Briksdal Glacier & Loen Skylift: Our Day Out with Olden Adventure
- George and Dan
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read

Book your 2026 adventures now - and here’s why these two should be on your radar.
Olden Adventure kindly invited* us to sample two of their most popular excursions: Briksdal Glacier via Troll Car, and the Loen Skylift. Having already sailed into Olden several times, we were eager to see how these experiences stacked up - and to get a fresh take just as their 2026 bookings open.
Arrival and First Impressions

We arrived into Olden just after 6am. It was the darkest we’d ever seen over the fjord, even after eight visits. There’s something magical in that stillness before dawn. Our meeting time was 8 am at the Olden Adventure stand (right as you disembark the ship), where we collected our tickets and got ready for the day ahead.

Our first excursion was to Briksdal Glacier. From the stand, we boarded a coach that wound up the valley for about 30 minutes, dropping us at Briksdalsbree Mountain Lodge, where the Troll Cars await.

Excursion #1: Briksdal Glacier by Troll Car
A bit of history
Briksdal Glacier is part of Jostedalsbreen National Park, and it’s an arm of the Jostedalsbreen Glacier - the largest glacier on mainland Europe, covering around 487 square kilometres. The glacier itself flows down the mountainside from a height of 1,200 metres into the lush Briksdal Valley. It’s been a tourist highlight since the 1800s, drawing visitors from across the world.

Back in the early days, visitors would travel up towards the glacier in horse-drawn carriages. That tradition lasted right up until 2004, when the Troll Cars took over. They’re seven-seater buggies designed to handle the steep, narrow roads, and while they don’t have the romantic feel of horse carriages, they make the journey much quicker and easier.
The ride and walk
The Troll Cars seat up to 7 people, with families given priority. If you’re not with children, you might be separated into different rows, but the ride is short and scenic. The 10-minute journey winds through waterfalls, steep cliffs, and dramatic greenery before dropping you at a trailhead.
From there, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the glacier viewpoint. The path is well-maintained with a couple of steep sections, but most reasonably fit people should be fine. Along the way, you’ll pass rivers, boulders, and even a powerful waterfall known as Kleivafossen, which sprays a fine mist across the path in summer.

At the top, you’re rewarded with the striking view of Briksdal Glacier. It’s both beautiful and sobering - the glacier has retreated significantly in recent decades due to rising global temperatures. If you’ve been before, the change is startling.

We had about 15–20 minutes to enjoy the view before heading back. It flew by, but we managed to take it in, snap some photos, and just sit quietly for a moment. Back at the Mountain Lodge, there’s a shop with souvenirs and a café serving drinks and cakes before the coach takes you back down to Olden.
Pricing with Olden Adventure:
Adults: NOK 900 (~£68)
Children (6–15): NOK 550 (~£42)
Infants (0–6): NOK 200 (~£15)
Excursion #2: The Loen Skylift
After a short break, we joined the transfer bus from the port to the Skylift. It runs every 30 minutes and takes around 10 minutes to get there - really straightforward.
About the Skylift
The Loen Skylift is one of Norway’s most impressive modern attractions. It opened in 2017 and is among the steepest cable cars in the world. The lift takes you from the fjord at sea level up to Mt Hoven at 1,011 metres in just five minutes. The gradient is so steep at points it feels like you’re almost going vertical. Each cabin can hold up to 35 passengers, and departures are frequent, so you never wait long.

Our ride (and nerves)
As some of you know, Dan doesn’t do well with heights. On a previous trip he couldn’t even get on the Skylift. This time, Georgie hopped on confidently, and just as the doors were closing Dan dived in, clung to a pole, and shut his eyes the whole way up. It was over in five minutes, and at the top, the nerves gave way to awe.
We timed our visit for about 2 pm, after the morning rush. That turned out to be a good call - it was much quieter, and we had space to wander without jostling with crowds. Even though the weather was cloudy, the shifting skies added atmosphere, and visibility stayed surprisingly good.

At the top, you’re met with a whole different world. The viewing platforms look out across Nordfjord, the village of Loen below, and further across to the famous turquoise waters of Lake Lovatnet. On a clear day, you can even spot the glacier-capped mountains of Jostedalsbreen in the distance.

The top station also has the Hoven Restaurant, where you can enjoy a proper sit-down meal or just grab a coffee and pastry. We opted for a cinnamon roll, which was pricey but worth it - especially with that view. There’s also a gift shop, short walking trails, and an innovative glass wall display that labels the peaks and valleys in front of you when you line up your view.
Pricing with Olden Adventure (including port transfer):
Adults: NOK 920 (~£69)
Children (6–15): NOK 460 (~£35)
Infants (0–6): Free
Why book with Olden Adventure
Local expertise – they run everything from the transfer buses to the excursions themselves.
Cruise-friendly timings – designed to work with ship schedules.
Bundle discounts – save up to 20% if you book two excursions on the same day.
Plenty of choice – from glaciers and skylifts to lake cruises and sightseeing tours.
Hassle-free – everything is set up for cruise visitors, so no stress about missing the ship.
*This excursion was kindly gifted to us by Olden Adventure in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and experiences shared are entirely our own.
Currency conversions correct at time of publishing.
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