Olden Shore Excursion: the Amazing Briksdal Glacier

The best part of this Olden shore excursion is the walk beside rushing water to the Briksdal Glacier, where ice meets a pale blue lake below the mountains. The trail gives you much more than a quick photo stop: waterfalls, river views, and changing mountain scenery fill the route.

I like the easy-to-find meeting point near the cruise pier and the scenic drive along Lake Oldevatnet, including a photo stop. I also like that the guide provides local commentary and that you get time to move at your own pace. The catch is simple: this is not a gentle stroll for everyone. Rain, steep sections, and a long uphill return can make the hike feel harder than the advertised easy-to-moderate description.

Key points to know before you book

• A glacier walk with real uphill effort: The trail is broad and well maintained, but it includes steep sections, steps, and uneven ground.
• Waterfall views are part of the main attraction: You pass close enough to one waterfall to get wet in rainy or high-flow conditions.
• The drive is scenic, not just transport: The route follows Lake Oldevatnet and passes Olden Church before reaching the trailhead.
• Guides add value on the road and sometimes on the trail: Lulu, Laura, Gabriele, and other guides have been praised for local information and practical help.
• Troll cars provide a less strenuous option: They can take you most of the way up, though you still need to walk from their stopping point to the glacier.
• The four-hour schedule suits a cruise call: The tour returns to the same Olden meeting point, close to the pier.

The Olden to Briksdal Glacier route

This excursion begins at Norway Excursions Olden on Rv60 190, a short walk from the cruise pier and most Olden hotels. You make your own way there rather than receiving hotel or ship pickup, so allow enough time to find the meeting point before departure.

The group then boards a vehicle for the drive toward Briksdalbreen. The ride passes through Olden and by the Old Church, then follows the shore of Lake Oldevatnet. This is one of the tour’s strongest features. You are not simply being shuttled to a trailhead. The road itself offers views of steep mountains, water, farms, and waterfalls, while the guide explains what you are seeing.

Vehicles can include a large or double-decker bus. That gives the tour useful capacity, with a maximum of 45 people, but the seating may feel tight when the group is full. The bus ride has been praised for being clean, comfortable, and punctual, though space is not necessarily generous.

A short stop at Oldevatn Camping gives you about 10 minutes for photographs beside the turquoise lake. This is a brief pause, not a full sightseeing visit, but it is well placed. If clouds hang over the mountains or rain is falling, the lake can still provide a striking picture. Your guide may also point out the glacier and surrounding peaks from the roadside.

What the Briksdal trail is really like

The walk begins at Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge. The official walking time is about 1 hour and 45 minutes in the itinerary, but that includes time at the viewpoint and the pace of the group. Many people complete the uphill walk in roughly 30 to 60 minutes, then spend time by the glacier lake before returning.

Do not mistake a paved or gravel surface for a flat path. The route is wide and generally easy to follow, but it rises steadily. The opening sections can feel steep, and one part includes steps. Several sections level out, which gives your legs a break, but you should still expect a proper uphill walk.

The rewards arrive quickly. Water runs beside the path, mountains rise around you, and waterfalls appear along the route. One major waterfall is close enough that spray can reach the trail. In wet weather, or when the water is running hard, you may get soaked as you pass. Waterproof outer clothing is a smart choice even if the forecast looks promising.

The trail is suitable for people who can walk uphill for an extended period, but fitness levels vary. Some people find it easy to moderate, while others consider it strenuous. The difference often comes down to weather, pace, footwear, and how much time you spend stopping for photos.

I would plan on taking your time rather than racing to the top. The scenery is the reason to come, and you will want to pause often. The group normally has time to reach the viewpoint and return, but you need to keep an eye on the meeting time.

The glacier viewpoint and glacial lake

At the end of the trail, you reach a viewpoint near the lake below Briksdal Glacier. Floating pieces of ice may sit in the pale blue water, with the glacier visible above. The sight is impressive, but it also offers a useful reminder that glaciers change. The ice has retreated significantly over time, so the view is not the same as it was for earlier generations.

You are not walking onto the glacier itself. The attraction is the approach to the glacier and the view across the lake. That distinction matters if you are expecting a glacier walk in the mountaineering sense. This is a scenic hike to a viewing area, not a technical ice excursion.

The final viewpoint is the tour’s payoff, but the route is not merely a way to reach it. The waterfall, river, flowers, mountain walls, and changing light often make the walk as memorable as the glacier. I would keep your camera ready from the start instead of saving all your pictures for the top.

You get time to enjoy the area before heading back. Some people use the available time for photographs, while others stop at the lodge or gift shop. The return walk is easier in terms of direction, but downhill sections can be hard on knees and wet surfaces can be slippery.

How much the guide adds

The guide’s role is strongest during the drive. Guides such as Lulu, Laura, Gabriele, and Gabriel have been singled out for clear explanations, friendly help, and assistance with photographs. Laura, in particular, was praised for helping people who found the climb more difficult, while Lulu provided commentary in two languages for one group.

Expect a mixed group, and possibly a multilingual guide speaking in English. In April and October, limited guide availability can mean an English-only tour. The guide may join part of the hike, but the experience is not necessarily a continuous guided walk with everyone moving together.

That point deserves attention. The path is clear and well marked, and the tour allows people to walk at their own pace. Some guests prefer this freedom. Others expect the guide to lead the entire hike and provide constant information. If you need close support or want a fully guided walking experience, ask at the start how the group will handle the trail.

The best guides make a difference by explaining Olden, the surrounding area, and the sights along the route. They also help with timing and photographs. Still, this is primarily a sightseeing transfer followed by an independent-paced hike, not a small-group mountain trek.

Is the $128.19 price fair?

At $128.19 per person, the tour is not cheap for four hours. You are paying for transport from the port, a local guide, the Oldevatnet stop, and a well-organized way to reach Briksdal Glacier during a cruise call.

The value depends on your priorities. If you want a simple, time-conscious shore excursion with transportation arranged from Olden, the price is reasonable. You avoid the hassle of arranging your own vehicle, finding the trailhead, watching the clock alone, and getting back to the ship. The guide’s local commentary adds something beyond a basic taxi ride.

If you view the tour as a bus transfer plus a public walking path, the price may feel high. The glacier trail itself is not a private attraction, and lunch, drinks, hotel pickup, and troll cars are not included. One weak point is that the main walk is largely self-paced, so the guide’s value varies with the quality of the commentary and the help offered on the day.

For a cruise passenger, I would compare this price with the cost and risk of arranging transport independently. The tour returns to its Olden meeting point, and the operator has built the timing around a shore visit. That convenience is worth paying for if you want less planning.

Weather, clothing, and physical effort

Norwegian weather can change quickly, and rain affects this excursion in two ways. It makes the path wetter and more tiring, and it increases spray near the waterfall. Bring waterproof clothing, sturdy shoes, and an extra layer. Ordinary casual shoes may be uncomfortable on the incline.

The operator asks for a strong physical fitness level, which is the safer description. The route is not technical, and the surface is generally broad, paved, or gravel, but you still need to manage uphill walking and steps. Pushchairs have been taken up the route, but that does not mean the walk will feel easy for everyone.

If hills are difficult for you, ask about the troll cars. These small vehicles can cover most of the uphill route, although you still face roughly a 15-minute walk from their stopping point to the glacier viewpoint. They are not included in the tour price, so arrange or confirm this option separately.

The excursion requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment causes cancellation, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.

Who will enjoy this shore excursion most

This is a strong choice for you if you want mountain scenery, waterfalls, and a close view of a glacier without committing to a full-day hike. It suits active cruise passengers who can walk uphill and who prefer a set transfer with a guide rather than independent planning.

Families and mixed-age groups can also make it work if everyone understands the physical demand. The broad route helps, and the troll cars may make the outing possible for people who cannot manage the full climb. Still, the vehicle option does not remove all walking.

I would be cautious if you have limited mobility, dislike wet weather, or expect a luxury coach tour with very little exertion. The scenery is excellent, but the trip is built around the walk. You should also skip it if you want to spend your shore time in Olden itself, since most of the four hours are devoted to the drive and Briksdal route.

The maximum group size of 45 means this is not an intimate outing. A full bus can feel busy, especially with a double-decker vehicle. On the other hand, the larger format usually keeps the price below many cruise-run alternatives.

Should you book the Briksdal Glacier excursion?

I would book this tour if your main goal is to see a glacier, walk past waterfalls, and return to the port with transportation handled. The glacier lake, river, and mountain views give the outing real substance, and strong guides can add useful local context.

I would not book it expecting a flat nature walk or a private guided hike. Allow for steep sections, rain, a potentially full bus, and a self-paced trail. Wear proper shoes, bring waterproof layers, and consider the troll car if the uphill walk is beyond your comfort level.

For active visitors on a short Olden port call, this is a practical way to reach one of the area’s most striking sights. The price is worth it for convenience and timing, but less so if you only want a ride to the trailhead.

FAQ

Where does the Briksdal Glacier tour begin?

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

How long is the excursion?

The experience lasts approximately four hours, including the drive from Olden, the Lake Oldevatnet photo stop, the glacier walk, and the return to Olden.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How difficult is the walk to Briksdal Glacier?

You should have a strong physical fitness level. The trail is broad and mostly paved or gravel, but it includes uphill sections, steep areas, and steps. Conditions can be harder in rain.

How long is the glacier walk?

The listed time at Briksdal Glacier is about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The uphill portion may take roughly 30 to 60 minutes depending on your pace and stops.

Are troll cars included in the tour price?

No. Troll cars are not listed as an included feature. They can take you most of the way toward the glacier, but you still need to walk from their stopping point to the viewpoint.

What should I wear?

Wear sturdy shoes and suitable outdoor clothing. Waterproof layers are especially useful because the trail can be wet and waterfall spray may reach the path.

Is the tour offered in English?

The tour is offered in English, but a mixed group may have a multilingual guide. Tours in April or October may be guided in English only because fewer guides are available.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather or an insufficient minimum number of participants causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or experience, or receive a full refund. You can also cancel your booking up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.