Briksdalsbreen Glacier in Olden, Nordfjord, is an arm of the Jostedalsbreen Glacier. The hike from Briksdalen Valley to the glacier is one of most scenic hikes in Norway. Map to use: Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalpark 1:50000.

The three kilometer long hike starts at Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge, the hike takes around one hour each way.

Hiking - Safety, Responsibility and Season

The nature in Norway is beautiful but also dangerous. It is important to read about your own responsibility and how to explore the Norwegian nature in a safe way.

BEFORE YOU GO HIKING – THE NORWEGIAN MOUNTAIN CODE
NOTE! The weather can change dramatically in the Norwegian mountains. This is why you should follow the Norwegian Mountain Code when hiking in Norway. It can change from summer and sunny weather to winter and frost in minutes! Always bring good clothes and hiking shoes. And have enough food and water in your rucksack. We recommend you to join a Guided Tour.

NOTE! Most of the hikes described on this website are intended for experienced hikers that know the area. We recommend to use a map and compass when hiking in Norway. It often happens that the mountain areas in Norway is shrouded in fog.

SEASON & WEATHER: Season is depending on temperature and snow. Seasons mentioned on this website are approximately dates. It is recommended to avoid hiking if there are ice and snow in the terrain and on the trails. Always make your own evaluation about the danger of landslides before and during the hike. Always check the weather before you go hiking. For safety reasons it is recommended to avoid hiking in Thunderstorms and in fog and bad weather!

Use the information you find on fjords.com at your own risk and your own responsibility. Errors and omissions may occur. Always make your own evaluation. Adapt your own risk to your own skills and by choosing where, when and how you travel. Fjords.com is not a guide or a travel planner, and the information on the pages should not be used accordingly. Marked and mentioned routes are not accurate and will also often change for various reasons, always look for updated information.

Visit Nordfjord

Visit Nordfjord is the official destination company for the Nordfjord area.

About season and other important information

GRADING: Medium. ALTITUDE DIFFERENCE: This hike starts at approximately 160 masl (Briksdalsbre Fjellstove). Highest point at approximately 350 masl (the glacier lake).

GUIDE – We recommend the use of a guide on hikes described on this website.

SEASON – July to September, depending on temperature and snow.

The road along Oldedalen Valley to Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge

From Olden, drive the Oldedalen Valley along Lake Oldevatnet in Nordfjord towards Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge where you can park your car. It is difficult to drive this road without having several photo stops. Beautiful and wild scenery everywhere.

Important information about roads in western Norway: Remember that many roads in western Norway are prone to landslides, especially in rainy and snowy weather. This may include rock falls, rockslides, landslides, debris flows, mud flows, erosion, snow avalanches and rock avalanches. Some of the roads are particularly well-known for their high level of mass movements exposed over them. The roads along lake Lovatnet and lake Oldevatnet are two of these exposed roads. Winter tires are required in winter. Read more about Tyre Requirements in Norway…

Hike to Briksdalsbreen Glacier

The trail to Briksdalsbreen Glacier starts at Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge at the innemost part of the Briksdal Valley. The trail is surrounded by beautiful and wild nature, with steep mountains, wild rivers and waterfalls everywhere. The altitude difference from the start to the end of the trail by the glacier lake is 200 meters.

The last years, the Briksdalsbreen Glacier has retreated several hundred meters. But you can still see the glacier hanging steep down from the Jostedalsbreen Glacier which is the largest glacier in the European mainland. And the green chartreuse colour on the glacial lake is worth the hike alone.

The hike takes around one hour each way on a well prepared trail.

Guiding: You can also join a ride to the glacier in a “Troll Car”.

Safety in and near Glaciers

Do not walk on a glacier without guide. It is also very important that one never hikes in front of a glacier. It is encouraged that one admires the beauty of a glacier from a safe distance.

The last years there have been some fatal accidents by the foot of Norwegian glaciers. A glacier is like a river in “slow motion”, glaciers are always moving. This causes the gacier to calv now and then, and sometimes the Glacial River will accumulate under the glacier and come out as a “tsunami”.

Nordfjord – What to See and Do

The glaciers, fjords, sea and mountains in the Nordfjord area have some of the finest scenery Norway has to offer. Stryn Summerski, Hjelle and Segestad in Oppstryn, Rakssetra between Stryn and Loen, Loen Skylift and Via Ferrata, Briksdalsbreen Glacier in Olden, Lodalen Valley with Lake Lovatnet and Oldedalen Valley with Lake Oldevatnet are all must-visit places when you are in the inner part of Nordfjord. Vågsøy with Kråkenes Lighthouse and Kannesteinen, West Cape, Hoddevik and Bremangerlandet with the Grotlesanden and Vetvika Beaches are some of the most beautiful coastal landscapes in Norway. Hjelle Hotel in Oppstryn, Hotel Alexandra in Loen and Knutholmen in Kalvåg are all great places to stay. Nordfjord is located in the northern part of the county of Vestland, in the centre of Western Norway.