Jostedalsbreen

P1000290Jostedalsbreen - View of the Nigardsbreen in the Jostedalsbreen Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier on the European mainland. It is located in the county of Sogn og Fjordane in Norway, and the many arms of the glacier can be seen from different parts of Sogn og Fjordane. Its size and position makes the glacier a key barrier to travel around the county. The glacier and the surrounding area is protected as a national park.

Jostedalsbreen Halal Travel Guide

61.663|6.924167 The main glacier rests on a mountain plateau west of the Jostedalen valley, hence the name. The glacier ice covers a total area of about 500 km², while the national park is more than 1300 km². Jostedalsbreen is a temperate glacier such that it is at melting point throughout the year, from its surface to its base. The glacier is not frozen to the bedrock but flows along the slopes and through the valleys like a river, albeit at very low speed from 1 cm/day up to 100 cm/day (3 feet per day). Flow is highest at surface and middle causing the ice to crack and break up. Chunks of ice regularly falls from the edge or front of the glacier, a process known as ice calving. The resulting huge waves in lakes or the chunks of ice themselves are deadly.

Glaciers are created by snow accumulated and gradually transformed into ice ("blue ice"). Snow melts off at lower parts of the glacier during summer revealing the blue ice (actual glacier), while the higher parts of the glacier has permanent snow cover. Glaciers like Jostedalsbreen are created and maintained by heavy snowfall at high altitudes, rather than by extreme temperatures as in the Antarctic.

Jostedalsbreen is basically a plateau glacier or ice cap, while the arms or branches are valley glaciers. Jostedalsbreen has some 30 named arms into the adjacent valleys, among the well-known are:

Nigardsbreen in Jostedalen, Luster neighborhood
Austerdalsbreen at Veitastrond, Luster
Bøyabreen in Fjærland
Briksdalsbreen at Olden
Kjenndalsbreen at Loen

East of Jostedalen towards road 15 and 55 is the Breheimen ("Glacier park") protected area, and this area has number of smaller glaciers. West and South there are several smaller glacier not fully connected to Jostedalsbreen proper, but often seen as part of Jostedalsbreen system. Together with nextdoor Jotunheimen these form the highest and most alpine mountains in Norway.

Smaller, independent glaciers digging into mountain slopes creating amphitheater shapes are cirque glaciers, "botnbre" in Norwegian, hence the generic name "botn" in Norway's mountains.

History

Lodalskåpa brenibba - Lodalskåpa and Brenibba summits are nunataks or glacial islands

The glacier and the mountains surrounding it became a national park in 1991.

Jostedalen and many other secluded valleys in Sogn neighborhood were abandoned after the Black Death (1349) and remained uninhabited for the next 200 years. Around 1700, during the "Little Ice Age", glaciers advanced several kilometers down the valleys and destroyed farms.

How is the Landscape of Jostedalsbreen

Mountains, some of them scrubbed bare by the ice. Many valleys. And glaciers rising to a height of 2083 m (6833 ft).

Flora and fauna

At lower elevation the flora is quite rich. This is because of the pure meltwater flowing down the valley. Closer to the glacier the flora is of an Arctic type. On the glacier there is not much animal life. Red deer, lynx and wolverines could be spotted. In the mountains and valleys around the fauna is richer. Especially the red deer can often be seen. Eagles can also be seen.

How is the Climate in Jostedalsbreen

In the valleys and the mountain area around the glacier the climate can be temperate in summertime. On the glacier the temperature is lower. There can be snowfall even in mid-summer.

Stay Safe

UK traffic sign 562.svg|left Nigardsbreen-Glacier6 - Reckless visitors ignoring fence and safety warnings Bødalen 1986 - Bødalsbreen at Loen seen from a safe distance

Glaciers are one of the most dangerous places for visitors to the Norwegian outdoor. Never underestimate the power of the glacier. Observe warning signs. Never approach the front of the glacier. A glacier is not a stable piece of ice, it is constantly moving like a river and huge chunks regularly fall of.

Do not enter the glacier without proper equipment and skilled guide. Preferably in an organised group tour with a guide.

Sunrays get reflected from the white snow, so it necessary to use sunscreen to protect your skin. Bring warm clothes for tours on the glacier.

Travel to Jostedalsbreen

Bøyabreen - Fjærland - Bøyabreen arm near road 5 in Fjærland Jostedalsbreen Jölster Sogndal over Fjärlandstunnelen IMG 0111 - Arial view of the entire glacier in June

Jostedalsbreen largely rests on a mountain plateau with arms stretching in all directions to the valleys beneath. Only the arms of the glaciers are visible to visitors and the main glacier is visible only from airplane. The glacier can be approached from any of the valleys around the glacier, and there are many access points.

The northeastern corner of the glacier is in Oppland in Skjåk neighborhood near road 15.
Stryn neighborhood has several access points, notably the well known Briksdalsbreen at Olden and Loen|Olden
Nigardsbreen arm in Luster neighborhood is also a popular place for glacier hiking
Fjærland on road 5 has at least two arms of the glacier

Most of Jostedalsbreen is protected as national park which means that there are no roads within the park limits. Motor vehicles are not allowed outside roads. Motor transport is only to the edge of park or to one of the arms of the glacier.

Glaciers are treacherous and extremely dangerous, and visitors must keep a safe distance to the glacier arms. Visitors can hike on the glacier only with a professional guide. Guide services are available at Nigardsbreen (Jostedalen valley) and Olden/Loen/Stryn area.

By car

Public transport is limited with a few departures daily, so a vehicle is the only flexible way to get to the edge of the park.

Road 5 Sogndal-Skei runs in a tunnel in the bedrock under the glacier, and the Bøyabreen arm is visible close to the road at the tunnel entrance in Fjærland.

The Stryn summer ski centre operates at the northern end of the glacier along road 258 Stryn-Grotli.

From Oslo

Road E16 to Lærdal then
Road 5 to Sogndal and Fjærland
road 55 to Luster and Jostedalen
road E6 to Otta and then road 15 towards Stryn
Road 55 to Luster

From Bergen

Road E16 to Lærdal then
Road 5 to Sogndal and Fjærland
road 55 to Luster and Jostedalen

From Trondheim

Road E6 to Otta and then road 15 towards Stryn
Road 55 to Luster

From Geiranger

Road 63 to Langvatn junction
Road 15 to Stryn
Road 15 to Grotli, road 258 (old road) to Stryn
Road 15 to Lom, road 55 to Luster

By bus or rail

Jostedalsbreen lentele - Sign at park limit

As Sogn og Fjordane county barely has railway lines and the best public transport option is by bus. Buses often operate on a limited schedule, but the entire county is well-covered. The map on Ruteinfo.net shows bus stations, bus stops and lodging including telephone numbers. As the map is not in English, select one of the municipalities bordering the glacier (Jølster, Luster, Sogndal or Stryn) where it says VEL KOMMUNE. Local bus can be used for the last kilometers to the glacier front.

From Trondheim

Express bus via Otta and Stryn towards Bergen

From Bergen

Express bus via Førde, Skei and Stryn towards Trondheim
Express bus via Førde, Skei and Byrkjelo towards Ålesund
Ekspress bus via Lærdal to Sogndal
Train to Flåm, bus to Sogndal

From Oslo and Oslo airport

Express bus via Valdres to Sogndal
Train to Otta, bus to Stryn (direction Bergen or Måløy)
Train to Flåm, bus to Sogndal

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Jostedalsbreen

No branch of the glacier reach sea level, but the glacier is partly visible from some of the surrounding fjords.

Cruise ships calling at Skjolden (Luster) or Olden (Stryn neighborhood) offer bus transport some 30 kilometers to the glacier.
Express passenger boat from Bergen or Flåm to Balestrand or Sogndal can be used to connect to public transport on the north shore.

Fees and permits

There is no fee to enter the park. Hiking is allowed for anyone. There are mostly no fences and no guards on duty.

Get Around

See also: Hiking in the Nordic countries

There are no roads in the park, so the only option is by foot. Hiking in the area surrounding the glacier is very much feasible, given you choose routes according to skill and experience. In no case should visitors get up on the glacier without a local professional or otherwise skilled enough guide; glaciers are extremely dangerous

What to see in Jostedalsbreen

Jostedalsbreen nasjonalpark - Glacier information centre at Stryn Austerdalsbreen flat part - Austerdalsbreen at Veitastrond seen from a safe viewpoint

Some attractions related to the glacier and the park are situated outside the boundaries of the park:

Norsk bremuseum - Glacier museum of Norway - Fjærland 61.403944, 6.740056 ☎ +47 57693288 +47 57693287 Opening Hours: June - Aug: 09:00-21:00, April - May and September - October 10:00-16:00 Adult:110 kr, students: 50 kr, children: 50 kr Museum regarding glaciers. Also visitor centre for the park.

Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalparksenter - Oppstryn ☎ +47 57877200 - Visitor centre, with exhibition about flora, fauna and geology in the park.

Breheimsenteret - Jostedal ☎ +47 57683250 +47 57683240 Opening Hours: 1 May-31 September: 10:00-17:00, 21 June - 20 Aug: 10:00-19:00 Visitor centre.

If you only would like to see the glacier, without walking on it and these are the best options:

Nigardsbreen Gaupne/Jostedalen 61.6765, 7.2134 Route 55 to Gaupne then route 604 - Arm of the great glacier. In Jostedal, 63 kilometers from Sogndal. In the end of the road there is a parking space. From there departures a small boat over the lake in front of the glacier. The journeys takes 30 minutes. Observe from safe distance, guide needed for hike on the ice.

Bøyabreen - Bøyabreen glacier | Fjærland 61.506321, 6.759338 Close to Route 5 towards Skei, right before the tunnel. - One of the few places where a glacier arm is readily visible from a primary street. It is feasible to see the glacier from the parking space. Or you could walk for about half an hour in relatively flat terrain. Keep a safe distance in case of falling ice.

Supphellebreen in Fjærland, 10 kilometers on a side road from the village
Briksdal glacier - Briksdalsbreen - 61.666667, 6.883333 20 kilometers (12 mi) from Olden, in the end of the valley ☎ +47 57876800 +47 57876801 Transport road–glacier: adults: 170 kr, children:65 kr Perhaps one of the most famous glacier in Norway. In the end of the valley. 22 kilometers from Olden. This may be the most well known view of the glacier. The distance from the parking space to the glacier is 2.5 kilometers (1.6 mi). You can walk or ride with motorised vehicles called Troll-car.

Jostedalsbreen - Main glacier | 61.683, 6.9964167 The main glacier can as such be seen from air only. Approximate mid point indicated on map.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Jostedalsbreen

Oldevatnet Sør 1688 - The glacier above Olden lake

Trekking and glacier walking should only be done with a professional, local guide. Here is a list of organised glacier tours:

Bødalsbreen | Meet at Sande Camping ☎ +47 57876800 or +47 57874040 Opening Hours: 10 June - 15 September: at 10:00 500 kr A five hour treking, including three hour on the glacier. Children under 12 years are not allowed.

Nigardsbreen | Nigardsbre Meet diect by the glacier ☎ +47 57683111 Opening Hours: at 11:30, 12:30, 14:00, 15:00 Adult: 200 kr, Children: 100 kr An easy tour, also suitable for children. Minimum age is six year.

Flatbreen | Fjærland Meet at Bøyum Camping ☎ +47 92854674 or +47 57693189 Opening Hours: 1 July - 31 Aug: At 08:15 A tour suitable for person with some physical training. Trekking for 9 hours, including 3 hours on the glacier. Only children over ten years of age.

Stryn summer skiing - Old Stryn mt road (route 258) 61.9561, 7.3617 - Ski lift at the northern end of Jostedalsbreen. This ski resort is open in summer only!

Individual tours could be arranged with the tour-guide upon request.

Hiking can be done around the glacier at safe distance. There are several good and safe viewpoints all around the glacier. The glacier must always be approached with great caution and careful planning. A detailed map 1:50,000 is needed. Visitors should consult local residents, if in doubt go with a guide.

There are Whitewater sports|whitewater tours and also more quiet canoeing|kayak tours available in the neighbourhood. Some of the tours are with the glacier in sight, some even include a glacier hike.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Jostedalsbreen

A ticket to the Norwegian Glacier Museum in Fjærland.

Halal Food & Restaurants

Traditional Sogn og Fjordane cuisine. Raspeballar, pinnekjøt or spekekjøt. Olden, which is a bottled water from the Jostedalsbreen glacier. Its source lies in the Oldedalen valley south of Olden in Stryn municipality.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Jostedalsbreen

Jostedalsbreen - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Jostedalsbreen, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Jostedalsbreen. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Jostedalsbreen and its surrounding regions.

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The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Jostedalsbreen is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Jostedalsbreen.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Jostedalsbreen is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Jostedalsbreen, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Jostedalsbreen Media: info@ehalal.io

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Muslim Friendly Hotels

Flatbrehytta - Flatbrehytta lodge at the edge of the glacier, at Fjærland.

Lodging

Flatbrehytta | Fjærland ☎ +47 57693229
Briksdalsbre fjellstove | Briksdalsbre ☎ +47 57876800
Bødalseter | Loen ☎ +47 57874590
Tungestølen turisthytte - Veitastrond ☎ +47 41404655
Further lodging options in adjacent villages and neighborhoods:
Stryn with nearby Olden|Olden and Loen on the norhern perimeter
Fjærland and Sogndal on the southern edge
Luster with Jostedalen valley east of the glacier
Skei|Skei village and Jølster neighborhood on the western side
Skjåk and Otta valley

Camping Places

There are no designated camping grounds in the park. There are camping sites at some lodgings in the neighbourhood.

Backcountry

Normal right to access applies to wild camping: visitors are allowed to stay over night in tents in the wilderness and at least 150 meters from buildings. Camping on roads, in gardens and fields is not permitted. Visitors must not leave any traces or garbage.

News & References Jostedalsbreen

Travel Next

The rest of Sogn og Fjordane county is scenic. Also, nearby counties have a lot of splendid scenery too. There is a vast variety of things to do and see on your way to, e.g., Oslo or Bergen.

Geiranger
Valdres
Gudbrandsdalen
Lærdal
Flåm/Aurland
Jotunheimen - Norway's highest and most alpine mountains southeast of Jostedalsbreen
Ålesund