A tiny village at the foot of Europe's largest mainland glacier. Olden punches far above its weight — world-class glacier hikes, a record-breaking cable car, and milky-turquoise fjord water await just steps from the pier.
Ships dock at Olden Cruise Pier, a deep-water berth about 1 km from the village center — an easy, flat 10-15 minute walk.
💡 Pro move: If multiple ships are in port simultaneously, occasional tendering may occur using pier pontoons — check your ship's daily newsletter.
Olden has one deep-water cruise pier with walk-off access directly to the port terminal.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines | Olden Cruise Pier📍 | Docked |
| Expedition / overflow ships | Tender pontoons (rare)📍 | Tendered |
Olden's excursions are all about Norway's glaciers and fjords — go for the glacier, the cable car, or both.
The crown jewel of Olden. A 30-min scenic bus ride through Oldedalen Valley leads to the Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge, from where you hike 2.5 km (45 min) past the roaring Kleivafossen waterfall to a glacial lake beneath the glacier arm. If hiking isn't possible, electric 'Troll Cars' carry you most of the way.
Find Briksdal Glacier tours →One of the world's steepest cable cars, ascending from sea level to 1,011 m atop Mount Hoven in just 5 minutes. The panoramic views over Nordfjord and the surrounding peaks are staggering. Hiking trails, a restaurant, and a zipline await at the top. Loen is a 10-minute drive from Olden.
Find Loen Skylift tours →A quieter alternative to Briksdal. The drive along turquoise Lovatnet Lake alone is spectacular. A flat 15-min walk leads to views of the Kjenndalen glacier. Ask your guide about the catastrophic 1905 and 1936 landslide tsunamis that swept away lakeshore villages.
Find Lovatnet tours →High-speed rigid inflatable boat tours depart directly from the pier area, giving you a fast-paced perspective of the inner Nordfjord — towering cliffs, waterfalls, and tiny red farmhouses from the water.
Find fjord RIB tours →Explore Olden on foot: the 1759 Olden Gamle Kyrkje (old white wooden church), the 1934 red church by the waterfront, the Oldeelva glacial river, and the COOP Prix supermarket — great for picking up Norwegian treats like brunost (brown goat's cheese) or Smash! chocolate.
Find Olden village tours →Olden's village is flat and walkable — the main reward is getting your boots on for the glacier hike or the Huaren viewpoint trail.
A leisurely stroll from the cruise pier along the fjord into the heart of Olden. Pass the red church, walk the banks of the Oldeelva glacial river, and look for the white Old Olden Church, built in 1759.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →A challenging but free hike starting near Olden School (look for the trailhead info board) that climbs to roughly 400 m for a bird's-eye view looking straight down onto your cruise ship in the fjord far below. Not for the faint-hearted, but an unforgettable perspective on the scale of the landscape.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Olden, Vestland, Norway (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34°F / 1°C | 25°F / -4°C | 20 | 9:37 AM | 3:45 PM |
| Feb | 37°F / 3°C | 28°F / -2°C | 18 | 8:20 AM | 5:13 PM |
| Mar | 40°F / 4°C | 30°F / -1°C | 19 | 6:53 AM | 6:31 PM |
| Apr | 47°F / 8°C | 34°F / 1°C | 15 | 6:12 AM | 8:53 PM |
| May | 56°F / 13°C | 42°F / 6°C | 16 | 4:42 AM | 10:15 PM |
| Jun | 65°F / 18°C | 51°F / 11°C | 17 | 3:44 AM | 11:20 PM |
| Jul | 68°F / 20°C | 54°F / 12°C | 20 | 4:14 AM | 11:02 PM |
| Aug | 66°F / 19°C | 53°F / 12°C | 20 | 5:35 AM | 9:39 PM |
| Sep | 61°F / 16°C | 48°F / 9°C | 18 | 6:55 AM | 8:00 PM |
| Oct | 50°F / 10°C | 39°F / 4°C | 19 | 8:13 AM | 6:23 PM |
| Nov | 40°F / 4°C | 32°F / 0°C | 15 | 8:41 AM | 3:54 PM |
| Dec | 36°F / 2°C | 27°F / -3°C | 21 | 9:48 AM | 3:06 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Open-top sightseeing buses depart from the cruise pier. The glacier sightseeing bus runs toward Briksdal and costs approximately 400 NOK adults / 200 NOK children (2024 pricing). Stromma also operates the Olden Panorama Sightseeing tour from the tender port with audio guide and Wi-Fi.
The cruise dock is just ~1 km (0.6 miles) from Olden village center — a flat, scenic 15–20 minute walk along the fjord. Most passengers walk easily.
Some cruise lines or local operators run a short shuttle between the quay and the village. Check with your ship; offered mainly on large-ship calls.
Taxis are very limited in Olden; advance booking is strongly recommended. Starting fare ~100 NOK plus ~14.5 NOK/km.
Regional Route 60 connects Olden to nearby towns in the Nordfjord region. Useful for independent travelers heading to Stryn or other villages.
Upcoming cruises that call at Olden, Vestland, Norway. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.