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Changing light conditions, endless nuances of blue and all the different sounds make a glacier walk a unique experience.

A glacier walk is almost a must when you visit our region. For many people, it is the absolute highlight of their holiday. It’s also a great activity for families with older children.

It’s a magical experience for those of you who love snow and ice: feel the forces of nature acting on your body, while learning about nature, culture and local history from your guide at the same time. The guide will teach you how to use crampons and an ice axe, and you will be roped together with other participants to ensure a safe experience. You don’t have be especially fit to go on a glacier walk, although previous experience of hiking in the mountains is an advantage.

Melkevollsbreen glacier in Oldedalen.|© Mattias Fredriksson

There are a total of 20 glaciers in Norway's mountains, and the Jostedalsbreen glacier alone covers an area of 487 sq. km.We offer guided walks so that less experienced walkers can also experience this wild landscape of ice and snow without putting themselves at risk. Nigardsbreen glacier, an arm of Jostedalsbreen glacier, is the most accessible of Norway’s glaciers, but you can also go glacier walking in other places. You hire rope, ice axe and crampons from the organiser.

What about kayaking in between icebergs on the lake in front of the glacier, then topping that with a walk on the glacier itself? That's possible at Møsevassbreen glacier (part of Folgefonna glacier) in Blådalen, and at Styggevatnet lake at Austdalsbreen glacier (Jostedalen). It’s a unique experience you will never forget. Would you like to have a glacier to yourself, away from other visitors? By RIB boat, you can visit the longest arm of the Jostedalsbreen glacier: Tunsbergdalsbreen glacier.

Møsevatnet lake.|© Åse M. Evjen

It’s also possible to test your skiing prowess on a glacier in summer:Fonna, on Folgefonna glacier, is one of Europe’s top summer ski centres, located 1,200 metres above sea level in the heart of Hardanger. It’s an unforgettable experience.

Folgefonna is also an ideal place for glacier hiking. Go Fjords has a day trip from Bergen to Folgefonna, which includes a fjord cruise on the Hardangerfjord and a guided 5-hour hike on the glacier. The tour takes you up to a viewpoint where on clear summer days you can see the Rosendal Alps and all the way to the North Sea.

Don’t forget to visit the glacier visitor centre before or after your glacier walk. At the Norwegian Glacier Museum and Ulltveit-Moe Climate Centre in Fjærland, you can learn about how the glaciers were formed, how they have shaped the landscape and the important role they play in climate research.

The Glacier Centre in Jostedal is housed in a distinctive building near the Jostedalsbreen glacier. It is an authorised science centre with particular responsibility for the Breheimen and Jostedalsbreen national parks.

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.

The Folgefonn Centre is located in Rosendal. It has interactive exhibitions on topics such as geology, climate, the water cycle and life in the Hardangerfjord.

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