Welcome to Briksdalen
The History
The Briksdal Glacier is one of Norway's most visited nature attractions, with about 300,000 annual visitors.
Most locals are farmers - as has been their way of life for centuries. In the mid-19th century, however, tourism increased in the region, and farmers found new opportunities. It was a humble beginning, with only a handful of wealthy Europeans venturing into the wilderness without any roads before them.
Soon, a new gravel road stretched through the valley from Rustøen dock to Briksdalen, and the hidden pearl of Nordfjord became gradually more accessible. The path ahead from Briksdalsbre Fjellstove was yet to be expanded, and in the 1920’s the farmers set out to build a road capable of transporting tourists by horse. Naturally, they had to do it by hand since no modern equipment was available to them.
By 1928 the farmers had done it - long before the road from Olden had been made. In those days, travelers went by boat across the lake from Eide to Rustøen dock, located at the very end. There they were greeted by friendly farmers, who were ready to guide them by horse and carriage.
Halfway through the 20th century, it was time for a change. The road from Olden had been finalized and was ready to attract travelers from far and wide. There was no longer a need for transport through the valley, therefore the service was restricted to Briksdalen exclusively.
The Fjord Horse had long been a trademark for the small village, having brought hundreds of thousands to see the glacier. In 1993, to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary, the Norwegian King and Queen brought royal families from all over Europe to visit Briksdalen, amongst other beautiful locations.
Briksdalen would forever change in 2004 when the farmers chose to move on from the traditional fjord horse to the brand-new troll cars. Not only were they just as safe, but the increased capacity enabled more tourists to experience the beautiful national park. 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of Oldedalen Skysslag, and today the troll cars bring over a thousand tourists daily in the summer season.
Departures
09:00
09:45
10:15
11:00
11:45
12:15
13:00
13:45
14:15
15:00
15:45
16:15
17:00
Troll Cars
Tickets per person
One Way - NOK 170 / €15
Round Trip - NOK 280 / €30
Embark on the world-famous ride to the Briksdal Glacier. Your journey starts at Briksdalsbre Fjellstove, a 10-minute drive from the dome. The trip takes about 90 minutes, whereas 45 are at the top, enabling hiking and exploring the national park. Normally this is the perfect amount since you still have 700 metres to the end point. The troll cars are in high demand during summer, so a reservation is strongly recommended.
The cars are equipped with seven seats; six in the back, and one by the driver. The cars run on biofuel, a more sustainable alternative. All the drivers are local and are glad to answer questions about Briksdalen.
Explore other hikes in the valley