BRIKSDALS GLACIER
The mighty Briksdalsbreen glacier is part of Jostedalsbreen National Park. From a height of 1200 meters, the wild glacier plunges all the way down into the lush, narrow Briksdalen valley - a sight that attracts visitors from all over the world every year.
GLACIER
Briksdalsbreen is a western arm of Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier on the European mainland - protected as a national park. The glacier was formed about 2500 years ago. The area is about 10.4 km². Most of it (88%) lies on the glacier plateau above 1500 m. The glacier extends from 1910 m. almost down to Briksdalsvatnet 350 m. In the glacier fall down from the glacier plateau the glacier goes from 1500 to 350 m. over a horizontal distance of 2 km.
The glacier has shaped Briksdalen over thousands of years; smooth-polished rocks with lush vegetation characterize the landscape. This powerful nature is some of the most beautiful you can find in Norway - and tourists have been visiting the valley for more than 100 years.
WATERFALL SHOWER
Kleivafossen has long showered tourists on their way over the bridge to Briksdalsbreen. This waterfall is one of the most photographed motifs in all of Norway.
When the glacier melts, the waterfalls cascade down the mountainsides of Briksdalen. Like white silver ribbons, they plunge down steep rocky cliffs in their wild dance towards the sparkling, blue-green waters at the valley floor. It is as if the water is in a very busy state after being frozen for hundreds of years. The roar of the waterfalls, especially Kleivafossen, is part of the natural experience that has made Briksdalen famous.
ON FOOT OR BY "TROLL CAR"
From Briksdalsbre Fjellstove it is easy to get to Briksdalsbreen. A beautiful path/road winds along the river for 2.5 km to the glacier. A new footpath on the south side of the river now also makes it possible to take a round trip through lush forest and open glacier landscape.
If you want a ride to the glacier, you can hire a "Trollbil" to take you up the slopes.
BRIKSDALEN - BRIKSDALS GLACIER
2.5 km / 40 - 60 min
Starting point from Fjellstova in Briksdalen
Green route: EASY
FRONT POSITION MEASUREMENTS
Measurements of front position changes were started in 1900 by Johan Rekstad at Bergen Museum (the predecessor of the University of Bergen). Between 1900 and 1934 the glacier had minor variations in front position with advances around 1910 and 1929. However, between 1934 and 1951 the glacier front retreated more than 800 meters, and Briksdalsvatnet was exposed. Between 1967 and 1997 the glacier had advanced and covered the entire Briksdalsvatnet so that the glacier front stood at the outlet of Briksdalsvatnet. After 2000 the glacier front retreated rapidly, and in the autumn of 2007 it was no longer in the lake.
