National park · Norway
Jostedalsbreen National ParkJostedalsbreen nasjonalpark
See the ice from the road at Bøyabreen or from the Nigardsbreen car park; go June–September, and step onto the glacier only with a professional guide.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,310 km² (506 sq mi)506 sq mi (1,310 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Norway ↗Norway is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
- Norway ↗Wine and spirits are sold only at the state Vinmonopolet shops; supermarkets sell beer, and not in the evenings or on Sundays.
- Norway ↗The right to roam (allemannsretten) lets you hike and camp on most uncultivated land, keeping a distance from homes and leaving no trace.
At a glance
- Country
- Norway
- Area
- 1,310 km² (506 sq mi)506 sq mi (1,310 km²)
- The park covers more than 1,300 km²; the ice cap itself covers about 500 km².
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier on mainland Europe: an ice cap of roughly 500 km², with around 30 arms descending into surrounding valleys. The main ice sheet is visible only from the air; visitors reach its separate arms from valley roads. The national park covers about 1,300 km² and has no entrance gate or entry fee. Costs are for services such as parking, the Nigardsbreen lake boat and guided glacier walks. Glacier fronts and routes change as the ice moves, so follow current signs and local guidance.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1991.
Size and age
1,310 km² (506 sq mi)506 sq mi (1,310 km²) · national park since 1991
The park covers more than 1,300 km²; the ice cap itself covers about 500 km².
Why go
- The biggest ice mass in mainland Europe, reachable from a public road at Bøyabreen and Nigardsbreen.
- Guided walks on the ice with crampons and an ice axe — the only safe way onto the glacier.
- Meltwater turns the rivers and lakes below the arms turquoise in summer.
- Red deer, eagles and Arctic-alpine plants in the valleys around the ice.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanWinter access and walking conditions; check local road status.
- FebWinter conditions; check local access.
- MarWinter conditions; check local access.
- AprShoulder season; check whether valley roads and tours are operating.
- MaySome seasonal services may operate; confirm locally.
- JunLong days and summer access; confirm tour availability.
- JulSummer access; popular viewpoints can be busy.
- AugSummer access; book guided glacier walks ahead.
- SepQuieter shoulder season; confirm tour and road status.
- OctSeasonal services may have ended; check before travelling.
- NovWinter access and short days; check local conditions.
- DecWinter access and short days; check local conditions.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red deer in the valley meadowsMay–Sep · Most often seen at dawn and dusk near the valley farms. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| White-tailed eagles over the fjords and lakesApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Arctic-alpine flowers close to the iceJun–Aug | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Lynx and wolverine (rare, mostly tracks)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Sogndal
Drive route 604 up Jostedalen to Nigardsbreen, or take route 5 to Fjærland for Bøyabreen.
check
From Bergen
Drive via E16 and route 5; bus connections towards Sogndal are possible but services are limited.
check
Open the page →
From Oslo
Drive via E16 and Lærdal to route 5, or use public transport via Flåm and Sogndal; connections are limited.
check
Open the page →
From Olden
Drive the local road up Oldedalen to Briksdalsbreen, about 22 km (14 mi) from Olden.Drive the local road up Oldedalen to Briksdalsbreen, about 14 mi (22 km) from Olden.
check
From Fjærland
Use route 5; Bøyabreen is close to the road by the tunnel entrance.
check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Jostedalen and Nigardsbreen | The most visited arm, with a meltwater lake, boat crossing and guided walks. | Road to the parking area; boat and tours in season. |
| Oldedalen and Briksdalsbreen | The classic postcard arm, 2.5 km (1.6 mi) up the valley from the car park.The classic postcard arm, 1.6 mi (2.5 km) up the valley from the car park. | Open; troll car in season. |
| Fjærland and Bøyabreen | A glacier arm visible from the main road, plus the glacier museum. | Open; short flat walk to a viewpoint. |
| Plateau ice cap | The main ice sheet, 1,800–2,000 m up. | No trails; only for guided ski or mountaineering parties. |
Sketch map
- 1Nigardsbreen car park and boat landing · Gate≈61.676, 7.213Map ↗
- 2Bøyabreen viewpoint · Viewpoint≈61.506, 6.759Map ↗
- 3Briksdalsbreen car park · Gate≈61.667, 6.883Map ↗
- 4Norwegian Glacier Museum, Fjærland · Headquarters≈61.404, 6.740Map ↗
- 5Kjenndalsbreen, Lodalen · Viewpoint≈61.779, 7.014Map ↗
- 6Gaupne village · Town≈61.405, 7.290Map ↗
- 7Olden village · Town≈61.837, 6.807Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation; the ice cap centre is on the plateau and not reachable on foot.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry gate or entry fee; charges apply to some visitor services. |
| Parking at glacier access points | Free | vehicle | 2026 estimate: fee check; rates vary by location. |
| Boat across the lake at Nigardsbreen | Free | person | 2026 estimate: fare check; seasonal service. |
| Guided glacier walk | Free | person | 2026 estimate: price and availability check with the local operator. |
| Briksdalsbreen Troll car | Free | person | 2026 estimate: fare check; walking to the glacier is also possible. |
| Norwegian Glacier Museum | Free | person | 2026 estimate: admission price check. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Glacier walk permit or guide
Camping no permit
Park rules
- Glacier access
- Do not walk onto the glacier without a professional guide; ice can contain hidden crevasses and unstable sections.
- Glacier fronts
- Keep back from the ice and obey warning signs. Ice can fall without warning and may create dangerous waves.
- Motor vehicles
- There are no roads within the national park; vehicles stay on roads and designated access areas.
- Drones
- Drone rules in the park: check with the park authority before flying.check
- Wild camping
- Follow Norway's right-to-roam rules: camp at least 150 m from buildings, not on roads, in gardens or in fields, and take rubbish with you.
Where to stay
Near the park
Jostedalen valley (Gaupne, Nigardsbreen area)
Campsites, cabins and guesthouses closest to the Nigardsbreen tours.
Near the park
Olden and Loen
Hotels, cabins and campsites for Briksdalsbreen and Kjenndalsbreen.
Near the park
Fjærland
Small hotels and the glacier museum, handy for Bøyabreen.
Near the park
Sogndal
The largest service town in the area, about an hour from the ice.
Safety
Ice fall and sudden waves at the glacier front high
Crevasses on unguided ice high
Cold and wet on the ice medium
Steep, loose slopes on viewpoint hikes medium
Sunburn and snow glare low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Bøyabreen can be viewed from near the road; the nearby walk is described as relatively flat.
- The Briksdalsbreen route is about 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from the parking area; surface and wheelchair access conditions check.The Briksdalsbreen route is about 1.6 mi (2.5 km) from the parking area; surface and wheelchair access conditions check.
- Glacier walks and steep mountain routes are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Book with local guiding companies that limit group size on the ice and follow the park's route rules.
- Stay on marked paths near the glacier front; the moraine and pioneer vegetation are easily damaged.
- Take all rubbish out of the park and use the toilets at the parking areas before you set off.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Jostedalsbreen?
Nothing. The national park has no gate and no entry fee. You pay only for parking (about 50–100 NOK per vehicle, 2026 estimate), the boat across the lake at Nigardsbreen, or a guided glacier walk, which runs from roughly 700 NOK for the easy Nigardsbreen tour to 1,400 NOK for a full day on the ice.
What are the best hikes in Jostedalsbreen?
For most visitors the best 'hike' is the easy guided glacier walk at Nigardsbreen, reached by a short boat crossing. On land, the flat 2.5 km track to Briksdalsbreen and the 30-minute path at Bøyabreen give the biggest views for the least effort. Longer options are the full-day Bødalsbreen ice trek from Loen and the Flatbreen trek from Fjærland, both guided.
When is the best time to visit Jostedalsbreen?
June to September. Roads to the arms are clear, guided tours run daily and the days are long. July and August are the busiest, especially at Briksdalsbreen; late June and September are quieter with the same access. From October to May most tours stop and some valley roads close.
Can I see the glacier without walking on it?
Yes, and most people do. Bøyabreen is visible from route 5 near the tunnel, and Nigardsbreen is usually visible from the car park and the boat landing. Briksdalsbreen needs a 2.5 km walk or a troll car ride up the valley.
Do I need a guide to walk on the glacier?
Yes. The ice is moving, crevassed and dangerous, and unguided access is not safe. Local companies at Nigardsbreen, Olden/Loen and Fjærland run daily tours in season and provide crampons and an ice axe.
Is Jostedalsbreen the same as Jotunheimen?
No. Jotunheimen is a separate national park southeast of the ice, with Norway's highest mountains. Between the two lies Breheimen, another protected area with smaller glaciers.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go