NIGARDSBREEN GLACIER IN JOSTEDALEN

Nigardsbreen Glacier in Jostedal is one of the easiest accessible glaciers in the fjords area in Western Norway. A short boat trip and a short hike, and you stand by the foot of the glacier. Map to use: Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalpark 1:50000.

We joined a Short Blue Ice Hike on the glacier, and had a great experience in wild and beautiful surroundings. See the pictures and video further down in the article.

 

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
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 Guided Tours when hiking in Norway.

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: Seasons mentioned on this website are approximately dates and are dependent on temperature and snow. Hikes mentioned in this website have different seasons. See links to the various hikes to read more about the hikes and season. 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 and avalanches 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 Sognefjord

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

About season and other important information

SEASON – Glacier Guiding from 15 May to 25 September. The mentioned season are approximate dates and may deviate from this, depending on temperature, snow and local conditions. See Jostedalen Breførarlag´s Website for updated information about the season when booking glacier tours.

NOTE – You must always join a Guided Tour on Nigardsbreen Glacier. Do not walk on the glacier without guide.

NOTE – The glacier is barriered off in a good distance from the tongue of the glacier. Crossing the barriers is at great risk, never cross the barriers.

Guided Glacier Hikes on Nigardsbreen Glacier

The hikes on Nigardsbreen Glacier can be done in small or large groups. All hikes on the glacier are guided by experienced guides, and all necessary equipment are provided. Some of the hikes you can choose between are Short or Long Blue Ice Hike and Special Blue Ice Hike. You can also choose the KIDS SPECIAL which is a more challenging hike, for sporty and adventurous kids.

Age limit on Glacier Hikes on the Nigardsbreen Glacier is minimum 8, 10 or 12 years old, depending on which glacier hike you choose. It is recommended to book Glacier Hikes in advance at Jostedal Breførarlag. At Breheimsenteret Glacier Center in Jostedal, more information are provided about the activities, the glacier and the surrounding area.

Glacier Bus from Sogndal

You can join the Glacier Bus from Sogndal to Jostedal if you do not have a car, there are several daily departures during the season.

About Nigardsbreen Glacier

The Nigardsbreen Glacier is a glacier arm of the Jostedalsbreen Glacier, the larges ice-cap in continental Europe. The Glacier is situated by Lake Nigardsbrevatnet at Gjerde, a side valley to the Jostedal Valley. Between year 1700 and 1750, the Nigardsbreen Glacier expanded more than four kilometers.

During the last years, from around 1930, the glacier has been retracting. Between the Glacier Center and Lake Nigardsbrevatnet you can see several morains from the retreat of the glacier. The road to the Glacier Lake goes through many of the moraines, so you are able to see some cross sections of the moraines from the road.

Safety on 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.

Nigardsbreen Glacier: The last years there have been some fatal accidents by the foot of the Nigardsbreen glacier. 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”.

Due to the danger, some of the glaciers, like Nigardsbreen Glacier, are barriered off in a good distance from the tongue of the glacier. Crossing the barriers is at great risk, never cross the barriers.

Read more about safety on and near glaciers…

Lustrafjord – What to See and Do

The Lustrafjord and Luster area is deemed to be one of the most beautiful spots in the country. It is where the fjords meet the top of Norway and the mountains and glaciers never end. There are many wonderful and exciting things to see and do there. The oldest historical hotel, the Walaker Hotel, is located here. Visit the world heritage protected Urnes Stave Church and see the mighty Feigefossen waterfall that reveals itself in the spring. The hike to Mt Molden gives you a fantastic view both inwards and outwards the Lustrafjord. Nigardsbreen glacier in Jostedal and Austerdalsbreen glacier at Veitastrond are two of the most beautiful and most easily accessible glaciers in Norway. Mørkridsdalen and Fortunsdalen are two classic areas for mountain hikes near Skjolden, which is located in the innermost part of the Lustrafjord. Drive Sognefjellet National Tourist Route. Along the road is Turtagrø Hotel where you will get information and guide to Hurrungane which is one of Norway’s wildest mountain areas. Stay at Skjolden Hotel, a great hotel with short-travelled food and beer. The Lustrafjord is a branch of the 204 kilometer long Sognefjord.

The Lustrafjord – Accommodation

Jostedalen – Jostedal Hotell
Jostedalen – Jostedal Camping
Fortun/Hurrungane – Turtagrø Hotel
Skjolden – Skjolden Hotel
Skjolden – Skjolden Resort
Lustrafjord – Sørheim Fjordpanorama
Luster – Dalsøren Camping
Luster – Luster Fjordhytter
Luster – Nes Gard
Marifjøra – Marifjøra Sjøbuer
Mollandsmarki – Heil pao kanten
Norway’s oldest hotelWalaker Hotell in Solvorn
Bed & Breakfast in Solvorn – Eplet Hostel & Juicefabrikk
Bed & Breakfast in Solvorn – Villa Solvorn
Exclusivity and well-being at HafsloBesteBakken
Tungestølen at Veitastrond – Tungestølen Turisthytte

The Lustrafjord – Useful Links

Skjolden – Where fjord meets the mountains: Skjolden.com
Activities in Luster: Visit Skjolden
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 Trip on the Lustrafjord: Fjordseal at Marifjøra
Guided Motor Boat Tours at Lake Styggevatnet: Ice Troll

FJORDS – Accommodation in Western Norway

Great Hotels in the Fjords of Norway
Bath and Spa Hotels in the Fjords of Norway
Fjords Living – Special Accommodation in the Fjords of Norway

FJORDS – Useful Links

Go Fjords – Big and Small Fjord Experiences
Visit Norway – Official page for Norway
Fjord Norway – Official page for Fjord Norway

Hiking to Nigardsbreen Glacier – Map Overview