Part of the Jostedalsbreen in Norway. Hike and glacier walk across Norways Svalbard archipelago while keeping an eye out for polar bears, 10 Tips for Hiking in Sub Zero Conditions - Much Better Adventures Magazine, Hiking in the cold is different to hiking in the warmth. Up Norway - Bespoke luxury tailored by insiders. Svartisen The glaciers of Svalbard A glacier dictionary Where are Norway's glaciers? It's a no-brainer. Briksdalsbreen: 264 Reviews, Map - Vestland, Norway | AllTrails The largest glacier in mainland Europe, and obviously in mainland Norway as well, is the picturesque Jostedalsbreen. What about kayaking in between icebergs on the lake in front of the glacier, then topping that with a walk on the glacier itself? Most trips to Svartisen begin in the town of Bod, in Nordland. Its a unique experience you will never forget. And is it best to wait and book it when you arrive? We shall start our tour by taking a look at the most easily accessible of all Norway's glaciers. We adapt each encounter with the glistening blue ice crystals according to the groups ambitions and abilities. Take your pick of our adventure holidays in Norway. That much is fairly simple, From the History Books, Switzerland, Hiking, Climbing, Mountaineering, Italy, The 10 Highest Mountains in South America, 15 Hen Do Ideas for Women Who Love Adventure, See all 329 posts Norway is Norway is home to several fascinating natural phenomena and it's quite honestly hard to choose which is the greatest. Le troll car devono essere prenotate online o si trovano sempre? You can even combine your trip to Larsbreen with a dog-sledding ride under the starry sky the ultimate Arctic adventure. Its an unforgettable experience. It has trails and tours to suit all levels of fitness, from multi-day mountain treks to gentle strolls around spectacular viewpoints. The hike is mostly a gradual uphill walk . While you may have the impression that glaciers are remote and difficult places to reach, that's not the case here. Takes about 45 minutes each way. The national park is characterised by high mountains, peaceful fjords and a range of unbelievably picturesque hiking trails. There are coachs availability from the Information Office for 475 NOK (38 gbp) or local buses also. Ciao, si pu raggiungere il ghiacciaio da Olden con lautobus ? Ordinarily, the trail is hikeable from mid-May to September (snow can render it inaccessible in winter). #1 of 17 things to do in Stryn Historic Sites Call Write a review What people are saying " Postcard Perfect " Jun 2023 We visited for a day off of a cruise ship and took the Olden Shuttle up to Briksdal glacier, definitely worth a visit. The most common trail is the 3km walk from the mountain lodge to the glacier. The Haute Route - Hgruta in Norwegian - is a real treat for hardcore ski touring enthusiasts. . Five days, eight glaciers, and seven 2000-meter summits! Here are our faves. Time is running out to see the best of Norway's epic glaciers, as their total area has reduced by around 12% in the last fifty years or so and all signs are pointing towards an acceleration of that because of climate change. Thank you for your help. Ricordi il costo? - For this reason, its always advised to travel with an experienced guide who knows the glacier well. See also: The ice cap at the centre of the Norwegian mountains is the largest glacier in continental Europe. {{?}} The walk up takes about five hours, while the descent takes two to three hours. Lets start this off with some hard facts: There are 2534 registered glaciers on mainland Norway, plus 2100 glaciers on Svalbard. My Nordic Travel Do It Yourself, make your own itinerary, Ski holidays in Rauland Go skiing in beautiful mountain nature, {{title}} The glacier is an arm of the largest glacier in mainland Europe, the Jostedal glacier, and lies on its north side. If we're going by visitor happiness, the hike up Vidasethovden is one of the best hikes in Norway. Some of the most popular tours start from the Fonna Glacier Ski Resort, reached by road from the fjord-side town of Jondal. From here the view will leave you utterly speechless, taking in the islands shaggy green cliffs that curve like a dragons backbone above scalloped bays of powder-white sand, fizzing into a sea fading from turquoise to sapphire blue. Had anybody been on them that can confirm this? At the Norwegian Glacier Museum and Ulltveit-Moe Climate Centre in Fjrland, you can learn about how the glaciers were formed, how they have shaped the landscape and the important role they play in climate research. From lakes and lidos to rivers and tidal pools, there are a surprising number of places to try wild swimming in a city. The main ice caps in Norway were created during a very cold period that ran from approximately 4100 BC to 500 BC. {{preprice}} A blue ice adventure for the whole family! The goal is to give you an experience you will never forget! It's also the place on this list with the least tourist traffic, although it's possible to rent kayaks or see the glacier arm from the fjord on a boat trip.Water from the glacier is collected and used for hydropower production. 28km (17.5 miles) round trip, 1012 hours, demanding. Let us know in the comment section below. Grazie, How early does it open/when is the first public bus from the cruise port to the park? Book your complete trip with the best companies only. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. Once youve reach Longyearbyen, most tour companies will offer transport to the Larsbreen glacier itself. Getting up here involves a gruelling, full-day ascent, but reaching the top is like standing at the edge of a diving board scary and heart-skippingly thrilling in equal measure. We were also in Olden on a P&O cruise but wanted to make our own way to the Glacier. 12 min read, 3 Jul 2023 The "wow" never leaves your lips on this short-but-sweet hike on the island of Vry (Vaeroy) in the Lofoten archipelago. The movement of these giant blocks is strong enough to carve up the earth. Price: Nigardsbreen is one of the easiest accessible glaciers in Norway hence it makes a perfect first glacier experience. The glacier is home to some particularly magical ice caves, where you can experience hanging icicles and sparkling snow crystals. The Nigard Glacier (as it's often referred to in English) is located west of the Jostedla river around 30km north of Gaupne in. The hike from Briksdalen Valley to the glacier is one of most scenic hikes in Norway. 4h 35m Briksdalsbreen is an arm of the great Jostedalsbreen Glacier in Norway, and it is a very popular destination. The glacier itself was better than I expected having read other reviews that were disappointed. Hikers from all over the world travel to Norway each year to see the incr With fjords, mountains, seascapes and in general the large variety of landscapes, its not surprising that Norway is among the most popular destinations for hikers and outdoors enthusiasts. Perhaps this is something they do on cruise visit days? On this Blue Ice Hike you will experience and learn how to use crampons and an ice axe, visit ice caves and learn all about . This should be called "here is where a glacier once was". Turn left off the cruise ship and walk about 200m and the bus stop is by a zebra crossing on the main road. The glacier is also an unforgettable place to explore on foot, with brilliant views out over Hardanger Fjord and the distant peaks of the Rosendal Alps. The highest point on the glacier is Hgste Breakulen and the highest mountain near it is Lodalskpa. The colours in the glacier are amazing. Folgefonna glacier, situated in the Hardanger region of western Norway, has been a popular tourist destination for nearly 200 years. There are free toilets at the glacier stop, shop and caf. Approximately 60% of the land mass is covered in permanent ice, and the largest ice caps are found on the eastern islands. Join our experienced mountain guides on a tour in the mountains with superb views over the beautiful fjord landscape in the middle of the Hardangerfjord. The site covers the whole Nordic region, from cool cities like Stockholm, Oslo, Gothenburg and Copenhagen, all the way north to the frozen reaches of Iceland and Swedish Lapland. You dont have be especially fit to go on a glacier walk, although previous experience of hiking in the mountains is an advantage. Here are some of the most common words and terms you might come across: Originally from the UK, David now lives in Trondheim and was the original founder of Life in Norway back in 2011. . The hike to the glacier is on a wide gravel path. Styggebreen translates inaptly as "ugly glacier", but as your guide will delight in telling you "stygg" in this context refers to local dialect meaning "dangerous". From mid-June to mid-August, guided six-hour blue ice hikes are held that, depending on conditions, allow access to some of the spectacular crevasses that slice through the ice. Nowadays it is a museum. Buses run from Sogndal to the Breheimsenteret Glacier Centre from the end of June until the end of August. Hit Norways fjords are picture perfect nuggets of nature at its unadulterated best. 8. Jostedalsbreen in Fjord Norway is the largest glacier in continental Europe, and a popular destination for summer skiing, hiking, snow shoeing, and ice climbing. Whether youre clambering up ludicrously sheer rock walls as dawn lights up the fjords, surmounting Alpine peaks on a hut-to-hut trek in a national park where wild reindeer roam, or testing every ounce of strength and stamina in your body on a long-distance hike in the arctic, Norway will win your heart with one-of-a-kind nature that can only be seen on foot. During weekends and holidays, the national park often fills up with hikers, skiers, kiters and in general outdoor enthusiasts. :pricing}} - An experience you never will forget! Some of our articles contain affiliate links. The glacier was visible before arriving at the small car/coach park, but a 10 minute walk through trees at the side of the main river running off the glacier brought us to a clear viewing area. Coming back down is quicker and there is ample time to catch the 1.30 bus back down into Olden. 8km (5 miles) round trip, 4 hours, moderate At the top of Norway's charts of don't-dare-look-down, gasp-out-loud, razor-edge rock formations is Pulpit Rock - a 604m-high (1981ft) finger of granite rock, hammered into shape by glacial forces during the last Ice Age. Thanks in advance! We are looking at going to the briksdal glacier, is there many local buses that you can get there? Okay, you're all psyched up to go glacier hiking. 8 great hiking tours in Norway by Amanda Tomlin With 41 national parks, dramatic mountain scenery and miles of forest paths and walking tracks, Norway is one of the world's best countries to go hiking. A Guide to Glacier Hiking in Norway - Culture Trip And I was totally unprepared for that. {{/pricing}}. Our top wish-listed weekend. The trail begins in Srland and its a steady march to the summit. Fantastic scenery and spectacular walk up past waterfalls. July 2020. Alongside this equipment, its also wise to bring along other items such as warm clothes (it's pretty chilly! That easy day trip that gives you much. There wasn't a bus stop or sign near where the ship docked but the shopkeeper in the souvenir shop (NOT the tourist information office, who tried to sell us their taxi service when we asked about the bus) directed us to it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Words of Norway tells the stories of Norway to the world, and helps Norwegian companies do the same. Youll head up a boulder-strewn trail that can be steep, boggy, windy and exposed in places, with no fences or barriers to stop you blowing off the cliffs. From the 451m (1480ft) summit of Hen, or Hheia, you might well ask yourself what magical forces were at play when this island was created. 12 Best Outdoor Adventures in Europe Jutting up above the blue ribbon of Lysefjord near Stavanger, this iconic fist of rock is phenomenally beautiful no matter the weather (rain, fog, snow you name it). 12 top tips for visiting Norway on a budget Sognefjorden and Hardangerfjorden in a nutshell, The Twist at Kistefos & Hadeland Glassworks, Fjord Cruise to Mostraumen and Shellfish Platter. Many of Europe's most impressive ice caps are in Norway, and some are surprisingly accessible for ice-hiking tours or simply the opportunity to see these awesome sights. The season is June-September. Briksdalsbreen Oldedalen, Stryn 6792 Norway, $$ - $$$ European Scandinavian Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ European Scandinavian Norwegian, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The challenge is normally possible from June to September. Hike, Kayak and Wild Camp the Norwegian Fjords. Feeling inspired? The route is doable from June to early September. Is there anywhere to sit where the troll cars drop you off? Svalbard stole my heart. Note that the troll terminus is still 5 minutes walk from the lake but there are still good views from the glacier a shorter stroll from the terminus. For a unique and exciting activity, glacier hiking on one of Norway's glaciers is the perfect alternative! Haugabreen Glacier is an accessible glacier in Southern Norway and can be enjoyed by both the younger and older family members. The glaciers are beautiful to look at from a distance, but, close up, you will experience a fairy-tale world of constantly changing sculptures. Due to mobility, my mum wouldnt be able to walk the last bit to the glacier so need to know if there would be somewhere she could sit whilst we walked the last bit. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. There is a bus that goes at 9.55am and returns at 1.30pm. In impressive surroundings at Jostedalsbreen National Park visitor centre in Oppstryn, you can also learn more about Jostedalsbreen National Park and about what life near the glacier has been like throughout the ages. 13 Tours & Activities Nature and Wildlife Tours 6 Tours & Activities Why you are seeing these recommendations Reserve Now & Pay Later Olden Shore Excursion: the Amazing Briksdal Glacier 131 Reviews Stryn, Norway Save to Wishlist From $83.15 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Reserve Now & Pay Later Continue on the Fv49 to Trvikbygd, where you can catch a 20-minute ferry to Jondal. As far as I can tell, you are free to stay there as long as you want. Briksdalsbreen is an arm of the great Jostedalsbreen Glacier in Norway, and it is a very popular destination. Briksdal Glacier (Briksdalbreen) (Stryn) - What to Know BEFORE You Go. Alternatively, express buses run to Stryn from several Norwegian cities including lesund (3 hr), Bergen (6hr 30min) or Trondheim (7hr 30min). Surely the cars dont take 45 minutes the same as walking? I might be more disappointed if I'd paid cruise trip prices for a tour, but for 10 it was an absolute bargain! In many ways, Jostedalsbreen is the very heart of Norway. Thinking of going glacier hiking in Iceland and wondering what to expect, where you can walk on the glacier, what are the best glacier hiking tours in Iceland, and can you go without a tour? Introducing Folgefonna Folgefonna is a collective name for three glaciers: Nordre (northern) Folgefonna, Midtre (central) Folgefonna, and Sndre (southern) Folgefonna. The trail starts at Preikestolen Fjellstue mountain lodge. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. From the wind-lashed shores of the Atlantic coast to the coves of Italy, we bring you the cream of the European coast. The Nigardsbreen glacier is set in the sublime surroundings of the Jostedalsbreen National Park, with its many forested valleys and excellent hiking routes. You should also pay a visit to the nearby town of Loen, which offers plenty of options for adventurous travellers. The thickness of the ice varies from area to area but at the deepest, the ice extends more than 600 meters down. Check out our adventure trips in Norway. 7 Best Glaciers in Norway You Must Absolutely See and Hike From the summit, youll be rewarded with top-of-the-beanstalk views of dark, ragged, snow-frosted mountains shooting up above the Romsdalen Valley and its snaking river. From the summit by Kloumannstrnet tower, the views are spectacular as you overlook the glacier, fjord and mountains. But if youre up for a challenge and view that ranks among Norways most sublime, sign up right here. 4h, 30min. Glacier hiking Back to Things to do in Norway Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. {{/}} Exploring the Incredible Briksdal Glacier - Norway Excursions Note: to teeter too close to the edge is to risk life and limb. UK to Denmark ferry: what are the options in 2023? After the year 2000: The glacier once again receded. The Ultimate Countdown of Norway's Fjords, the ice planet Hoth in Star Wars Episode V. Despite what many tend to believe, Jostedalsbreen is actually a rather young glacier. Brilliant day- kids 10 and 15 loved the walk which is not hard and grandma took the troll car. ), a water bottle, energy-rich hiking snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen, a map and compass. From Bod, a 2hr 30min drive along the scenic Fv17 road takes you to Holandsvika, where a regular boat service runs across the Holand Fjord (summer months only). You can see why hardcore climbers and base jumpers get their kicks here. i spoke to another visitor who had gone 20 years earlier and he was shocked how much the glacier had receded. However, the glacier that was there prior to is believed to have melted during a warm period 7000 years ago. Did you pay with credit card or did you need cash? You will need: A small backpack (20-40L) Mountain boots Warm clothing for a day in the ice! Heres our pick of the five most stunning glaciers to visit in Norway, and how to reach them. What rare beauty awaits! Glacier hikes on Svalbards Lars glacier usually take around 3-4 hours and should be manageable for anyone of average physical fitness. It took us around 1 to 1.5 hours to walk up as I have some breathing difficulties, but fitter people can do it in much less. 54 km from Airport. . Its this slow process thats responsible for the formation of Norways fjords. The day trip kicks off . 8 great hiking tours in Norway From here, an express boat will take you up the coast to the fjordside town of Sogndal. One of our favourite glacier hikes in Norway is across The Svartisen ice cap. From Jondal, take the Fv105 to the Krossdalen toll road (100 NOK, pay by card), which will lead you to the Fonna Glacier ski resort. The Nigardsbreen glacier in western Norway is a perfect place to explore, whether you're a hardened hiker or a family with kids in tow. In fact, that's exactly how Norway's famous fjords were created in the first place. This hike is a toughie, demanding a solid level of fitness and the right gear (warm wind- and waterproof clothes, decent boots, an emergency bivouac in case the weather turns vile, sunglasses, a headlamp, food, water and first aid kit).