Lunch on the Edge: Experiencing Mount Hoven and the Loen Skylift from Olden Port

Loen Skylift & Beyond: The Perfect Independent Olden Cruise Port Guide Itinerary

Our second stop on the Holland America MS Rotterdam cruise was the picturesque village of Olden. While many passengers head straight south to the Briksdal Glacier, we opted for a completely different adventure. As avid wintersport enthusiasts who spend plenty of time skiing and snowboarding, we wanted a break from the winter conditions and explicitly chose to avoid the snow. Instead, we decided to go for a scenic summer hike on Mount Hoven. We took the spectacular Loen Skylift up to the summit and enjoyed an incredible day on top of the world—completely independently.

Here is exactly how we organised our flawless cruise day in port, combining dramatic mountain heights with a serene village walk.

How to Visit the Loen Skylift from Olden Cruise Port

The Loen Skylift is located in the neighbouring village of Loen, just 6 kilometers northeast of the pier. To get there, we pre-booked a shuttle bus and Loen Skylift combo ticket online through a local independent operator, Olden Adventure.

The shuttle bus met us right outside the cruise terminal gates in Olden for a quick, 10-minute drive along the edge of the turquoise Innvikfjorden. Our ticket conveniently included both the round-trip bus ride and the cable ride journey up to the top of Mount Hoven, which sits at 1,011 meters (3,317 feet) above sea level.

Because there were two cruise ships in port that day, the queue at the cable car base station was quite long. However, finally boarding one of the steepest cable cars in the world and watching the fjord rapidly drop away with Mount Hoven waiting for us was well worth the wait.

💡 What to Wear: Even in July, mountain weather can change on a dime. When we arrived, the day started with grey clouds and light showers that luckily disappeared after about thirty minutes. However, it can get incredibly windy and cold up at 1,011 meters. We highly recommend packing a windproof, insulated light jacket and dressing in layers so you can easily adjust to the summit elements.

Hiking and Lunch at Mount Hoven

Once at the top, the panoramic 210-degree views over both the Nordfjord and the vibrant turquoise waters of Lake Lovatnet were spectacular. We set off on the Hoven Summit loop, a 2.8-kilometer trail we mapped out using Komoot, our go-to app for hiking when we travel.

While the sun eventually came out to grant us ideal hiking conditions with crisp mountain air, the terrain requires proper preparation. The initial paths near the station are flat and gravel-paved, but about half of this specific loop transitions into a rugged landscape of loose stones and rocky climbs. Because of the uneven climbing sections, the loop took us about 1 hour to complete. The massive benefit to choosing this rugged path was that it was much less crowded than the standard gravel routes, and we even got to cross paths with some of the local resident mountain goats along the way.

After building up an appetite, we had lunch at the Hoven Restaurant, a spectacular architectural venue built right on the cliff edge. We had booked our table online in advance to secure a prime window seat, and it was worth it—though the amphitheater-style seating throughout the venue looks great from any angle. I ordered the creamy fish soup, and the flavours were absolutely delicious. Enjoying an exceptional meal while looking through floor-to-ceiling glass windows at the MS Rotterdam resting far below in the fjord was a true core memory of the trip.

Tip: If you visit in peak season (July), to secure a front window seat, try to book your table well in advance or head in slightly before the standard lunch rush!

Hiking to the Church, River Crossings, and Outlet Shopping in Olden

When the shuttle bus dropped us back in Olden, our adventure wasn’t over. We decided to explore the local village on foot, embarking on an approximate 5 km loop walk that offered beautiful views over the valley.

We walked down first to the historic Olden Old Church. Built in 1759 on the site of an ancient stave church, this whitewashed wooden structure features a cozy, cottage-style interior with its original pews. From there, we continued along the valley to the “New” Olden Church (built in 1934), eventually crossing the roaring glacial river via a charming wooden footbridge.

As we strolled through the quiet fields back toward the village center, we noticed many traditional sheds with grass roofs—a unique feature we saw everywhere throughout the fjords. The contrast of these historic structures and the vibrant village houses painted in mustard yellow, cobalt blue, and striking red against the massive green mountains was incredibly photogenic.

Back in the center near the pier, we wrapped up our afternoon at the Olden outlet shops. While I didn’t buy anything myself, the Dutchman picked up some premium outdoor brand hoodies to remember our trip by.

After a successful day of independent exploring, we boarded the MS Rotterdam just in time for sailaway. Relaxing on deck as the ship glided away from Olden, we watched the towering mountains and colorful village fade into the distance. Managing the entire day completely on our own terms proved that you don’t need an expensive ship excursion to experience the absolute best of the Norwegian fjords.

🗺️ Catch Up on the Holland America Fjords Cruise Series!

If you missed any of our previous independent cruise port guides, check out the first three spokes of the journey below before our ultimate cruise directory and hub review drops very soon:

• Spoke 1: Eidfjord Port at Your Own Pace – Vøringsfossen waterfall, SkyBridge, and skillingsboller at Vik Bakery
• Spoke 2: Lunch on the Edge in Olden – Riding the steep Loen Skylift, hiking Mount Hoven, and cliffside dining (this post!)
• Spoke 3: A Discerning Guide to Ålesund – Art Nouveau architecture, climbing Mount Aksla, and fresh harbor cod
• Spoke 4: Exploring Bergen Cruise Port Independently – Fløibanen Funicular, Fisketorget fish market, and the colorful Nordnes Peninsula

Happy Travels!

With love from Jo

Travel Period: July 2026
Olden – Loen, Vestland County (Western Norway), Norway
Holland America – Fjords Cruise