Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Glacier Hiking
There's something about glaciers that inspires wonder, and one of Norway's most memor-
able summer pastimes is glacier walking. This is, however, an activity that comes with a
wordofwarning:walkingatopglaciersisapotentiallyperilousundertakingandyoushould
onlysetoutonsuchaventurewithanexperiencedlocalguide.Amongourfavouriteplaces
for a glacier hike are the following:
»
Hardangerjøkulen glacier on Hardangervidda
(
Click here
) Said by some to be Nor-
way's most breathtaking glacier hike.
»
Folgefonna National Park
(
Click here
) One of Norway's largest icefields, with glacier
hikes at various points around the perimeter.
»
Nigardsbreen
(
Clickhere
)ThepickoftheaccessibleglaciersintheJostedalsbreenarea.
»
Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park
(
Click here
) Some of Europe's lowest-lying (and
hence easily accessible) glacier tongues just inside the Arctic Circle.
»
Svalbard
(
Click here
) With 60% of Svalbard covered by glaciers, there are plenty of
opportunities here, including close to Longyearbyen.
WEATHER WARNING
Always check weather and other local conditions before setting out cross-country.
This applies whenever traversing any exposed area, but is particularly an issue for
hikers and cross-country skiers (two Scottish cross-country skiers died after being
caught in snow and freezing fog in March 2007 on the Hardangervidda Plateau des-
pite, according to some reports, being warned by local experts not to set out). The
only months that favourable conditions can be
almost
guaranteed for hiking are July
and August. Even then, you should always be prepared for sudden inclement weather
and stay aware of potential avalanche dangers, which are particularly rife in Jotun-
heimen but are a possibility anywhere in Norway's high country. Also, never venture
onto glacial ice without the proper equipment and experience. And trust the advice of
locals, who understand the conditions better than even the most experienced out-of-
town hikers - if they say not to go, don't go.
