Nigardsbreen
Gaupne, Norway
An outlet glacier of Jostedalsbreen, reached by a toll road from Jostedal and a walk along a glacial lake. Guided glacier hikes are offered, but stay off the ice without a guide and wear sturdy boots.
Nigardsbreen is an arm of the Jostedalsbreen glacier in the Jostedal valley, about 30 kilometres north of Gaupne, and covers around 48 square kilometres. Between 1700 and 1748 it advanced roughly 4 kilometres and buried nine farms; between 1930 and 1939 it retreated again. The Breheimsenteret in Jostedal, about 11 kilometres away, serves as an information centre.
You reach the glacier via the glacial lake Nigardsbrevatnet, either by boat or by bus. The glacier is dangerous: there have been repeated accidents caused by falling ice, several of them fatal, most recently in 2014 and 2018. Therefore walk on the ice only with a guide and keep away from the glacier front. Allow half a day to a full day for the visit and wear sturdy walking boots.
- Nearest town
- Gaupne, Norway
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 61.6800, 7.1400
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
Cold, short days in November–April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Norway: Electronic tolls by number plate. Automatic toll roads and toll rings; many routes include car ferries. Motorway limit for cars: 110 km/h.
Sources
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Jostedal CampingCampsite9 km from NigardsbreenTentsCaravansDrinking waterWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Melkevoll BretunCampsite17 km from NigardsbreenTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Melkevoll Bretun CampingCampsite17 km from NigardsbreenTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Gryta CampingCampsite20 km from NigardsbreenTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Sande CampingCampsite23 km from NigardsbreenTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Høyseth CampingCampsite24 km from NigardsbreenTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowers
All campsites in Norway · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Nigardsbreen?
Nigardsbreen is in Gaupne, Norway, at GPS 61.6800, 7.1400. It is about 17 km from Briksdal.
Can you camp near Nigardsbreen?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Nigardsbreen Camping, about 8 km away; within 25 km there are 16 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Nigardsbreen?
Places worth a stop nearby: Briksdalsbreen (16 km), Bøyabreen (30 km), Dalsnibba (42 km) and Urnes Stave Church (44 km).
When is the best time to visit Nigardsbreen?
Cold, short days in November–April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)