Ice-blue tongue of Jostedalsbreen, half an hour from the fjord
Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 7 experiences from 34 reviewed.
Verified partners for Briksdal Glacier Tour From Olden tours, free cancellation where available, and instant confirmation on every booking.
4 hr
Trek to a stunning glacier viewpoint through Norway's dramatic alpine valleys on this cruise-friendly hike
Reserve
2 hr
Paddle calm fjord waters surrounded by glacier-carved peaks, waterfalls, and pristine Norwegian wilderness.
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2 hr 9 min
Explore Olden's turquoise fjord waters in a stable tandem kayak with full drysuit gear and rescue boat support.
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Every Briksdal Glacier Tour From Olden tour side-by-side — duration, what's included, how you redeem.
| Experience | From | Duration | Rating | Guide | Small group | Free cancel. | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Guided Experience Most popular
Briksdal Glacier Guided Hiking Shore Excursion from Olden
|
Olden | 4 hr | ★ 4.4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €129 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Nordfjord Kayaking Adventure from Olden
|
Olden | 2 hr | ★ 4.8 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €92 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Fjord Kayaking with Drysuit & Safety Escort
|
— | 2 hr 9 min | ★ 4.9 | ✓ | — | ✓ | €92 | Book → |
All prices from verified partners. Availability and exact terms confirmed at checkout.
They complement each other; most visitors who do both call Kjenndalen the more secluded experience while Briksdal Glacier tour from olden tours offers superior visitor amenities. These Olden-area landmarks provide distinct ways to appreciate the Jostedalsbreen ice cap.
| Feature | Top pick Briksdal Glacier | Kjenndalen Glacier |
|---|---|---|
Ease of access |
Paved path or motorized transport | Gravel road via private toll car |
Infrastructure and facilities |
High — restaurant and souvenir shop | Minimal — remote valley setting |
Crowd levels |
High — cruise bus destination | Low — independent travel focus |
Viewing perspective |
Elevated ice-fall and lake view | Direct valley-floor proximity |
Historical significance |
Classic landmark since 19th century | Notable for glacial recession history |
Transport requirements |
Walking or dedicated shuttle | Personal vehicle mandatory |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Choose Briksdal Glacier if you require accessible facilities and organized infrastructure, or select Kjenndalen for a quiet encounter with nature that requires briksdal glacier tour from olden tickets alternatives for independent travel.
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Practical details for Briksdal Glacier Tour From Olden tickets straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
Wear sturdy hiking boots and layered waterproof clothing, as weather in the valley shifts rapidly. Even in summer, temperatures near the ice can be brisk.
There are no formal security checks for the natural park area, but visitors are advised to keep backpacks light for the hike. Secure items during the motorized glacier transport services.
The valley offers numerous spots for landscape photography, particularly of the glacial lake and waterfalls. Drone use is subject to national park regulations and may be prohibited.
The trail to the glacier is generally wide, but includes inclines that may be challenging. Motorized troll car transport is available to assist visitors in reaching the upper viewing points.
Mobile phones are permitted. Keep ringer off inside exhibition spaces.
The area is family-friendly with relatively easy hiking paths suitable for children. Children under 7 may qualify for free passage on transport services when accompanied by an adult.
The base area features a restaurant and cafeteria serving local refreshments. It is recommended to carry a water bottle as there are few stores along the hiking trail.
Pets are not allowed, with the exception of service animals with appropriate documentation.
Last entry is typically 1 hour before closing. Check the specific ticket for timing.
Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Full refunds are typically available for pre-booked transport services when cancelled at least 24 hours in advance. Please note that the glacier area itself has a 0 NOK entrance fee.
Briksdal Glacier descends 346 metres over a vertical drop that compresses twenty centuries of snowfall into a tongue of cobalt ice, spilling from the southern flank of Jostedalsbreen, continental Europe's largest ice cap.
The glacier terminus rests at 346 metres above sea level, fed by an accumulation zone that rises to 1,200 metres and receives more than four metres of precipitation annually. Jostedalsbreen covers 487 square kilometres across Sogn og Fjordane, and Briksdalsbre is its most accessible arm, separated from the Olden cruise port by twelve kilometres of serpentine valley road.
The modern pilgrimage to Briksdalsbre began in 1889 when Norwegian Trekking Association volunteers cut the first marked trail from the Briksdal farm. By 1910 a postcard industry had emerged around the site, and by mid-century the glacier had become a fixture on North Sea cruise itineraries. The ice itself advanced and retreated in rhythmic pulses throughout the twentieth century: it reached a modern maximum in 1995, then lost sixty vertical metres of terminus elevation between 2000 and 2012. Since 2015 the retreat has slowed, and monitoring stations operated by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate now record a stabilised front, though the glacier remains a dynamic geomorphological feature, calving intermittently and shifting its meltwater channels each spring.
The approach to the glacier follows a constructed trail that rises 130 metres over three kilometres, threading between glacially polished bedrock and stands of birch and rowan that colonise the lateral moraines. The path crosses eleven wooden bridges, each anchored to bedrock exposed by the glacier's Little Ice Age maximum in the 1750s. At the halfway point, the Kleivafossen waterfall descends 150 metres in a single drop, fed by subglacial meltwater that exits the terminus at a temperature of 0.2 degrees Celsius year-round. The final viewing platform sits 200 metres from the ice front, close enough to hear the creak and fracture of the glacier's internal structure.
Briksdal glacier tour from olden packages typically combine shuttle transport from the port with the three-kilometre ascent, though the most immersive briksdal glacier hike from olden options include crampons and ice-axe instruction for guided glacier surface walks. The national park boundary encloses the entire catchment, and entry to the glacier area remains free, though parking at the trailhead and the seasonal Troll Car shuttle service both carry separate charges. Most briksdal glacier from olden cruise port excursions allocate four hours round-trip, sufficient for the ascent, a half-hour at the ice front, and return to the ship by midday.
"The glacier terminus rests at 346 metres above sea level, fed by an accumulation zone that receives more than four metres of precipitation annually."
A step-by-step walkthrough of Briksdal Glacier Tour From Olden tickets — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You disembark at Olden quay and board a coach that follows the Oldedalen valley inland, the road rising through pasture and birch forest as the glacier's blue-white snout comes into view above the tree line.
At the Briksdal parking area you transfer to the open-sided Troll Cars, small electric shuttles that climb the first two kilometres of gravel track, cutting the walk to a manageable forty-minute ascent. You step off at the upper shuttle stop and continue on foot, the trail narrowing as it crosses wooden bridges over braided meltwater streams.
The path climbs steadily, each switchback revealing a wider view of the valley below and the glacier above. You pass Kleivafossen, its mist cooling the air, and then arrive at the final platform, a railed viewpoint 200 metres from the ice. The glacier tongue fills your sightline, a fractured wall of ice the colour of winter sky, its surface ribbed with crevasses and dusted with rock flour from the grinding bedrock beneath. Meltwater pours from a subglacial portal at the terminus, the sound a low roar that drowns out conversation. You linger, take photographs, and descend the same route, reaching the port with two hours to spare before your ship departs.
Entry to the glacier area is 0 NOK, though parking and specific transport services like shuttle buses or troll cars require payment.
The glacier area is accessible daily from 09:00–18:00.
We recommend arriving between 09:00–10:30 to avoid peak cruise bus crowds.
The hike is considered moderate, with well-maintained paths, and motorized options are available for those who prefer not to walk the full distance.
Yes, booking in advance is recommended, especially for motorized transport services during the peak summer season.
Yes, families are welcome, and many transport services offer reduced rates or free travel for younger children.
Bring waterproof clothing, sturdy footwear, and a camera; weather in the valley is unpredictable.
No, you can visit independently using a rental car or public transport, though guided tours offer added convenience.
Yes, there is a restaurant and souvenir shop at the mountain lodge located at the starting point of the glacier walk.
