Tours in Olden
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Explore Group Travel →Cruising to Olden
Olden sits at the innermost reach of the Oldefjord, a branch of the great Nordfjord system in western Norway. The village itself is no more than a scatter of farmhouses, guesthouses and a handful of local businesses gathered where the river from the glacier valley meets the fjord, yet it consistently ranks among Norway's most memorable cruise port calls because of what lies immediately behind it: two glacier valleys leading to arms of the Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier on mainland Europe.
The valley leading from Olden towards Briksdalen is a study in Norwegian pastoral beauty at its most theatrical. A flat river floor carpeted with wildflowers gives way to increasingly vertical granite walls as you travel inland, until the valley narrows and the ice begins. The Briksdal Glacier — one of the most-visited glacier tongues in the country — terminates in a lake of milky, ice-flour-pale meltwater at the valley's head. Electrically powered troll cars ferry visitors along the final approach path, and the combination of ice, rock and perfectly still water at the glacial lake makes for one of the most photogenic landscapes in Scandinavia.
The neighbouring Loen Valley offers a different register of the same extraordinary scenery. Lake Lovatnet stretches the length of the valley, its surface reflecting the surrounding peaks with mirror-like clarity. At the valley's end, the Kjenndal Glacier presents another face of the Jostedalsbreen ice field. Above Loen village, the Loen Skylift — one of the world's steepest cable cars by gradient — carries passengers from near sea level to the summit of Mount Hoven at 1,011 metres in five minutes, opening a panorama that encompasses the entire fjord network and a broad sweep of glacier terrain.
This is a destination where the natural world requires no supplementary attraction. The quality of light during long summer days — soft, directional and seemingly inexhaustible — transforms even a mundane fjord reflection into something memorable. Walking shoes and layered clothing are non-negotiable; the glacier valleys run cooler than the fjord, and the combination of ice, meltwater and mountain air creates an atmosphere entirely unlike anything found in warmer European ports.
Top things to do in Olden on a cruise stopover
Briksdal Glacier: An Arm of Europe's Largest Ice Field
The Briksdal Glacier (Briksdalbreen) is one of the most accessible tongues of the Jostedalsbreen ice cap — a vast field of ice covering nearly 500 square kilometres of inland western Norway. The approach through Briksdalen valley is itself a significant experience: a flat-floored river valley framed by vertical granite walls that grow more dramatic as you travel inland. The glacier snout terminates in a small lake of extraordinary pale blue-green colour, produced by fine glacial flour suspended in the meltwater. Troll cars — small electric vehicles — carry visitors along the final approach path for those who prefer not to walk the last stretch. In winter, frozen waterfalls decorate the valley walls; in summer, the same cliffs carry multiple cascades of snowmelt.
Loen Skylift: Five Minutes to a Panorama of the Norwegian Fjords
The Loen Skylift is one of the world's steepest cable cars by gradient, rising from the shore of the Nordfjord near Loen village to the summit of Mount Hoven at 1,011 metres above sea level in approximately five minutes. The ascent is itself a spectacle — the gondola rises almost vertically from the fjord edge, delivering stomach-drop views from the first moments. At the summit, a restaurant and viewing platform deliver a 360-degree panorama encompassing Olden, the branching Nordfjord system, the surrounding glacier terrain and, on clear days, a vast sweep of western Norwegian mountains. The summit is noticeably cooler than the fjord; a windproof layer is advisable regardless of how warm it feels below.
Loen Lake and Kjenndal Glacier: The Quiet Valley
The Loen Valley offers an alternative to the busier Briksdal experience — a longer, quieter valley road following the shore of Lake Lovatnet, whose still surface has been described as one of the most perfect natural mirrors in Norway. The lake's deep blue reflects surrounding peaks with an almost photographic precision that rewards slow travel and patience with a camera. At the valley's end, the Kjenndal Glacier presents another tongue of the Jostedalsbreen ice field, less visited than Briksdal and consequently more atmospheric in its remoteness. The combination of the lake drive and the glacier makes for one of the most complete Norwegian fjord valley experiences available from Olden.
Open-Top Glacier Sightseeing: The Panoramic Bus Experience
For those who want the full sweep of the glacier landscape without committing to a valley hike, the open-top bus provides a uniquely effective perspective on Olden's multiple glacier arms and the surrounding mountain terrain. The elevated seating and open roof allow unobstructed photography and an unfiltered sense of the scale of the landscape — the arms of the Jostedalsbreen appear in multiple directions simultaneously, something difficult to appreciate from the valley floors. The format suits passengers who want a broad orientation to the region as well as those for whom extensive walking is impractical.
Nordfjord and the Fjord Village: The Landscape at Your Feet
The fjord at Olden is itself a highlight that requires no transport and no planning — the quayside delivers an immediate and dramatic perspective on Norwegian fjord topography. Mountains rise almost vertically from the waterline on all sides, and the reflections in the water on a still morning are genuinely spectacular. The village has a few modest shops and a cafe, and the path along the fjord edge provides excellent views back to the ship and across the water. For passengers who prefer a gentler day, spending time by the fjord, walking the village footpaths and watching the light change on the surrounding peaks is entirely worthwhile.
Hiking and the Norwegian Outdoors: Friluftsliv in Practice
Norway's concept of friluftsliv — the philosophy of outdoor life as a fundamental part of wellbeing — is not a marketing concept in places like Olden; it is simply how people live. The Briksdal valley offers hiking trails at multiple levels of effort, from gentle riverside paths suitable for most fitness levels to more demanding routes up to the glacier itself. The scenic bus and hike to Briksdal Glacier combines motorised transport for the approach with a proper walk to the ice face, giving passengers a genuine outdoor experience within the constraints of a port call. The surrounding area rewards those who simply want to walk in mountain air, even without reaching any specific glacier destination.
Olden travel tips
Layer Up — the Glacier Valleys Are Colder Than the Fjord. Even on a warm summer day at the Olden quayside, the temperature in the Briksdal valley drops noticeably as you approach the glacier. The combination of altitude, ice proximity and shade from the valley walls means temperatures can be 8–10 degrees Celsius cooler at the glacier snout than at the ship. A waterproof layer, a light fleece and a hat are practical essentials for any glacier excursion, regardless of the weather forecast at the port.
Waterproof Footwear Makes a Real Difference at the Glacier. The path to the Briksdal Glacier and the area around the glacial lake involve uneven rocky terrain, meltwater streams and often damp surfaces even in dry weather. While the troll car eliminates some of the final approach walking, passengers who want to reach the lake edge and experience the glacier at close quarters will find waterproof shoes or ankle boots significantly more comfortable than standard trainers or sandals. This single piece of kit can determine how much of the experience you can actually access.
The Loen Skylift Summit Has a Restaurant With Extraordinary Views. At the top of the Loen Skylift, the Edge restaurant occupies a dramatic position on the Mount Hoven summit with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and outdoor terraces. It serves lunch and light meals, and simply having a coffee at the summit while absorbing the panorama is one of the most memorable half-hours available in any Norwegian port. Pre-booking a table is advisable in high season, as the restaurant is popular with both cruise passengers and independent visitors.
Book Glacier Excursions Early — Capacity Is Limited. The most popular glacier excursions from Olden — particularly the Briksdal Glacier with troll car and the Loen Skylift — operate with limited capacity and fill up quickly when multiple ships are in port simultaneously. Securing a place well in advance ensures both your preferred time slot and peace of mind. Passengers who wait until arrival can find availability restricted, particularly on popular summer sailing days when several vessels may call at Olden on the same day.
Cards Are Universally Accepted — No Need to Source Norwegian Krone. Norway is one of the world's most cashless societies, and Olden is no exception. Every cafe, bus operator and attraction accepts debit and credit cards, including contactless payments. There is no practical reason to carry Norwegian Krone cash for a day ashore in Olden, and no currency exchange facilities are needed. Simply ensure your card is contactless-enabled and notify your bank of travel before departure.
Check for Clear Skies Before Committing to the Skylift. The Loen Skylift experience is entirely dependent on visibility. On a clear day, the summit panorama is among the finest views in Norway; in cloud or mist, you may emerge from the gondola into a white-out with no visible landscape at all. Norwegian weather changes rapidly, and forecasts for mountain summits can diverge from valley conditions. If the summit is clearly visible from the fjord when you arrive, the skylift is the priority. If the peaks are socked in, the glacier valleys at lower altitude offer a rewarding alternative.
Port Facts Every Cruiser Needs To Know
Olden shore excursion FAQs
The Briksdalbreen is one of the tongues — or arms — of the Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier on mainland Europe, covering around 487 square kilometres of western Norway. The Briksdal arm descends from the main ice field through a narrow valley to terminate in a small glacial lake at around 346 metres above sea level. The combination of ice, the pale turquoise meltwater lake and the surrounding granite peaks is widely considered one of Norway's most photogenic natural settings. The glacier has been retreating in recent decades, so visiting now provides a perspective on an ice feature that is visibly changing over time.
Walking on the main ice surface of the Briksdal Glacier requires specialist glacier hiking equipment (crampons and ice axe) and professional guides, and is not available as a standard shore excursion from Olden. What is accessible without special equipment is the area immediately in front of the glacier snout and around the glacial lake — this is where most visitors stop and where the primary views are found. The approach path to this point is manageable without specialist gear, though waterproof footwear makes it considerably more comfortable.
Troll cars are small, electrically powered open vehicles that carry passengers along the final approach path to the Briksdal Glacier, covering the roughly 3-kilometre route from the main car park to the glacier viewing area. They were introduced to allow visitors with limited mobility or those who prefer not to walk the full distance to reach the glacier snout comfortably. Passengers with good mobility can walk the same route, which passes through attractive valley scenery, while the troll cars serve those who want the glacier experience with less physical exertion.
The car park at the base of the Briksdal valley is approximately 20 kilometres from the Olden village quay, a journey of around 25–30 minutes by road. From the car park, the approach to the glacier itself is a further 3 kilometres on foot (or by troll car). The full round trip from ship to glacier and back, including time at the glacier, typically takes 3–4 hours depending on pace and how long you spend at the site.
The Loen Skylift is a cable car that rises from near sea level at Loen village to the summit of Mount Hoven at 1,011 metres in approximately five minutes. It is one of the steepest cable cars in the world by gradient. At the summit there is a viewing platform, a restaurant (Edge) and panoramic views over the Nordfjord system and surrounding glacier landscape. The base station is around 12 kilometres from the Olden quay, a 15-minute drive.
Norwegian summer weather — May through August — is generally good but never entirely predictable, particularly in a fjord environment where local conditions can differ from regional forecasts. Rain is possible on any day, and mountain summits can be in cloud when valley floors are clear. However, the Briksdal valley is accessible and impressive even in light rain, as waterfalls and mist add atmosphere to the glacier landscape. The Loen Skylift is more weather-dependent; a clear day is strongly preferable for the summit experience.
The Loen Skylift is accessible to passengers with limited mobility — the gondola is enclosed and the summit viewing area can be reached without walking significant distances after arrival. The Briksdal Glacier experience is more demanding; the troll cars handle the final approach for those who cannot walk the valley path, but the terrain around the glacial lake is uneven rock and may be challenging for wheelchairs or mobility aids. The open-top glacier sightseeing bus offers a panoramic overview of the glacier landscape suitable for all mobility levels.
The Nordfjord region supports a range of Nordic wildlife. Red deer are commonly seen in the valley meadows, particularly in the early morning. White-tailed eagles — one of Europe's largest birds of prey — are resident in the fjord areas and regularly spotted soaring above the water. Dippers and grey wagtails occupy the fast-moving glacial rivers. The fjord itself supports populations of harbour porpoise. Wildflowers in the valley meadows during June and July include Norwegian mountain varieties not found at lower elevations, and the glacial lake margins often host unusual plant communities adapted to the cold, mineral-rich soils.
At the Briksdal Glacier lake in July and August, air temperatures typically range from 8 to 15 degrees Celsius — significantly cooler than the fjord below, where summer days can reach the low 20s. The combination of ice proximity, shade from the valley walls and the cooling effect of meltwater streams makes the glacier area feel considerably colder than the ship deck. A waterproof jacket and a light fleece or warm layer are practical necessities even on the warmest summer days.
The Briksdal valley has a visitor facility at the car park area including a cafe serving hot drinks, light meals and Norwegian baked goods, a souvenir shop and toilet facilities. These are basic but adequate. At the glacier lake itself there are no permanent facilities. The Loen Skylift has the Edge restaurant at the summit (pre-booking recommended in high season) and basic facilities at both the base and summit stations. Olden village itself has a small cafe and limited shops near the quay.
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