The World’s Only Daily Glacier Hiking & Kayaking Tour on Jostedalsbreen, Norway
Kayak across Styggevatnet before stepping onto Austdalsbreen, a spectacular calving glacier.
TIME
7.5 hrs
Age
15+ years
Under 15?
Call us!
When
Jul – Sep
NOK
2300
Child – 2100
Check Availability
Secure online booking with instant confirmation.
Need help choosing? Contact us — we’re happy to help.
WHAT TO EXPECT
DISCOVER THE CALVING AUSTDALSBREEN (GLACIER)
Styggevatnet (1,200m above sea level) is covered by snow from winter until early to mid-July. It is then the adventure begins as we kayak over the mountain lake and hike atop Austdalsbreen. We start trips on Styggevatnet, Jostedal, in early July (hopefully 11 July), and run these guided tours until the end of September.
Once the lake has defrosted, we begin the kayaking tours. It is about one and a half hours paddling in kayaks over to Austdalsbreen, the most accessible glacier in Norway, with its 30m-high front that calves towers of ice into the lake. On the way, we look for icebergs that have calved off the glacier from the days before. After kayaking, we stop for some lunch, enjoying the view across the front of the glacier.
We then start the glacier hike on the blue ice at the glacier front, walking around huge crevasses toward the center of the glacier for a spectacular view over the lake and the Jostedalsbreen National Park. We spend about 1.5 - 2 hours on the glacier, exploring and explaining various features of this natural wonder. After the glacier tour, we walk back to the kayaks for our return to civilization… All good things must come to an end.
For young families, we would recommend our purpose-designed Glacier Half Day tour, where you go to the same places as the kayak & glacier tour, but use a motorboat to get to the glacier instead of kayaks, meaning a shorter, easier trip that is more in line with children. If you are worried about your child on the glacier, you shouldn’t be, it’s usually the parents we are waiting for!
Book your Norwegian glacier hike & kayak tour today!
Essential Info
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Warm hat and gloves, warm clothing including a rain jacket, drink bottle, sunglasses, food/a snack, good shoes (running shoes are possible, but not so comfortable on the glacier).
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Woolen under layers, waterproof trousers, sun hat, good walking shoes/boots (but don’t buy especially for this tour).
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All boating and glacier equipment, and glacier information.
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LABBEN - (The Lab)
Jostedalvegen 2889, Jostedal, on road 604.
At 09:00 & 10:00.Please arrive 15 minutes before start time. If you need/want to buy warm or waterproof clothing or want to enjoy a great coffee, please arrive earlier.
Additional Info
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● LABBEN - The Lab: View Map
• From Sogndal: Take road 55 to Gaupne (approximately 30km) Turn left onto road 604 toward Breheimsenter and Jostedalen (approximately 28 km to LABBEN, The Lab – our meeting place). After 28,5 km you will see a big red animal barn and a smaller red building on the right-hand side, turn right and you are at LABBEN.
• From Lom: take road 55 to Gaupne. Turn right onto road 604 toward Breheimsenter and Jostedalen then follow directions above:
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Jostedal Hotel
post@jostedalhotel.no or call +47 5768 3119Jostedal Camping
post@jostedalcamping.no or call +47 9775 6789● Jostedal Hotel/Camping: view map
Jostedal Lodge
ellenmaky@gmail.com or call + 47 911 06 861Villa Fjellheim
Contact form on villafjellheim.no or call +47 922 033 58 -
You need to tell us you are on a bus BEFORE YOU BOOK if you want us to wait for you and take you in our vehicle to the lake.
If you are on public transport (bus) we can wait for the Glacier Bus to arrive, but recommend you stay in Jostedal after the tour, so we don’t rush back for the bus that leaves Jostedal in the afternoon! If you miss any bus connections, we have no responsibility for this or consequent transport you require (we will try to help you, but this is not our job – our trips often run later than advertised, there is a lot of nature to enjoy!).
Icetroll FAQs
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If we cancel a tour due to unsafe conditions (for example strong wind or other environmental factors), we will offer:
A full refund
Rebooking to another date (assuming availability)
Rebooking to a different tour (assuming availability, with any price difference adjusted)
Your safety always comes first in our decisions.
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If you cancel your booking, the cancellation terms can be found in our Terms & Conditions at the bottom of each page and in your booking confirmation email.
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Glacier tours operate in normal mountain conditions, including wind, cold temperatures and changeable weather.
Rain — even heavy rain — is not a reason for cancelling a tour. We dress for the conditions and adapt as needed.
Strong wind can occasionally make kayaking conditions unsuitable. Decisions are made at the lake based on actual conditions rather than forecasts.
If conditions are genuinely unsafe, we will reschedule (assuming availability) or offer a refund.
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Each glacier tour has a minimum age listed on the trip page.
As a general rule:
Children under 4 years cannot join our tours.
Some glacier tours have higher age limits due to activity duration and the exposed mountain environment.
Longer tours and cold conditions can be demanding for younger children, and we want everyone to have a positive experience.
If you are unsure which tour is best for your family, please contact us — we are happy to help you choose.
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Unfortunately, dogs cannot join our glacier tours.
If you are travelling with a dog and would like advice on possible solutions, please contact us before booking.
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No previous glacier or kayaking experience is required.
All tours are guided, and you will receive full instructions before and during the trip.
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Our glacier tours vary in physical level.
Some trips include longer kayaking approaches and extended glacier hikes, requiring moderate endurance. Others are shorter and less demanding.
Each trip page includes clear information about duration and physical requirements. If you are unsure whether a tour suits you, just ask — we are happy to advise.
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All Icetroll glacier tours take place in natural mountain environments where inherent risks exist.
We minimise these risks through careful planning, professional judgement and experienced guides. You will receive a full safety briefing before your tour and must follow guide instructions at all times.
Our primary goal is your safety — and from that, your enjoyment.