Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Beginning in 1991, Norway placed the glacier under the protection of the
Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalpark (Jostedalsbreen National Park). For general infor-
mation about the park and touring it, get in touch with
Statens Naturoppsyn
at
&
57-87-72-00
in Oppstryn.
Before setting out, visit the
Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalparksenter
at Oppstryn
(
&
57-87-72-00
), lying 15km (9
1
⁄
4
miles) east of the town of Stryn. Exhibits tell
you everything you ever wanted to know about glaciers—and a lot more. You're
treated to a panoramic history of the glacier from “attacks” by meteorites to ava-
lanches. We found a highlight to be wandering through the “arctic garden” with
325 species of endemic plant life. The center is open May to September daily
from 10:30am to 5:30pm, charging 55NOK ($7.80) for adults, 30NOK
($4.25) for children.
NIGARDSBREEN
The Jostedal is particularly noted for its glacial “arms,” sometimes called
“tongues,” which shoot out into valleys, flowing from the plateau glacier. The
most famous of these glacial tongues is
Nigardsbreen.
This section is a remnant
of the ice sheet that covered Norway 10,000 years ago.
The well-preserved moraine landscape looks much as it did centuries ago, or
so scientists believe. Biochemical dating has also found that many moraines date
from the “Little Ice Age” that culminated only about 250 years ago. At that time
a deterioration in climate made the Jostedal glacier grow, as its tongues surged
forward, damaging farms and vegetation in the valley. The Nigard valley and the
Nigard glacier are still studied by scientists every year who keep a sort of watch
on it.
Nigardsbreen is one of the most popular areas for climbing and walking, a vir-
tual ice-blue wonderland of deep crevasses and oddly shaped pinnacles. From
May until mid-September, walks are possible. During the other months, weather
conditions are too harsh.
At Nigardsbreen you can visit the
Jostedal Breheimsenteret
at Jostedal
(
&
57-68-32-50
), which is designed in the shape of twin ice peaks divided by
a crevasse, nicknamed the “Glacier cathedral.” In addition to a film on the gla-
cier, you can see exhibits about the formation and continued movement of this
awesome ice block here.
The center is open May 20 to June 20 and August 22 to September daily from
10am to 5pm. From June 21 to August 21, hours are daily from 9am to 7pm.
Admission is 50NOK ($7.10) for adults, 20NOK ($2.85) for children.
In Jostedal you can hook up with
Jostedalen Breførarlag
(
&
57-68-31-11
)
for guided
glacier walks
, including a short trip across the Nigardsvatnet
and a hike along the glacier arm. This walk carries our most enthusiastic
endorsement, and it's one of the most dramatic in terms of winter wonderland
scenery in the fjord district. Tours take 1
1
⁄
2
hours, costing 100NOK ($14). Two-
hour walks on ice are also possible in summer, leaving at 11:30am daily, and
costing 225NOK ($32) per person. From June 22 to August 10, there is an
additional afternoon departure leaving at 2:30pm.
BRIKSDALSBREEN (THE BRIKSDAL GLACIER)
One of the most dramatic natural sights of Norway, this glacier is reached from
the large village of Olden by taking a signposted panoramic road for 24km (14
miles). The route winds its way to the double glacial “arms” of the Briksdals-
breen and Brenndalsbreen ice masses. The Briksdal glacier is not only the most
