Briksdalsbreen Glacier

Briksdalsbreen is an arm of the great Jostedalsbreen Glacier in Norway, and it is a very popular destination. There is a parking area near the end of the road (Fv724) that travels through the beautiful Oldedalen Valley. This is about 25 kilometers south of the village of Olden. There is a fee to park here. After parking, walk past a souvenir shop and restaurant. You will soon come upon the Troll Car Station, where one can (for a fee) catch a ride most of the way to the glacier. The hike to the glacier is 3 kilometers in length and is on a wide gravel path. There are a few paved sections where hikers share a path with the troll cars. The hike is mostly a gradual uphill walk (about a 200-meter climb) that is suitable for most abilities. Try to do this hike early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the large groups of people that trek to see this glacier.

Less than a kilometer into this hike is the powerful Kleivafossen waterfall. Hikers will feel the mist from this beautiful waterfall. The hike continues through the Briksdal valley and ends at a glacier lake. Here is where the famous glacier arm comes into full view. The trail to the top of the glacier from the Briksdal Valley gains about 1,200 meters.