Nordfjordeid Private Shore Excursion, Glaciers and SkyLift Ride

Briksdal Glacier and the Loen SkyLift give this private excursion its real punch. In one long day, you ride an open-air Troll car toward a glacier, walk the final 10 minutes to its icy tongue, then rise 1,000 meters above sea level for broad views from Mount Hoven.

I like the private vehicle and flexible photo stops, especially when the road passes Oldedalen’s glacial lakes. I also like the practical cruise timing, with pickup and return at Nordfjordeid Cruise Ship Terminal. The main drawback is cost: at $2,036.24 for up to four people, this makes much more sense for a full group than for one or two people.

Key points

• Briksdal Glacier by Troll car: Your ticket includes the open-air electric vehicle, reducing the uphill effort before the final rocky walk.
• Loen SkyLift views: The five-minute gondola ride reaches Mount Hoven at about 1,000 meters, with views toward Oldedalen and Lodalen.
• Private sightseeing: Your guide can stop at scenic places along Oldedalen that large coaches may pass.
• Nordfjordeid’s Viking story: Hear about the 1874 discovery of Norway’s largest Viking ship and a burial site in the town center.
• Cruise-friendly schedule: The roughly eight-hour outing starts and ends at Nordfjordeid Cruise Ship Terminal.
• Important budget detail: Troll car tickets are included, but adult SkyLift admission and lunch are not.

A big mountain day from Nordfjordeid

This is not a quick walk around the port. It is a full excursion through fjord country, with several distinct chapters: Viking-era Nordfjordeid, Europe’s deepest lake, the Olden and Oldedalen valleys, Briksdal Glacier, and the high platform at Mount Hoven.

You travel in a private group of up to four people with a local guide. That small size matters here. The route includes several scenic roads and short stops, and you can ask for a photo break rather than waiting for a full coach to unload.

The tour is listed for about eight hours. That leaves a full day for the glacier and mountain ride, but it also means you should be ready for a long outing with plenty of time in the vehicle. The payoff is variety. You are not spending the entire day on one attraction.

Radmyla is named as the guide in the tour feedback, and she is also described as the driver. If having her specifically matters to you, confirm the guide assignment before booking. A private guide who can manage both the road and the schedule is especially useful on a cruise call, where a late return is more than a minor annoyance.

Nordfjordeid and the largest Viking ship story

The first part of the outing looks at Nordfjordeid itself. During the Viking period, the settlement was considered an independent kingdom, and the town still has stories that reach far beyond its quiet modern appearance.

Your guide points out the site of a Viking burial in the town center. The most striking detail is the 1874 discovery of what is described as Norway’s largest Viking ship. You do not need to be a serious archaeology fan to enjoy this stop. It gives the town a human story before the day turns toward glaciers and high mountain views.

Keep an eye on the buildings as you pass through what is called the White City. The architecture includes examples associated with the 18th and 19th centuries. This is a passing introduction rather than a museum visit, so expect explanation and exterior views, not a long indoor tour.

You can request a short photo stop. That small option is one of the better reasons to choose a private outing. If a street, building, or view catches your eye, you have a better chance of pausing than you would on a fixed group bus.

Hornindalsvatnet, Europe’s deepest lake

The road then reaches Hornindalsvatnet, a huge mountain lake covering about 50.5 square kilometers and reaching 514 meters in depth. It is described as Europe’s deepest lake, and its scale becomes clear when you look across the water toward the surrounding farms, forests, and slopes.

The planned stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough time to take photographs, stretch your legs, and listen to the guide explain the lake. The water reflects the mountains and clouds, while small farms and sheep add a distinctly local touch to the view.

The lake has only a few fish species, including trout, char, and eel. The Eidselva River, which drains the lake, is known for salmon and trout fishing. Fishing permits can be purchased from local hotels, though that is background information for this tour rather than an activity included in your day.

Your guide also tells the story of the Horney monster said to live in the lake. It is a light, local legend that adds character to what could otherwise be a simple photo stop. I like this kind of detail because it connects the scenery to the people who live beside it.

Through Stryn to coffee in Olden

The route passes through Stryn, the gateway to Jostedalsbreen National Park. This is the largest glacier in continental Europe, and the valley changes from green lower ground to taller alpine peaks as you approach the glacier country.

There is no planned stop in Stryn. That is worth knowing before you book. You will see the area from the road, but this is a transit section, not a town visit or a separate park walk.

Olden comes next, at the mouth of Nordfjord. Cruise ships call here often in summer, and the village can feel very quiet when ships are not in port. The stop is mainly practical: coffee and a restroom break before the more active part of the day.

Lunch is not included. The information provided does not promise a full meal at Olden, so plan around that. Snacks and bottled water are included, but they are not a substitute for lunch on an eight-hour trip. Ask about the meal plan before departure, especially if you are traveling with children or anyone who needs to eat on a fixed schedule.

Oldedalen and the road to Briksdal

Oldedalen is one of the scenic highlights before the glacier. The valley leads toward glacial lakes, steep mountains, waterfalls, flowers, and grazing goats. Since this is a private excursion, the guide can stop at places that a large coach may pass without notice.

That flexibility has real value. The most memorable views are not always at a named attraction. A brief pause beside a lake or waterfall can give you time to take in the setting without fighting for a place near a bus window.

The drive also helps you understand the glacier system. Water, ice, farms, and high peaks are not separate sights here. They are connected parts of one long valley, and the road gives you time to see how the scenery changes as you travel inland.

The itinerary allows about 30 minutes for Oldedalen. Treat that as a scenic drive with selected pauses, not as a long hike through the valley. If you want extensive walking, this is not designed as a hiking day.

Briksdal Glacier by open-air Troll car

At Briksdal Glacier National Park, you board an open-air electric vehicle known as a Troll car. The included ride follows a winding road toward Briksdalbreen, taking you past waterfalls, ice-covered mountain tops, green fields, and goats.

The Troll car is a smart choice for a cruise excursion. It saves energy and time on the steep approach while still giving you an open view of the surroundings. You are not sealed inside a tour bus, though conditions can be cool or wet, so dress for mountain weather.

From the Troll car drop-off point, you walk about 10 minutes to the glacier’s tongue and a striking lake. The trail is uneven and rocky, with slight inclines. Comfortable shoes are important. The walk is short, but it is not a smooth pavement stroll, and wet conditions could make the rocks harder to manage.

The glacier portion lasts about two hours, including the vehicle ride and walk. That is enough time to take photographs and look closely at the ice, waterfalls, and lake without turning the stop into a strenuous expedition.

You should also keep your expectations grounded. You do not walk onto the glacier itself. You reach a viewpoint near its tongue. The reward is the scale of the ice and the surrounding valley, not a technical glacier activity.

Loen SkyLift and Mount Hoven

After the glacier, the tour moves to Loen for the SkyLift. The gondola ride takes about five minutes and reaches Mount Hoven, roughly 1,000 meters above sea level.

This is the day’s easiest way to gain serious height. You avoid a long mountain hike and arrive at a summit area with views over Oldedalen and Lodalen. Turquoise glacial lakes sit below the peaks, making this a strong contrast with the close-up glacier experience earlier in the day.

The stop lasts about two hours. You can walk around the summit, enjoy the views, and eat a meal if you choose. The ticket is not included in the listed tour price, so adult SkyLift admission is an extra cost. The supplied details do not give the exact fare, so check it before you commit to the total budget.

Food at Mount Hoven is also not included. That can be convenient if you want to choose your own meal, but it means you should bring a payment method and allow for restaurant prices at a major scenic attraction.

The SkyLift is also where the guide tells stories about tragic tsunamis connected to the area. The bright lakes and calm mountain views have a darker side. Hearing about those events gives the scenery more weight and helps you understand why local geography matters.

Weather is a serious factor at this altitude. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. Even on a clear day in town, mountain visibility can change. The SkyLift is a major reason to book this tour, but it is also the portion most affected by mountain conditions.

Is the private price worth it?

The price is $2,036.24 per group of up to four people. Split four ways, that is about $509 per person before the SkyLift tickets and lunch. For two people, the per-person cost rises to about $1,018, and for a solo booking the price is difficult to justify unless privacy and a custom schedule matter more than budget.

The value comes from the combination of private transport, a local guide, included bottled water and snacks, Troll car tickets, and a full day that would be difficult to arrange independently during a cruise stop. You also avoid paying for people outside your group and gain more control over photo stops.

The value is weaker if you mainly want one attraction. If your only goal is to see Briksdal Glacier, a shorter transfer or group excursion could cost less. This outing earns its price by linking the glacier with Nordfjordeid’s Viking story, Hornindalsvatnet, Oldedalen, and the SkyLift.

The missing costs matter. Lunch is extra, adult SkyLift admission is extra, and the total does not include every possible stop or meal. Add those expenses before comparing this with other shore options.

Timing, meeting point, and what to bring

Pickup and drop-off are at Nordfjordeid Cruise Ship Terminal, Kaivegen 12, 6770 Nordfjordeid. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which is the right setup for a port day.

The operating period listed is April 23 through October 15, 2025, Monday through Friday. The listed opening hours are 7:00 a.m. to noon, while the tour itself lasts about eight hours. Because those hours may refer to booking or departure availability rather than the whole excursion, confirm your exact start time and ship schedule before paying.

Bring sturdy, comfortable shoes for the rocky walk to Briksdal Glacier. Pack layers and rain protection for the open Troll car and the higher elevation at Mount Hoven. Bottled water and snacks are supplied, but you still need to plan for lunch.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The glacier trail has uneven ground and slight inclines, so anyone concerned about balance or walking comfort should ask the provider for current trail conditions.

The tour is private, with only your group participating. That makes it a good fit for families, couples, or friends who want to share the cost and keep the day focused on their interests.

Who should book this Nordfjordeid excursion?

Book it if you want a big scenery day with several different experiences, not just a single attraction. It suits a group of four especially well, since the fixed price becomes more reasonable when shared.

It is also a good choice if you value a local guide and want the convenience of a planned return to the cruise port. The route covers a lot of ground, and the private format gives you a better chance to stop for photographs in Oldedalen and Nordfjordeid.

Think twice if your budget is tight, you dislike long drives, or you want a relaxed day near the port. The eight-hour schedule is full, and extra costs for lunch and the SkyLift add up.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund. Those terms are useful, but the more important decision is your tolerance for mountain weather and a long day on the road.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Nordfjordeid Cruise Ship Terminal, Kaivegen 12, 6770 Nordfjordeid, Norway. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the excursion last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Are Troll car tickets included?

Yes. Tickets for the open-air Troll cars at Briksdal Glacier are included.

Is the Loen SkyLift ticket included?

No. Adult entry tickets to the SkyLift are not included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though bottled water and snacks are provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.