Briksdal Glacier and Loen Skylift day Excursion

Norway packs its best views into one day. This seven-hour excursion from Skjolden combines a small-group drive through Olden Valley, a visit to Briksdal Glacier, a Norwegian picnic beside Olden Lake, and the Loen Skylift cable car. I like the way it joins two major sights without making you arrange separate tickets, and I like the private vehicle for up to seven people, which keeps the day more personal than a large coach tour.

The trip also includes Troll Cars up the steep road toward the glacier, saving you much of the uphill work. The main concern is weather: clouds, rain, or wind can reduce the views from Loen Skylift, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation. The glacier walk also calls for steady footing, even though the hike from the Troll Car stop is short.

Key points to know before booking

• Two major sights in one day: You visit Briksdal Glacier and ride the Loen Skylift, with Olden Church and Olden Lake added along the way.
• Troll Cars save your legs: The vehicles take you up the steep mountain road, followed by about a 15-minute walk to the glacier.
• Small group size: The maximum is seven people, useful for cruise passengers who want a quieter day and easier contact with the guide.
• Lunch is part of the plan: A picnic with Norwegian specialties is included, and vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals can be arranged.
• A strong cruise-day option: Pickup can be arranged at the cruise terminal or your hotel, with the trip ending back at the meeting point.
• Views depend on the sky: Loen Skylift is spectacular in clear weather, but clouds may block Olden Valley, Nordfjord, and the surrounding peaks.

A small-group day from Olden to the glacier

The tour begins in Olden, at Fjordvegen 1562, with pickup available from a cruise terminal or hotel. That flexibility matters if you are visiting by ship. You do not need to solve the local transport puzzle first thing in the morning.

The air-conditioned vehicle carries no more than seven people. I see that as one of the strongest points of the trip. You spend several hours on winding roads, so a small group gives you more room and makes it easier to ask the guide about the villages, mountains, and stops.

The excursion lasts about seven hours. That is long enough to include the glacier and cable car without rushing through each sight, but it also means this is not a quick shore excursion. You should be ready for a full day of driving, short walks, photo stops, and changing weather.

The guide is a driver-guide, so the quality of the commentary will shape much of the experience. One guide named Andreas received especially warm praise for being easygoing and well informed, and another description identified him as being from Trondheim. The practical takeaway is simple: you get a local guide rather than a driver who only points out the next stop.

Olden Old Church and the quiet start

The first stop is Olden Old Church, a wooden stave church dating from the 1700s. The visit is planned for about an hour, including the drive through Olden village and up the valley.

This stop gives the day a useful pause before the bigger natural sights. The church is not treated as a rushed photo stop. You have time to go inside and spend a quiet moment there, which adds a little cultural context to a day otherwise focused on mountains and water.

The drive itself is part of the appeal. Olden Valley opens toward Olden Lake, and the road gives you early views of the valley’s water, farms, and steep mountain sides. If you are seated by a window, keep your camera ready during the drive instead of waiting only for formal stops.

One thing to keep in mind is that an hour at the church may feel long if your main goal is the glacier. I think the slower start works well for people who enjoy a mix of local culture and scenery. If you want every possible minute at the ice, this is one portion of the schedule that may feel less essential.

Briksdal Glacier with Troll Cars and a short walk

Briksdalbreen is the main reason many people choose this excursion. From the glacier base camp, you take a Troll Car up the steep, winding mountain road. The ride is included, and it removes the hardest part of the approach.

From the upper drop-off point, you walk for about 15 minutes to reach the meltwater lake and river near the glacier. The route is framed by ice, waterfalls, and snowy mountains. You then spend roughly 15 minutes at the top before walking back down and returning by Troll Car.

Do not read short walk as no effort at all. The path can be wet or slippery in rain, and the weather may be cold near the ice. Wear shoes with a firm sole and bring a waterproof layer. The tour data does not promise a flat or fully accessible route, and every person must be able to get in and out of the vehicle.

The glacier area is where the tour feels most dramatic. Water pours down from the ice, and the meltwater river gives you a clear sense that the glacier is active and changing. You may spend only a limited time at the top, so have your camera or phone ready before you leave the Troll Car.

Rain does not automatically ruin this stop. One account described a cold, wet visit that still produced strong photos and videos, with the falls and glacier making the effort worthwhile. Still, you should expect fewer clear mountain views in bad weather and bring clothing that keeps you comfortable while standing outside.

The schedule allows two hours for the Briksdal portion, including the ride, walk, time at the glacier, and return. That is a practical balance. You get close enough to the ice without committing to a long mountain hike, but you should not expect a leisurely half-day exploration around the glacier.

Olden Lake picnic with Norwegian specialties

Oldevatnet, better known as Olden Lake, is the lunch stop. The tour includes a picnic with Norwegian specialties, and the operator can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets if you state your needs when booking.

This is more useful than it may sound. A scenic day in the mountains is easier when lunch is already handled, especially for a cruise passenger working within a fixed return time. You can eat beside the water instead of spending part of the afternoon looking for a café.

The plan allows about two hours here. That includes the picnic and time to enjoy the surroundings. The long pause gives the day a gentler middle section after the glacier walk.

Food details beyond Norwegian specialties are not supplied, so you should give your dietary requirements in advance rather than assume the standard picnic will suit you. Drinks and snacks are also provided in the vehicle during the journey, which helps on the longer road sections.

Olden Lake is not just a place to eat. It gives you a chance to look back at the valley at a slower pace. The lake, mountain slopes, and open air create a different mood from the glacier, where the focus is on ice, falls, and a short uphill route.

Loen Skylift from fjord level to 3,000 feet

The final major sight is Loen Skylift. The cable car rises from near sea level to about 3,000 feet in only seven minutes. That quick climb is part of the fun, but the views at the top are the real prize.

When the weather is clear, you can see Loen Lake Valley, Olden Valley, Nordfjord, and Loen village. The cable car places you high among mountains listed at roughly 4,500 to 6,000 feet, so the view feels wide and vertical at the same time.

This stop adds variety to the day. At Briksdal, you approach ice on foot. At Loen, you gain a high viewpoint with very little walking required. I like that contrast, especially for anyone who wants major mountain scenery without taking on a full mountain hike.

Weather is the important qualifier. Low cloud may hide the fjord and valleys, while rain can make the platform cold and less comfortable. The tour requires good weather, and if conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects your money, but it cannot guarantee clear views on a day that does operate.

The schedule gives Loen Skylift and the return drive about two hours. If time permits, the vehicle may also make a quick trip up Loen Valley, where you might find local berries and homemade jam for sale. This extra stop is not guaranteed, so treat it as a bonus rather than part of the core plan.

What the $400.27 price includes

At $400.27 per person, this is a premium excursion. The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a driver-guide, lunch, snacks and drinks in the vehicle, Troll Car tickets, and Loen Skylift tickets.

The value comes from combining several costs and logistics in one booking. You avoid arranging transport to Briksdal, finding the glacier shuttle, buying the cable car ticket, and planning a meal around a ship schedule. The small maximum group of seven also makes the price more understandable than it would be on a crowded coach.

Still, the cost is not low. If you are comfortable using local transport, buying your own food, and visiting only one major sight, you may spend less independently. The tradeoff is time and convenience. This excursion is designed for you to see a lot in one day with a guide managing the road connections.

The tour is booked, on average, about 150 days in advance. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your cruise dates are fixed. Mobile ticketing keeps the process simple once your reservation is confirmed.

Timing, meeting point, and practical limits

The listed meeting point is Norway, Olden, Fjordvegen 1562, and the activity ends back there. Pickup can also be arranged from your cruise terminal or hotel, which is especially helpful for ship passengers.

Confirmation normally arrives at booking. If you book within two days of departure, confirmation may take up to 48 hours and remains subject to availability. That is another reason to reserve early, particularly during the busy summer period.

Most people can take part, but you must be able to get in and out of the vehicle. Service animals are allowed. The information does not describe wheelchair access, step-free paths, or a special vehicle, so you should ask before booking if you need those features.

The operating hours shown for April 1 through October 1, 2025, are 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Your exact start time should be confirmed with the operator, since cruise arrival and local conditions can affect the schedule.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted or refunded. The cut-off uses local time.

Who will get the most from this excursion?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want the main sights around Olden without renting a car or juggling local connections. It suits cruise passengers, couples, families, and small groups who value a guide, included meals, and a carefully arranged day.

It is also a good fit if you want to see a glacier but prefer a short walk instead of a long mountain hike. The Troll Cars do much of the uphill work, while the Loen Skylift gives you a high mountain view without a strenuous climb.

You should think twice if you dislike long drives, have trouble entering vehicles, or need guaranteed clear views. The route depends heavily on weather, and the day includes several hours in a vehicle. You also get limited time at the glacier itself, so serious hikers may want a more active outing.

The perfect five-star rating across three published ratings supports the strongest parts of the experience: organization, the guide, and the combination of sights. It is still a small sample, so I would judge the tour mainly on its structure and inclusions rather than treat that rating as a guarantee of perfect weather.

Should you book the Briksdal Glacier and Loen Skylift tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized, small-group day that covers Olden Church, Briksdal Glacier, Olden Lake, and Loen Skylift in one sweep. The price is high, but the included transport, Troll Cars, cable car, picnic, guide, snacks, and drinks give it solid value for a cruise day.

Skip it if you want to travel slowly, hike for hours, or keep costs down. For most visitors with only one day in Olden, though, this is a strong way to see both the valley floor and the high mountain views without spending your day on logistics.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

The listed meeting point is Norway, Olden, Fjordvegen 1562. Pickup can also be arranged from a cruise terminal or hotel.

Where does the excursion end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The excursion lasts approximately seven hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes lunch, an air-conditioned vehicle, an experienced driver-guide, Troll Car tickets, and Loen Skylift tickets. Snacks and drinks are also provided in the vehicle.

Is lunch suitable for dietary restrictions?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options can be arranged. You should give your dietary requirements when booking.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is seven people.

How long is the walk to Briksdal Glacier?

After taking a Troll Car up the mountain road, you walk for about 15 minutes to reach the glacier area. You spend about 15 minutes at the top before walking back down.

How long does the Loen Skylift ride take?

The cable car rises from sea level to approximately 3,000 feet in seven minutes.

Is the tour available on mobile?

Yes. The experience provides a mobile ticket.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.