Olden, Norway
A small village at the head of the Nordfjord, with a glacier up the valley and a cable car to a mountaintop. Here’s how to make one day ashore count.
Glaciers, lakes and a mountaintop
Olden is a small village at the inner end of the Nordfjord, with a few hundred residents, two white churches and mountains rising straight from the water. The village itself takes an hour or so to see. The real draw is what lies up the valleys: the Briksdal Glacier, an arm of mainland Europe’s largest glacier, turquoise glacial lakes and the Loen Skylift, a cable car that climbs to a summit restaurant more than 3,300 feet above the fjord.
Because those sights are a drive away, most of the day here is built around a ship-sold glacier, lake or Skylift excursion. That’s the honest picture of Olden, and it works well. Below are the cruise line favorites and the details that keep the day easy.
Which pier you’ll dock at
Olden has one large cruise pier plus tender landings in Olden and nearby Loen. Which one you use depends on your ship’s size and what else is in port, so check your daily planner.
Olden cruise pier
A deep-water pier that takes the largest ships, about half a mile from the village center along a flat path by the fjord. Excursion coaches load right at the pier, and there are a few shops and an activity desk nearby.
Used by: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Holland America, Disney, MSC, Cunard, Regent, Explora Journeys and Silversea.
Olden Cruise Park
When the pier is already taken, a second ship anchors in the fjord and tenders guests to a landing at Olden Cruise Park, close to the village. Allow extra time for the tender line, especially first thing in the morning and late in the afternoon.
Check your ship’s daily planner for your landing.
Cruise line favorites
Book these in your cruise planner. Ship-sold tours cost a bit more, but the ship waits for you if the tour runs late, and in Olden nearly every big sight is a drive from the pier.
- Briksdal Glacier. A scenic drive up the Oldedalen valley, then a walk of about 45 minutes each way to the glacier lake, or a ride partway up in a small open “troll car.” There’s a steep stretch, so it suits guests who are comfortable on uneven paths.
- Loen Skylift. A cable car that climbs to Mount Hoven in about five minutes, with views over the Nordfjord and a restaurant at the top. Best on a clear day.
- Lake Lovatnet & Kjenndal Glacier. A drive along a turquoise glacial lake to the foot of the Kjenndal Glacier, often with waffles or a lake cruise. An easier, lower-key way to see the ice.
- Panorama drives. Coach tours to viewpoints, waterfalls and mountain farms around the Nordfjord, an easy half day if you want the scenery without much walking.
Exploring without a tour
Prefer to explore at your own pace? These are the highlights to know, wherever your day takes you. Keep an eye on the clock.
Olden village
A small center with a supermarket, gift shops and cafés, plus the white Olden Church from 1934 and the little Old Church from 1759, about half a mile from the pier along the fjord.
Singerheimen
The former summer home and studio of American painter William H. Singer Jr., who fell for Olden in the early 1900s. It’s now a small museum and gallery.
The fjord shore
The flat path between the pier and the village is the easiest way to take in the Nordfjord, with mountains and waterfalls on every side. Bring a jacket: it’s often cooler by the water.
Before you go ashore
- Pier or tender? Guests sometimes hear close to sailing that Olden will be a tender day. The pier takes one large ship at a time, so a second ship anchors and tenders, and weather can change the plan. Check your daily planner and allow extra time if you’re tendering.
- All-aboard is firm. Glacier and Skylift tours mean time on the road. If you book anything independently, plan to be back an hour before all-aboard, and more on a tender day.
- Weather decides the views. Low cloud can hide the Skylift summit and the glacier. Bring layers and a waterproof jacket; it can feel like spring at the glacier even in July.
- Mind the glacier. Stay behind barriers and follow your guide. Briksdal’s ice has retreated a long way, so the view today is from the lake rather than up close.
- Mobility needs. Traveling with mobility needs? Tell your advisor when you book. Our accessibility specialist can help arrange the right support.
Sailing to Olden
Most Norwegian fjords itineraries call here, typically 7 to 14 nights round trip from Southampton, Copenhagen, Amsterdam or Rotterdam, plus longer Northern Europe voyages.Find a cruisePlan with Harr Travel
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