Olden, Hellesylt & Stavanger: The Best Active Excursions on Your Fjords Cruise

Norway’s fjord ports are some of the best places in the world to swap coach tours for something a bit more active, and the good news is that P&O Cruises visit many of the highlights. Olden, Hellesylt & Stavanger are among the most popular Norwegian ports on P&O Cruises itineraries, which means you’ve got a great mix of adventures right on your doorstep as soon as you step off the ship.

In this guide you’ll find a mix of water-based and land-based activities in these key P&O ports, including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, RIB safaris, cycling, e-biking and hiking. Most options are designed with cruise visitors in mind, so you don’t need to be super fit or hugely experienced to join in. Local operators provide the kit, the know-how and the timings, so you can focus on enjoying the views and getting a different angle on the fjords.

Keep reading to discover what you can do in each of these popular P&O Cruise ports, how the activities actually feel in real life, and which options might suit your confidence level, budget and time in port. If you’re keen to make the most of your day ashore and really get into the landscape, this is a great place to start planning.

Olden

Kayaking in Olden

If you’re drawn to peace, quiet and nature around water, kayaking in Olden is hard to beat. The calm fjord waters and dramatic mountain backdrop make for a scenic paddle. A local provider, Olden Active, runs guided kayak tours - even for total beginners.

Expect double-kayaks, safety gear (including drysuits) and a friendly guiding team to lead you through the calm fjord waters. As you paddle, you’ll drift past steep mountainsides and possibly spot waterfalls and forested valleys. The silence, with only water lapping and wind in the peaks, creates a magical sort of fjord-serenity that’s hard to match.

People who’ve done this often highlight how relaxing it feels even if it’s their first time kayaking - and recommend going in calm weather for the smoothest experience. 

Paddle Boarding (SUP) in Olden

For a slower, more laid-back water option, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) offers a more mellow way to soak in the scenery. Olden Active rents out stable SUP boards, and even if you’ve never tried it before you can give it a go. 

Paddling gently across the fjord, you’ll have a perfect vantage to admire the surrounding peaks, clear water reflections and perhaps catch glimpses of waterfalls or rivers flowing into the fjord. The calm water and peaceful surroundings make this a lovely option for solo travellers, couples or small groups wanting a quiet moment on the water. 

Given the clarity of the water and the dramatic landscape, SUP in Olden promises a personal and serene way to connect with the fjord.

RIB Rides in Olden

If you prefer something a bit faster-paced and dramatic, the RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) ride around the fjord gives you both thrills and beauty. Olden Active offers RIB sightseeing tours that let you zoom across the fjord, offering a completely different perspective.

On the ride you’ll float past towering mountains, lush green slopes, and often dramatic waterfalls plunging into the fjord. The skipper may navigate close to sheer cliffs for better views - it’s a chance to see how huge and rugged the fjord terrain really is. 

It’s a great option if you want more excitement than kayaking or SUP, but still want to soak up the natural beauty of the area in a short time.

Cycling / E-Biking in Olden

If you want to explore beyond the water, Olden is a lovely place to cycle - especially as the roads are peaceful and the scenery stunning. Olden Active rents out e-bikes and mountain bikes, making it easy to cover more ground without tiring yourself out. 

On two wheels you can drift through quiet village roads, fjord-side paths, and past farms, forests or small settlements. As you ride, you’ll see rugged mountains rising on either side of the valley, glimpses of water in the fjord, and maybe small local churches or traditional houses dotted along the way. 

If you don’t feel like doing it alone, there are guided e-bike tours - a nice balance of gentle exercise, local insight, and opportunity to soak up Olden’s scenic surroundings without hurry. 

Hiking in Olden

For a completely different way to explore - on foot - hiking is a must in the Olden region. The valley behind Olden, Oldedalen, runs deep into the mountains and eventually connects you to glacier valleys, alpine lakes and dramatic landscapes. 

A popular hike (or excursion) leads towards Briksdal Glacier via the valley - roughly 2.5 km from the trailhead and taking around 45–60 minutes one way. On the route you’ll pass lush valley woods, rushing streams, waterfalls and steep mountain walls rising above you. 

At the end you’re rewarded with the sight of glacier-fed ice and possibly glimpses of glacial lakes. The mix of water, rock and ice makes for some seriously dramatic landscapes - very different from the calmness of paddling or the speed of a RIB ride.

Why you should book with Olden Active

Olden Active stands out because they offer a wide range of water- and bike-based activities all from one small local company. 

• Their kayaking and SUP gear (with drysuits) makes the water adventures accessible even if you’ve never tried it before. 

• Their RIB tours let you experience the fjord’s dramatic views comfortably and quickly. 

• Bike and e-bike rental gives you freedom and flexibility to explore beyond the water - great if you want to see more of the valley or local villages without needing transport. 

Hellesylt

Hellesylt kayaking

Hellesylt is a brilliant spot to get out on the water, especially if you fancy something active but not too technical. The fjord here is calm and sheltered, so it’s ideal for first-timers and families. A guided kayak tour will usually start a few minutes’ walk from the cruise pier, with a safety briefing and kit hand-over before you slide out into the fjord.

Out on the water, you paddle along the shoreline with views of steep green mountains, small farms clinging to the hillsides and waterfalls tumbling straight into the fjord. You’ll often see your ship in the background, which makes for cracking photos, and on a clear day you get reflections of the peaks in the water. Guides also point out Helsetkopen mountain and share stories about the local area as you go. 

Suggested tour: Hellesylt: Beginner-Friendly Fjord Kayaking Experience

RIB rides in Hellesylt

If you want something faster and a bit more thrilling, the RIB safari from Hellesylt into Geirangerfjord is the one to look at. You suit up in warm gear and goggles at a base close to the camping ground, then head out in a high-speed RIB with a small group. The boat skims along the fjord, so you’re right down at water level with the mountains towering above you.

The route takes you deep into the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, right up towards the famous Seven Sisters and Friaren waterfalls. The skipper slows down at key spots so you can take photos and actually feel the spray from the falls. You also get views of old mountain farms like Skageflå, perched impossibly high above the fjord. It’s a great way to see a lot in a short time if you’ve only got a few hours in port. 

Suggested tour: From Hellesylt: Experience Fjordsafari Geirangerfjord on RIB

Hiking in Hellesylt

For something a bit more relaxed but still focused on views, the “fjord to sky” trip from Hellesylt to the Stranda Gondola works nicely as a hike/viewpoint combo. You travel by minibus from Hellesylt through valleys and alongside rivers before riding the gondola up to over 1,000 metres above sea level. At the top you’ve got huge views over Storfjord and the Sunnmøre Alps. 

There’s time to stroll around the top station area, wander to different viewpoints and take photos, so while it isn’t a hard hike, you still get that feeling of being out in the mountain air rather than just stuck on a bus. On a clear day you’ll see layer after layer of peaks, with the fjord far below and tiny villages tucked into the shoreline. 

Suggested tour: Hellesylt: Fjord to Sky Scenic Escape to Stranda Gondola

Stavanger

Kayaking in Stavanger

Stavanger is perfectly placed for getting out on the water, with Lysefjord just a short drive away. Guided kayak tours usually start with a transfer from the city to a quiet launch point on the fjord, where you’ll get a safety briefing and all your kit before heading out. On a typical tour you learn the basics of paddling, then follow your guide along the shoreline and into narrow gorges and bays. 

As you glide across the water, you’ll see sheer granite cliffs rising straight out of the fjord, hanging waterfalls and tiny farms clinging to the hillsides. On clear days you can often spot the famous Pulpit Rock high above you, as well as seabirds and the occasional seal. It’s a brilliant way to experience Lysefjord at a slower pace, close to the water and away from the crowds. 

Suggested tour: Stavanger: Guided Kayaking in Lysefjord

Stavanger RIB ride with scenic views

If you’d like something more high-energy, the RIB safaris from Stavanger out into Lysefjord combine proper speed with huge views. You’re kitted out in a flotation suit, life jacket and goggles on the quay, then climb into a powerful RIB for a two-hour blast along the fjord. 

On the way you’ll race between towering cliffs, swing into Vagabond’s Cave, pause beneath the 75-metre Whisky Falls and get right up close to sheer rock faces carved by the last ice age. You’ll also see Pulpit Rock from below, which gives you a real sense of how dramatic that cliff is, and you may spot wildlife like porpoises, seals and sea eagles. It’s a brilliant way to see a lot of Lysefjord in a short port stop and still feel immersed in the landscape. 

Suggested tour: From Stavanger: RIB Tour to Lysefjord

Stavanger cycling

Stavanger is a very bike-friendly city, and getting on two wheels is a great way to see beyond the harbour. Guided bike tours start close to the centre and take you through Old Stavanger’s white wooden houses, colourful Øvre Holmegate and quiet backstreets you’d probably miss on foot. From there, you usually follow cycle paths out towards the Hafrsfjord area, where the “Sverd i fjell” Three Swords monument stands on the shoreline. 

Along the way you’ll ride past parks, lakes and residential neighbourhoods, with plenty of stops for photos and stories from your guide about Viking history and modern Stavanger life. The route is mostly flat and relaxed, so it works well for most fitness levels, and you cover much more ground than you could walking from the ship. 

Suggested tour: Stavanger: Private Bike Tour with 3 Swords Monument

Stavanger hiking

Stavanger is the jumping-off point for one of Norway’s most famous hikes: Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). Guided tours pick you up in Stavanger, often from the cruise terminal or nearby hotels, and drive you around 40 minutes to the trailhead. From there, it’s an 8-kilometre return hike with some steep, rocky sections, but the path is well-marked and your guide sets a steady pace with plenty of breaks. 

On the way up you’ll cross wooden walkways, pass small mountain lakes and see the landscape open out as you climb. At the top, you’re rewarded with that iconic view: a flat rock plateau jutting out 604 metres above Lysefjord, with the water stretching away beneath you. On a clear day, it’s one of the most impressive viewpoints you’ll see on any Norwegian fjords cruise. Many tours are timed to suit ship schedules, and your guide keeps an eye on the clock so you’re back in Stavanger in good time. 

Suggested tour: From Stavanger: Pulpit Rock Guided Hike with Pickup

Final thoughts

Olden, Hellesylt & Stavanger are some of the most frequently visited Norwegian ports on P&O Cruises itineraries, and they all offer something slightly different. The idea is the same though: swap a seat on a bus for fresh air, big views and that feeling of really being in the fjords. From calm, beginner-friendly kayaking to full-on RIB safaris and iconic hikes like Pulpit Rock, you can build an itinerary that’s as relaxed or as energetic as you like.

When you’re choosing what to do in these P&O favourites, think about how much time you have in port, your fitness level and how confident you feel on the water or on a bike. Shorter guided trips can work well if you’re a bit unsure but still want a taste of adventure, while longer tours and hikes are ideal if you’ve got a full day and don’t mind a bit of effort for the views. Always double-check meeting points and timings against your all-aboard time, and keep an eye on the weather, as fjord trips are very weather-dependent.

However you decide to explore, getting beyond the pier and out into the fjord, valley or mountains is one of the best decisions you can make on a P&O Norwegian cruise. With the right tour and a bit of planning, you’ll step back on board with tired legs, a camera full of photos and the feeling that you’ve really experienced these ports, not just ticked them off.

This blog may contain affiliate links, this means that if you book a cruise or purchase an item via one of the links we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Olden Active is not an affiliate.