Glaciers feel close here, fast. This Olden shore excursion strings together a scenic bus ride around Olden Lake and a guided trek to Briksdalsbreen (Briksdal Glacier), one of the famous arms of the Jostedal Glacier system. I love how guides like Sam and Anna bring glacier facts to life while also giving smart trail guidance, and I love the big photo payoff over the lake at the end. The main consideration is that the first part of the hike is the hardest, so if you want flat, easy walking, plan to take it slow.

You’ll spend about 4 hours total, with a 45-minute drive into the valley, roughly 2.5 hours at the glacier area (including hiking time and some breathing room), then another 45 minutes back. It’s built for cruise timing too, since the tour includes a back-to-ship guarantee for cruise passengers, as long as everything is registered correctly.

Key things I’d circle before you book

• A real guided hike, not just a bus tour with a stop-and-stare photo break
• Glacier scenery that keeps changing: ice, meltwater streams, waterfalls, and alpine lakes
• Olden Lake viewpoints for that postcard moment at the turnaround
• Cruise timing built in, including a back-to-ship guarantee for registered passengers
• A train-your-legs climb first, with a route that gradually eases after the steep start

From Olden’s pier to glacier views in one calm, timed morning

This is one of those excursions that works because it fits a cruise day without feeling like a race. You meet at the Olden cruise kai area, then head out by bus through Olden and into the Olden Valley. Along the way, the scenery isn’t random. You’re basically warming up your eyes for what comes next: water, mountains, and that crisp West Norway air that makes every photo look cleaner.

The drive isn’t long enough to turn into a chore. It’s around 45 minutes, and that matters because you’ll still have plenty of time on the trail. Once you reach the trail start, you shift from road scenery to glacial scenery: peaks overhead, meltwater streams nearby, and waterfalls that can send mist across the path.

Meeting at Olden pier: where to stand so you don’t lose your day

The logistics here are refreshingly simple, as long as you pay attention at the start. When you get off the ship, the bus meeting spot is inside the main Olden pier area, at the parking lot. The bus arrives about 15 minutes prior to departure because port authorities require it.

Your guide will be easy to spot: they wear a blue jacket and may also hold a sign. That is a small detail, but it prevents the most common cruise-excursion problem—confusing pickup points at busy docks.

Practical tip: make sure your phone works before you leave the ship area. The tour notes that you should provide a correct mobile number (with country code) so the provider can reach you if needed. Refunds are not provided if they can’t reach you with the number you gave, so double-check it during booking.

The bus ride through Olden and Olden Valley sets expectations

This ride is about more than transportation. It’s your mental reset from cruise bustle into big-nature mode. You pass through the village of Olden, then push into the Olden Valley with views of shimmering Olden Lake. Those lake-and-mountain frames act like a preview trailer for the glacier hike.

Here’s why I like the approach: it makes the hike feel less abrupt. Instead of going from ship to steep trail in one step, you get a gradual shift—water, then waterfalls, then the glacier-fed streams and alpine lakes you’ll see along the way. It’s also a good time to listen. Guides often use this stretch to set the story and explain what you’ll see, and some guides have been especially strong with details, like Sam’s scientific-style area info.

Walking to Briksdalsbreen: plan for uphill first, then steady progress

The hike is the heart of the day, and the tour is straightforward about what to expect: the walk to the glacier takes about 45–60 minutes and is typically uphill at the beginning. The first part is the hardest, then it becomes gradually easier as you continue.

A few details make this easier to manage:

• The path is generally well formed and wide, with some stone steps in spots.
• You’ll see water everywhere: streams fed by glacier melt, and waterfalls that can be loud enough to make you stop and listen.
• There’s room to pace yourself. More than one review highlights that guides kept an eye on everyone, including slower walkers.

What to bring matters here. You’ll want comfortable shoes with real grip and warm clothing. Even in good weather, that mountain air can feel sharper once you gain elevation. One practical add-on from real-world experience: bring a raincoat. One rider noted that a waterfall can spray the track even on a fine day. That’s Norway being Norway.

If your legs aren’t ready for the full climb

This tour is not listed as suitable for mobility impairments, and it’s not a good match if you have back problems or heart problems. But one review mentions there may be an option to be taken up in a buggy if you aren’t able to do the whole hike. The same review also notes you’d still need to walk the last 500 meters.

So if you’re on the edge of able-bodied-but-not-happy-with-steep, your best move is to ask directly ahead of time what options exist for your specific situation.

Briksdal Glacier time: viewpoints, meltwater sounds, and the photo stop payoff

Once you reach Briksdalsbreen, the experience shifts from climbing to observing. You get time to explore and take photos, and the scenery tends to grab you in layers: glacier ice, meltwater channels, cascading water, and snow-capped peaks in the background.

This is where the guidance earns its keep. Several reviews praise guides for being not just friendly, but informative—Sam was mentioned as especially helpful with geographically related context, and Anna was praised as exceptional. When someone explains what you’re seeing, the glacier isn’t just scenery. You understand what makes it look the way it does and why the water sounds the way it does.

You’ll also have a viewpoint moment over Olden Lake at the end of the glacier area time. That viewpoint is the emotional payoff for many cruise passengers: big open water backdropped by mountain walls, with the day’s hard walking behind you.

A small hiking tip that can save energy

One review suggests walking back down on a metalled road rather than the path because it’s less crowded and fully metalled. If you want an easygoing descent and you’re comfortable choosing your own route, it’s worth keeping in mind. But follow your guide’s guidance first—this can depend on where the route is open and how the group is moving.

Why this excursion feels worth the money on a cruise day

At about $146 per person for a 4-hour outing, it’s not a cheap activity. The value comes from three things that matter on a cruise:

1. You’re getting guided time on the trail, not just transportation.
2. Transport is included, so you don’t have to figure out getting back before the ship leaves.
3. Back-to-ship guarantee is included for cruise line passengers, with the stipulation that your cruise ship name is registered when you book and the tour officially ends 1 hour before the ship’s departure.

That last part is huge. Shore excursions without timing protection can feel stressful. Here, the structure is built to reduce that stress, assuming the provider has the correct ship info and you follow meeting instructions.

One review even notes that this excursion can be cheaper than doing the same drive through the cruise line, while still including the guide and the key glacier hike component. In other words: you’re paying for the experience, not just the bus.

Who should book this hike (and who should skip it)

This is a strong match if you:

• Like getting your steps in on shore day without planning ahead for transport
• Want a guided explanation of glacier scenery, not just sightseeing
• Feel comfortable with a hike that starts steep and then eases
• Want the Olden Lake viewpoint payoff, which makes the effort feel earned

You should think twice or skip it if you:

• Have back problems, heart problems, or mobility impairments
• Expect a gentle, stroller-style walk
• Are planning to take it slow enough that you might struggle with the fixed cruise timing window

The tour is also described as happening in English with a possibility of a second language depending on passenger mix. So if language is a deal-breaker, you can plan for English-first, with potential extra languages layered in.

Quick checklist so you show up ready for glacier weather

Here’s the no-nonsense packing list based on what the tour says to bring, plus the common-sense extras from field experience:

• Comfortable shoes with good grip
• Warm clothing and a warm jacket
• Weather-appropriate layers (mountain air can feel colder)
• Warm shoes (yes, it repeats for a reason)
• Consider a raincoat, because waterfall mist can hit the trail

And one behavior note: pets aren’t allowed.

Should you book Briksdal Glacier Guided Hiking Shore Excursion?

If you’re in Olden and you want the big Norway nature moment—glacier ice, meltwater streams, waterfalls, and sweeping views—this is a very strong choice. The hike is the main event, and the day is organized in a way that suits cruise timing. I also like that guides aren’t just there to lead; they’re there to explain. Names like Sam, Anna, Elisabet, and Alyssa show up in reviews, and the common thread is clear: people leave feeling like they understood what they saw.

The decision comes down to your hiking comfort. If you can handle a steep start and about an hour of uphill walking before the glacier, you’ll likely feel that it was worth every minute. If you want easy, level walking—or if medical limitations make the climb risky—skip it and look for a less demanding excursion in the area.

FAQ

How long is the Briksdal Glacier guided hike shore excursion?

The total duration is about 4 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour in Olden?

You meet at the Olden cruise kai area, inside the main pier area at the parking lot. The bus arrives about 15 minutes before departure.

Is the tour guided, and is it in English?

Yes, there is a live tour guide, and the tour is in English.

What’s the hike like, and how long does the walk take?

The hike to the glacier typically takes around 45 to 60 minutes. The first part is harder and then it gradually becomes easier.

Do I get time to explore Briksdalsbreen or only hike straight through?

You’ll have time for both visiting and hiking at the glacier area, with free time built in.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is there a back-to-ship guarantee?

For cruise ship passengers, there is a back-to-ship guarantee as long as your cruise ship name is registered when booking and the official tour time ends 1 hour before your ship’s departure.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is this tour suitable for mobility issues or back/heart problems?

It is not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or heart problems.

Are pets allowed on this excursion?

No, pets are not allowed.