OLDEN, NORWAY

Olden is a very small village located in Norway at the mouth of the Oldeelva river on the southern shore of the Nordfjorden Fjord, the sixth longest fjord in all of Norway.   

 

The 140 acre village of Olden maintains a population of only 500 but is a major tourist area.   In 2019, the port of Olden accommodated 102 cruise ships.   

 

I arrived in Olden on Monday June 5, 2023 aboard the Norwegian Star but because the Queen Mary 2 was also in port that same day, we anchored offshore and boarded a tender to the cruise dock. 

Queen Mary 2 docked / Norwegian Stsr anchored

So one would ask - With a population of only 500 what is there to do in Olden?  

Olden is a very popular hiking destination.  Briksdalsbreen Glacier is just 16 mi to the south. 

Birksdalsbreen Glacier

 

The Briksdal Glacier is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area. The glacier tongue descends from the massive ice field into the valley below, where it can be seen up close by taking a short hike. If you are interested in taking the local bus to the Birksdale Glacier take bus #115.  It takes 40 minutes and leaves daily at 10:05am and returns from the glacier at 2:30pm.  Tickets will run $3-$6 and you can purchase your tickets directly from the driver. 

Briksdalsbreen is an arm of Jostedalsbreen Glacier, the largest glacier in mainland Europe and the largest ice cap in Norway.  

In Olden you can also find the Loen Skylift.  Unfortunately on the day of my visit it was extremely overcast with zero visability so I made the decision to not take the lift.  If you decide to try it, check out visability first via their webcam.

Loen Skylift

 

The village of Olden was first settled in the 17th century and is noted for two major churches.  The white Old Olden Church was built in 1759.

Old Olden Church dated 1759

 

 

The 'red' Olden Church built in 1934.  

 

The port is a ten-minute walk from the center of the city with a paved path that runs along the road.  Small shops and grocery stores can be found along the way. 

 

From the Norwegian Star tender I stepped onto the Olden pier at 9:15am and walked to where the Queen Mary 2 was docked. Parked at the dock was the local train tour.    

Local tour train

 

Tickets were 300NOK or $28.23USD per person for the scenic 1 hr 10 minute ride and you can purchase tickets from the driver using a credit card. 

I got off the train at the city center.  

Olden City Center

 Here you can find local shops and restaurants.  I walked to the Yris Kafe to enjoy a leisurely lunch and sample a local beer. 

 

Talking with an Olden local I discovered there is a local bus stop next to the Olden School that picks ups at 2:08pm and goes to the nearby town of Stryn Rutebilstasjon. The trip takes 20 minutes and returns at 2:08pm.  

 

I returned to the shopping center and re-boarded the red train back to the cruise pier.  I was back in the cabin before 2:00pm.  My step meter registered 5,709 steps for the day – 2.4 miles.