Briksdalsbreen Deep Dive
Briksdalsbreen is an outlet of Jostedalsbreen, Norway's largest ice cap. It is also Norway's most-visited single glacier — the standard package-bus stop in fjord country and the easiest hour-long walk to a big glacier tongue anywhere.
Geography
The glacier descends from the southern Jostedalsbreen plateau at about 1 900 m down a steep narrow valley to the proglacial lake Briksdalsvatnet at 346 m. The total drop is over 1 500 m in just a few kilometres, which gives the lower tongue its dramatic, heavily crevassed appearance.
Retreat history
Briksdalsbreen has been on a long, jagged retreat since the late 19th century. It briefly advanced in the 1990s, even reaching the lake shore again in 1999, but since 2005 the retreat has accelerated. By 2024 it had retreated to where, viewed from the standard walking trail endpoint, only the upper tongue is visible.
How to visit
From the village of Olden on Innvikfjorden, drive or take a shuttle about 24 km up the Briksdalen valley to the cafe and car park. From there:
- Walking trail (free). Wide gravel track, about 3 km return, with modest elevation gain. Suitable for children and most fitness levels. Lake bridge crossing.
- Troll cars. Electric utility-style buggies driven up the trail for visitors who prefer not to walk.
- Glacier walks. Local guide operators (Briksdal Adventure and others) run guided ice walks during summer — requires booking.
When to go
Mid-May to late September is the standard cafe and shuttle season. August has the best weather; June and September are quieter. Winter visits are possible but require independent transport and stable weather.
Practicalities
The cafe at the road end has parking, restrooms and a glacier exhibition. The Norwegian Glacier Museum in Fjaerland (90 minutes away) is the deeper history stop.
Explore on the map
Briksdalsbreen and the surrounding Jostedalsbreen outlets — Nigardsbreen, Boyabreen, Tunsbergdalsbreen — are mapped on the interactive map. The whole region is a one-base-many-glaciers tour from Stryn or Olden.