Olden Shore Excursion: the Amazing Briksdal Glacier

Briksdal Glacier is the star here, but the walk to reach it may be the best part. You follow a broad trail beside rushing water, pass powerful waterfalls, and climb toward a blue-green lake with floating ice beneath the glacier. The views begin well before the glacier.

I like the easy port access and the scenic drive along Oldevatnet, with a photo stop at the lake. I also like the freedom to walk at your own pace, while guides such as Lulu, Laura, and Gabriele add useful stories and help with photos. The catch is the uphill walk: rain, steep sections, and slick footing can make this feel harder than the mild hike rating suggests.

Key points to know before you book

• The glacier walk takes real effort: The trail is wide and maintained, but it climbs, with steeper sections and some steps.
• Waterfalls are part of the show: Expect spray near the waterfall halfway up, especially after rain.
• Oldevatnet adds a fine bonus stop: The turquoise lake and mountain views make the drive worthwhile even before you reach the trailhead.
• You walk independently or with the guide: The path is clear, and the guide may join the hike, but the group generally moves at its own pace.
• Cruise-port access is simple: The meeting point is within walking distance of the pier, but there is no hotel pickup.
• The value depends on your priorities: At $128.19, you pay for transport, local commentary, port-friendly timing, and an organized visit, not for a full-day guided trek.

Why the Briksdal Glacier walk is worth your Olden stop

Olden is the kind of cruise port where the road out of town quickly becomes the attraction. The Briksdal Glacier excursion takes you from the pier through a narrow world of steep mountains, rushing water, and bright lake color, then puts you on foot for the final approach.

That last point matters. This is not a bus that pulls up beside the ice. You ride to Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge, then walk toward the glacier lake. The glacier has shrunk over time, so you should not expect the ice to look exactly as it does in older photographs. Still, the setting remains impressive: ice above a clear lake, waterfalls spilling down the mountains, and a trail with something to see at nearly every turn.

I like this combination of vehicle sightseeing and a manageable outdoor experience. You get a local guide and a scenic route without committing to an all-day expedition. The four-hour schedule also fits the needs of a cruise stop better than a long independent outing.

Starting near the cruise pier in Olden

The meeting point is Norway Excursions Olden on Rv60, within walking distance of the cruise pier and most hotels in town. You make your own way there, so allow enough time to leave the ship, walk through the port area, and find the tour staff.

This is a useful setup for cruise passengers. You do not need to arrange a taxi or wait for hotel pickup, and the return is to the same general meeting place near the pier. At booking, cruise passengers need to provide their ship name. That information helps the operator plan around port calls.

The group can be as large as 45 people. That is not an intimate walking tour, but it helps explain the use of a large bus, sometimes a double-decker. One practical note: some people found the bus seating tight, particularly on a full departure. On the positive side, buses have been described as clean, comfortable, and punctual.

The drive beside Oldevatnet

Once aboard, the bus passes through Olden and by the Old Church before heading toward the glacier area. Your guide provides commentary along the way, covering local sights and setting the scene for the walk.

The drive beside Oldevatnet is a major part of the experience. The water can appear turquoise, with mountains rising around it. At Oldevatn Camping, the bus stops for about 10 minutes so you can take photographs. This is not a throwaway rest stop. The lake gives you a broad view and a chance to appreciate the scale of the valley before the trail narrows into the mountain country.

Guides have been praised for making this ride more interesting. Lulu has been singled out for explaining the sights in two languages, while Laura and Gabriele have also received warm approval for their friendly, helpful approach. Because groups may be mixed, the guide may speak more than one language. In April and October, limited guide availability means the tour may be conducted in English only.

The drive itself is relatively short, but the scenery keeps it from feeling like a simple transfer. I would sit on the side with the best open view when possible, but do not spend the whole ride worrying about a particular seat. You will have better chances for photographs at the lake stop and along the walk.

From Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge to the trail

At Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge, you begin the walk to Briksdal Glacier, also called Briksdalbreen. The trail is broad and mostly paved or gravel, with a few steep inclines and steps. Several descriptions place the walk at roughly 30 to 60 minutes each way, depending on pace and stops.

The official stop allows about 1 hour and 45 minutes for the glacier area. That time is meant to cover the walk out, time at the viewpoint, photographs, and the return. It is enough for many people, but it is not a leisurely mountain picnic with unlimited time.

You should wear proper walking shoes with a firm sole. The trail may be easy under dry conditions, but rain changes the experience. Wet stone, mud, and waterfall spray can make the climb more tiring. One of the most useful tips is to expect to get damp near the major waterfall, which comes roughly halfway to the glacier. A rain jacket is a smart choice even when the forecast looks friendly.

The slope is the point where descriptions differ. Some people find the walk easy to moderate, and pushchairs have made the climb. Others find it strenuous, especially in rain or on the steeper sections. Both impressions can be true. The surface is not a rough wilderness path, but the distance and incline still require reasonable fitness.

Waterfalls, river spray, and the halfway climb

The walk is not simply a long uphill road to one final view. Water runs beside the path, and waterfalls cut down the mountainsides. After wet weather, the flow can become especially strong, which makes the scenery more dramatic but also increases the chance of spray.

The waterfall near the midpoint is one of the memorable moments. You may feel mist as you pass, so keep your phone and camera protected. The combination of rushing water, rock, and mountain walls gives the route its character. If you rush, you will miss much of what makes this excursion special.

The trail includes a few steeper stretches, particularly near the beginning according to some descriptions, and steps at one point. You can stop for photographs, but remember that the bus will leave at the scheduled time. The guide may check on the group and help people who are finding the climb difficult, though the hike is not always conducted as one tightly paced guided line.

That flexible pace is useful. Strong walkers can keep moving, while others can pause without feeling they must match the fastest person. It also means you are responsible for managing your time. If you walk slowly, leave a generous margin for the return.

The glacier lake viewpoint

The reward is the viewpoint beside the glacier lake. Briksdal Glacier comes down toward the water, and pieces of ice may float in the clear lake below. The view is framed by mountains and waterfalls, making it far more than a single look at a wall of ice.

The glacier has retreated significantly, a reminder that this is a changing natural feature rather than a fixed monument. That does not lessen the visit, but it does make older photos misleading. The present view is still powerful, and the ice, water, and surrounding peaks give you plenty to photograph.

I would plan to spend a few quiet minutes simply looking before taking pictures. The viewpoint is the main goal, but the route provides changing angles, and the lake stop earlier in the day gives you a different sense of the valley. Together, the two views make the outing feel more complete.

You should not expect a museum, extended glacier talk, or a long interpretive program at the viewpoint. This is primarily a sightseeing walk in nature. The guide’s main commentary tends to come during the bus ride, with some help and information around the hike depending on the departure and guide.

How the guides and transport affect the experience

The quality of the guide can shape this tour. Strong guides have explained Olden and the surrounding area during the drive, helped with photographs, checked on walkers, and shared facts in more than one language when needed.

The operator’s guides named in the feedback include Lulu, Laura, Gabriele, and Gabriel. You cannot choose your guide in advance, and availability varies. The guide may be multilingual, so the amount and pace of English commentary can differ in a mixed group.

One point to understand before booking: you are not paying for a private guided hike. Some departures allow the group to walk independently because people move at different speeds. The path is clearly marked and easy to follow, but anyone expecting a guide to lead every step and explain every waterfall may find the format too loose.

The bus is practical rather than luxurious. A large vehicle handles the group and keeps the port connection simple. Double-decker buses have been used, and some people found the space snug. Still, the road journey is part of the sightseeing, and a clean, on-time bus is valuable when your ship has a fixed departure schedule.

Is $128.19 a fair price?

At $128.19 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Briksdal Glacier. The price makes more sense if you are arriving by cruise ship and want a planned round trip with a local guide, a port-side meeting point, and a schedule designed around the stop.

You are paying for more than a ride. The package includes transport, local guiding, the Oldevatnet sightseeing stop, and the glacier visit. It also removes the worry of finding your own route back to the ship. For a short port call, that peace of mind has real value.

Still, the criticism about value is fair. The glacier walk itself is self-paced, and there is no meal or free water included. You may feel that the tour is mainly transport plus access to a public trail. If you are comfortable arranging your own transport and have plenty of time in the area, an independent visit might cost less.

The tour is a better buy for someone who values simple logistics and commentary. It is a weaker buy for an independent hiker who wants solitude, a private guide, or a longer stay at the glacier. Compare the price with your cruise line’s excursion, but also compare the risks of arranging your own return to the ship.

Who should take this excursion?

I would recommend it to active cruise passengers who want a strong natural highlight without spending the entire day away from Olden. You should be able to walk uphill for around an hour, handle some steps, and return within the scheduled time.

It can work for older walkers too, provided you plan carefully. Troll cars are available in the area and can carry people much of the way up, but they are not included in the tour price. Even with that option, you may have about 15 minutes of walking to reach the glacier viewpoint, so this is not fully step-free.

I would be cautious if you have mobility problems, dislike wet weather, or struggle with uphill walking. A wet day can turn a pleasant path into a tiring outing. The operator states that you need a strong physical fitness level, and that is a more useful warning than the label easy might suggest.

Service animals are allowed. Bring suitable clothing, sturdy shoes, and protection for rain. A snack and water are sensible because neither is included.

Booking, cancellation, and weather details

The experience is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking time of about 113 days. That suggests you should not leave it until the last moment if Briksdal Glacier is a priority, especially during a cruise season with limited departures.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the tour is offered in English, sometimes through a multilingual guide. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The tour depends on suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because the minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Since rain does not necessarily cancel the outing, pack for wet conditions rather than assuming bad weather means the day is off.

Should you book the Briksdal Glacier tour?

Book this Olden shore excursion if you want a well-organized route to one of the area’s most striking sights, appreciate a local guide, and can manage a steady uphill walk. The turquoise lake stop, waterfall-filled trail, and ice at the final viewpoint give you a full four-hour outing rather than a bare bus transfer.

Skip it if you want a cheap ride, a private experience, or complete freedom with timing. The group may be large, the bus can feel tight, and the walking effort is easy to underestimate. For most active cruise passengers, though, the practical port access and memorable scenery make the $128.19 price reasonable, particularly when getting back to the ship on time matters.

FAQ

Where does the Briksdal Glacier excursion start?

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

How long does the excursion last?

The full experience lasts approximately four hours, including the drive from Olden, the lake photo stop, the glacier visit, and the return to the pier area.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How difficult is the walk to Briksdal Glacier?

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

How much time do I have at the glacier?

The glacier stop is scheduled for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. This includes the walk to the viewpoint, time beside the glacier lake, and the return to the lodge.

Are troll cars included?

No. Troll cars are not included in the tour price. They are available for people who prefer not to walk the full route, but a further walk to the glacier viewpoint may still be required.

What should I wear?

Wear sturdy walking shoes and suitable outdoor clothing. Bring rain protection, since the trail can be wet and you may get spray near the waterfall.

Is the tour conducted in English?

The tour is offered in English, but a multilingual guide may lead a mixed group. In April and October, the tour may be guided in English only because fewer guides are available.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather or insufficient bookings cause the operator to cancel, you are offered another option or a full refund.