Briksdal Glacier feels unreal in real life. This Olden shore excursion combines a scenic drive along Oldevatnet Lake with a walk to Briksdalsbreen’s glacier-view lake, where the mountains and waterfalls do the heavy lifting for photos. I love the straightforward plan: you’re dropped at a clear trail start, then you hike at your own pace with a guide keeping the group moving. I also like the bonus photo moments around Olden, especially the turquoise water stop that breaks up the day before your boots hit the path.

The main thing to consider is effort. The hike up is on an incline and can include steps and slippery spots, so you’ll want good shoes and the mindset for a moderately active outing—especially if rain shows up.

Key things to know before you go

• A glacier-view reward after a real uphill: the trail isn’t long, but it asks for some calf power.
• Waterfalls are part of the hike, not a side quest: expect mist and wet surprises near the water.
• Oldevatnet Lake photo stop in the middle of the day: a bright, calm break before the climb.
• Limited group size (up to 45): big enough for comfort, small enough to feel organized.
• You’ll meet at Norway Excursions Olden near the pier: minimal stress for cruise schedules.
• There may be an alternate option to reduce walking: some visitors mention troll cars when mobility is an issue.

Why Briksdal Glacier From Olden Makes Sense for Cruise Days

If you’re sailing into Olden, this is the kind of trip that respects your limited time. In about four hours, you get both the drive-and-look part and the hike part, without needing to plan your own transportation or hunt down trail logistics.

This glacier is close enough to reach, but it still feels wild. You’re not just looking at a distant postcard. You’re walking into a valley where waterfalls, river noise, and high stone walls constantly remind you this is a living landscape shaped by ice.

The Bus Ride Along Oldevatnet Lake: Views Plus Orientation

You start at Norway Excursions Olden (Rv60 190, 6788 Olden, Norway), which is within walking reach of the cruise pier and most hotels. That matters. It cuts out the usual scramble of “where’s the van” and “how early do we need to be.”

From there, you board your vehicle for a scenic drive around the Oldevatnet lake shoreline. There’s a photo stop at Oldevatn Camping, where the water shows up as bright turquoise in the right light. Your guide also fills in context as you go—enough that the names you’ll hear (and the geography you’ll see) don’t feel random.

One small detail that helps: this route is built for seeing. People talk about the bus ride itself as part of the fun, not just the transfer to the hike.

Old Church to Turquoise Water: Stop-by-Stop What’s Worth Your Time

A quick drive-by of the Old Church adds local grounding before you head into the glacier area. It’s brief, but it helps you understand that Olden isn’t just a cruise drop-off point. It’s a real village with history layered into the hills and fjord life.

Then comes the Oldevatn Camping photo stop—about 10 minutes. This is the moment to slow down, swap camera batteries, and take a few shots before your energy goes into climbing. If you’re traveling with family or a mixed group, this stop is also a good chance to regroup.

Drawback to keep in mind: if the weather is gloomy, the turquoise water stop can be less dramatic. The hike still works, though, because waterfalls and ice don’t need sunshine to be impressive.

Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge: The Trailhead Moment

At Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge, you start the walk to Briksdal Glacier (Briksdalsbreen). This is where the tour shifts gears. The vehicle stops, the group strings together, and the valley starts doing its glacier-movie magic.

Good news: the trail is described as relatively flat for parts at the beginning, with some steeper inclines later. You’ll also see waterfalls along the way, and water is close enough that you can get misted—one of the most common “bring a hood” reminders from people who’ve done this before.

Also note the pace reality. Even when the hike is called easy or moderate, the incline can feel stronger in rain. One visitor even called out that the path isn’t much flat for long stretches. So plan for a steady climb, not a stroll.

What to do here: take the first 15 minutes calmly. Get warmed up, then settle into a rhythm you can maintain to the glacier viewpoint.

The Hike to the Glacier Lake Viewpoint: Waterfalls, Steps, and Ice

Your glacier walk portion is listed at about 1 hour 45 minutes, and you hike to the glacier lake viewpoint area. That time works as a solid planning baseline, especially if your group likes photos and short breaks.

In real life, some people manage quicker times when they keep moving. Others take longer if they pause for video, stop to help someone steady on a slope, or simply enjoy the scenery on every turn. The best advice is to treat the itinerary time as a guideline, not a strict countdown timer.

Trail surface and footing

• The path is widely described as paved or sealed in places and mostly well-maintained.
• There can still be steps and uneven spots, so shoes with grip are not optional.
• Near waterfalls, rain and mist can make the ground slippery.

What the scenery delivers

You’re walking through a corridor of mountains, river sounds, and waterfalls, then arriving at the moment where the glacier spills into a lake. People love the “wow” factor of reaching the water-edge viewpoint. You get that close, intense sense that ice is doing the work up close, not just sitting far away.

And yes, if you get wet halfway up, you’ll survive. In fact, it can make the place feel even more dramatic because everything looks more alive—water rushing, air colder, and the glacier standing out brighter against the darker rock.

How Hard Is This Walk, Really? Fitness Tips That Matter

This is the part I’d take seriously if you’re even slightly unsure. The tour info calls for strong physical fitness, and the hike includes uphill segments. Reviews frequently mention steep stretches early on or at least non-stop incline.

Still, it’s not a technical glacier trek. This is mostly a guided hike-to-view plan, not rope-and-crampon climbing. Many people say the path is manageable if you go slow and keep your footing.

So here’s the practical “self-check” I’d use before booking:

• If climbing stairs and steep inclines makes you huff, you may find this harder than the word easy on a brochure.
• If rain hits, your boots will matter more than your enthusiasm.
• If you have limited mobility, look into troll cars (mentioned as an option by some visitors) or any alternative provided on the day.

Your best strategy on the day: keep a steady pace, stop briefly when you need to, and don’t sprint to the viewpoint. The point is to enjoy the walk, not to “win” the hike.

Price and Logistics: What You’re Actually Buying for $128

At $128.19 per person for roughly four hours, you’re paying for more than a transfer. You’re buying:

• a local guide
• a structured sightseeing drive through Olden
• access to the glacier-view hike area
• the Olden Lake photo stop time

You’re also not paying for hotel pickup and drop-off. That keeps costs down, but it means you should plan on getting to the meeting point under your own power.

So is it good value?

• If you’re on a cruise and want the hassle removed, this price can feel fair. You don’t have to rent a car or coordinate your own timing.
• If you’re already comfortable driving and you believe you’ll go at your own pace with no pressure, you might question the bus portion.

The takeaway: the value hits hardest when you want an organized plan and you’re okay putting in the hike. If you want zero exertion and zero waiting, you’ll probably feel the price more.

Best Time to Go and Weather Reality in Olden

This experience depends on good weather. That’s not a throwaway line—it’s the difference between an easy-to-enjoy hike and a miserable, slippery scramble.

Shoulder months can also affect guiding language. The tour notes that in April or October, guidance may be English only due to limited availability. If English is a must for you, it’s still something the tour can accommodate—but it’s good to know.

If it’s rainy, don’t cancel in your head. People do the hike in wet conditions and still come back raving about the waterfalls and the glacier lake viewpoint. Just dress for dampness and expect the path to feel a bit more challenging.

Getting Back to Olden: Calm, Not Chaotic

The return drive brings you back to the pier in Olden. This is built for cruise timing, and the walk back to the ship should feel manageable because your start and end point are close by.

The main thing you control is your pace during the hike. If you take your time, you’ll still want to move with intention during the later segments so you don’t end up rushing at the end.

In practice, the trip feels like a smooth loop: orientation by bus, payoff by hike, and a return before your day gets hectic.

Who This Briksdal Glacier Excursion Suits Best

This is a strong fit if you:

• are doing Olden as a cruise stop and want a glacier-focused outing
• can handle a moderate uphill hike with occasional steps
• love waterfalls as much as ice
• want a guided day that avoids self-planning

It may not suit you as well if you:

• can’t handle steep inclines or uneven, damp footing
• prefer a mostly flat, low-effort walk
• expect a glacier “look only” without any physical activity

Should You Book This Olden Shore Excursion to Briksdal Glacier?

I’d book it if you’re excited by the idea of walking to a close glacier viewpoint and you’re comfortable dressing for wet weather. The structure is solid, the meeting point is convenient for cruise timing, and the hike offers real scenery payoff rather than a quick photo stop.

Skip it (or ask more questions first) if you want a very gentle stroll or if mobility limits make uphill walking tough. In that case, you might feel frustrated by the effort-to-reward ratio, and the day could become stressful instead of beautiful.

If you’re on the fence, I’d use this rule: bring good shoes, plan for uphill, and treat the waterfalls as your early reward. Do that, and Briksdal Glacier delivers.