Top 10 Olden Shore Excursions
If you get the chance to book a cruise that features Olden on its itinerary, I would highly recommend booking it as it has everything you could ever want from a Norwegian fjord cruise port.
Your entry into the port start hours before you even get there as you enter into the massive Nordfjorden, sail on to the end of it where you find the Oldedalen Valley and your host for the day, the small village of Olden.
The scenery is simply stunning and, in many ways, the best views of it are from your cruise ship, so many will simply take a stroll to Olden, visit a couple of shops and then head back onboard the ship but that is shame as there is lots to experience whilst in port, but many things will need a shore excursion to experience them.
But just what are the top 10 Olden shore excursions? That is just what I answer in this list, which is based on my experience of visiting the port on a cruise holiday and the research I did before visiting there.
Shore Excursions In Olden
Loen Skylift
There can only be one shore excursion that tops a list such as this one for me as it is the one that I did on my visit to Olden.
There are a few options for this one as you can book via your cruise line, ideal for those with onboard credit to spend, you can pre-book direct online or you can pay when you arrive.
There is a shuttle bus that takes you from your cruise ship and around the corner to the nearby village of Loen from the lower cable car station is.
From there you board your gondola and set off on one of the steepest cable car rides in the world where you go from the fjord to the top of Mount Hoven in seconds.
At the top there is a viewing platform, a shop, a café and some adrenaline filled activities but for most, it is just the chance to walk around and take in the incredible views of Leon, the fjord and over towards your cruise ship in Olden that makes the journey well worth it- even if you go up there early in the cruise season when you may find deep snow to walk thorough like me and my wife did.
Briksdal by Troll Car
A fun way to get up close to the stunning Briksdal glacier is to board a ‘troll car’ which h is a small, open-air buggy like car that is similar to what you would find on an African safari.
That gives you great views and lots of opportunities to take photos as you drive past mountains and waterfalls of the beautiful Jostedal Glacier National Park before arriving at the foot of the glacier itself.
Briksdal Glacier Hike
If you are feeling energetic and want to experience a glacier at close quarters, the best way is to hike up to one and that is just what you can do on a guided glacial hike.
After a ride through the Olden Valley, you start your 45-minute hike where you can take in the incredible views that surround you before arriving at the impressive Briksdal glacier.
After spending some time at the glacier, you take the hike back to your coach before heading for refreshments and starting your coach ride back to your ship.
Open Top Bus Tour
If you have mobility issues or you just fancy getting close a glacier but without the need for the walk up to it, jumping onboard the Open Top tour bus is the option for you.
It takes you from the cruise port to a viewpoint where you get some time to take photos of the glacier before heading back to the ship.
Along the way you drive alongside the beautiful Olden Lake, which is surrounded by mountains and waterfalls and thanks to the open nature of the bus, you can get great views and take photos along the way.
Glacier Shuttle Bus
If you just want to get close to the Briksdal glacier and explore the National Park it is located in, booking onto the Glacier shuttle bus is the best option for you.
It takes you from your ship and drops you off within walking distance of the foot of glacier and with plenty of time to explore the surrounding area and even visit the onsite shop and café.
Lake Loen Boat Ride
The lake of Lodalen offers the chance to have a tranquil and relaxing day simply taking in the incredible scenery that surrounds you from onboard your motorboat.
Your boat ride will allow you to see numerous waterfalls, take in the mountains and valleys of the region all whilst cruising slowly along the crystal-clear waters of Lake Loen.
Panoramic Coach Ride
Olden is a beautiful village and its surroundings are almost picture perfect, but it can be tricky for those with mobility issues to get around, especially with the cruise dock been quite some distance from the village centre.
If you don’t want to miss out on seeing what Olden has to offer, a panoramic coach ride around the village and surrounding area is likely the best option.
You will normally drive through the village, past its historic church and then head out into the surrounding countryside for a photo stop at a waterfall or two before heading to a viewing spot for views of the Briksdalsbreen glacier before heading back to the ship past some more sights of interest.
This makes for a great relaxing day and can be a good option for anybody arriving in Olden on a wet and windy day.
Guided E-Bike Tour
There are a few different options for touring the sights of Olden and the Olden Valley but one way to really feel like you are close to the natural beauty that surrounds you it to head out on a guided bike tour.
The piece and quiet that makes the region so special doesn’t get disturbed by a bus engine and a bike gives you much more flexibility in where you can go and when you can stop to take photos to just take in what you are looking in.
The thought of setting off on a bicycle in a mountainous region such as Olden maybe off putting for any but that is where choosing a e-bike make it accessible to even the most casual of cyclists as when your legs tire, you let the battery take the strain.
Your guide will keep you updated on the history and culture of Olden and also help you spot wildlife as you ride along.
Fjord RIB Ride
If you can’t get enough of fjord cruising or want to get closer to the mountains and waterfalls you have just sailed along onboard your cruise ship, heading out in the Nordfjorden onboard a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) is arguably the best way to see the most.
Traveling at high speeds whilst offering the maneuverability to get close to sights of interest, a RIB ride is not only a thrilling experience but it is a fascinating one as well, especially when exploring somewhere as special as a Norwegian fjord.
Nordfjord Kayaking
The Norwegian fjords are all about peace and quiet and taking in the stunning views that surround you and whilst there are a few options to take that further than simply cruising down the fjord on your cruise ship, one of the more interesting ways to do it is by heading off on a kayak tour.
You set of from near your cruise ship, paddle past the village and its key sites of interest and head out into the open fjord itself where you will be regaled with stories of the history of the village.
Olden Shorex
If you have already booked a cruise holiday heading to the port of Olden and want to know what you can do to make the most of your time onshore, this list should be ideal for you but it should also prove to be invaluable for those who are yet to book a cruise and who are trying to decide whether a stop in Olden is the right option for them, or not.
Olden Shorex opportunities really allow you to make the most of your time visiting the port of Olden but with so many options, it can be tricky to decide which you should do and just what is available, but this list makes those decisions easier and allow you to get on with your cruise planning.
