Nordfjordeid Private Shore Excursion, Glaciers and SkyLift Ride

Briksdal Glacier and the Loen Skylift give this private shore excursion two big scenic payoffs in one day. You ride an open-air Troll Car most of the way toward the glacier, then take a five-minute gondola ride up Mount Hoven for wide views over fjords, valleys, and turquoise glacial lakes.

I like the private format, since your guide can stop at viewpoints that large coaches pass by. I also like the mix of nature and local stories, from Nordfjordeid’s Viking ship discovery to the tale of tragic tsunamis linked to the mountain lakes. The main drawback is cost: $2,036.24 for up to four people is a serious outlay, and lunch is not included.

Key points before you book

• Two major sights in one day: Briksdal Glacier and the Loen Skylift form the heart of the excursion.
• A private vehicle and local guide: Your group travels alone, with room for photo stops and a flexible pace.
• Troll Car tickets included: The open-air electric vehicle cuts out much of the uphill walk to Briksdal Glacier.
• Some walking still matters: The final glacier path takes about 10 minutes and is rocky with slight inclines.
• A strong cruise-day safety net: The tour begins and ends at Nordfjordeid Cruise Ship Terminal, with timely return to port promised.
• Plan for extra costs: Lunch and the Loen Skylift admission are not included in the price.

Why this route works so well from Nordfjordeid

This is an ambitious eight-hour outing, but the route makes good use of a cruise stop in Nordfjordeid. Instead of spending the day in one village, you travel through several very different parts of the Nordfjord area: Viking country, Europe’s deepest lake, glacier valleys, and a high mountain viewpoint.

The private setup matters here. You pay $2,036.24 per group of up to four, not per person. For four people, that works out to about $509 each before the Skylift and food. For two people, the price becomes much harder to justify. If you are a family or a small group of friends, the cost is easier to weigh against the comfort, private vehicle, included Troll Car ride, and cruise-day convenience.

The excursion is booked, on average, 83 days ahead. That is useful planning information. If this is the kind of shore day you want, reserve early rather than waiting until you are on the ship.

Your pickup is at Nordfjordeid Cruise Ship Terminal on Kaivegen 12. The activity ends back there, which removes the worry of finding your own way back to the ship. A local guide handles the driving and commentary. Radmyla is specifically associated with this experience, and the feedback about her highlights both guiding and driving skills.

Nordfjordeid and the story beneath the White City

The first stop gives the day a human beginning. Nordfjordeid is known as the White City because of its collection of white historic and traditional buildings. As you pass through the center, your guide points out architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Viking story is even more striking. During the Viking period, this settlement was an independent kingdom. In 1874, the largest Viking ship found in Norway was discovered in the town center, along with a burial site. Your guide uses those finds to explain how people lived in the area more than 1,000 years ago.

This is not a museum visit with a long indoor stop. It is a short introduction while you drive through town, with a photo stop available on request. I like that arrangement for a shore excursion because it gives you context without using up the hours needed for the glacier and mountain.

Still, keep your expectations in check. If Viking archaeology is your main reason for visiting Norway, this tour does not appear to include a full museum admission or an extended archaeological visit. The Viking material is part of the drive and guiding rather than a separate major attraction.

Hornindalsvatnet, Europe’s deepest lake

The road toward the glacier passes Hornindalsvatnet, a huge mountain lake measuring 50.5 square kilometers and reaching 514 meters deep. It is described as the deepest lake in Europe, and it makes a fine scenic pause between the town and the glacier valleys.

The appeal is visual first. The water reflects mountains, clouds, forests, farms, and sheep. Your guide also explains the local fishing and legends connected with the lake, including the story of the Horney monster. The Eidselva River, which flows from the lake, is known for salmon and trout fishing, while the lake itself contains only a few fish species, including trout, char, and eel.

You spend about 30 minutes here. That is enough for a look and some pictures, but not a long lakeside walk. The exact viewing spot is not described, so I would think of this as a scenic and storytelling stop rather than a formal attraction with extensive facilities.

Through Stryn and into Olden

The route continues through Stryn Municipality, the gateway to Jostedalsbreen National Park. Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier in continental Europe, and the scenery shifts from green valleys toward high mountain country.

You drive through Stryn without stopping. That may disappoint you if the name Stryn caught your eye, but it also keeps the day moving toward the two main activities. The tour is not trying to turn every town into a full visit.

Olden provides a practical pause. This pretty village sits at the mouth of Nordfjord and is surrounded by mountains. Cruise ships call there frequently in summer, but when no ship is in port, the village can feel very quiet.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes and is used for coffee and a restroom break. Lunch is not included, so this is a good moment to buy something if you need more than the supplied snacks. Do not count on this being a full meal stop. The day has a long route ahead.

Oldedalen, where a private vehicle helps

From Olden, you drive through Oldedalen, a valley filled with glacial scenery, lakes, flowers, and mountain views. This is one of the places where a private tour can offer more than a large coach excursion.

Your guide can stop at interesting points along the road when conditions and timing allow. The route description specifically notes that some viewpoints are not practical for bus tours. That gives you a better chance to pause for pictures instead of seeing the valley only through a coach window.

The stop is listed at about 30 minutes, but the wider drive through the valley forms part of the experience. The scenery changes quickly, so keep your camera ready. You also receive bottled water and snacks, which are small but useful details on a full day outside.

Briksdal Glacier by Troll Car

Briksdal Glacier is the day’s first major attraction. At the national park area, you board an open-air electric vehicle known as a Troll Car. Tickets for the Troll Car are included, so you do not need to arrange that part separately.

The vehicle follows a winding road toward the glacier. Along the way, you can expect waterfalls, ice-covered mountain peaks, goats, green meadows, and steep valley walls. The open sides should give you better views than a standard enclosed vehicle, but they also mean you need to dress for changing mountain weather.

The Troll Car does not take you all the way to the glacier tongue. From the drop-off point, you walk about 10 minutes to reach the glacier and its beautiful lake. The path is uneven and rocky, with mild inclines. Comfortable shoes are important, and anyone who has trouble with rocky ground should consider this detail carefully.

You have about two hours at Briksdal Glacier. That is enough time for the Troll Car ride, the walk, photographs, and a pause near the glacier. It is not a technical hike, but it is not completely hands-free sightseeing either. The tour is suitable for most people, yet the uneven final section means you should not assume the entire visit is effortless.

Glacier conditions change over time, and the experience is about seeing the ice, waterfalls, and valley setting rather than reaching a dramatic wall of ice at close range. The broad setting is part of the reward. You are seeing a glacier in a national park, not simply checking off a photo stop.

Loen Skylift and Mount Hoven

After the glacier, the tour turns to Loen and the Loen Skylift. The gondola ride to Mount Hoven takes about five minutes and brings you to roughly 1,000 meters above sea level.

The ride is short, but the views from the top are the reason to come. You can look toward Oldedalen and Lodalen, with turquoise glacial lakes and steep mountains spread below. The tour also connects these peaceful views with stories of tragic tsunamis in the area, adding a darker layer to an otherwise postcard-perfect setting.

You have about two hours in Loen. That gives you time to walk along the summit, enjoy the views, and eat. The food itself is not included, so budget for lunch or a substantial snack at the top. The supplied information does not name a specific restaurant or menu, so do not book this expecting a set meal.

Most important, the Loen Skylift ticket is not included. The tour includes the Troll Car tickets, but the Skylift admission is listed as an additional expense. Check the current price before booking, since this can affect the total cost of the day.

The Skylift is a strong choice for anyone who wants a high mountain view without a strenuous climb. You still need to walk around the summit, but the main ascent is handled by the gondola. If you have limited time in port and want a big view with little uphill effort, this is one of the tour’s best features.

What the private format adds

A private tour gives you control that a large group cannot. You can ask for a photo stop in Nordfjordeid, take extra pictures in Oldedalen, and discuss the Viking finds or lake legends with the guide as you go.

It also keeps the day personal. Only your group participates, and the guide serves as both driver and local interpreter. The experience associated with Radmyla places particular value on those two roles. On a route with several roads, viewpoints, and timed attractions, good driving matters just as much as entertaining commentary.

There is a tradeoff. A private vehicle does not make the route short. You still spend a good part of the day driving between Nordfjordeid, Hornindalsvatnet, Olden, Briksdal, and Loen. If you prefer one compact attraction with plenty of free time, this outing may feel busy.

For a cruise stop, though, the route is sensible. You get a broad look at the area instead of staying near the port, and the return to Nordfjordeid is built into the plan.

Timing, weather, and comfort

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. That is nearly a full shore day, so check your ship’s arrival and departure times carefully. The tour promises a timely return to port, but you should still confirm the meeting time and allow the normal safety margin for a cruise excursion.

The listed operating period is April 23 through October 15, 2025. The listed opening hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to noon. Since the tour itself lasts about eight hours, confirm the available start time for your particular port call before paying.

Weather is a real factor in western Norway. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. For a cruise passenger, another date may not be useful, so ask how weather decisions are handled for your sailing date.

Bring comfortable shoes and clothing that can handle rain, wind, and cooler mountain air. The open-air Troll Car is especially worth considering when packing. Bottled water and snacks are provided, but lunch is not.

Is the $2,036 group price good value?

The price makes sense only in the right situation. For four people, the per-person cost is far easier to accept than for one or two. You receive private transport, a guide, Troll Car tickets, bottled water, snacks, several scenic stops, and a planned return to the port.

The missing Skylift admission and lunch lower the value slightly. You also need to factor in the long driving day. This is not a cheap transfer with a quick photo stop. It is a full private excursion built around two expensive and popular scenic experiences.

I would compare it with the cost of separate transport, attraction admissions, and the risk of arranging a complicated cruise-day route on your own. The private guide also saves you from handling directions, parking, and timing. For a group of four that values comfort and wants both Briksdal Glacier and Mount Hoven, the price can be reasonable.

For a couple, I would be more selective. You might prefer a shared excursion if available, or choose one major attraction and spend more time in Nordfjordeid or Olden. The private format is the luxury here, and you are paying for it.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to a small group that wants maximum scenery in one port day. It suits people who enjoy short walks, mountain roads, local stories, and frequent photo stops. It is also a good fit if you want to avoid a hard glacier hike while still reaching Briksdal Glacier.

Families and friends traveling as four can get the strongest value from the fixed group price. The excursion also suits cruise passengers who want direct pickup and drop-off at the terminal.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, need a fully level route, or want lunch and all admission fees covered. I would also think twice if your only interest is Viking culture, since the archaeological material is a guided introduction rather than the main focus.

Final call: book it for the two big views

Book this tour if you want Briksdal Glacier and the Loen Skylift in the same day, prefer a private guide, and can share the price with a group of up to four. The Troll Car reduces the effort at the glacier, while the Skylift gives you a major mountain view without a long climb.

Skip it if the cost is too high for your group or if you want a slower day with one main stop. For the right party, this is a well-planned way to turn a Nordfjordeid cruise call into a full day of glaciers, lakes, Viking stories, and high fjord views.

FAQ

Where does the Nordfjordeid private shore excursion begin?

It begins at Nordfjordeid Cruise Ship Terminal, Kaivegen 12, 6770 Nordfjordeid, Norway.

Where does the excursion end?

The activity ends back at the Nordfjordeid Cruise Ship Terminal meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The excursion lasts approximately eight hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a maximum group size of four people.

Are Troll Car tickets included?

Yes. Tickets for the open-air electric Troll Cars at Briksdal Glacier are included.

Is the Loen Skylift ticket included?

No. Admission to the Loen Skylift is not included and must be paid separately.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Bottled water and snacks are provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.