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Revenue managementDynamic pricingChannel managementOTA managementBooking.com managementListing optimizationVacation rental marketingFour-hour tour by bus to Briksdal Glacier, including a 60-minute hike through stunning natural scenery.
This four-hour excursion begins with a bus ride from Olden through the picturesque Olden Valley, passing by the serene Olden Lake. The journey ends at the Briksdal Inn, where you’ll start your hike towards Briksdal Glacier, a notable arm of the vast Jostedal Glacier.
The hike takes about 45 to 60 minutes, with the first part being the most challenging before leveling out. As you ascend, you’ll be surrounded by striking mountains and cascading waterfalls, culminating at a viewpoint overlooking the glacier’s lake. Dress appropriately for changing weather, and prepare for a rewarding view at your destination.
Reviews
The excursion to the Glacier was wonderful. We connected with our guide, Elisabet, right at the terminal and traveled comfortably by bus to the glacier’s base. The hike took about 45 minutes and was both manageable and picturesque. Elisabet was well-informed and made sure we had a fantastic time. I would definitely recommend this tour with her.
The coach journey through Olden showcased stunning landscapes, featuring beautiful lakes, lush pastures, and charming homes on the way to Briksdal glacier. At the terminus, there are two cafés, shops, and restrooms. We rented a “troll car,” a spacious open buggy, which took us most of the way. The hike was enjoyable but quite steep, leading us to the base of the glacier where the meltwater flows into a powerful stream. The scenery all around is truly magnificent.
Our driver greeted us at the cruise ship dock and provided an overview of what to expect along with estimated times. The journey to the drop-off point was beautiful, showcasing the local scenery. The hike along the trail became progressively easier, revealing breathtaking views of large waterfalls and rapids leading us to the glacial lake with its stunning backdrop. We enjoyed a gentle stroll back to the café and gift shop, where we reunited with our driver at the planned time for a relaxing return drive to Olden.
Reaching the glacier was incredibly fulfilling and made our steep climb worthwhile. The glacier lake was stunning, and we captured many photos of the breathtaking scenery and rocky landscapes, including a selfie with the snow-capped mountain and glacier. The weather during our week in Norway was perfect. We also appreciated the nice shop at the base, which had a café and plenty of clean restrooms. Although we were on a cruise, booking the bus at the quay was simple and significantly cheaper than what the cruise ship charged.
The views of the glacier are stunning. The pathway is gravel and features a significant incline, so be prepared to shed layers as the day warms up. It's essential to book the troll car in advance, as none were available when we arrived. The full hike, including returns, took us two hours with some brief pauses. While the guide provided some historical context, I would have preferred more information. Overall, it was a delightful day.
The tour to Briksdal was excellent, very well organized with ample time spent at the glacier. The commentary was informative, and the hike to the glacier required moderate effort.
The scenery was stunning and definitely justified the trip. Although it required some hiking, the effort was worthwhile. The 4-hour excursion felt a bit short and would benefit from an additional hour.
The service primarily offers transportation to and from Briksdal glacier, with some commentary en route. Upon arrival at the hiking base, you are free to explore on your own. The hike to the lake, where the glacier can be seen, took us about an hour, despite the cool drizzly weather, and we made the return in approximately 45 minutes. At the base, there are facilities including a gift shop and cafeteria, and the scenery is truly breathtaking. We stopped for 10 minutes on the return trip for photo opportunities. I've learned there's a city bus that runs this route at a much lower price.
This trip was canceled twice by different tour operators I booked with. The second cancellation happened the night before, citing low demand. I realize now they were charging over £300 for three people, while I found the same experience for £120 by booking directly with Olden Experiences. I was relieved to get my refund and actually ended up enjoying the glacier hike later on, with some extra cash for a coffee. I recommend the experience but not through this platform.
For AUD $155, I expected more than just a simple 30-minute bus ride. The guide didn't accompany us, and once we got off the bus, that was the end of it. A shuttle service from the cruise terminal would be helpful. Overall, I found it to be not worth the cost, and my impression of the glacier was just mediocre.
Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.
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