on a single viewpoint, you get several different kinds of scenery. The church gives you a calm cultural stop. The glacier provides the day’s most direct encounter with ice and rushing water. Olden Lake supplies a slower picnic break. Then the Loen Skylift gives you a high view over the whole area.

That variety is the strongest reason to consider the tour. You are not simply driven to a photo stop, handed a few minutes, and sent back. The schedule allows time at each major attraction, though you should still expect a fairly full day.

The small group matters, too. With no more than seven people, the vehicle should feel more personal than a standard shore excursion coach. You can ask questions as you go, and the driver-guide can explain what you are seeing at a pace that suits the group. Andreas, a guide from Trondheim, has been specifically named as someone guests would gladly book again, so ask when booking if you hope to have a particular guide. Do not assume he will be assigned, though.

Starting through Olden and the 1700s church

The day starts at the meeting point at Fjordvegen 1562 in Olden, with pickup also arranged from a cruise terminal or hotel. That flexibility is useful for cruise passengers, but confirm the exact pickup instructions before the day begins. The listed activity ends back at the meeting point.

The first stop is Olden Old Church, a wooden stave church from the 1700s. It is not the largest sight on the route, and the tour does not treat it as one. Instead, you get about an hour to enter and spend quiet time inside.

I like this opening because it slows the day down before the mountain roads begin. A church stop also gives you a little local context that a pure nature outing would miss. The building is a reminder that Olden is more than a gateway to glaciers and cable cars.

The hour-long stop may feel generous if you are mainly interested in outdoor scenery. Still, that extra time can be welcome after leaving a ship, and it gives the guide room to avoid rushing the group. If you prefer a quick photograph and nothing more, this will be the least essential part of the day.

The road to Briksdalbreen

From Olden, the vehicle continues up the Olden Valley toward Olden Lake and Briksdal Glacier. The drive itself is part of the experience. You pass through the village, climb into the valley, and watch the setting shift from settled farmland to mountain scenery.

The route leads to the base camp for the glacier excursion. From there, you take the Troll Cars up the steep, winding mountain road. This is a practical feature, not just a novelty. Reaching the glacier on foot would take much longer and require more effort, while the car gets you high on the route so the remaining walk is manageable.

The Troll Cars do not carry you all the way to the ice. After the ride, you walk for about 15 minutes to the meltwater lake and river. The final section brings you close to the sight that gives Briksdalbreen its power: ice framed by snowy mountains, with water flowing away from the glacier.

You have about 15 minutes at the top before walking back down. That is enough for photographs and a close look, but it is not an open-ended mountain hike. If your dream is to spend half a day walking beside the glacier, this excursion is not designed for that. It is better for you if you want a scenic, accessible introduction without committing to a long trek.

The weather can change the mood quickly. One account describes rain and cold conditions but still found the glacier impressive, especially the falls and the force of the water. Bring a waterproof outer layer and shoes suitable for a short mountain walk. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a rescheduled outing or full refund, but even a scheduled trip may offer limited views if cloud settles over the mountains.

What you actually see at the glacier

Briksdal Glacier is not a static wall of blue ice placed neatly at the end of a trail. The approach includes mountain roads, falling water, snowy slopes, a meltwater lake, and a river fed by the glacier. That wider setting is what makes the stop memorable.

You should plan to take photographs during the approach, not only at the final viewpoint. The short walk gives you time to notice the relationship between the ice, water, and surrounding peaks. The glacier itself may look different from photographs you have seen, since weather, season, and retreat affect its shape.

The 15-minute stay at the top is brief. Keep your camera ready, and listen for instructions about when to return to the Troll Cars. You do not want to spend the whole stop adjusting equipment and then hurry back down.

This is also the point where the tour’s practical design earns its price. Your admission to the Troll Cars is included, and the driver-guide handles the transport between the major stops. Buying those pieces separately would require more planning, particularly if you are working around a cruise departure.

A Norwegian picnic beside Olden Lake

The stop at Oldevatnet, or Olden Lake, is scheduled for about two hours and includes a picnic lunch with Norwegian specialties. You also receive snacks and drinks during the day in the private vehicle.

The lake stop gives your legs a break after the glacier walk. It also changes the rhythm of the excursion. Instead of moving from one attraction to the next, you have time to sit, eat, and take in the water and mountains around you.

Lunch is more important than it may sound. A seven-hour outing with a glacier visit and cable-car ride is not a good time to leave food to chance. Here, the meal is included, and dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices can be arranged if you provide the information when booking.

The two-hour allocation may include setup, eating, and time around the lake, so do not read it as two hours of formal sightseeing. It is a relaxed pause rather than a guided attraction. If you want maximum time at Briksdalbreen or the Skylift, you may view this as a tradeoff. If you appreciate a proper meal and a little breathing room, it is one of the day’s better features.

Rising 3,000 feet on the Loen Skylift

The Loen Skylift supplies the grand finale. The cable car rises from the valley to around 3,000 feet in only seven minutes. From the mountaintop, you can look over the Loen Lake Valley, Olden Valley, Nordfjord, and Loen village.

The view changes your sense of scale. At the glacier, you are looking closely at ice, rock, and water. From the cable car station, you see how the valleys fit together and how the fjord cuts through the mountains. The surrounding peaks rise to roughly 4,500 to 6,000 feet, so the upper station is high without being at the summit of the tallest mountains.

The cable car ticket is included, which is a major advantage at this price. You also avoid the hassle of arranging a separate visit and fitting it around the glacier transport. The ride itself takes only seven minutes, but you should allow time at the top for views and photographs.

Weather is the deciding factor. On a clear day, this may be the most impressive viewpoint of the whole excursion. In low cloud, the cable car can still be an interesting ride, but the fjord and valley views may be hidden. If the forecast looks uncertain, ask the provider how much flexibility the day’s schedule allows.

The final drive returns toward the ship, with a possible short trip up the Loen Valley if time allows. You might also have the chance to buy locally grown berries or local jam. This is not guaranteed, so treat it as a pleasant extra rather than a core part of the outing.

What $400.27 includes

At $400.27 per person, this is an expensive shore excursion. The value depends on how much convenience and privacy matter to you.

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, an experienced driver-guide, the Troll Car tickets, the Loen Skylift tickets, and a picnic lunch. Snacks and drinks are also provided in the vehicle. For a group of up to seven, those inclusions cover the main costs and remove much of the planning burden.

You are paying for more than admission tickets. You are also paying to connect Olden, Briksdalbreen, Olden Lake, and Loen in a single seven-hour route. Public transport or independent arrangements may cost less, but they would require you to coordinate timing, transport, meals, and return plans yourself.

The price is harder to justify if you are traveling alone and mainly want one attraction. It makes more sense if you value a private setting, want both the glacier and Skylift, and are willing to pay for door-to-door convenience.

Cruise passengers should think carefully about timing. The tour is designed to return to the meeting point, and pickup can be arranged from the cruise terminal, but you should confirm the schedule against your ship’s departure time. A seven-hour excursion leaves less spare time than a short port visit.

Who will enjoy this excursion most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a broad introduction to the Olden area rather than a single long hike. It suits people who enjoy scenery, short walks, local culture, and organized transport in equal measure.

It is also a good fit for mixed groups. Someone who does not want a strenuous hike can use the Troll Cars, while someone who enjoys walking still gets a short approach to the glacier. The cable car adds a major view without requiring a long climb.

Most people can participate, but you must be able to get in and out of the vehicle. The glacier section includes a 15-minute walk each way, so it is not entirely vehicle-based. Service animals are allowed.

You may want a different plan if you want a serious glacier hike, a slow photography day, or a very flexible schedule. The tour covers a lot of ground, and the fixed timetable keeps the group moving.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Book well ahead if your dates are fixed. This excursion is often reserved about 150 days in advance, and the small vehicle limits the group to seven people.

Wear layers and bring rain protection. The glacier area can be cold and wet, even when conditions in Olden feel mild. Comfortable footwear will make the walk to the meltwater lake easier.

Tell the provider about dietary requirements when you book. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free picnic options can be accommodated, but the request needs to be known in advance.

Keep your mobile ticket easy to access, and confirm your pickup point. The activity information gives the Olden meeting location as Fjordvegen 1562 while also allowing pickup from a cruise terminal or hotel. That is useful, but you should not leave the exact meeting details until the morning of the excursion.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Since the tour depends on good weather, a cancellation by the provider for weather offers a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Briksdal Glacier and Loen Skylift tour?

Book it if you want the two headline sights around Olden in one small-group day, with transport, lunch, Troll Cars, and cable-car tickets handled for you. The combination is strong: a quiet 1700s church, a glacier approach, a lakeside meal, and a high fjord view.

Skip it if $400.27 feels too steep for a seven-hour outing or if you want to spend most of your day at one place. The glacier visit is short, and the best Skylift views depend on clear weather.

For cruise passengers, families, and small groups who value ease and a varied route, this is a sensible splurge. For hikers and independent planners, it may feel too structured. The safest choice is to book early, check the forecast close to the date, and arrive ready for both rain and mountain sun.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

The listed meeting point is Norway, Olden, Fjordvegen 1562. Pickup can also be chosen from a cruise terminal or hotel, so confirm the exact arrangements when booking.

Where does the excursion end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The excursion lasts approximately seven hours.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is seven travelers.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch with Norwegian specialties is included.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary requirements can be accommodated if you provide the details when booking.

Are the Troll Car tickets included?

Yes. Tickets for the Troll Cars are included in the tour price.

Is the Loen Skylift ticket included?

Yes. Admission to the Loen Skylift is included.

How long is the walk to Briksdal Glacier?

After the Troll Car ride, the walk to the glacier is about 15 minutes. The group spends about 15 minutes at the top before walking back down.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If the provider cancels because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel the booking?

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