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.
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).
GUIDING – You can also join a ride to the glacier in a “Troll Car”.
SEASON – July to September, these are approximate dates that depends on the weather, temperature and the amount of snow in the mountains..
SAFETY IN THE MOUNTAINS – 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 check the Weather Forecast before you go hiking. For safety reasons it is recommended to avoid hiking in Thunderstorms, in fog, in bad weather and when it is snow and ice on the trail and in the mountain! Always bring good clothes and hiking shoes. And have enough food and water in your rucksack.
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 and avalanches, especially in rainy and snowy weather. 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 trail ends when you arrive the glacial lake. It is recommended not to walk further inwards along the lake due to the steep terrain and the risk of landslides and avalanches from the terrain and the glacier.
The hike takes around one hour each way on a well prepared trail.
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”.
Read more about safety on and near glaciers.
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.
Accommodation in Stryn, Loen and Olden
Accommodation in Stryn and Oppstryn
Hjelle Hotell at Hjelle in Oppstryn
Cabins at Glomnes at Hjelle in Oppstryn
Stryn Hotel in Stryn
Visnes Historic Hotel in Stryn
Stryn Camping in Stryn
Strynsvatn Camping in Oppstryn
Lidasanden by Lake Oppstrynsvatnet
Accommodation in Loen
Hotel Alexandra in Loen
Hotel Loenfjord in Loen
Sande Camping by Lake Lovatnet
Loenvatn Feriesenter by Lake Lovatnet
Sandeåsen Feriehytter by Lake Lovatnet
Kjenndalstova at the inner part of Lake Lovatnet
Accommodation in Olden
Oldevatn Camping
Aabrekk Gard in Oldedalen
Melkevoll Bretun Camping
Yrineset by Lake Oldevatnet
Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge
Olden Camping Gryti
Olden Fjordhotel in Olden
Loen and Olden – Useful Links
Gondola in Loen – Loen Skylift
Adventure Company in Loen – Loen Active
Briksdal Adventure Adventure in Olden – Briksdal Adventure