NORWAY - Scandinavia - page 546

mid-Aug 9:30-17:30, May-mid-June and mid-Aug-Sept 10:00-17:00, closed
Oct-April, tel. [phone], www.jostedal.com ) .
Visiting the Glacier —The best quick visit is to walk to, but not on, the gla-
cier. (If you want to walk on it, see “Hikes on the Glacier,” next.) From the
information center, a 30-kr toll road continues two miles to a lake facing the
actual tongue of the glacier. About 75 years ago, the glacier reached all the
way to today's parking lot. (It's named for the ninth farm— ni gard —where it
finally stopped, after crushing eight farms higher up the valley.) From the lot,
you can hike all the way to the edge of today's glacier (about 45 minutes each
way); or, to save about 20 minutes of walking, take a special boat to a spot
that's a 20-minute hike from the glacier (20 kr each way, 10-minute boat trip,
4/hour, mid-June-mid-Sept 10:00-17:00).
The walk is uneven but well-marked—follow the red T 's and take your
time. You'll hike on stone polished smooth by the glacier, and scramble over
and around boulders big and small that were deposited by it. The path takes
you right up to the face of the Nigardsbreen. Respect the glacier. It's a power-
ful river of ice, and fatal accidents do happen. If you want to walk on the gla-
cier, read the next listing first.
Hikes on the Glacier —If you want to actually walk on top of the glacier,
don't attempt it by yourself. The Breheimsenteret Glacier Information Center
offers guided family-friendly walks that include about one hour on the ice
(250 kr, 100 kr for kids, cash only, minimum age 6, I'd rate the walks PG-13
myself, about 4/day, generally between 11:30-15:00, no need to reserve—just
call glacier center tofindouttime andshowup).Leave the information center
one hour before your tour, then meet the group on the ice, where you'll pay
and receive your clamp-on crampons. One hour roped up with your group
givesyoutheessential experience. You'llfindyourselfmarveling athowwell
your strap-on crampons work on the 5,000-year-oldice. Even if it's hot, wear
long pants, a jacket, and your sturdiest shoes. (Think ahead. It's awkward to
empty your bladder after you're roped up.)