THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Take a short boat across Styggevatnet to Austdalsbreen and walk among crevasses and towering ice faces. This family-friendly half-day trip combines a scenic boat crossing with a guided, easy glacier walk suitable for most fitness levels.
Take a short boat across Styggevatnet to Austdalsbreen and walk among crevasses and towering ice faces. This family-friendly half-day trip combines a scenic boat crossing with a guided, easy glacier walk suitable for most fitness levels.
A low, cold wind crosses Styggevatnet as the boat cuts between blue-white bergs that bob and tap at the hull. On shore the glacier looms — a serrated wall of ice that pushes forward from the Jostedalsbreen icecap, calving in slow, dramatic bursts into the lake. The short boat crossing sharpens the senses; the glacier’s front is immediate and loud, water and ice arguing for attention.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by ICETROLL - Glacier Hiking & Kayaking · Skjolden, Vestland
A low, cold wind crosses Styggevatnet as the boat cuts between blue-white bergs that bob and tap at the hull. On shore the glacier looms — a serrated wall of ice that pushes forward from the Jostedalsbreen icecap, calving in slow, dramatic bursts into the lake. The short boat crossing sharpens the senses; the glacier’s front is immediate and loud, water and ice arguing for attention.
Austdalsbreen is an outlet of Jostedalsbreen, Norway’s largest mainland ice cap. The valley below has been shaped by repeated glacial advances and retreats over millennia; local farms and hamlets adapted to a landscape where ice and fjord meet. Geologically the area is hard rock scoured smooth, with moraines and plunge pools marking former ice limits. Culturally, the Sogn region retains mountain farming traditions and an emphasis on low-impact outdoor access.
Practical guidance is straightforward: the tour is about 4–5 hours total with 1.5–2 hours on the glacier guided by experienced leaders. Operators supply boating and glacier equipment; participants should arrive with warm, waterproof outer layers, sturdy boots, and good sunglasses — glare from ice is intense. Expect uneven, icy terrain but minimal technical rope work; guides manage lines and safety.
Plan for variable weather and possible cancellations in poor conditions. Travel from nearby Skjolden or Gaupne, and leave extra time for single-lane mountain roads. On the ice, move deliberately, follow the guide’s instructions, and take time to listen — here the landscape speaks in creaks, drips, and the distant crack of falling ice.
easy.
4–5 hours.
Suitable for most people with basic walking fitness; you should be able to walk 1–2 hours on uneven, icy terrain.
Yes — the tour is advertised as family-friendly and physically easy; guides tailor pace for kids but guardians should ensure children wear warm clothing and suitable footwear.
Operators may cancel for safety reasons; their policy allows full refund if cancelled at least 24 hours before departure or if weather forces cancellation.
No — guides provide all necessary equipment and instruction; the glacier front on this tour is straightforward to walk with guidance.
Styggevatnet and the launch point are reached by local roads from Skjolden; allow extra time for single-lane stretches and follow operator meeting instructions.
Local valleys were carved by repeated Jostedalsbreen advances; mountain farms in Sogn adapted to seasonal isolation and a landscape shaped by ice.
Glaciers here are sensitive to climate change — stick to guide instructions, avoid disturbing ice features, and pack out all waste to minimize impact.
ICETROLL - Glacier Hiking & Kayaking operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A low, cold wind crosses Styggevatnet as the boat cuts between blue-white bergs that bob and tap at the hull. On shore the glacier looms — a serrated wall of ice that pushes forward from the Jostedalsbreen icecap, calving in slow, dramatic bursts into the lake. The short boat crossing sharpens the senses; the glacier’s front is immediate and loud, water and ice arguing for attention.
A low, cold wind crosses Styggevatnet as the boat cuts between blue-white bergs that bob and tap at the hull. On shore the glacier looms — a serrated wall of ice that pushes forward from the Jostedalsbreen icecap, calving in slow, dramatic bursts into the lake. The short boat crossing sharpens the senses; the glacier’s front is immediate and loud, water and ice arguing for attention.
Austdalsbreen is an outlet of Jostedalsbreen, Norway’s largest mainland ice cap. The valley below has been shaped by repeated glacial advances and retreats over millennia; local farms and hamlets adapted to a landscape where ice and fjord meet. Geologically the area is hard rock scoured smooth, with moraines and plunge pools marking former ice limits. Culturally, the Sogn region retains mountain farming traditions and an emphasis on low-impact outdoor access.
Practical guidance is straightforward: the tour is about 4–5 hours total with 1.5–2 hours on the glacier guided by experienced leaders. Operators supply boating and glacier equipment; participants should arrive with warm, waterproof outer layers, sturdy boots, and good sunglasses — glare from ice is intense. Expect uneven, icy terrain but minimal technical rope work; guides manage lines and safety.
Plan for variable weather and possible cancellations in poor conditions. Travel from nearby Skjolden or Gaupne, and leave extra time for single-lane mountain roads. On the ice, move deliberately, follow the guide’s instructions, and take time to listen — here the landscape speaks in creaks, drips, and the distant crack of falling ice.