For over a hundred years, the Austerdalsbreen Glacier at Veitastrond, along with the hanging glaciers Loke, Odín and Tor, has been known as one of Europe’s most beautiful ice landscapes. Map to use: Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalpark 1:50000.
The hike from Tungestølen Mountain Cabins along the Austerdalen Valley, where the Austerdalsbreen Glacier is located at the innermost part of the valley, runs through a combination of flat and hilly terrain.
Translation reviewed by Norah Kroken
INFORMATION ABOUT ROADS – Remember that many of the roads in Western Norway are prone to landslides and avalanches, especially in rainy and snowy weather. The road to Veitastrond is one of these exposed roads.
Austerdalsbreen Glacier
NOTE – These photos of the Austerdalsbreen glacier were taken several years ago. Since then, Austerdalsbreen has melted significantly. As a result, the glacier front has retreated several hundred metres compared to the position shown in the photos in this article.
The Austerdalsbreen Glacier is an offshoot of the larger glacier, Jostedalsbreen. The glacier is located in the Austerdalen Valley which is at the innermost part of Veitastrond.
To reach this destination you must drive on a 30 kilometer long road from Hafslo, a place a little outside of Sogndal. This road runs alongside the beautiful Lake Veitastrondsvatnet so if you’re not particularly a fan of car rides the scenery will make up for it.
From Veitastrond you will keep driving and take the private toll-road, that is approximately 4-5 kilometers long, that leads to the modern day mountain lodge Tungestølen.
The hike – Austerdalen Valley and Austerdalsbreen Glacier
From the parking lot below Tungestølen you have about a two hour walk to the Austerdalsbreen Glacier. You can also start the hike from Tungestølen Mountain Lodge, which is located on a hill just above this parking area.
Now that may seem a little daunting but it’s a very scenic and easy hike. This is due to the fact it is mostly flat terrain. There is an expectation of a few small hills but they are all very doable. You may also come across some moraines, mass of rocks and sediment, that have been created by the glacier due to weathering and erosion but again it’s doable to walk across.
NOTE – At the beginning of the flat terrain, you have to cross a small stream/river. In case of high water flow, typically during or after heavy rain, it can be difficult and sometimes impossible to get over this exposed area.
From the viewpoint at the top of the hill, you can see the three glaciers (Loke, Odín, and Tor) hanging down from the plateau glacier Jostedalsbreen. Together they create the beautiful Austerdalsbreen Glacier.
During the past few years, the glacier has actually retracted several hundred meters. Because of this, the amount of crevasses or deep cracks have increased. This makes access more difficult and more dangerous than it was just a few years ago. Guide is always recommended if you are walking on the glacier.
NOTE – It can be highly dangerous to hike beside the glacier and the glacial lake in front of it. This is due to the risk of falling rocks, debris and rock avalanches from the steep mountainside above.
It is encouraged that one admires the beauty of the glacier from distance, from the viewpoint at the top of the hill before reaching the glacier. This is where the hike ends, at the viewpoint where you have the cairn with the plaque made of metal with the inscription with Slingsby´s quote: …“the finest ice scenery in Europe” (see picture to the left).
The top of the hill, with the plaque, was located around 200 meters from the glacier in year 2020 (This will vary. In year 2020, this was the approximately distance, and the glacier is melting and retracting fast now). It is important that one NEVER hikes in front of the glacier!
The hike back from the glacier is on the same scenic trail as you came.
Warning – Glaciers are Dangerous
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 some 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.
– The finest ice scenery in Europe
The three hanging glaciers, Loke, Odín and Tor, joins in the Austerdalen Valley to form the Austerdalsbreen Glacier, all of which have their origins from the Jostedalsbreen Glacier.
Austerdalsbreen has a distinctive medial moraine which is created by the two glaciers Odín and Tor.
The glacier also has a distinctive pattern of dark and light areas, which can be seen most clearly at a distance. These patterns across the glacier (the geological term Ogives) actually come from the seasons and show the difference between summer and winter and how ice is accumulated at these times.
The Austerdalsbreen Glacier along with the three hanging glaciers Loke, Odín and Tor have all been recognized for being “The finest ice scenery in Europe”.
This was the phrase uttered by the famous climbing pioneer William Cecil Slingsby when he, together with Glacier-guide Mikkel Mundal from Fjærland, visited the valley for the first time and saw the spectacular glacier icefalls.
Drone-photos of Austerdalsbreen Glacier
Photos from the hike back from the Austerdalsbreen Glacier
Lustrafjord – What to See and Do
Luster in Indre Sogn is one of the most beautiful areas in Norway, where the Lustrafjord meets the top of Norway with its many mountains and glaciers. From Solvorn you can take the small ferry across the Lustrafjord to Ornes and visit Urnes Stave Church and see the mighty Feigefossen waterfall that reveals itself in the spring. Locals claim that the mountain Molden has the best view in Luster. The Lustrafjord is an arm of the Sognefjord and is located in the middle of Western Norway.
Visit Sognefjord
Visit Sognefjord is the official destination company for the Sognefjord area.
The Lustrafjord – Hotels and Accommodation
Jostedal – Jostedal Hotell
Jostedal – Jostedal Camping
Fortun/Hurrungane – Turtagrø Hotel
Fortun/Skjolden – Vassbakken Kro og Camping
Skjolden – Skjolden Hotel
Skjolden – Skjolden Resort
Lustrafjord – Sørheim Fjordpanorama
Luster – Dalsøren Camping
Luster – Luster Fjordhytter
Luster – Nes Gard
Marifjøra – Tørvis Hotel
Marifjøra – Marifjøra Sjøbuer
Mollandsmarki – Heil pao kanten
Ornes – Urnes Gard
Ornes – Kroken Gard
Ornes – Feriehus på Ornes
Solvorn – Walaker Hotell in Solvorn
Solvorn – Eplet Hostel & Juicefabrikk
Solvorn – Villa Solvorn
Hafslo – BesteBakken Exclusivity and Well Being
Hafslo – Eikum Hotel
Veitastrond/Tungestølen – Tungestølen Turisthytte
The Lustrafjord – Useful Links
Skjolden – Where fjord meets the mountains: Skjolden.com
Activities in Luster: Visit Skjolden
Solvorn – The idyllic village by the Lustrafjord
The UNESCO Protected Urnes Stave Church
Ferry across the Lustrafjord: Lustrabaatane
Glacier Guiding on Nigardsbreen Glacier: Jostedalen Breførarlag
Breheimsenteret Glacier Center in Jostedal: Breheimsenteret
Mountain Hotel in the Hurrungane Mountains: Turtagrø Hotel
Sognefjellet National Tourist Route: Norwegian Scenic Routes
Guided Kayak Tours, Mountain Hikes and Ski Tours in Luster: Landmark Adventures
Guided Motor Boat Tours at Lake Styggevatnet: Ice Troll