What it’s really like to visit Briksdal Glacier on a shore excursion

Visiting Briksdal Glacier on a shore excursion from Olden is every bit as epic as it sounds – but here’s what it’s really like.

If there was one port I couldn’t wait to explore on my Norwegian Fjords cruise, it was Olden. Sitting at the head of the stunning Nordfjord, this tiny village is like stepping into a postcard with it’s awe-inspiring scenery, including towering mountains, shimmering lakes and dramatic glacier landscape.

From the moment we docked, Olden had me captivated. It might be a small village but it is packed with adventure, from wandering along hiking trails to kayaking on the clear water of the fjord.

Briksdal Glacier Excursion

The two things I really wanted to do in Olden was see the glacier and go up the skylit for some incredible views. Travelling solo, I decided to take the stress out of planning my day there by booking shore excursions with P&O Cruises. This felt like the best way to experience both attractions without having to sort out the logistics and myself and let me tell you, it was totally worth it!

The excursion to the Briksdal Glacier included

• A scenic 45-minute coach ride through the Oldedalen Valley
• A photo stop at the impossibly pretty Oldevatnet Lake
• Refreshments (and lots of cake!) after our glacier visit

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 – shockingly so – but it is still a pretty amazing sight to see.

Driving through the Oldedalen Valley

The drive through the Oldedalen valley was nothing short of spectacular. Think lush green meadows, jagged snow-capped mountain peaks. Our guide pointed out highlights as we went, and we paused for photos by Oldevatnet — a lake so still it perfectly reflected the snowy mountains above. I could’ve stayed there for hours.

Arriving at Briksdal Mountain Lodge

It took around 45 minutes to arrive at the Briksdal Mountain Lodge, a cosy spot with a cafe, restaurant and shops that marks the starting point for the journey to the glacier.

There were two options to to reach the glacier from here, hike/walk or hop on a troll car.

Troll Car

If hiking is not your thing or mobility is an issue, the troll cars are a great way to get to the glacier.

These open-sided buggies replaced the original horse-drawn carts back in 2004 (which doesn’t seem that long ago!). They seat seven people and take you most of the way, leaving you a 10 minute (700m) walk to the glacier valley viewpoint.

Hike to the glacier

I opted to walk the whole trail – partly for the scenery and partly to skip leg day at Iona’s gym! The route is around 2.5 km, and while the first part is a bit steep, it levels out fairly quickly. Once past this you don’t really notice the gentle climb. 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. You don’t need hiking boots — I just wore trainers and was totally fine. I think calling it a hike is probably overstating it, it was a more of a pleasant, well-marked out stroll. Though I walk everywhere so I’m maybe not the best judge of how strenuous it is.

The walk took me around 45-60 minutes with plenty of photo stops. You’ll want to stop a lot, trust me! 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.

Highlights of the hike include

• Kleivafossen Waterfall  – apparently one of Norway’s most photographed, and for good reason. 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.
• The gorgeous lush green scenery
• The feeling of being out in nature

Reaching the glacier

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 it’s retreated quite a lot in recent years, it is still a pretty amazing sight.

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.

The turquoise colour of the glacier lake and the thickness of the ice you can see crawling down the cliff is a sight to see. You can only imagine what it was like when the ice reached the lake. It makes you feel incredibly small and insignificant.

A sweet ending

After soaking it in for a bit, I returned to the lodge. The walk back doesn’t take quite so long a there is a route that is slightly quicker. Plus 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.

A warm welcome was waiting for us at the lodge along with refreshments and cake (a lot of cake!). It was the perfect chance to relax, share stories with fellow cruisers, and reflect on an unforgettable morning.

On the drive back, we got another chance to enjoy the scenery and we stopped at a heart-shaped rock by the lake for one last photo op.

The Last Word

I really enjoyed this excursion and would highly recommend it if you visit Olden. Whether you take a troll car or hike, this excursion is a must-do in Olden. It was one of the most memorable parts of my entire Norwegian Fjords cruise. 

Here are some tips for making the most of your time at the glacier.

• Wear layers — it can be chilly near the glacier, even on warm days (and it was very wam I was there but I still noticed a dip in the temperature)
• Bring water and snacks for the hike
• Don’t forget your camera (or make sure you have enough phone storage for all the photos you’ll take!)
• Say hi to the goats on the way back
• Leave time to swing on one of the most scenic swings you’ll ever see

If you’ve got Olden on your cruise itinerary, do not miss the chance to experience Briksdal Glacier. It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime places that stays with you long after you’ve left. I’m still telling my friends about it now!

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