Experiences
Glacier hiking in Norway: walking on the ice at Jostedalsbreen
Blue crevasses, ice creaking under your crampons and a silence you only find on a glacier. How to experience Norway’s glaciers, from Nigardsbreen and Briksdalsbreen to Folgefonna, and where to stay.
Ice is not white. It is blue, turquoise and almost black in the crevasses, and it creaks under your crampons. The guide stops and cuts a step with the ice axe. Around you there is only ice and mountains, and somewhere beneath your feet meltwater runs through tunnels you will never see.
Norway has some of Europe’s most accessible glaciers, and Jostedalsbreen is the largest on the European mainland. Here are the places where you can walk on the ice with a guide, see it up close and stay nearby.
The links to the hotels and experiences are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
What a glacier hike is like
You never walk on a glacier alone. There are hidden crevasses, and conditions change from day to day. With a certified glacier guide you get crampons, a harness and rope, and a briefing before you step onto the ice. Short family walks take two to three hours, while longer hikes can take a full day.
Season: June to September, depending on the glacier and the snow.
Gear: stiff-soled hiking boots, wind and rain gear, gloves and sunglasses. Crampons are provided.
Age: many family tours take children from around seven. Check with the operator.
Book the experience: See tours and activities in Loen and Nordfjord
The best glaciers to visit in Norway
Nigardsbreen in Jostedalen
Nigardsbreen is Norway’s best known glacier for hiking. From the Breheimsenteret visitor centre in Jostedalen you walk or take a boat across the glacial lake to the ice front, where the guided hikes begin. Options range from short family walks to long days up the icefall.
Briksdalsbreen in Olden
Briksdalsbreen hangs down towards a green valley at the end of Oldedalen. The path up to the lake in front of the glacier is easy and suits the whole family, but walking on the ice is not allowed here. Kjenndalsbreen in Loen is another beautiful destination.
Bøyabreen and the Glacier Museum in Fjærland
In Fjærland you can drive almost all the way to Bøyabreen, and the Norwegian Glacier Museum explains how glaciers form and why they are shrinking. The village is also known for its second-hand bookshops.
Folgefonna in Hardanger
Folgefonna is Norway’s third largest glacier, and its arms reaching down towards Hardanger are popular for glacier hikes. In summer there is also a ski centre on the glacier.
Where to stay near the glaciers
Jostedal Hotel
Jostedal Hotel lies in the valley below Nigardsbreen.
Jostedal Hotel
Jostedal Hotel sits in Jostedalen, a short drive from Nigardsbreen and the visitor centre. It is a family-run hotel with breakfast included, perfect for the night before your glacier hike.
Book your stay: See rooms at Jostedal Hotel
Hotel Alexandra
The spa at Hotel Alexandra in Loen.
Hotel Alexandra, Loen
Hotel Alexandra sits on the Nordfjord in Loen, right by the Loen Skylift and a short drive from Kjenndalsbreen and Briksdalsbreen. It has a spa and pools, and is one of Norway’s best known fjord hotels.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Alexandra
Hotel Loenfjord
Loenfjord sits by the fjord in Loen, close to the Skylift and the glaciers at the head of the valley. A slightly more affordable alternative to the Alexandra, from the same family of hotels.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Loenfjord
Turtagrø Hotel
Turtagrø sits high on the Sognefjell mountain road, with the Hurrungane peaks right outside. It is a classic climbing and mountain hotel, and a fine base for glacier trips in Jotunheimen and Jostedalen.
Book your stay: See rooms at Turtagrø Hotel
When is the best time for glacier hiking in Norway?
From June to September, when the guided hikes run. July and August bring the most stable conditions. Early in the season snow may cover the ice, while late in the season the ice is bare and the crevasses more visible.
Glacier hiking in Norway FAQ
Where can you go glacier hiking in Norway?
Nigardsbreen in Jostedalen is the best known, but there are also guided hikes on Folgefonna in Hardanger and other arms of Jostedalsbreen.
Can you hike on a glacier without a guide?
No, you should never walk on a glacier without a certified guide. Glaciers have hidden crevasses and change constantly.
What is the largest glacier in Norway?
Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier on the European mainland, with more than 20 arms including Nigardsbreen and Briksdalsbreen.
Can you walk on Briksdalsbreen?
No, walking on Briksdalsbreen is not allowed, but the path to the glacial lake in front of it is easy and popular.
Where should I stay for glacier hiking in Norway?
Jostedal Hotel is closest to Nigardsbreen. In Loen, Hotel Alexandra and Hotel Loenfjord are good choices, and Turtagrø sits high on the Sognefjell road.