Briksdahl Glacier by Troll Car

Ride an open-air vehicle playfully known as a troll car to Briksdal Glacier, a massive tongue of ancient ice that has receded at a slower rate than other European glaciers.

Enjoy a wonderfully scenic drive through the fertile Olden Valley, at times following the shore of beautiful Lake Olden. Along the way, you will pass several small farms where crops such as barley flourish in the rich soil. The landscape has long attracted sightseers, and the farmers often offered them rides on horse-drawn carriages. That tradition carried on for more than 100 years, until the recent introduction of troll cars. These small, open-air vehicles resemble golf carts, albeit ones that can easily climb the mountainous terrain in this part of Norway. Playfully named for the trolls so prevalent in Norse mythology, the cars provide a comfortable means for you to reach Briksdal Glacier.

You will drive within a half mile of the glacier and can walk closer if you choose. Either way, this massive branch of the even larger Jostedal Glacier is a magnificent sight. While standing nearby, you can easily see how the powerful force of the moving ice has shaped the landscape over the centuries. At its thickest part, Briksdal Glacier is nearly a quarter mile deep. Because it’s one of Norway’s most accessible glaciers, you may spot hikers and other adventurers on its icy surface. Afterwards, you will stop for a hot beverage before returning to the pier.