How to Visit Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway
There's nothing like experiencing nature in all its glory, and Nigardsbreen glacier in Norway is a sight you won't want to miss out on.
This short and rewarding hike is one that many can enjoy, and for the adventurous souls out there- you can even trek inside the glacier!
In this guide we're going to share all of the details for visiting Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway, so that you can properly plan to add this epic spot to your Norwegian travel itinerary.
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📍 Where is Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway?
Nigardsbreen Glacier is located in a fjord village of Jostedal in Luster, which is in the south west of Norway.
How Do I Get to Nigardsbreen Glacier?
Now that you know where Nigardsbreen Glacier is in Norway, let's get you there!
🚗 How to Get to Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway
In order to get to Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway, you'll either need to rent a car or take a tour.
We drove there, and were able to get their easily along a paved road. This was by far the most budget-friendly option, but it does limit you to what you can see at the glacier (you can only hike to the viewpoint, not into the glacier).
The road to Nigardsbreen is well paved and easy to drive down.
🚐 Nigardsbreen Glacier Tours
If you'd like to take a tour, most of them go from Jostedal. We definitely recommend doing one that treks inside the glacier, as this is a truly unique experience!
Two companies we've seen that do the tours are Sognefjord and Jostedalen Breforarlag. Tours range from 500 NOK/person to 1,500 NOK/person and are from 3-6 hours.
We were visiting expensive countries on a budget, and we had already done the trekking along Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina, so that's why we decided to simply do the regular hike on our own. If you haven't trekked a glacier before though, it's really such a unique experience we recommend doing!
The Hike to Nigarsdbreen in Norway
Now that you know your options for getting to Nigardsbreen in Norway, we're going to share the details for your options hiking there.
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⏳ How Long is the Nigardsbreen Hike?
The Nigardsbreen glacier hike depends on whether you choose to take the boat ride, or whether you decide to walk the entire way. The trail is 1.6 km, and took us 40 minutes there, and 33 minutes coming back, at a relatively quick pace.
🚤 Taking the Boat to Nigardsbreen
There is a small boat that you can take to for the first part of the hike to Nigardsbreen Glacier. It cuts out the first 15-20 minutes of hiking, and doesn't have an exact timetable.
They run pretty often, so you just have to show up, pay for your ticket and wait for the next boat to go out.
🥾 The Hike to Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway
The hike to Nigardsbreen isn't too challenging, and the first 15-20 minutes are pretty easy along stones and wooden stairs. Just be careful, as if it's wet it can be slippery and more challenging.
After the stones you'll find a set of boards to walk along, and a bridge crossing the river. The hike will then go a bit up and down some more rocks, leading you to the viewpoint of Nigardsbreen Glacier.
From here you can observe the glacier from afar, and if you have a tour, you can get up close to the glacier, or even trek through it!
If we had the time and money, we would have done it, but we are still happy with the quick hike and beautiful view we got to experience.
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Amenities at Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway
Nigardsbreen Glacier does not have any amenities on site, other than toilets. So if you want to eat or drink something, you should stop beforehand, or bring water and snacks with you.
The parking lot is paved, and has plenty of space for cars to park safely. It also has picnic tables if you'd like to sit and enjoy the views of the fjord before or after your hike.
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Price & Timetable for Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway
Now that you know what the hike to Nigardsbreen Glacier looks like, let's break down some of the costs.
💸 How Much Does Nigardsbreen Glacier Cost?
The hike to Nigardsbreen itself is free of charge, and is open at all times to visit. The road to the glacier is only accessible from April to October, and the boats only run from June to September though.
There is a toll on the road going into Nigardsbreen, which is 90 NOK.
The optional boat ride to skip the first 15 minutes of the hike is 50 NOK each way or 75 NOK round trip. In our opinion is not really worth it, as you still have to hike more than half the way afterwards.
However, If you want some nice views and to do the boat as an activity, and you're not worried about the money, then it's not a terrible option.
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Safety at Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway
Nigardsbreen Glacier has an easy and safe trail, so there really is nothing to worry about in terms of danger. We saw people of all ages hiking to Nigardsbreen Glacier, and found the trail well-kept.
The hike to Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway isn't too challenging or dangerous.
There is a chained fence that blocks people from getting too close to the glacier to keep people safe, and you can find all age levels able to do this hike.
If you are doing a tour trekking into the glacier, you will be given all of the necessary equipment such as helmets and gloves to keep you safe while on the ice. Guides are also well-trained, so the experience is very safe.
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Other Things to Keep in Mind While Visiting Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway
Now you know almost everything you need to know for visiting Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway. But before you go, here are a few final details to keep in mind.
☀️ Weather Conditions at Nigardsbreen Glacier
Nigardsbreen Glacier remains very cold, even in summer months! In the Spring and Autumn months there will most likely be some snow. In the summer you may just need a light jacket or sweater for when you get closer to the glacier.
If you are trekking into the glacier, you'll definitely want heavier clothing.
🕘 The Best Time to Hike Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway
The best time to hike Nigardsbreen Glacier is in the summer months, when it is warm and dry enough to hike there easily. We also recommend visiting early in the morning before the crowds start coming in.
We started our hike at 8:45 AM, and the first tour group was not far behind us. When we arrived back to the parking lot around 10:00, there were already several more groups that had started hiking.
🎒 How to Prepare for Visiting Nigardsbreen Glacier, Norway
Here are some of the things we suggest bringing on your hike to Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway.
- A good pair of sneakers or hiking shoes
- Light jacket if you are visiting in summer, and a heavy jacket if you are visiting in spring or fall
- Tripod to take the pictures (we use the Rangepod tripod)
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it is insulated)
- Insta 360 X3 with the extra long selfie stick for drone-looking shots
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Tips/Rules for Hiking Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway
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So are you ready to visit the amazing Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway? This is definitely one of the bucket list activities in Norway that you won't want to miss out on.
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