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briksdal glacier excursion

Exploring the Incredible Briksdal Glacier

If you’re a nature lover, and chances are if you’re visiting Norway you are, a visit to the Briksdal glacier is a beautiful way to spend the day while in the Nordic countryside. Located south of the charming village of Olden, inside the Jostedalsbreen National Park, the Briksdal glacier ends in a small glacial lake, and is a scenic 25km drive from the port of Olden. 

The glacier is an arm of the largest glacier in mainland Europe, the Jostedal glacier, and lies on its north side. From a height of 1200m, the pristine glacier spectacularly comes down the narrow Briksdalen valley to the lake, attracting visitors from all over the world.

Though the glacier has shrunk over the past 15 years, a visit to this National Park makes for a uniquely beautiful and memorable day. 

briksdal glacier excursion

Many would argue that the hike itself is just as beautiful as the glacier, and perhaps one of the most scenic hikes in Norway. It is a beautiful trail surrounded by roaring waterfalls, wild rivers, vibrant wildlife and steep mountains that leads you to the viewpoint at the glacial lake. 

The 2.5km trail takes about 45-60 minutes each way and is wide and relatively flat with small inclines, the first part being the most difficult. Overall the altitude gain is 200 meters. If you’re able to hike we recommend doing so as it provides the opportunity to meander and take photographs.

For more than 100 years, farmers from Oldedalen would transport people to the glacier via horse and carriage. This changed in 2004 when the horses were replaced with “Troll cars.” These open-air vehicles can fit up to 7 people and stop just shy of the glacial lake and viewpoint. 

Be aware that after exiting the vehicles there is still a walk to the glacier albeit a short one of approximately 10 minutes. The “Troll cars” are a fun and easily accessible way to view this natural wonder for those whose physical abilities might limit their ability to participate on the full hike. 

The Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge offers the perfect spot to refuel after your hike. The lodge houses a restaurant offering local cuisine as well as packed lunches (available upon request).  If the weather was a bit wet, you can warm up with a cup of coffee and enjoy the panoramic views of the natural surroundings from the coziness of the lodge. 

There is also a lovely gift shop offering all things Norwegian and glacier related. Restrooms can also be found at the lodge as well as accommodations should you wish to stay the night and further explore the national park. 

How to get there

Guided Excursions

The simplest way to enjoy the Briksdal glacier is to book a shore excursion through your cruise ship or with local excursion companies .  

The excursions through the cruise lines are generally offered at a higher price point whereas by booking directly through local companies, they are able to pass the savings on to you as well as provide a back in time guarantee! In addition, you’ll be provided with a local guide with extensive knowledge of the area as well as special assistance should you need help onto (or off of) the coach in many cases. 

If you want to explore without a guide, there are both shuttle busses and sightseeing busses departing from Olden. The hourly shuttle busses and sightseeing bus are both affordable options although offer potential downsides. The sightseeing bus stops at the lake with a distant view of the glacier. Be warned that inclement weather combined with the distant viewpoint, might not give you the view you were hoping for. 

Although not as mighty as it once was, the Briksdal glacier is a wondrous sight to see. A place you should visit sooner rather than later as temperatures shift around the globe. The incredibly scenic walk (or ride), fresh mountain air, and interesting natural history make for a great tour. 

To book an excursion to the Briksdal Glacier with Norway Excursions (with or without Troll cars) please follow the links below:

  • Olden the Amazing Briksdal Glacier
  • Olden Private the Amazing Briksdal Glacier

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briksdal glacier excursion

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Olden Adventure

Briksdal Glacier Shuttle Bus

Quick Details

  • Hour Glass Duration: 3.5 hours
  • Clock Departures: 9:30am and 11am
  • Calendar Availability: April 1st to November 1st
  • Tour starts : from the Port of Olden
  • The journey : 45 min along the beautiful emerald green Olden Lake

Discover the source of Olden’s beautiful turquoise waters!

The Briksdal Glacier is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Norway. Relax in comfort on the 45-minute trip along the valley whilst enjoying the spectacular landscape views of the mountain waterfalls, the crystal clear reflections in the lakes, and the traditional architecture.

Once we reach our destination, you have two hours of leisure time to walk along the paths up to the glacier’s edge, learning a little about the history of the glacier through the years and witnessing the force of the waterfalls up close along the way.

Surrounded by majestic mountains and beautiful waterfalls

You may just wish to take in the fresh air and embrace the natural beauty of your surroundings. There are many photo opportunities for you here. For those of you who like to shop, there is the souvenir shop, which stocks many handicrafts from the area. Or you might like to take refreshments in the restaurant before rejoining us on the scenic journey back through the valley.

  • Chevron down Meeting Point

Check in is at our pre booked desk next to Olden Adventure Office on the pier. You will find us just to the right after leaving the security gate. Note that we will have a representative checking you in at the tender port if the ship is at anchor.

  • Chevron down Cancellation Policy

Full refund on cancellations done within 24 hours. Our customers will automatically receive a full refund if the ship is not coming to Olden for whatever reason.

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Open Top Glacier Sightseeing

Climb aboard our open-top bus and take a tour of the beautiful landscapes of Olden!

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Loen Skylift Tickets & Transportation

Discover the breathtaking views of the Norweigan fjords on the brand new cable car.

Olden Shore Excursion: the Amazing Briksdal Glacier

briksdal glacier excursion

  • Local guide
  • Sightseeing tour
  • Briksdal Glacier
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Norway Excursions Olden, Rv60 190,, 6788 Olden, Norway The meeting point is within walking distance from the port/pier and most of the hotels. Look for our staff on the pier, bright yellow jackets, carrying our company logo. Be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • May be operated by a multi-lingual guide in English due to mixed groups
  • At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking "ship name"
  • We advise all our guests to wear appropriate shoes and clothing
  • Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
  • All vehicles support foldable wheelchairs
  • Terrain/surface are quite uneven for wheelchair access
  • Contact us before booking if wheelchair ramp is needed!
  • Bring child/infant seats with you
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travelers
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

briksdal glacier excursion

  • You'll start at Norway Excursions Olden Rv60 190,, 6788 Olden, Norway The meeting point is within walking distance from the port/pier and most of the hotels. Look for our staff on the pier, bright yellow jackets, carrying our company logo. Be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. See address & details
  • 1 Norway Excursions Olden Stop: 5 minutes See details Pass by Olden Old Church
  • 2 Oldevatn Camping Stop: 10 minutes See details
  • 3 Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge Stop: 5 minutes See details
  • 4 Briksdal Glacier (Briksdalbreen) Stop: 105 minutes See details
  • 5 Melkevoll Bretun Stop: 10 minutes See details
  • 6 Norway Excursions Olden Stop: 10 minutes See details
  • You'll return to the starting point

briksdal glacier excursion

  • Tanzy123 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great all day tour- see it all! Sylvia our guide was terrific. The bus driver was great, even with the winding roads. Even though it was a full day tour, Sylvia kept us interested and we some some wonderful sights. Would highly recommend Read more Written October 31, 2023
  • Tanzy123 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Fun informative tour, Sylvia, our guide, was informative and friendly. Bus driver was awesome to get us around. Fog didn't cooperate, but we had a great tour. I would highly recommend. Read more Written October 31, 2023
  • jennyhD3927BZ 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour well worth it Excellent tour guide and incredible bus driver. The views are spectacular and well worth the trip. The stops are great. Read more Written October 15, 2023
  • christnek 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent Able to get around the area and understand the culture museum was great really enjoyed it. Light house and cafe there was nice as well Read more Written October 7, 2023
  • julieo63 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour but a risk to the organiser I paid for and booked a private tour bus of 15pax. The actual bus had a slightly higher seat capacity which was great but disappointing as I could have organised more people for less cost per person. The meeting spot wasn’t clear. It said 100m up from the railway but it was in a car park just past the Gondola. The tour was excellent and we had more than sufficient time to see and do everything. I would highly recommend the private tour but you have to be prepared to pay the full amount up front. Read more Written October 1, 2023
  • travelingboski 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Perfect way to spend a day in Alesund Our tour guide was a cute and energetic girl, full of history and stories of the place. She was great at keeping us on time and heading in the right direction. Before each stop, she would explain what we were doing, how long we would be there and if there were bathrooms available. She volunteered to take our photos too. The scenery was stunningly beautiful. It was so nice to just look out the window and take it all in instead of trying to navigate the roads ourselves. We purchased the tour that included lunch. It was a buffet style restaurant, and the food was fresh and tasty. We had a wonderful day in Norway. Read more Written September 30, 2023
  • schnella 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour in Geiranger This tour covered everything we needed to do and see in Geiranger. We had enough time at each stop and leaned interesting things along the way. Read more Written September 29, 2023
  • Y7421AXdebrah 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A great fun safe experience The views were amazing as were Denise and our driver Emil. The trip in a huge bus is along narrow mountain roads with lots of switchbacks and I never felt scared and felt totally safe with our bus driver Emil. Denise was very knowledgeable about the area, her country, plus loads of personality. You could tell she loved her job! The price was so much more affordable than the excursions our cruise ship offered. They were on time to start the tour and delivered us back when they said they would. They have formulated plans in case of a mechanical breakdown so don't worry you will miss your ship by not taking the ships excursion. They guarantee it. I highly recommend even if it is warm at the port that you still take a jacket because it's cold with the wind on the top of the mountain. Norway Excursions mentions this in their brochure, but evidently some people on our bus didn't follow their advice. LOL The only thing I wish Norway Excursions would do is place a small map where the Joker Market is located to start the tour when they send your ticket. It's tiny and easy to miss. We assumed it was close to the pier where our ship was docked around those buildings but it's a bit of a walk and not a level walk. Start early if you are a slow walker. We are glad we did. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Norway. A very organized company with very friendly staff. Read more Written September 27, 2023
  • 381kalinh 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Geiganger - Dalsnibba- Eagle Road I recommend his excursion if you are in Geiranger. The views were amazing and our guide Silvia from Norway Excursions was very kind and made the trip perfect. Read more Written September 23, 2023
  • aludden2 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great excursion! The tour was very well organized, and the views were amazing. Very well priced, also. We did this trip as a shore excursion from a cruise. Read more Written September 21, 2023
  • avkovbg 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Higly recommended Excellent tour with very passionate guide who gave us a lot of different ad curious information about the sightseeings and Norway. During this tout you can see marvelous landscapes, stunning waterfalls and amazing routes. Read more Written September 19, 2023
  • renevL1246KM 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Overwhelming experience A breathtaking view beyond any imagination. An excursion which I would certainly reccommend to friends. We booked this excursion with Norway Excursions and they responded very professionally also when I made an additional phonecall. Read more Written September 19, 2023
  • Paul T 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Stunning panoramic views of Geiranger Very well organised, amazing country and very reasonably priced, stunning views on a very clear sunny day, very pleased. Denise our tour guide was very informative, cheerful and kept everything on track. Read more Written September 18, 2023
  • 178donalde 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Mt Dalsnibba Excursion We had a great trip on this day and we highly recommend this company. The guide and the bus driver were exceptional!! If we are ever back in Geiranger again, we will book the same tour. Read more Written September 17, 2023
  • W2021XAlees 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour Other reviews described this exactly. Met outside the museum and after movie headed up the road. Great driver and guide. A bit misty on day we went but cleared for a while while we were climbing and at top. Then headed down to the base of the Troll Wall with lots of info about that. Less than 100 meters from pier so easy walk. Great trip and we would certainly do it again! Read more Written September 16, 2023

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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briksdal glacier excursion

Olden Shore Excursion: the Amazing Briksdal Glacier provided by Norway Excursions

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Exploring the briksdal glacier on a shore excursion from olden.

Visit the Briksdal Glacier on a Norwegian Fjords cruise shore excursion from Olden and enjoy incredible views and get up close to a glacier.

Olden was one of the places I was looking forward to visiting the most on my Norwegian Fjords cruise .

Sitting at the head of the Nordfjord, this tiny village is the gateway to some awe-inspiring scenery, including mountains, glaciers and lakes.

It also offers a wealth of outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking and biking.

Briksdal Glacier tour

As I was travelling solo, I decided to take a shore excursion to the Briksdal Glacier with P&O Cruises .

I knew there was a lot I wanted to see in Olden so letting the cruise line organise it all seemed to take the hassle out of doing it yourself. I could just sit back and enjoy the trip.

The excursion included a scenic coach ride to the glacier, with a photo stop at Oldvatnet Lake, and refreshments after visiting the glacier.

A little bit about the Briksdal Glacier

Located in the Jostedalsbreen National Park, the Briksdal Glacier is part of the Jostedal Glacier, which is the biggest glacier in mainland Europe.

The glacier drops from 1200 metres into the valley below​​ making it one of the most accessible arms of the Jostedal Glacier. This is why it is popular with visitors, walkers and hikers alike.

Recently the glacier has retreated quite significantly but it is still a pretty amazing sight to see.

briksdal glacier excursion

Driving through the Oldedalen Valley

The drive to the glacier took us through the Oldedalen Valley and along the shores of Oldevatnet Lake.

Our guide shared an overview of the area and highlighted areas of interest as we passed.

We had a quick photo stop to take in the natural beauty of Oldevatnet Lake. The snow-capped mountains reflected in the crystal clear water of the lake.

briksdal glacier excursion

The journey to the Briksdal Mountain Lodge , a restaurant, cafe and shop that is the starting point for the hike to the glacier, took around 45 minutes.

Although marvelling at the spectacular scenery, it felt like it was over in a flash.

Briksdal Glacier by Troll Car

Tourists have been visiting the Briksdal Glacier for over 100 years. Originally the local farmers transported visitors there using horses and carriages.

In 2004, which doesn’t really feel that long ago, the horses were replaced by motorised buggies called Troll cars.

Seating seven people each, the Troll cars drive to a spot around 700 meters from the glacier. The walk to the glacier takes around 10 minutes from here.

It is a great option if you are less mobile as the walk to the glacier is much shorter.

Briksdal Glacier Hike

Although the Troll cars are a popular way to reach the Briksdal Glacier, I decided to do the walk. I wanted to enjoy the scenery and fresh air.

I also thought it would save a trip to the gym on board Iona…

The trail to the glacier is around 2.5 kilometres. I think calling it a hike is probably overstating it. I thought it was a more of a pleasant, well-marked stroll. Though I walk everywhere so I’m maybe not the best judge of how strenuous it is.

briksdal glacier excursion

Leaving the mountain lodge, the beginning of the trail is the steepest part and is the start of steady 200m incline.

You don’t really notice the gentle climb as the cascading waterfalls, glacial streams and picture-postcard views everywhere you look are a pretty good distraction.

Most of the path is gravel and there are a few stairs to climb. I only had trainers on, no walking shoes, and it was fine.

It takes around 45-60 minutes to reach the Briksdal Glacier, although this is if you don’t rush and stop to take a few photos and enjoy the scenery. Take it from me, you’ll definitely want to do that.

The mountainous landscape provides stunning views in all directions. The trees a vivid green against the dark rock and clear blue sky the day I visited.

One of the highlights of the walk is the Kleivafossen Waterfall. Apparently, it’s one of the most photographed waterfalls in Norway and as the water thunders down in full force in front of you it’s not hard to see why.

briksdal glacier excursion

As you cross the bridge in front of the waterfall, the spray reaches out to you. It was an unusually hot day when I visited, so the brief chance to cool down was very much welcome.

As we got closer to the glacier, I wondered if it would match up to the fabulous walk. Even without the glacier at the end, the walk there is an attraction in itself.

Thankfully, I didn’t need to worry too much. Although the glacier has retreated quite a lot in recent years, it is still a pretty amazing sight.

briksdal glacier excursion

Looking at pictures, it’s quite hard to get a true sense of the scale of the glacier and valley.

It’s easy to think it’s not that impressive but when you are there the magnitude of it becomes apparent.

You feel incredibly small and insignificant.

briksdal glacier excursion

The turquoise colour of the glacier lake and the thickness of the ice you can see crawling down the rock face is a sight to see. You can only imagine what it was like when the ice reached the lake.

The walk back to the lodge doesn’t take as long. There is a route that is slightly quicker and you don’t need to stop and gawp at the scenery so much.

Although you do get to meet the local residents – a herd of goats – on this way back and have a go on surely what is one of the world’s most scenic swings.

briksdal glacier excursion

A warm welcome was waiting for us at the lodge along with refreshments and cake (a lot of cake!). It was a great opportunity to catch your breath and swap stories with fellow passengers.

briksdal glacier excursion

The journey back to the ship offered a second chance to enjoy a scenic drive and included a quick photo stop at a heart-shaped rock by the lake.

The last word

I really enjoyed this excursion and would highly recommend it if you visit Olden. Whether you do it yourself, with a tour or as a shore excursion, I’d go as far as saying the Briksdal Glacier is must-see on a visit to Olden or as part of a Norwegian Fjords cruise .

If you don’t fancy the hike or are less mobile, the Troll cars are a great way of still being able to see the glacier and look like quite an experience in themselves.

However, if you can walk it then I’d recommend you do. It gives you a much better opportunity to really take in and enjoy the incredible scenery of the area.

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2 thoughts on “ Exploring the Briksdal Glacier on a shore excursion from Olden ”

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Thankyou for giving us an insight and very descriptive tour. We hope to go to Olden on The Iona in June 2023. The walking tour I think is a must. Would this give us time also to do the Cabin lift tour aswell? Thankyou for sharing. x

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Hi Kim I’m not sure how long the walking tour is – is this around the village? Or do you mean the hike to the glacier? Either way I would think you could do both. If you book an excursion, just make sure you get one that is just the cable car (Loen Skylift) rather than the one I did which included a glacier viewing as well. that way, you save a bit of time. You can also do the Skylift independently so can be flexible on time. Just make sure you back at the ship in plenty of time. Hope that helps. Emma

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Footsteps Family Travel Blog

Briksdal Glacier Independent Excursion On Our P&O Cruises Iona Norwegian Fjords Cruise

Having been up since 4am to watch the sunrise as we sailed into the Olden fjord, we were ready to get off the ship as soon as we’d docked, in order to hopefully find our own way to Briksdal Glacier. 

briksdal glacier excursion

P&O operate an excursion here, which leaves by coach directly from the harbour – and we could see from our balcony lots of coaches lined up on the harbour right next to the ship. 

For our family of four, the P&O excursion to Briksdal glacier would’ve cost the best part of £400, which included the coach trip to the mountain and then a ride in so-called ‘troll cars’ up a mountain path to the nearest accessible point to the glacier. 

However, if you don’t need to use the little cars and are happy to walk the mountain path, the cost is £0 – and it turns out there’s an ordinary public bus stop right next to the ship, which will take you to the foot of the path for approximately £2.50 per person. 

We’re all well used to mountain hiking so this definitely sounded like the best option to us, and would give us the full excursion experience for little more than £20 in total. 

briksdal glacier excursion

Sure enough, we found the bus stop on the roadside – just the other side of where all the excursion coaches were parked. 

You need the stop that’s on the same side of the road as the ship. Look for the ‘Briksdalsbussen’ sign in the small lay-by. 

The bus time was 10.05am. There weren’t any other buses in the morning – that was the only time, although of course bus times may well change in future. 

While we waited for the bus we had time to take some awesome photos of Iona right from the water’s edge. 

briksdal glacier excursion

We weren’t the only passengers to have the same idea, and we were joined by several other families saving themselves hundreds of pounds by using a £2.50 bus ticket to avoid the very expensive P&O tour. 

briksdal glacier excursion

That said though, booking direct with P&O does give you peace of mind that all your travel arrangements are taken care of, you have people telling you exactly where to go – and there’s no fear of the ship leaving without you should a disaster occur that makes you late back. 

The bus arrived on time and we enjoyed a stunning drive through unbelievable scenery, passing lakes, waterfalls and huge mountains as we wound our way towards the car park at the base of the Briksdal mountain path. 

The bus took around 45 minutes and dropped us right in the car park where all the excursion coaches stop. 

We already had views of the famous glacier – and the path up to it is clearly marked from the car park. 

briksdal glacier excursion

We had our mountain walking boots on, but it turned out the path was relatively smooth and easy to walk.

A little bit steep in some places, as it does wind its way up a mountainside, but it’s an easy walk for most – and there’s even a separate path for people with push-chairs, so certainly not a punishing climb. 

We timed ourselves and it took about 50-minutes in total to reach the main glacier viewpoint – but that was with a lot of stopping along the way for photos and just to enjoy the views. 

If you really don’t fancy the walk, you can book one of the troll cars independently and just be driven up. 

But we really enjoyed the walk and the scenery was just amazing, including walking right alongside an awesome waterfall thundering down the hillside. 

briksdal glacier excursion

Any tiredness from the early-morning we’d had to view the sunrise was fast blown away by the refreshing mountain air, the incredible views and the loud roar of the mountain river and waterfall. 

briksdal glacier excursion

We’d had a brilliant, exhilarating experience the day before on a rib at Stavanger, which we thought would be hard to beat – but this excursion was perhaps just as good, but in a different way. 

The scenery here was just amazing – far more stunning than Stavanger (which itself was beautiful) and, walking up through the mountain, you’re right in amongst it. 

briksdal glacier excursion

Eventually the path reaches a point where it narrows and heads through woodland, which is where the troll cars stop. 

So even if you do ride up there in one of the cars, there’s still around 10-minutes walk from that point up to the final glacier viewpoint on foot. 

briksdal glacier excursion

By the time we reached the top, it had begun pouring with rain and a howling wind was blowing, even though when we started out at the bottom it had been calm and dry (although it was grey and very cool, even in August). 

So make sure you’re well equipped for all weather conditions – it’s more than likely you’re going to be cold and wet at some point here.

briksdal glacier excursion

But that did nothing to spoil our enjoyment of the phenomenal views, including being very close to the glacier itself – and able to paddle around in a large glacial lake at the top of the path. 

Had the weather not turned so bad so fast at the top, we might have hung around at the lake a bit longer and sat and eaten our picnic, but we were getting colder and wetter, so decided to head back down. 

briksdal glacier excursion

The path is a circular route, so the way back down was slightly different from the route up, giving you a different viewpoint and eventually taking us back down to the coach park where we’d set off – a similar 45-minute or so walk back down. 

There are a couple of cafes and a gift shop here, and we warmed ourselves up with some coffee whilst we waited for the return bus. 

briksdal glacier excursion

Beware though, if you are using the public bus – there is only one bus back again (at 1.30pm). 

We made it up and down in plenty of time, but if you miss the 1.30pm bus, that’s it – there’s no other option. 

We almost did miss it, because we were looking down the road for it but it turned out the same bus had just waited in the coach park, so was already there.

One of the other families we’d got on with were not on the return bus and, when we saw them back on the ship a few days’ later, they had a story to tell of how they’d also not realised it was already in the car park – and they had totally missed it. 

Their options were either to phone for a taxi (which is easy enough – and the staff in the visitor centre were helpful on that front), but in the end one of the P&O coaches just gave them a free lift back, so they were fine.

As with our excursion in Stavanger the day before, we were back on the ship in time for a late lunch and an afternoon relaxing around the ship and on the decks before departure at around 5pm. 

Our plan was to try to fit in doing the Loen Skylift in the afternoon – another popular excursion in Olden and one which looked amazing from others’ photos we’e seen.

However with the bad weather, it looked like the lift would just be shrouded in cloud, so not worth the money on this occasion sadly.

The captain announced that the locals at Olden give the ship a unique send-off from the shore each time it leaves, so keep an eye out for that!

Olden was our second full day in Norway on the Iona cruise and, by this time, we were absolutely loving it. 

There are other excursions to do around Olden, but the Briskdal glacier is probably the main attraction and it was a really memorable day, and all the better that we got it for literally twenty times cheaper than if we’d booked the official excursion!

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Briksdal Glacier Excursion From Olden, Norway

Briksdal Glacier, Norway

A trip to Briskdal Glacier from the cruise port of Olden in Norway requires a very scenic 25km or so drive south around the Oldevatnet lake. In this guide you’ll find a few options to make this journey and preview some of the breathtaking sights you’ll discover whilst here.

Shore excursion to Briksdal Glacier

If you’re arriving on a cruise ship your first option is to consider booking a shore excursion to Briksdal glacier with your cruise line. It’s possibly more expensive than the alternatives, but here’s why it could prove worthwhile for you:

  • A guide enhancing your experience with their local knowledge
  • They normally guarantee to get you back to the ship in time for departure
  • Little extras like tea, coffee and snacks
  • May be able to provide special assistance or advice for those who require it before booking

Olden Adventure Briksdal Glacier Shuttle Bus

It was mentioned Olden shuttle bus will wait for 2 hrs before departing. I am not sure given some info that one needs 45 to 60 mins to trek up and down the glacier will be sufficient, what happens if we took longer than 2hrs to reach the shuttle bus for whatever reason?

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Hi, I’d check with your driver before setting off as I’m not sure if you can pick up a later shuttle than the one you’re allocated. The first time I visited I didn’t have enough time to visit the lake as I was unaware how long it would take so I was able to pace myself better the second time around. The troll cars get you there/back quicker of course, but either way I still had a fantastic time as the whole route is very scenic.

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Is it possible to get a taxi from Olden to the glacier? If so roughly how much would it cost?

Hi Bella, I haven’t explored taxi options but going off the cost of the coach shuttle service I imagine it would be quite a bit more on top. If that’s feasible it may be worth looking at the excursions offered by your cruise ship as they may be able to offer a more personal experience for yourself/party.

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Hiking to Briksdalsbreen Glacier

Oldedalen, Olden

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Area: Oldedalen Type: Hiking Grading: Easy Length: 2.5 km, 40 - 60 min Season: All year

Last updated: 10/11/2023

Source: Nordfjord

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COMMENTS

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  11. Olden Shore Excursion: the Amazing Briksdal Glacier

    Discover one of Norway's stunning glaciers on this 4-hour shore excursion from Olden. After a scenic drive through the valley, set off on a 1-hour hike, passing a startling panorama of mountains and waterfalls. At the top, be rewarded with spectacular views of the Briksdal Glacier, an arm of the vast Jostedal Glacier, and end your hike overlooking the glacier lake.

  12. Nordfjordeid-Norway Tour

    On the road to Briksdal Glacier National Park, you can admire the fairy-tale atmosphere of winding roads surrounded by majestic high mountains with tongues of glaciers, countless waterfalls and turquoise lakes. ... Shore Excursion, Nature and Wildlife, First Time Visitor, Day Trip / Out of Town. Details. Kid Friendly: Yes. yes, of course ...

  13. 4 Hour Briksdal Glacier Tour in Briksdalsbreen Oldedalen

    The Briksdal Glacier tour offers a 4-hour guided experience of the stunning glacier. Travelers can expect to witness the majestic ice formations and vibrant blue colors of the glacier. Knowledgeable guides provide interesting facts and stories about the glacier and its surroundings.

  14. Briksdal Glacier

    The Briksdal Glacier is a western arm of the Jostedal Glacier, the biggest glacier on mainland Europe - protected as a national park. The glacier was formed approx. 2,500 years ago. It covers an area of approx. 10.4 km². Most of it (88%) is on the glacier plateau, 1,500 metres above sea level. The glacier descends from 1,910 metres above sea ...

  15. Briksdal Glacier

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  16. Olden Shore Excursion: the Amazing Briksdal Glacier

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  17. Troll cars to Briksdalsbre Glacier

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  20. Briksdal Glacier Independent Excursion On Our P&O Cruises Iona

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  21. Briksdal Glacier Excursion From Olden, Norway

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  22. Glacier Shuttle

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