Find out what to expect on a glacier hike in Norway at Austdalsbreen, including our first-hand experience of the trip, along with tips on planning, packing and where to stay.
Norway is home to more than 2,500 glaciers. They inch down its mountainsides and carve through the valleys of its fjord country. For us, spotting one from a distance is exciting and always worth a detour. But getting up close to a glacier is next level, and unforgettable.
Norway’s glaciers can be experienced in all sorts of ways, from roadside viewpoints and boat trips to short guided hikes and full-day kayaking adventures.
On our Norway road trip, we decided to go all in and do the latter, joining a full-day kayak and glacier hike tour at Austdalsbreen, one of the 50 glacier arms flowing from Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier in mainland Europe. It ended up being one of the standout experiences of our time in the country.
Austdalsbreen glacier – quick planner
Location: Jostedalsbreen National Park, western Norway
Experience: Guided kayaking across Styggevatnet and glacier hiking on Austdalsbreen
Tour duration: Around 7 to 8 hours
Season: July to September, depending on when the lake becomes ice-free
Difficulty: Moderate effort required, though no previous kayaking or glacier-hiking experience necessary
Glacier time: Usually around 1.5 to 2 hours
What’s in this post?
Planning a Glacier Hike in Norway at Austdalsbreen
– What the tour involves
– Best time to visit Austdalsbreen
– Getting to Jostedal
– Where to stay before or after your glacier tour
– What to pack and wear
– Weather, cancellations and safety
What to Expect From an Austdalsbreen Tour
– Our Austdalsbreen kayaking and glacier hiking experience
– Jostedalsbreen National Park glacier tours
– Is an Austdalsbreen tour worth doing?
Useful Travel Resources
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Planning a Glacier Hike in Norway at Austdalsbreen
What the tour involves
We did the full-day Kayaking and Glacier Hike Tour that combines kayaking on Styggevatnet with a guided walk on Austdalsbreen.
You meet the operator in Jostedal before travelling with the group towards Styggevatnet. At the lake, your guide distributes kayaking equipment and explains the basic paddling and safety procedures.
The outward kayak journey currently takes around 1.5 hours, depending on the weather and conditions on the lake. Previous kayaking experience isn’t really necessary, although it’s an advantage.
We tackled the lake in double kayaks and, as the lake was quite placid on the day we visited, we didn’t find the paddle particularly strenuous.
After reaching Austdalsbreen, the group stops for lunch near the glacier before your guide provides the required glacier equipment, including crampons, a harness, rope and an ice axe or ice pick.
Once everyone is ready, you walk onto Austdalsbreen in a roped group and spend around 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the glacier. Moving at a fairly slow and careful pace, the glacier walk itself isn’t that challenging, but you do need to be comfortable in the crampons and able to walk up a fairly steady incline.
The day finishes with the return paddle across Styggevatnet and the journey back to Jostedal. The complete tour usually takes between 7 and 8 hours, although mountain conditions can affect the finish time.
Best time to visit Austdalsbreen
Styggevatnet sits around 1,200 metres above sea level and remains covered by snow and ice through winter and into summer.
Tours on Styggevatnet normally start around early to mid-July each year and continue until the end of September. That doesn’t mean every departure is guaranteed though. Strong wind or unsafe conditions can prevent kayaking, while the lake’s thaw sets the season start date.
We visited at the end of July, and while the temperature hovered around 12°C, we experienced the full gamut of changing weather throughout the day.
Even when the lake is frozen, there are a range of other glacier experiences operating year-round that cover different arms of Jostedal glacier depending on the weather and activity.
Getting to Jostedal
We think it’s best to have your own wheels for this trip, and would also recommend staying in or near the area the night before.
The tour we chose runs from Labben in Jostedal, around an hour’s drive from Sogndal (which is in turn around 4 to 5 hours from Bergen).
Driving from Sogndal, follow Road 55 towards Gaupne for around 30km (19 miles) before taking Road 604 towards Jostedalen and Breheimsenteret. Jostedal is around 26km (16 miles) along this road.
It’s worth arriving a little early and allowing extra time for road conditions, traffic and finding the meeting point. From Jostedal, it’s a 30 to 40 minute drive up to Styggevatnet glacier lake, which we did in convoy with the group and guide.
Planning to hire a car in Norway? We’ve always found the best deals at DiscoverCars and they’re our preferred car rental booking engine, with great rates and free cancellation should your plans change.
Booking your car rental in advance will get you the best rates and widest choice of vehicle. Compare car rental rates for Norway.
Travelling without a car? The seasonal Glacier Bus, operated by Skyss, runs from Sogndal through Hafslo, Marifjøra, Gaupne and Jostedal, continuing to Breheimsenteret and Nigardsbreen. It can work for some glacier tours, depending on their departure and return times.
As we had our own vehicle we haven’t used this service, but you can check the Skyss website for timetable and booking information if it’s an option you’re considering.
If you’re unsure whether your tour connects with the Glacier Bus it’s always best to confirm directly with the operator in advance.
Where to stay before or after your glacier tour
We opted to stay in Sogndal before and after our glacier tour as it worked best for our broader Norway road trip route. It also has the widest range of accommodation and dining options in the immediate area.
If you want to stay closer to the glacier there are a handful of options in and around Jostedal, while towns along the route from Sogndal like Hafslo and Gaupne also have enough stays and services to meet most needs.
The following stays get consistently good reviews and work well before or after a tour in Jostedalsbreen National Park:
- Good value: Villa Fjellheim – Comfortable, recently renovated guesthouse in Jostedal with mountain views, shared bathrooms, kitchen and living spaces, and free parking.
- Good value: Jostedal Hotel – Welcoming family-run hotel in Jostedal with mountain and river views, clean, cosy rooms, an on-site restaurant and free parking.
- Good value: Studio Leiligheit – Modern, well-equipped studio apartment just a short walk from central Sogndal. Comfortable, spotlessly clean and with a handy kitchenette.
- Mid-range: Eikum Hotel – Friendly hotel in Hafslo, around 40km south of Jostedal, with simple, comfortable rooms, an on-site restaurant and bar, and free on-site parking.
- Mid-range: Tørvis Hotell – Historic fjordside hotel in Marifjora with rooms overlooking Lustrafjorden, an on-site restaurant, bar, garden and terrace.
- Mid-range: Hofslund Fjord Hotel – Historic waterfront hotel overlooking the Sognefjord with comfortable rooms, a heated outdoor pool, beautiful gardens and free parking.
- Spend a bit more: The Sognefjord Cabin Panorama View – Spacious, well-equipped cabin with panoramic fjord and mountain views and free parking around 6km from Sogndal.
What to pack and wear
Even in summer the weather at the glacier can be pretty changeable – we experienced both bright, warm sunshine and light rain with cold wind during our trip.
Wear sunscreen and bring plenty of layers, including a sweater, waterproof jacket, warm hat, gloves, sunglasses, and closed shoes that are suitable for walking. If you have waterproof trousers, even better but quick-dry hiking trousers are fine. Dan wore jeans and would not recommend – damp jeans aren’t fun.
It’s also worth bringing a wool or thermal base layer, sun hat, extra socks, and a dry bag or waterproof liner for your daypack.
Bring enough food and water for a busy and active day as there’s nowhere to buy food during the tour. We made sandwiches the night before and packed muesli bars and nuts for snacking on. Our group stopped for a lunch break near the glacier – a beautiful, peaceful spot for a picnic.
Weather, cancellations and safety
Austdalsbreen sits in a high mountain environment where conditions can change quickly.
Heavy rain doesn’t necessarily mean a tour will be cancelled, which is another good reason to pack for a range of weather. You may find yourself out in cool, wet conditions for several hours.
Strong winds are more of a concern, as they can make kayaking on Styggevatnet unsafe. Operators may wait until the group reaches the lake before making a final call, as conditions at the site can be quite different from the weather forecast. It’s worth checking the booking conditions beforehand so you know what to expect if your tour is cancelled.
Safety is the top priority, and we were given a thorough briefing and clear instructions before setting out. Glacier hiking requires expert eyes and skills – going with an experienced guide and having the right gear is critical.
What to expect from an Austdalsbreen Tour
Our Austdalsbreen kayaking and glacier hiking experience
I’ve got vivid memories of gliding across Styggevatnet under bright, warm sunshine and casually dipping my hand into the turquoise water. The sting of the freezing glacier lake was immediate and breath-catching. I yanked my hand back, suddenly very clear on our guide’s directions to paddle carefully and avoid tipping the kayak.
Take it from us, you really don’t want to go for a swim in this water, despite how inviting it looks!
Paddling in a tight group across the lake, we felt incredibly lucky to be immersed in this fragile, unspoilt wilderness.
Then we reached the glacier terminus, with its 30-metre-high wall of white, grey and translucent blue ice, and our appreciation turned to sheer awe.
Clambering out of our kayaks, we hauled them ashore and sat down to enjoy a brief lunch overlooking the glacier and lake. Our guide then walked us through a thorough safety briefing to prepare us for the next stage of the adventure.
By this point we were eager to get onto the ice, but first we had to master what turned out to be the biggest challenge of the day: donning crampons. I thought getting in and out of the kayak was hard. It was nothing compared to figuring out how to strap these spiked metal contraptions to my shoes.
After a couple of false starts, and with some help from the guide, the crampons were finally tied on. Ice picks in hand, we were split into two groups and harnessed together via a very long rope before commencing our ascent up onto the glacier.
As bucket list experiences go, crunching our way up and onto this colossal wall of ice was right up there for us. Bleak yet beautiful, the glacier shimmered in the sunlight, cut through here and there with deep-blue crevasses and shallow ponds. The views across the lake and surrounding mountains were breathtaking.
During the climb, our guide talked us through the story of Jostedal and the glacier, its vastness, formations and quirks. We took turns peering into deep ice cracks while our companions held tight to our ropes, and listened to the creaks and cracks of the ever-shifting ice.
All too soon, our 90-minute hike came to an end, and we were back in the kayaks paddling across the lake with dark clouds on our heels, and a buzz from the experience that would follow us all the way back to Sogndal.
Jostedalsbreen National Park glacier tours
Austdalsbreen Full Day Kayaking and Glacier Hike: 7.5 hours | age 15+ | 1.5-hour kayak each way across Styggevatnet glacier lake | around 1.5–2 hours hiking on Austdalsbreen | small group, max 9 people | kayaking and glacier equipment included
Best for the complete kayak + glacier experience – this is the tour we did.
See tour details and availability.
Austdalsbreen Half Day Tour: 4.5 hours | age 6+ | 15-minute boat trip across Styggevatnet glacier lake | around 1.5–2 hours hiking on Austdalsbreen | small group, max 8 people | designed for families and those wanting a less physically demanding option | equipment included
Best for families or anyone wanting less exertion.
Check availability for the half-day tour.
Nigardsbreen Short Blue Ice Hike: around 4.5 hours | age 12+ | boat across Nigardsbrevatnet | around 1 hour scenic walk from the boat landing to the glacier | around 1.5 hours on Nigardsbreen | equipment and boat trip included
Best for anyone looking for an introductory blue-ice hike.
View dates for the short hike.
Nigardsbreen Long Blue Ice Hike: around 5.5 hours | age 12+ | boat across Nigardsbrevatnet | around 1 hour scenic walk from the boat landing to the glacier | around 2.5 hours on Nigardsbreen | equipment and boat trip included
Best if you want more time on the glacier.
Check availability for the longer hike.
Nigardsbreen Deluxe Blue Ice Hike: around 5.5 hours | age 12+ | small group, max 6 people | first boat across Nigardsbrevatnet | around 1 hour scenic walk from the boat landing to the glacier | around 2.5 hours on the glacier | more guide interaction than the standard group hikes | equipment and boat trip included
Best for people wanting a smaller group, maximum glacier time and a quieter start.
Is an Austdalsbreen tour worth doing?
For us, this was one of the highlights of our Norway road trip. The combination of kayaking across a glacier lake, the mountain scenery, and actually getting out onto a glacier was an experience we’ll never forget.
If you enjoy active days outdoors and want to experience a glacier up close rather than viewing one from a roadside lookout or visitor centre, this is a pretty special way to do it.
That said, there are some important considerations: the day is long, the water is cold, and the weather can be wet or windy (or both). You need to carry your own food, dress for mountain conditions, and be prepared for several hours of paddling and ice walking.
If you’re keen to hike on the ice but you’d prefer to skip the kayaking there are a range of alternatives that replace the kayaking leg with a 15-minute boat ride across Styggevatnet to the glacier, followed by a glacier hike.
Userful Travel Resources
Glacier tour: We did the full day Kayaking and Glacier Hike Tour from Jostedal, which can be booked through GetYourGuide. Reserve your spot now.
Stays: Our go-to is Booking.com for its wide choice of accommodation and Genius member discounts. Check prices and availability.
Car hire: We use DiscoverCars to compare prices across multiple rental companies, with competitive rates and free cancellation. Compare car hire prices.
Other tours: Find top-rated tours, day trips and local experiences in Norway with GetYourGuide. See what’s available.
eSIMs: We use Airalo to stay connected while travelling. Browse Norway eSIMs.
Airport Transfer: Take the hassle out of city airport arrivals and departures by pre-booking a transfer with Welcome Pickups.
Sound like your kind of adventure? If you’ve got any questions visiting Norway check out the resources on our Norway page, and if you’re after a suggested route to help you plan your visit, take a look at our Norway road trip itinerary.
If you’re looking for more great road tripping itineraries and adventures, check out our Road Trips page, and our bucket list of 100 ultimate road trips around the world.