Jostedalsbreen National Park
Park Norwegian park protecting largest continental glacier
National park protecting Jostedalsbreen, mainland Europe’s largest glacier; visitors book guided glacier walks, ice-climbing trips and valley hikes across Vestland’s fjord landscapes.
Jostedalsbreen National Park in Vestland, Norway, protects Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier on the European mainland. The park was established to conserve the glacier landscape and adjacent valleys.
The park is known for extensive ice fields, outlet glaciers, and glacier-carved valleys; popular visitor highlights include accessible glacier tongues and short marked trails. Guided glacier walks and viewpoint paths at outlet glaciers allow close encounters with ice in summer months, while valley routes and mountain trails provide longer hikes.
The protected area was designated as a national park to safeguard the glacier environment and surrounding ecosystems; management focuses on balancing visitor access with conservation of glacial landforms and alpine habitats. Over the 20th and 21st centuries the glacier has shown measurable retreat on many of its outlet arms.
The park sits on Norway’s western mainland in Vestland county and covers mountainous terrain with steep valleys that lead down toward fjord areas. Access is commonly made from regional towns and fjord-side communities in western Norway.
- Accessible glacier arms: A good way to experience the ice is by visiting one of the accessible glacier arms such as Nigardsbreen or Briksdalsbreen, both equipped with marked trails and visitor facilities.
- Practical advice: Weather on the glacier can change quickly; layered clothing and sturdy footwear are recommended for short hikes to glacier viewpoints.
What to See #
- Jostedalsbreen glacier: The central ice mass of the park and the feature that gives the park its name; the glacier feeds dozens of outlet glaciers and reaches low altitudes in several valleys.
- Nigardsbreen: A well-known glacier arm with easy visitor access and a staffed glacier centre; short walks and boat crossings lead to viewpoints on the snout.
- Briksdalsbreen: A popular, easily reached glacier tongue in a steep valley that has been a frequent subject for hikers and photographers; access involves a valley footpath with several viewpoints.
How to Get to Jostedalsbreen National Park #
By car: The park is accessible by road from Sogndal and from the E39/E16 corridors. Nigardsbreen is reached via County Road 604 from Gaupne; expect roughly 1-2 hours’ drive from Sogndal. By public transport: regional buses connect Sogndal, Gaupne, and villages near the park during summer; timetables vary seasonally. From Oslo/Bergen, take train or bus to Sogndal or Oppstryn and continue by local bus or car.
Tips for Visiting Jostedalsbreen National Park #
- If planning a glacier walk, book a licensed guide (many tours depart from the village of Gjerde and from the Breheimsenteret).
- Drive the scenic route along Norwegian County Road 604/55 but allow extra time for narrow mountain roads; summer roadworks can add delays.
- Visit one of the glacier centres (Nigardsbreen/Breheimsenteret) early in the morning to avoid coach crowds and to catch the best light for photography.
Best Time to Visit Jostedalsbreen National Park #
Best visited in summer for road access and glacier walks; shoulder seasons offer quieter views but check road and guide availability.
Weather & Climate near Jostedalsbreen National Park #
Jostedalsbreen National Park's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -12°C to 2°C. Heavy rainfall (2318 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is freezing with highs of -8°C and lows of -12°C. Heavy rain (254 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -8°C and lows of -12°C. Significant rainfall (196 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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March
March is freezing with highs of -7°C and lows of -11°C. Significant rainfall (197 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -9°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -5°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (147 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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August
August is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (180 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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September
September is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -2°C. Heavy rain (249 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -5°C. Heavy rain (252 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -9°C. Heavy rain (244 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -8°C and lows of -11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (267 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
