briksdal glacier trip

Visiting the Briksdal glacier in Norway

Called Briksdalbreen in Norwegian, the Briksdal glacier is one of the most easily accessed glaciers in the country. With ample opportunities for hiking as well as epic views of this simple-to-reach wilderness wherever you look, it’s no wonder that this natural wonderland draws visitors from across the globe to marvel at its majesty.

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What you need to know about the Briksdal glacier

Visitors will find the Briksdal glacier in Jostedalsbreen National Park, set in the region of Western Norway in the county of Vestland. It’s situated at the end of the Oldedalen Valley, around 25 kilometers south of the town of Olden, which is the main hub for tourists in the area, receiving 102 cruise ships in 2019.

The glacier formed some 2,500 years ago and covers an area of around 10 square kilometers from over 2,000 meters above sea level, descending down to the lake at 350 meters above sea level. Over the years, the Briksdal glacier has expanded and receded, with weather and climate affecting its size. When there is little snow and strong sun, it is usually expected to shrink. For example, from 1934 to 1951, the Briksdal glacier receded by around 800 meters (this revealed a glacial lake), expanding again between 1967 and 1997 by 465 meters.

The Briksdal glacier is an arm (possibly the most famous) of the larger Jostedal glacier, the largest glacier in continental Europe, with a total area of 487 square kilometers.

Things to do at the Briksdal glacier

Travelers from all over the world make the journey to visit this epic slice of Norwegian scenery. With its soaring peaks and gushing waterfalls, this is a stunning part of the country’s impressive natural sights. There is much more to do in the area than gaze in awe at the glacier, however.

Hiking the Glacier

One of the most popular things to do at the Briksdal glacier is to hike. Surrounded by glacial mountains and rich with flora and fauna, it’s the ideal backdrop for hiking. There are several hiking opportunities in and around the Briksdal glacier area, some more difficult, others more accessible.

The most popular hike is the three-kilometer route from the Mountain Lodge to the glacier. This takes around 60 minutes and is relatively flat, providing ample chances to get close to the scenery and snap some photos. For something a little more challenging, the Mt. Kattanakken trail is one for those looking for a challenge; it involves heading up to a mountain ridge around 700 meters above sea level (around 4 hours).

Tourists have been visiting the Briksdal glacier for many years, well over a century. During the old days, the only way to get around was primarily by horse and carriages provided by local farmers. This tradition ended in 2004 and was replaced by Troll Cars.

These purpose-made buggies ferry tourists from the car park in Briksdal all the way to the glacier, where you’ll have the chance to disembark and explore for a while before heading back. The round trip costs 300 kroner return and runs between May and October (note, these need to be booked in advance).

See the Kleivafossen

With such an epic glacial landscape, naturally, waterfalls follow. One of the most famous is the Kleivafossen. This powerful cascade features a 37-meter drop formed from the meltwaters of the glacier itself. You can feel the force of this glacier by walking across a bridge; make sure to wear a waterproof jacket unless you want to be soaked by the spray. Kleivafossen is said to be the most photographed spot in the entire country.

Explore Olden

Olden is the springboard for exploring the Briksdal glacier. This tiny village, situated in a bay at the end of the Nordfjorden, has a beautiful location in a green valley between steep mountainsides.

Only around 500 people live here throughout the year, yet in the summer months, the town becomes a major tourist hub due to the rich natural environment on the doorstep. Kayaking, bouldering, and hiking are all doable from here, but spending the day in town is also doable.

There are some cozy cafes to relax in, as well as some charming Norwegian architecture to admire, which includes the “old” Olden Church (1759) and the “new” Olden Church (1934).

Shop for Souvenirs

Looking for something to take home to remember your time at the Briksdal glacier? The Souvenir Shop is the place to go. Surprisingly, this is the largest souvenir shop in Norway. Here you can find traditional knit jumpers and local handicrafts, as well as food and drink to take home. You’ll find it next to the Mountain Lodge.

Where to eat at the Briksdal glacier

When hunger strikes, luckily, you will find a handful of eateries in the Briksdal glacier area where you can get a warm meal and relax in a cozy environment.

The Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge

The Mountain Lodge is the landmark eatery in the Briksdal glacier area (you can also stay here). There’s a restaurant, a coffee bar, and a grill, so you have options here. There’s seating for over 500 people, meaning there’s always room for you to find a seat.

The coffee bar, the aptly named Cafe With A View, serves up a selection of hearty sandwiches, fresh mountain trout, and other hot dishes. The large menu also consists of coffee and cakes if you need a pick-me-up. And, as the name suggests, you’ll get a fantastic view across mountain peaks.

Aabrekk Gard

For something a little more off the beaten track, this eatery can be found two kilometers from the main Briksdal glacier car park. This family-run farm is a welcoming environment to tuck into a warm lunch after exploring the chilly landscape.

The menu here consists of fresh ingredients from the restaurant’s farm; dishes include meatballs, mashed potatoes, and homemade bread. It can be a bit difficult to find, but if you call ahead, the friendly owners will be able to help you with directions.

Where to stay near the Briksdal Glacier

To make the most of the dramatic glacial landscape here, there’s always the option to stay the night. While there isn’t a large selection of luxury accommodations around the glacier, there are, however, a good handful of comfortable lodges to spend a night or two in cozy surroundings.

Trollbu Aabrekk Gard

These charming cabins are situated surrounded by nature and come complete with views out across the mountains and down the green valley. From here, the Briksdal glacier is just a few minutes away by car. Each cabin has its private kitchen and ensuite bathroom; there are several sizes available depending on your travel needs. The accommodation also has an onsite restaurant.

Glacier and Waterfall View

These simple, down-to-earth cabins provide a rustic space to relax and unwind after a day of exploring the Briksdal glacier. Location-wise, you’ll find the cabins just a short drive from the glacier, sitting in the green valley itself with sweeping views. Each cottage is well equipped with its kitchen and is spacious enough for a family or a couple.

Briksdalsbre Fjellstove

Part of the huge Mountain Lodge complex, this central accommodation is a popular choice in the area. As well as the convenience of having restaurants and tour options at your fingertips, the accommodation itself is charming and well-appointed. Guest rooms boast views over the Briksdal river and range from studios to standalone cottages.

How to get to the Briksdal glacier

From Olden, it’s possible to take an hourly shuttle bus to the glacier area. There are also sightseeing buses that leave more regularly from Olden to the Briksdal area (complete with a guide). Reaching Olden in the first place can be done via express bus from Oslo, Bergen, and other major towns; there are three departures daily from Oslo. Check the Skyss bus website for details on booking tickets.

Those who want to rent a car to explore Norway will be pleased to know that it is possible to drive to the Briksdal glacier or near enough. From Oslo, it takes around 7 hours to drive the 500-plus-kilometer journey to Olden, the main jumping-off point for exploring the area. If you are starting in Bergen instead, the journey will take just under 5 hours.

Many people opt to book themselves onto a cruise that takes in the fjords while docking at various ports along the way. Olden is one of these harbors and sees cruise ships and regular ferries come and go throughout the year. Depending on what kind of boat you choose or your tour package, the length of time it takes to get from Oslo, for example, to Olden, varies.

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Briksdalsbreen: Norway’s Most Famous Glacier Arm

Are you planning a trip to the Briksdalsbreen Glacier in Norway? 

Here is a complete guide to everything you need to know about visiting Briksdalbreen, or Briksdal Glacier. We've included helpful information on the best time to visit, how to get to Briksdal, the Troll cars, and the Briksdal Glacier climb.

Don’t miss out on our top tips for visiting the Briksdal Glacier to make sure you make the most of your trip! 

Whether you're looking for Olden shore excursions or an easy day walk, the Briksdalsbreen Glacier is for you!

Briksdalsbreen Glacier in Norway

The Briksdalbreen (Briksdal Glacier) is one of the many arms of Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier in continental Europe. 

Despite having around 50 glacier arms, Briksdalbreen is one of Norway’s most popular glaciers to visit since it’s the most accessible. Aside from that, the short hike up is surrounded by steep mountains, wild rivers, and roaring waterfalls. 

Though you cannot walk on the glacier, the picturesque surroundings and beautiful nature reserve make Briksdalbreen one of the must-see places in Norway. 

Best Time to Visit

Briksdalsbreen can be visited all year, however for the best weather, we recommend going between May and October . During the summer, we suggest arriving before 8:30am to avoid tourist buses from the Olden cruise port. 

Read: Best Time to Visit Norway

Getting to Briksdalsbreen

Briksdalsbreen is very accessible. Depending on where you are coming from, you have several transportation options to choose from. Here are the best ways to get to Briksdalsbreen glacier in Norway. 

Taking a tour that includes transportation, entrance fees, and a tour guide is the most convenient way to visit Briksdal Glacier. It’s a 4-hour glacier excursion and is a great option if you’re coming from Olden or on a cruise as everything is taken care of for you. 

Shuttle Bus

Alternatively, you can take the shuttle bus from Olden port. The drive takes about 45 minutes one way and once you reach the starting point of the hike, you’ll have two hours of trek up to the lake to view the glacier’s arm. The shuttle will be waiting for you in the parking lot and will transport you back to the port.

There are two departures for the shuttle bus. One departs at 9:30am and returns at 1pm, while the other leaves at 11am and returns at 2:30pm. 

Note that the shuttle only operates from April 1st to November 1st. You can reserve your seat in advance at Oldencruise.com .

There is a public glacier bus (115) that departs from Stryn to Briksdalbreen and stops at different villages along the way. It runs from May 15th to September 15th and departs at 9:45am from Stryn station. 

Briksdalsbreen is easily accessible by car. You can park in two places: Melkevoll Bretun and the Briksdal tourist center . The Melkevoll Bretun is primarily used for camping, and the Briksdal tourist center is located next to the troll cars and marks the beginning of the national park. 

We parked at the Briskdal tourist center, which is the closest to the start of the walking path. The parking costs around 7 USD per day and 14 USD if you wish to spend the night with your campervan. 

Briksdal Glacier Troll Car

One popular way of visiting the Briksdalsbreen is by taking the Troll car available from May to October. The troll cars look like an open mini jeep that can seat up to 7 people. 

Troll Car Ticket Price

The troll car costs about 25 USD for a return trip. It’s also possible to take the car on the way up for 14 USD and then hike down.

The round trip in a troll car takes around 1.5 hours and is a great option if you’re pressed on time or have a little bit of mobility issues. Note that you will still have to walk a few meters to get to the lake and see the glacier up close. 

It is recommended to buy your tickets in advance, especially if you visit in May and October. Book your troll car here .

Briksdal Glacier Hike

The hike from the Briksdalen valley to the Briksdal Glacier is one of the most scenic hikes in Norway. Here's a breakdown of how difficult the hike is and what to expect.

Hike Difficulty

The hike to see the Briksdal Glacier is relatively easy to moderate depending on your physical fitness. The 3km trail starts at the Briksdalsbre mountain lodge and will take you about 40 to 60 minutes each way. Overall the altitude gain is around 200 meters.

What to Expect

The trail at the beginning is wide and relatively flat, with small inclines. The trail follows a river that runs through the valley. Halfway through, you'll reach the Kleivafossen waterfall, one of the most photographed waterfalls in Norway . 

There are two ways to go to the top from there. The first trail on your left is for hikers only. It's steep and can be tricky, especially in rainy conditions. So make sure you wear appropriate shoes and check the weather forecast.

The other is a paved route that crosses the bridge and leads to the opposite side of the waterfall. 

Tip: Wear a waterproof jacket when crossing the bridge to avoid getting soaked by the strong waterfall sprays.  

This path zigzags its way up the mountain and is less challenging. However, the troll cars also travel along the same route, so be mindful of the passing cars. 

Once you reach the higher plateau, it’ll be the same level as the glacier, and there will be no more troll cars. You can hike up to the small glacial lake and enjoy a closer look of the Briksdal Glacier. 

Our Experience

We visited Briksdalsbreen in the middle of July and had beautiful, dry weather conditions. After packing up our camp and eating breakfast we drove to Briksdal from our campsite and started hiking around 10:30am. 

Despite the late start, it was surprisingly quiet for such a popular place. We were certainly not alone, but it wasn’t very busy or crowded. We were able to quickly park our car in the parking lot and encountered only a few other visitors on our walk to the glacier.

We spent roughly 3 hours in the national park. We suggest allowing at least an hour each way and an hour to enjoy the scenery to ensure you have enough time to fully experience Briksdal. 

Where to Stay Near Briksdalbreen

Looking for places to stay near Briksdalsbreen? Here are some of the most highly rated accommodations you can stay at.

Tips for Visiting Briksdalbreen

• Visit before 8:30am to avoid the crowds coming from the cruise port. 
• Bring plenty of water and snacks because you won't be passing any stores along the route.
• Don't forget to pack warm clothing and sturdy hiking shoes, as the weather can be unpredictable and the terrain can be challenging. 
• Take your time to explore the surrounding hiking trails and viewpoints, as they offer breathtaking panoramas of the glacier and its surroundings. 
• Camp near the glacier at Gryta Camping. Here, you can go kayaking at lake Oldevatnet with a view of the Glacier. 

Is Briksdal Glacier worth visiting?

To answer the question of whether or not Briksdal Glacier is worth visiting, we absolutely recommend it. 

Briksdalsbreen was, in fact, one of the highlights of our trip to Norway . So, if you have the opportunity, hike up to the glacier! 

In our opinion, the nature surrounding the national park is more impressive than the glacier itself. Despite the receding arm, seeing the glacier is worth the walk up just to take in the breathtaking views of the national park.

And that’s the guide to visiting the Briksdalsbreen in Norway!

Start planning your trip today with our complete guide and be captivated by one of Norway's most extraordinary natural wonders.

Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Some links in this Briksdalsbreen Glacier Guide may be affiliate links.

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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. 

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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Guided Troll Car Tour in Briksdal

A Journey along the beautiful Emerald Green Olden Lake.

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: max.4 hours
• Tour starts : from the Port of Olden
• The journey :45 minute trip along the valley

Join us on a tour to the beautiful Briksdal Glacier with a shuttle bus & Troll Car

The Briksdal Glacier is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Norway. Surrounded by majestic mountains and beautiful waterfalls.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, the guided Troll Car tour starts.

The trip starts in Briksdal and takes you to the stand about 700 m away from the glacier. You will have a nice walk to the glacier, into the Jostedal Glacier nationalpark, before the troll car takes you back to starting point.

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 re-joining us on the scenic return 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

Customers will receive a full refund when cancelling 24 hours before the tour starts. Customers will also receive a full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather circumstances or if the cruise ship is not coming to Olden for whatever reason.

Related Excursions

• Hour Glass 1 hour

Open Top Glacier Sightseeing

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

• Hour Glass 3.5 hours

Briksdal Glacier Shuttle Bus

Hop on the bus and explore Olden’s beautiful turquoise waters at the famous Briksdal Glacier!

Briksdalsbre

Troll cars to Briksdalsbre Glacier | Oldedalen Skyss

Oldedalsvegen 2211, Briksdalsbre

[email protected]

• View in Map

The trip starts beside the souvernirshop in Briksdal and takes you to the stand about 700 m away from the glacier. You will have a nice walk to the glacier, into the Jostedal Glacier nationalpark, before the troll car takes you back to starting point.

Last updated: 08/14/2023

Source: Nordfjord

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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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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 Shuttle - Cruise Ship - Olden Adventure

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We did a spontaneous booking at the dockside in Olden. Did the lake ride, glacier visit and... read more

Briksdal Glacier Shuttle - Cruise Ship

We took the shuttle whilst in Olden for a stop during a cruise. The shuttle is exactly that - a shuttle bus - with a bit of commentary on the way too and from the glacier and runs really smoothly with amazing views the whole journey! The company were really easy to find in the harbour and had a range of tours available, the transport foe which was a short 60 second walk away. It ran on time and drove us along a beautiful valley to the Briksdal Glacier, giving us 2 hours (jist the right amount) to make the walk to the Glacier and then back, with a bit of souvenir browsing as well! Absolutely beautiful place and would recommend to anyone thinking of visiting the region!

Excellent trip to briksdal glacier easy to book seperate from what was offered from our cruise ship and half the price . Knowledgable trip host and well organised from booking to trip itself

Booked Loen Skylift via the website the day before arriving in port, Ticket collected from the check-in desk without issue, however had to fight with other guests to get on the bus and many people couldn't get on the bus and had to wait for the next. Everything else went fine including pickup (though again, a queue and some guests got left behind) Generally positive experience, but I made it onto the bus on both occasions when others were left waiting another X minutes for the next bus...

Started out great as I had prebooked well in advance of our trip for the Glacier Express Shuttle Bus Olden - Briksdal Glacier. That process was very easy. When we got off the ship, it was easy to find Olden Adventure, they gave us our tickets and we walked across the street to Circle K where there was a nice double decker bus. There was some disorganization at this point, as apparently the driver was taking 9:30am tickets along with tickets for another bus/later departure apparently so he ended up having to kick people off this bus to make room for people who were supposed to be on it? That accounted for a delayed start. The ride up was nice and lovely, when we arrived he held up a sign ( which some apparently did not see since two bus doors were open) that said 12:45pm pick up. You basically got a little over two hours to hike up and back from the glacier. What you don’t necessarily know is if you can’t physically hike it, you have to then purchase tickets to have the people there at Briksdal give you a ride up and that day they were booked out an hour and a half from when we arrived. Fortunately we are hikers, but some of these people were not. We were back by noon and along with many others from the bus and other excursions that were there found out from a tour guide (not ours!) there had been an accident and it was impeding travel on the road. Our bus was nowhere to be found at 12:45, nobody in our group had had any communication from Olden Adventure and folks went to sit in the Kafeteria. A few people decided to walk the 7-8 miles back to the cruise port, albeit it was downhill and probably a beautiful walk. Some of us decided to wait around. At one point my husband and I tried to call and email the operator and got no answer, so we walked around trying to get information. We are still not sure what happened as we were in the parking lot area the entire time, and never saw our bus and at some point many of the folks on our bus were gone so we have to assume a different bus quickly (and I mean within 5 minutes or so) loaded without bothering to announce around to see who was missing given their late arrival. Needless to say, we were stranded along with some others. We met some lovely people with a rental car who gave us a ride back to the port… this was about 3pm! My husband went into the Olden Adventure office to download, he indicated the man was apologetic but my gosh the lack of communication despite the accident that occurred was terrible and to not answer your telephone when your pick up is so late is unacceptable. Perhaps it was just an unlucky day, as I know other operators were impacted by the accident but it all boiled down to nobody knew what was happening, even at 1pm, 15 minutes past our pick up time…

We booked for the Leon Skylift online before our cruise. Made sure we left the ship promptly. I couldn’t download my confirmation but the chap reassured me it was no issue as my name was on the list for the day. Given tickets and directed to waiting buses. Arrived quickly and were on the lift and at the top swiftly. A magical experience. I would have like the 🛷 hire to be more obvious as we only noticed it as we left. An amazing day, breathtaking views, pure white snow and delicious hot chocolate. Quickly down when we wanted to leave to a waiting return bus. The company then put on a sail away display which was really touching.

I booked the glacier via the troll cars and the Loen sky lift trips before we went, very easy to do online and any questions I asked were promptly answered, great communication. Easy to find when we got off the ship, both trips left on time and the tour guide gave us some great history and stories on the way to the glacier. Both trips well worth doing, good value (as opposed to other companies!), I wouldn’t hesitate to book with Olden Adventure again!