Glacier tour on Hardangerjøkulen

Explore Norway's Sixth-Largest Glacier!

Experiencing the blue ice of Hardangerjøkulen is an unforgettable adventure.

With experienced guides from Jøklagutane, you’ll have a unique opportunity to walk on the glacier, discover the best sights and sounds each day, and enjoy an exceptional experience. Our tours do not follow a set path; instead, we adapt to the glacier's changes throughout the season.

Hardangerjøkulen spans approximately 73 km², with its highest point reaching 1863 meters above sea level. It has several well-known glacier arms, including Blåisen, Midtdalsbreen, and Rembesdalskåka.

The Jøklagutane team offers glacier hiking on Hardangerjøkulen daily from early July until the middle of August, after that, our programme reduces to several tours a week until the first snows arrive in late September. Our tours depart from DNT Finsehytte, which is a 10-minute walk from Finse Train Station. Finse is located at 1222 metres and is only accessible by train, cycle or walking. It is the highest point on the Oslo to Bergen Railway, and the landscape around the whole area is spectacular and will impress you.

In addition to the daily tour bookings, we can also take those wanting a private tour. We have experience taking families, special event groups, companies or even those just wanting extra time for their amazing photographs. If this appeals to you please contact to arrange something special at post@joklagutane.no or telephone +47 99331222

Practical Information About Glacier Hiking

Our glacier hikes are guided by experienced professionals who live locally and love showing guests around Finse and the glacier. During the walk from Finse to the glacier, our guides will share local information about the area's history. The base camp is about two hours from Finse.

At the base camp, you'll have time to change clothes and eat before putting on your safety harness, helmet, and crampons.

Once at the glacier, our guides conduct a thorough briefing on the use of equipment and safety protocols. This will include:

• Crampon Use: Proper attachment and adjustment of crampons.

• Walking Techniques: Safe walking techniques on ice to prevent slips and falls.

• Ice Awareness: Understanding how to recognise different ways of walking on the. Ice both going up and down.

After safety briefings, you will step onto the spectacular glacier, and the tour begins and no matter the weather, we ensure you have an amazing experience. Our guides will find the best spots to see crevasses, glacial rivers, sinkholes, and the wide-open sea of white and blue ice.

Once the tour is complete, you return to base camp to remove all safety gear and enjoy a snack. After a short break, the guides will lead you back along the same trail or take another route back to Finse station, arriving around 1900 hours.

Who is Glacier Hiking Suitable For?

Glacier hiking is suitable for most people, but good physical fitness is beneficial. The hike lasts 6-7 hours and covers approximately 15 km, mostly on rugged high mountain terrain away from marked trails.

People of all shapes and sizes can participate, the only limitation is that the safety equipment must fit correctly. Typically, the harness, helmet, and crampons will fit individuals larger than a 12-year-old. Crampons will fit shoes larger than 26 cm long. The largest foot size a crampon can fit is EU47.

Younger children or those too small to be protected by our safety equipment cannot join the tour. Please contact us if you are unsure.

For more information, please feel free to contact Jøklagutane.

What the Price includes. The price per person is NoK 1250. This price includes insurance, all safety equipment and a professional guide for the duration of the tour.

What to Bring

When preparing for the mountain day and glacier walk, it's important to be ready for changeable weather conditions, even in the summer. The temperature can drop dramatically due to high winds from the glacial ice and the altitude of the area we visit.

Our equipment policy is based on years of experience guiding on the glacier. To ensure your safety, our guides will check the weather each day and make sure you have the right gear. If your equipment isn't suitable, our guides may not allow you to join the tour.

You need a backpack containing:

• Waterproofs: Essential to put over your walking clothes, plus an extra warm jacket for when we stop.

• Gloves: Needed on the ice. It is common for the wet rope on the glacier to soak gloves. Having extra gloves is a good idea.

• Sunglasses or a peak cap: The light on the ice can become very bright.

• A warm hat: Can be worn under the helmet if you're cold.

• Good mountain clothing: Clothing that keeps the wind and cold off your skin. We recommend several layers so you can adjust based on the temperature.

• Food and drinks: The tour is 6-7 hours hike covering about 15 kilometres, so have plenty of extra energy in your bag.

• Camera: To capture the breathtaking scenery.

Footwear: Mountain shoes or boots are ideal, with the best shoes going over the ankle to secure the crampons properly. Crampons often fall off spongy running-style shoes like Hoka, so consider carefully what you wear and ask if unsure. For those without suitable footwear, we offer shoe rentals. If needed, add this to your order, as the correct footwear is essential for crampon use.

We want to remind all guests to read the policy regarding the equipment for the tour described above. Our guides will apply this policy before departure from Finse. This is designed to ensure that each participant is adequately equipped for their safety for the prevailing conditions on the day.

It is important to note that jeans, heavy cotton hoodies, jogging bottoms, and soft running shoes are unsuitable for the glacier or the weather conditions we may encounter.

Where to Meet.

The meeting point for the glacier tour is at the front door of the DNT Finsehytta. We gather at 1115 hours daily. At Finsehytta, there is an opportunity to purchase lunch snacks and reorganise or store bags before the tour.

Guests who book a private tour will receive separate meeting arrangements detailed with their booking.

For train timetables, please visit www.vy.no. If tickets are sold out online, please board the train and purchase a ticket directly from the conductor.

Leaving Finse by Train

We cannot guarantee the time of our return to Finse. We expect the tour to last approximately 6-7 hours, but factors such as slower guests, adverse weather, or a delayed train may occur. These are beyond our control.

We advise those needing to catch a train after the tour to book departure tickets after 1900 hours. Jøklagutane cannot be held responsible for guests missing their trains.

Our Contact information: post@joklagutane.no or telephone +47 99331222.