Olden cruise port, Norway: ships dock at Olden Cruise Pier, 1km from the village. The two main attractions are Briksdal Glacier (25 minutes by shuttle, 3km walking trail or Troll Cars at 300 NOK return) and the Loen Skylift (NOK 950 adult return, 5 minutes by cable car to 1,011 metres). You cannot realistically do both in one port day. Book the Olden Adventure shuttle to whichever you choose. It manages your return time and contacts the Skylift directly to ensure you’re back before all-aboard.
Olden sits at the end of Nordfjord in western Norway, and the port call here is essentially a choice between two world-class natural attractions. Pick one and do it properly. Passengers who try to rush both invariably end up doing neither well.
Quick port facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Docking | Most ships dock at Olden Cruise Pier. Larger ships may tender (10-15 minutes). Some ships tender directly to the Loen Skylift base. |
| Distance to village | 1km, 15-minute flat walk. Land train runs from pier to village when ships are in port (NOK 60). |
| Distance to Briksdal Glacier trailhead | 25 minutes by shuttle from the pier |
| Distance to Loen Skylift | 30 minutes by shuttle from the pier |
| Currency | Norwegian Krone (NOK). May 2026: £1 = ~12 NOK, $1 = ~9 NOK |
| Payment | Card everywhere. Even small village stalls and the Troll Cars accept contactless. Bring minimal cash. |
| Loen Skylift 2026 price | NOK 950 adult return (peak season, May-October) |
| Troll Cars 2026 price | NOK 300 return |
The choice: Briksdal Glacier or Loen Skylift
These are two entirely different experiences. The right choice depends on what you want from the day.
Briksdal Glacier
One of the most visited glacier arms of the Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier in continental Europe. The trail runs 3km from the visitor centre to the glacier terminus, past waterfalls, glacial rivers and increasingly dramatic scenery. The walk is manageable for average fitness, with some steep sections and stairs. It is a proper hike, not a stroll.
The glacier has retreated significantly over recent decades. The trail is now marked with signs at intervals showing how far the ice extended at different points in history, which adds an unexpected educational dimension to what is still a visually stunning destination. The viewing point at the end is at the shore of a turquoise glacial lake at the base of the ice. Worth noting: even if you take the Troll Cars, there is still a 15-20 minute walk to the final viewing point from the drop-off.
Troll Cars: Motorised open-topped buggies that follow a track up toward the glacier, driven by a local. The return fare is NOK 300. A good option for passengers with limited mobility or who want to preserve energy for the site rather than the approach. They do not take you all the way to the glacier. There is still a walk at the end.
The “Glacier Sightseeing Bus” (NOK 400) is not the same thing. This bus is a photo-stop tour of the valley scenery. It does not take you to the glacier walking trail. If you want to reach the glacier itself, book the shuttle to the trailhead, not the sightseeing bus.
Loen Skylift
A cable car that rises almost vertically 1,011 metres from the fjord to the summit of Mount Hoven in approximately 5 minutes. One of the steepest cable cars in the world. The views from the top encompass the Nordfjord, surrounding peaks and glacier tongues. On a clear day it is one of the most dramatic viewpoints in Norway.
The summit has a restaurant, walking trails and a zipline (NOK 680). The restaurant is worth booking in advance on busy port days. The views from the terrace are a significant part of the experience.
Adult return ticket: NOK 950 (peak season). Tickets are not timed. You can ride up and down at any point during opening hours. The queue, not your ticket, is what determines your wait.
Olden Cruise Port Map: Where Everything Actually Is
Getting to each attraction: the practical options
Olden Adventure shuttle (recommended)
The most practical independent option for both the glacier and the Skylift. Shuttles depart from the cruise pier every 15-30 minutes when ships are in port. Olden Adventure operates in direct coordination with the Loen Skylift and actively manages return times. Staff are in contact with the Skylift at the end of the day to ensure all shuttle passengers make it back down before the last bus, which departs 20 minutes before your all-aboard time. For the Skylift option, the shuttle price includes the cable car ticket. For the glacier, shuttle and Troll Cars are priced separately.
Booking in advance is strongly recommended when two or more ships are in port simultaneously. Early morning and afternoon are the least busy times at the Skylift. If you can get the first shuttle departure, do it.
Ship excursion
Covers the same ground with a guide. Significantly more expensive than booking Olden Adventure independently. The main advantage is the ship excursion guarantee: if the excursion runs late, the ship waits. Olden Adventure’s return management largely replicates this guarantee at lower cost, but if you’re risk-averse about timing, the ship excursion removes the concern entirely.
Taxi
Available at the pier. Flexible for small groups wanting to combine the glacier and village at their own pace. More expensive than the shuttle for solo travellers or pairs.
Two ships in port: what it means for your day
Olden regularly has two ships in port simultaneously, one docked and one tendering. This roughly doubles the number of passengers competing for Skylift cable cars and glacier shuttle seats. Queues at the Skylift midday can reach one to two hours on these days.
Check the official Olden port schedule before your sailing day (search “Olden port schedule” and look for the Port column). If two large ships are listed, prioritise getting off your ship early and taking the first available shuttle. The Skylift queue is shortest before 10am and after 3pm.
What to do in Olden village
For passengers who want a gentler day, or who have already visited the glacier or Skylift on a previous cruise:
- Olden Lake walk: the lake runs south from the village and the flat path alongside it is one of the quieter, more genuinely Norwegian experiences available at this port. Worth an hour.
- Oldedalen Valley drive: even without going to the glacier, driving or cycling up the valley gives views of glacier tongues, waterfalls and farmland that most passengers never see because they’re on a shuttle.
- Village waterfront: small, unpretentious, with good views of the fjord and the mountains. The café at the pier is fine for coffee and cake.
- Kjenndalsbreen Glacier: a lesser-visited alternative to Briksdal, accessible by boat across Lake Loen with an optional Skylift combination. Olden Cruise runs a boat service on MS Kjenndal II. Less crowded than Briksdal on busy port days.
Practical information
- Weather: Norwegian fjord weather changes rapidly. Even in summer, the temperature at the Briksdal trailhead is significantly cooler than at sea level due to glacier wind. Bring a layer regardless of the forecast at the pier.
- Footwear: Proper walking shoes for the glacier trail. The path is uneven and can be wet. Fashion trainers and sandals are not appropriate.
- Return timing: If using Olden Adventure, their final shuttle is 20 minutes before all-aboard. If making your own arrangements, allow 45 minutes back to the ship from the Skylift base or glacier trailhead, plus any tender time.
- Loen Skylift booking: Buy tickets online at loenskylift.no in advance, or at the Fjordshop on arrival. Tickets are not linked to specific departure times so there is no benefit to booking a particular slot, but buying in advance guarantees you have a ticket on busy days when sell-outs occur.
Common Questions
Can I do both the glacier and the Skylift in one port day?
Technically possible with an early start and a short port call of 8+ hours, but not recommended. You’ll spend more time travelling between the two than at either one. Pick the experience that interests you more and do it properly.
Is the Loen Skylift ticket timed?
No. Tickets are flexible. You ride up and down whenever you want during opening hours. The wait is determined by the queue, not your ticket. On busy two-ship days, the queue can reach one to two hours at midday.
Do I need to book the Loen Skylift in advance?
On days when two large ships are in port, tickets can sell out. Buying in advance online (loenskylift.no) guarantees entry. On quiet days, walk-up tickets are usually available.
What’s the difference between the Glacier Sightseeing Bus and the glacier shuttle?
The Glacier Sightseeing Bus (NOK 400) is a photo tour of the valley scenery. It does not take you to the glacier walking trail. To reach Briksdal Glacier itself, book the Olden Adventure shuttle or Olden Cruise transfer to the trailhead.
Are Troll Cars worth it?
For passengers with limited mobility or those who want to save energy for the site itself, yes. They don’t take you all the way to the glacier. There’s still a 15-20 minute walk from the drop-off point. For fit passengers, walking the full trail is the better experience.
Is card payment accepted everywhere?
Yes. Contactless card payment is accepted at the Skylift, the shuttle operators, Troll Cars, village shops and cafés. Norway is effectively cashless in tourist areas.
Related guides
Olden is one stop on a Norwegian fjords itinerary. Our Norway cruise ports guide covers all the main stops. For nearby fjord ports, see our guides to Ålesund and Bergen. For the broader context of Norwegian fjord cruising, our Norwegian fjords cruise routes guide covers itinerary planning.
About the author
This guide was written by Jasmine French, About2Cruise’s polar and expedition cruise specialist. Jasmine visited Olden in July 2025 and chose the Skylift over the glacier, a decision she stands by, though only just.