In the municipality of Stryn in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway, you’ll find the little village of Olden. Olden is situated on the southern bank of the Nordfjorden, at the mouth of the Oldeelva River, near the northern end of the Oldedalen Valley. Olden has a port where cruise ships may dock, and it’s fascinating to observe the slower pace of life compared to major cities throughout the world. From the dock, you can reach the heart of town in about ten minutes on foot. Even though Olden is the most popular port in the Nordfjord, cruise ships are also welcome in Maloy, Selje, Nordfjordeid, and Sandane. Each of these towns has its own unique set of activities and excursions to offer visitors.
Because of the abundance of glaciers in the area, there are many green lakes and waterfalls. Shore excursions in Olden are often described as a step back in time due to the town’s traditional wooden homes, lush forests, and hospitable locals. Most of the locals are farmers; thus, life there is peaceful and uncommercialized.
As far as residents of the Olden Valley are concerned, winter is always just around the corner. The Jostedalsbre, or Jostedals glacier, is the largest glacier in mainland Europe. Its multiple arms encompass an area of 487 square kilometers and surround the little town of Olden on three sides. Glacial lakes, thundering waterfalls, and jagged peaks provide a striking contrast to the tranquil lowlands and well-kept farmland below. Briksdal is the most well-known glacier arm of the Jostedal Glacier, and a visit there is highly recommended. Lake Olden and its stunning waterfalls are also accessible.
The breathtaking Briksdal Glacier, one of Norway’s best-known natural attractions, only adds to the town’s appeal. Part of the Jostedalsbreen glacier, the Briksdal glacier (Briksdalsbreen), may be found in the Jostedalsbreen National Park. When you arrive there, the glacier and national park are both free to explore. A bus ride from Olden to the welcome center takes about 45 minutes; once there, visitors have the choice of hiking to within 10 minutes of the glacier or paying to ride a troll car.
The Briksdal Glacier is the most well-known of the Jostedal Glacier’s many icy arms, and it offers visitors the chance to witness the glacial waterfall it has created over the course of the last million years. One of the best ways to see the stunning Lodalen Valley is from a boat on the emerald waters of Lovatn Lake or the wild waters of Kjenndalen. Jostedal Glacier has several big arms, one of which is Kjenndal Glacier. Located amid picturesque scenery on the shores of Lake Stryn, the visitor center for Jostedalsbreen National Park gives in-depth information about the glacier through videos and other exhibits.
