From Olden: Briksdal Glacier Guided Hiking Shore Excursion

Olden is small, but the glacier hike is big-time. This 4-hour shore excursion pairs a comfortable bus ride through Olden with a guided walk to Briksdalsbreen (Briksdal Glacier), including glacier scenery, waterfalls, and a payoff viewpoint over Olden Lake.

What I love most is the mix of travel time and nature time. The bus gets you out of town fast, and the hike gives you a real sense of the Jostedal Glacier system, not just a quick look.

One thing to plan around: the first part of the hike is the hardest. The walk up toward the glacier usually takes 45–60 minutes, so if you’re not comfortable with uphill hiking, this may feel like a lot.

Key things to know before you go

• Back-to-ship guarantee for cruise passengers, with the official tour time ending 1 hour before departure
• A guided hike that still leaves room for pacing yourself and taking photos
• Olden Lake views from the drive in and again from a viewpoint stop at the end
• Glacier country that changes fast: meltwater streams, spray from waterfalls, and cold mountain air
• Timing is tight but workable: 45 minutes by bus each way plus about 2.5 hours on the ground
• Guides can vary (English is the main language, and a second language may join depending on the group)

From Olden pier to Briksdal: how the day really flows

This is designed to work as a cruise shore outing, so the day has a clear rhythm: meet the guide, board the bus, hike, then return with enough margin for the ship.

Your meeting point is inside the main Olden pier area, at the parking lot. The bus typically arrives about 15 minutes before departure because port authorities have their own rules. Look for a guide wearing a blue jacket and/or holding a sign. It’s one of those small details that makes the start less stressful, especially when the ship is late or the pier feels busy.

The main promise here is not just transportation and guidance. The excursion is set up so cruise passengers are protected by a back-to-ship guarantee, as long as your booking includes your cruise ship name and the tour ends on schedule (specifically, 1 hour before ship departure time).

The drive through Olden: short bus time, strong payoff scenery

The bus part clocks in at about 45 minutes each way, and it’s not a long slog. You’ll roll through the village of Olden and into the Olden Valley, and the scenery starts doing work right away.

You pass by the shimmering Olden Lake, framed by towering mountains. This matters more than it sounds. When you only have a few hours on a shore excursion, the scenery during the transfer time sets expectations and helps you feel like you’re already in the right place before you start climbing.

If you’re the type who worries you’ll spend your limited time stuck on a bus, this one is usually more satisfying than you might expect. Several guides are known for giving practical, on-the-way context (names that show up include Sam, Anna, Alyssa, and Elisabet), and that can turn the drive into part of the experience rather than background noise.

Briksdalsbreen hike: what the walking time feels like

The glacier walk is the heart of the trip, with roughly 2.5 hours on foot. The hike begins near the start of one of the arms of the famous Jostedal Glacier, Briksdalsbreen.

Here’s how to read the effort level:

• The first segment is hardest, and then it gradually eases
• The trek to reach the glacier generally takes about 45–60 minutes
• The terrain includes a mix of uphill sections, with some stone steps mentioned by visitors

In other words, it’s not a flat stroll. It’s also not an all-day mountaineering push. This is ideal for you if you’re comfortable walking at a steady pace and you can handle cold conditions without getting flustered.

Also, this is not a hike where you’re left totally alone. You’ll have a guide leading the group and shaping the experience with route awareness and interpretive info. The best value of a guide here is simple: you get context for what you’re seeing—glacier-fed meltwater streams, cascading waterfalls, alpine lakes—and you’re less likely to waste your short time asking basic questions later.

If you’re worried about steep parts

The tour is not suitable for mobility impairments, and it’s flagged for people with back problems or heart problems. That’s the safest guidance.

That said, one clue from real-world experience: there may be an option to be taken up in a buggy if you’re not able to do the full hike, but you still may need to walk the last 500 meters. If you think you might need that option, it’s worth asking before you commit and confirming what’s actually available for your date and group.

Glacier time and the Olden Lake viewpoint: where the photos happen

When you finally reach the glacier area, the scenery becomes very different from the bus-and-lake portion. This is where you trade wide views for close-up glacier power: meltwater streams cutting through the area, roaring water sounds (often louder than you expect), and the feeling that the environment is actively changing.

You’ll spend time around the glacier itself, and then you’ll have a viewpoint stop that looks back out over Olden Lake. That viewpoint moment is a big deal for shore excursion travelers because it gives you a clear “I’m done hiking” reward without needing extra time. It’s also handy for photos that show where the glacier sits in the larger Olden setting.

If photography is your thing, treat the viewpoint stop and the glacier time as your two best windows. Snowy mountain backdrops and glacier-fed water make for strong shots in nearly any weather, but lightning-fast conditions around waterfalls can mean you’ll want to keep one hand ready for camera, the other for balance.

Timing: staying calm when the day is only 4 hours

The full excursion is about 4 hours total, built as: around 45 minutes bus in, about 2.5 hours hiking time on the ground, then about 45 minutes bus back.

That structure is good, but you still need a mindset shift. Even when the walk is “scheduled” for a certain pace, you’ll likely want to stop for photos and to take in the waterfalls and streams. The most common way people end up feeling rushed is by planning for a fast, no-stop hike when the scenery asks you to slow down.

A practical approach for you:

• Start steady on the uphill part
• Expect the hike to feel like it takes closer to an hour each way for many people
• Don’t try to sprint your way to the glacier just to beat the clock

If you want the best balance, pace yourself during the first tough stretch, then settle into a slower rhythm once the trail levels out.

The guide factor: when it matters, and when you’ll mostly hike

This is a guided hike, but it’s still a hike. That’s good news for you if you prefer active travel over sitting in a van while someone talks the whole time.

Where guides really help:

• Explaining what you’re looking at in glacier country (how the glacier feeds meltwater and shapes the area)
• Keeping the group moving at a pace that works for different walkers
• Making sure people don’t get stuck or left behind

From the experiences shared, some guides—like Sam and Anna—are praised for being especially informative and for adding a more technical feel to the explanations. Others, like Alyssa and Elisabet, are described as friendly and attentive to different walking paces. What you’re really buying is smoother navigation through a real outdoor setting with time limits.

Where to be realistic: some people feel the excursion could offer even more structured guiding during the hike itself. If that’s your preference, you’ll have the most success by asking questions at the start and during the drive, then using your glacier time for the photos and views.

What to pack for Briksdal: shoes, warmth, and rain that sneaks up

You’ll want to pack for cold, changeable mountain weather. Even if Olden looks calm, glacier areas can feel colder and more damp.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes with good grip
• Warm clothing and a warm jacket
• Weather-appropriate layers
• Warm shoes (seriously—cold feet turn a great hike into a miserable one)

One small tip that can save your day: bring a raincoat even on a fine day. Visitors note that waterfall spray can hit the trail. In other words, you don’t need a storm to get wet where the meltwater runs.

Value for $146: what you’re really paying for

At $146 per person for a roughly 4-hour shore excursion, you’re paying for three things at once:

1. Convenient cruise-day logistics (a bus transfer and a time-protected schedule)
2. A guided hike that helps you interpret glacier scenery and stay on track
3. A back-to-ship guarantee, which is the real financial confidence boost for cruise travelers

Is it worth it? For most active travelers in limited time, it tends to be. One reason is that this routing can cost less than going through a cruise line’s excursion desk for a similar journey. You still get the core glacier hike without paying the higher cruise-arranged markup.

Where value drops a bit: if you mainly want a low-effort, guided nature talk with minimal walking. This excursion is built around hiking time. You’ll get the most satisfaction if you actually want to move, breathe in that crisp mountain air, and earn the view.

Who this is best for (and who should skip it)

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a glacier experience without arranging separate transportation
• Enjoy moderate hiking with a clear payoff
• Are okay with cold weather and a short uphill segment early on
• Want a shore excursion that respects the ship schedule

It’s likely not the right fit if you have:

• Back problems
• Mobility impairments
• Heart problems

And it’s not set up with extra help for pets, since pets are not allowed.

Should you book the Briksdal Glacier guided shore excursion?

If you’re visiting Olden and you want the glacier to be the main event, I’d book this. The structure makes sense for cruise travelers: the bus gets you moving quickly, the hike gets you into real glacier country, and the viewpoint over Olden Lake gives you a satisfying finish.

I’d hesitate only if you know the first uphill part will be a deal-breaker for you, or if you’re expecting a more fully guided, step-by-step interpretive hike with lots of narration on every meter of the trail. This excursion gives guidance, but you’re still doing the walking.

One last practical thought: confirm your plans so the “back-to-ship” promise can work smoothly. Provide your correct mobile number with country code, and make sure your cruise ship name is registered at booking. In a tight port day, those small details prevent big headaches.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point in Olden?

You meet inside the main Olden pier area, at the parking lot. The bus arrives about 15 minutes prior due to port authorities regulation.

How long is the excursion?

It lasts about 4 hours total.

What does the tour include?

It includes bus transportation, a guided hike, and a back-to-ship guarantee for cruise passengers.

Is food or drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is the hike guided in English?

Yes, the live tour guide is English. A second language may be added depending on the passenger mix.

How hard is the walk to the glacier?

The first part is the hardest and takes about 45–60 minutes for the walk toward the glacier. After that, it gradually becomes easier.

Do I need warm clothing for the mountains?

Yes. It can be considerably colder in the mountains, so warm clothing and suitable warm shoes are recommended.

Is there a back-to-ship guarantee?

Yes, cruise passengers get a back-to-ship guarantee as long as your cruise ship name is registered when you book and the official tour time ends 1 hour before ship departure.

Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not allowed.

What if the weather changes or I cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also uses free cancellation and reserve-now-pay-later options as described by the activity terms.