About the National Park
Jostedalsbreen National Park is one of the largest intact wilderness areas in southern Norway.
The glaciers are surrounded by a spectacular and jaw-dropping landscape displaying large contrasts within short distances, offering memorable nature experiences.
Activities
Experiencing the glacier gives you lifelong memories!
Putting crampons on your shoes and enjoying the feeling of the ice under your feet is something incredibly unique. You can also easily explore the beauty of the national park while skiing. Or would you rather take a walk in a lush mountain valley and enjoy the quiet sounds of nature? The national park is open for all and accessible to all visitor groups. The variation in experiences can excite both children and adults.
The Visitor Centres
The national park has three authorised visitor centres where you can look at, experience, and learn more about nature, climate, and the local communities.
Why is the glacier ice blue? Is Jostedalsbreen a remnant of the Last Ice Age? How do avalanches form? What do we know about climate change and how will it affect the glaciers? Learn this and more at our visitor centres.
Gateways
You will find helpful information at the gateways that will enhance your experience while you are a visitor at Jostedalsbreen National Park.
Geology and climate
In Jostedalsbreen National Park, you will see how the land is formed day by day. The glacier scours the bedrock like a giant sandpaper, constantly shaping the landscape and producing spectacular landforms.
Historical usage
In the past, Jostedalsbreen was an important route for travelling from the western fjord areas to the eastern part of Norway. Cattle and horses were even herded across the glacier to be sold at fairs in the eastern part of Norway!
Today, using the glacier as a travelling route would be difficult since it is smaller, steeper, and more heavily crevassed.
Travel and accommodation
The areas around the national park have many great options for accommodation and tasty cuisine. There are several ways to get to the national park regardless of the season.
| Title | Address | Description |
|---|---|---|
Jostedalsbreen nasjonalparksenter | Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalparksenter, Sandvik, 6799 Oppstryn, Norge | |
Breheimsenteret Jostedalen | M72G+G5 Mjolver, Norge | |
Norsk Bremuseum | Fjærlandsfjorden 13, 6848 Fjærland, Norge | |
Stryn | Stryn, Norge | |
Sogndalsfjøra | Sogndalsfjøra, Norge | |
Gjerde | Jostedalsvegen 3051, 6871 Jostedal, Norge | |
Oppstryn | Oppstryn, Norge | |
Hjelle | W46C+GR Hjelle, Norge | |
Loen | Loen, Norge | |
Olden | Olden, Norge | |
Byrkjelo | Byrkjelo, Norge | |
Skei | Skei, Norge | |
Hafslo | Hafslo, Norge | |
Gaupne | Gaupne, Norge | |
Tungestølen | Luster, Norge | |
Skålabu | 6789 Skåla, Norge | |
Vetledalseter | 6799 Oppstryn, Norge | |
Flatbrehytta | Vei uten navn, 6848 Fjærland, Norge |
Gateways
Protected areas in the vicinity
Nigardsbreen Nature Reserve, Breheimen National park, Jotunheimen National Park
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The right to roam: Joys, responsibilities, and obligations
You are given free access, but with it comes responsibility
How lucky we Norwegians are: The right to roam is a public good; it’s free of charge and a part of the Norwegian cultural heritage. It gives you the right to roam the open country without bothering the landowner. Nature is accessible to everyone if you exercise caution and consideration.
Outdoor recreation is a great and important part of the Norwegian identity. Since ancient times, we have had the right to roam freely in the forests and open country, along rivers, on lakes, among the skerries, and in the mountains. If you exercise caution and consideration and pick up your rubbish, the right to roam ensures that you’ll have free access to nature.
The main principles of the right to roam are legally enshrined in the Outdoor Recreation Act of 1957. The ground rule is: Exercise caution and show consideration to nature, private property and other hikers. Don’t cause any damage and leave nature the way you would like to find it.
The right to roam: rules and possibilities
You may pitch your tent or sleep under the stars anywhere in the open country, as long as you are at least 150 metres away from the nearest house or cabin. Pitch your tent in a manner that does not cause any damage to the young-growth forest. If you plan on camping in the same spot for more than two nights, you are obligated to ask the landowner for permission. Exceptions to this case are in the high mountains or very remote areas.
It is forbidden to make a campfire in the period between 15. April to 15. September, but it is allowed by the sea where any fire hazard is unlikely. If you make a fire by the sea, avoid doing so directly on the bare rock face so that the rock doesn’t crack open. Never leave a fire until you have made sure it’s wholly put out and remember to tidy up after yourself before leaving.
You may roam freely in the open country on foot or skis, ride a horse or a bike on the trail, and go swimming, canoeing, or kayaking, rowing, or sailing a boat. You may pick berries, mushrooms, wildflowers, and wild herbs’ roots. Please familiarise yourself with the rules if you are in a protected area, and please refrain from picking endangered plants.
You may fish saltwater species all year, both from land and boat, if it’s for your own use. If you plan to fish salmon, sea trout or Arctic char in rivers and streams, you need to pay a fishing fee to the Government and usually buy a fishing license from the landowner.
In open, unfenced land and fenced land, you need to shut open gates and show consideration towards grazing animals. If you have a dog, please respect the regulations that state that all dogs should be kept on a leash between April 1 and August 20.