Nigardsbreen Deep Dive
Nigardsbreen is an outlet of Jostedalsbreen, mainland Europe's largest glacier, descending into the Jostedalen valley in western Norway. It is one of the most-visited glaciers in Norway because of how easy it is to access — a short hike from a tourist car park, a small boat across the proglacial lake, and a guided walk takes you onto the ice itself. It is also one of the most-monitored glaciers in the country and a vivid case study in retreat.
Geography
Nigardsbreen drains the eastern flank of the Jostedalsbreen plateau, which spans about 480 km² of ice. Nigardsbreen's tongue is roughly 6 km long. Its toe ends in a small lake, Nigardsvatnet, formed as the glacier retreated since the mid-20th century.
How to visit
From the main road in Jostedalen, a side road runs about 4 km to the Nigardsbreen Center. From the parking area:
- Walk to the lake. Free, about 20 minutes.
- Small motorboat across the lake. Operates in season for a small fee.
- Guided ice walks. From easy "blue ice" introductions to longer crevasse traverses; multiple operators, including Breeven Glacier.
History and retreat
The glacier reached its maximum Little Ice Age extent around 1750, overrunning farms in the valley. From the early 1900s it began a long, gentle retreat, then accelerated rapidly after 2000. Markers along the trail to the lake show where the snout stood in specific years.
Mass balance
The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) has operated mass-balance measurements on Nigardsbreen since 1962 — one of the longest continuous records in Europe. Cumulative loss since the early 2000s has been substantial.
Geology and landforms
The valley shows clear textbook features: lateral moraines marking former positions, fluted bedrock under recently exposed ice, and the kettle landscape of the lake basin. The Norsk Bremuseum (Norwegian Glacier Museum) in Fjærland uses Nigardsbreen as one of its main examples.
When to go
The boat and guided walks run from late May to late September. Earlier and later in the season the lake is partly frozen and access is limited. Cloud days actually show the blue ice better; the deepest colour is in low contrast light.
Practical notes
There is a small fee per person to enter the Nigardsbreen area in season. Guided ice walks require advance booking and supplied crampons and helmets. The lake is cold and the boat is the sensible way across; do not attempt to wade or swim.
From reading to planning
The interactive map shows Nigardsbreen, the road in, the lake, the boat route and the standard guided walk routes onto the ice.