Glacier Walking

The landscape around Jostedalsbreen Glacier is magic, quiet and frightening at the same time. The glacier fascinates, frightens and attracts, steeping from the mountain stretching its ice blue arms from the prehistoric period down towards the valley.

The Jostedalsbreen Glacier is the largest glacier on the European mainland. In Jølster you can see it both from the main road E39 in the Kjøsnesfjord and in Stardalen.

In 1890 the Norwegian Trekking Association decided to appoint guides with exclusive rights on certain routes over the Jostedal Glacier. Since then there have been several guides with exclusive rights in Jølster for the routes Lunde to Fjærland, and from Fonn to Veitastrond. In olden times people only ventured the glacier when this was necessary. But from the 19th century onwards traffic increased. Tourists also found their way up on to the glacier. Only in Jølster were these patent guide traditions carried on as day trips with experienced guide on the Haugabreen Glacier.