Glaciers

Sometimes you need a reminder of the vast forces of nature – that there are some things, even in our modern society, that cannot be tamed. Glacier hiking makes for one of those moments.

Mighty mother nature

Glaciers like the mighty Jostedalsbreen make you feel small in the landscape and can be as unforgiving as they are magnificent. Always be careful when experiencing a glacier or one of its branches up close.

Due to deep crevasses, avalanches, and the constant and unpredictable movement of the ice blocks, you should never go out on a glacier on your own. With professional guides and equipment to ensure your safety, though, hiking a glacier in Norway is an unforgettable experience – a true adventure.

Even when hundreds of meters deep, the ice is always on the move and is strong enough to literally shape the Earth. It was the Ice Age glaciers that carved out Norway’s characteristic fjords, valleys, and steep mountainsides. Remnants of those prehistoric glaciers remain.

At the Glacial Museum in Fjærland, you can explore them all. An eye-catching building designed by Sverre Fehn, the most prominent Norwegian architect of the postwar era, hosts the interactive museum which gives you knowledge about glaciers and climate in new and innovative ways.

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Receding glaciers

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What is a glacier

Glaciers consist of layers of snow that over a long time are compressed into ice.

The ice masses make many glaciers move like very slow rivers.

Glaciers represent about 10 percent of the earth’s land area and are considered remains of the latest ice age.

The ice masses can become several hundred years old.

Glacier analyses give scientists important information about global climate changes and future environmental scenarios.

Glacier dictionary

Front: The head of a hillside glacier.

Outlet: An arm of a main glacier.

Retreat: How a glacier melts, shrinks, gets shorter.

Jøkul: Ancient Norwegian term for glacier, still in use on Iceland.

Jøkulhlaup: A jøkulhlaup or Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) is a sudden release of water from a glacier. The water source can be a glacier-dammed lake, a pro-glacial moraine-dammed lake or water stored within, under or on the glacier.

Equipment for glacier hiking

Crampons, footwear with spikes (“stegjern”).

Ice axe, tool attached to hand wrist for better climbing.

Rope securing glacier hikers and making sure that everybody stay in a group.

What is a glacier

Glaciers consist of layers of snow that over a long time are compressed into ice.

The ice masses make many glaciers move like very slow rivers.

Glaciers represent about 10 percent of the earth’s land area and are considered remains of the latest ice age.

The ice masses can become several hundred years old.

Glacier analyses give scientists important information about global climate changes and future environmental scenarios.

Folgefonna glacier hike.
Photo: Reisemål Hardanger Fjord / Désiré Weststrate

Glacier hiking on Jostedalsbreen.
Photo: Terje Rakke / Nordic Life AS / www.fjordnorway.com

Briksdalsbreen glacier in Nordfjord.
Photo: Normann

The Norwegian Glacier Museum in Fjærland.
Photo: CH / Visitnorway.com

People on a guided hike on the Folgefonna glacier in the Hardangerfjord region, Fjord Norway

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Norway’s largest glaciers

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Folgefonna

Home to the Fonna Glacier Ski Resort and part of the Folgefonna national park, Folgefonna is a collective term for three glaciers – Nordre Folgefonna, Midtre Folgefonna, and Søndre Folgefonna, all in the Hardanger region of Hordaland county.

Svartisen

In reality, Svartisen in Northern Norway consists of two glaciers – Vestre Svartisen and Østre Svartisen. The glacier is part of Saltfjellet-Svartisen national park in Nordland county.

Featured

10 largest glaciers in Norway

Austfonna

Austfonna is an ice cap located on Nordaustlandet in the Svalbard archipelago. It is the largest ice cap by area and the second largest by volume in…

Austfonna

Olav V Land

Olav V Land is a peninsula in eastern Spitsbergen Island in Svalbard. The only larger ice cap in the Svalbard Archipelago is Austfonna in…

Olav V Land

Vestfonna

Vestfonna is an ice cap located on the western part Nordaustlandet in the Svalbard archipelago in Norway. The glacier covers an area of about 2,500…

Vestfonna

Jostedalsbreen

This is the largest glacier on mainland Europe, covering an area of 487 square kilometres. The glacier is a part of the Jostedalsbreen National Park…

Jostedalsbreen

Svartisen

Norway’s second largest glacier, Svartisen, stretches over 370 square kilometres and has a full 60 glacier arms. One of the most famous glacial arms…

Svartisen

Folgefonna

Norway's third largest glacier. In 2005 Folgefonna National Park was opened, Folgefonna is known for its dramatic and beautiful scenery. Here you will… Read more

Folgefonna

Blåmannsisen

Blåmannsisen is the fifth-largest glacier in mainland Norway. It is located on the border of the municipalities of Fauske and Sørfold in Nordland…

Blåmannsisen

Hardangerjøkulen

The Hardangerjøkulen glacier is the sixth largest glacier in mainland Norway. It is located in the municipalities of Eidfjord and Ulvik in Hordaland… Read more

Hardangerjøkulen

Myklebustbreen

Myklebustbreen, also called Snønipbreen, is the seventh largest glacier in mainland Norway. It is located in the municipalities of Jølster, Gloppen,…

Myklebustbreen

Okstindbreen

Okstindbreen is the eighth largest glacier in mainland Norway. The 46 square-kilometre glacier lies in the Okstindan mountain range in the… Read more

Okstindbreen

GLACIER SUMMER SKIING

Oscar II ski expedition 8 days: Summerskiing from Ymerbukta to Ekmanfjorden - Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

On the West side of Svalbard, craggy mountains and large glacier will meet us. Your total Svalbard experience are waiting. Read more

Oscar II ski expedition 8 days: Summerskiing from Ymerbukta to Ekmanfjorden - Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

Sognefjellet Summer Ski Centre

Cross Country ski center in Sognafjell, along road 55 between Lom and Luster.Sognefjellet Sommarskisenter AS is organizing cross country ski training… Read more

Sognefjellet Summer Ski Centre

FONNA Glacier Ski Resort, summer ski

Fonna is a summer ski centre on the glacier Folgefonna. Alpine skiing for the whole family, freestyle park, cross country tracks and snow shoe hikes… Read more

FONNA Glacier Ski Resort, summer ski

National parks with glaciers

Woman standing in front of Svartisen glacier

Saltfjellet-Svartisen national park

The national park offer wild nature, varied landscapes and the second largest glacier on mainland Norway. The national park has an extensive network… Read more

Saltfjellet-Svartisen national park

Jostedalsbreen National Park

Almost half of the Jostedalsbreen National Park is covered by the Jostedalsbreen glacier, which is the largest glacier in mainland Europe. The… Read more

Jostedalsbreen National Park

Breheimen National Park

The nature in Breheimen National Park is very versitile. It ranges from green valleys and naked mountain tops to streaming rivers and glaciers. The… Read more

Breheimen National Park

Jotunheimen National Park

Jotunheimen National Park is characterized by high mountains, glaciers and deep lakes. There are more than 200 mountain peaks rising above 2000 m… Read more

Jotunheimen National Park

Hallingskarvet National Park

Hallingskarvet is a very distinctive landscape element, with lots of nice paths and trails and versatile hiking, summer and winter. The terrain is… Read more

Hallingskarvet National Park

Hardangervidda National Park

Hardangervidda is Norway's largest national park. Read more

Hardangervidda National Park

Folgefonna National Park

Norway's third largest glacier. In 2005 Folgefonna National Park was opened, which at the time was Norway's twenty fifth national park.… Read more

Folgefonna National Park

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Statens Kartverk, Geovekst og kommuner - Geodata AS

Safety in the mountains

Return to hike another day

Norway is an incredible place to explore, with untamed mythical landscapes, mountains, valleys, and fjords. Before you enter the outdoors, get familiar with the nine simple rules of the Norwegian mountain code to help you stay safe.

Plan your trip and inform others about the route you have selected.
Adapt the planned routes according to ability and conditions.
Pay attention to the weather and the avalanche warnings.
Be prepared for bad weather and frost, even on short trips.
Bring the necessary equipment so you can help yourself and others.
Choose safe routes. Recognize avalanche terrain and unsafe ice.
Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are.
Don’t be ashamed to turn around.
Conserve your energy and seek shelter if necessary.

Read the mountain code with supplementary comments.

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Mighty mother nature

Receding glaciers