JOSTEDAL HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Blue-ice up close: a short, guided hike onto Nigardsbreen’s sculpted glacier surface
A 4.5-hour guided glacier hike from Nigardsbreen car park that takes you onto deep-blue crevasses and ice tunnels with professional guides and glacier equipment.
Blue-ice up close: a short, guided hike onto Nigardsbreen’s sculpted glacier surface.
On the Short Blue Ice Hike guests step out onto Nigardsbreen in Jostedal under the supervision of professional glacier guides, negotiating steep ice steps, high ice towers and deep-blue crevasses while roped together and equipped with crampons and ice axes.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Deep-blue crevasses and towering ice formations
The hike brings you into an intimate frozen landscape of deep-blue crevasses and high ice towers that define the Nigardsbreen experience.
Steep climbs, icy steps and tunnels
Some sections involve quite steep climbs up and down—made easier by steps carved in the ice—and on occasion you may crawl through short ice tunnels under guide supervision.
Roped, equipped and guided
With professional glacier guides, guests are roped up and move at a steady, guided pace wearing crampons and using ice axes—expert guidance and appropriate equipment make the terrain accessible.
What the day feels like
How the outing feels
The outing is deliberate and hands-on: you meet at the trailhead, are fitted with glacier kit, then walk roped together across blue-ice fields, negotiating ice steps and crevasses at a steady, guided pace while taking in expansive glacial forms.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this short glacier hike suits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The guided Short Blue Ice Hike lasts approximately 4.5 hours. Some departures (for example at 10:15 and 11:45) are scheduled to connect with the Glacier Bus from Sogndal.
Bring a backpack, warm wind- and waterproof clothing that covers the whole body (no shorts or skirts without leggings), sunglasses, a packed lunch, solid shoes (trekking boots or sturdy sport shoes) and gloves.
Meet at the Nigardsbreen car park for check-in and kit fitting prior to the hike.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Can the glacier hikes get cancelled due to bad weather?
Rain is common in the region; hikes are cancelled only in exceptional and severe weather conditions or when ice conditions are dangerous. For more details see the operator’s homepage.
How long does the Short Blue Ice Hike take?
The hike duration is approximately 4.5 hours.
Where do we meet before the hike?
Groups meet at the Nigardsbreen car park for check-in and kit fitting.
What clothing and gear should I bring?
Bring a backpack, warm wind- and waterproof clothing that covers the whole body (no shorts or skirts without leggings), sunglasses, a packed lunch, solid shoes (trekking boots or sturdy sport shoes) and gloves.
Are dogs or drones allowed on the hike?
Dogs and drones are not allowed on all Blue Ice Hikes; check operator rules for the specific departure.