The Nigardsbreen is one of the most visited glaciers of the entire Jostedal Glacier. It is easily accessible, and for more than twenty years experienced guides have offered hikes on the ice.

All of the Jostedalsbreen Glacier is protected, through establishing the Jostedalsbreen National Park in 1991, and earlier the Nigardsbreen Nature Reserve.

The glacier is not static, it runs downhill like a river in slow-motion. The amount of snow surplus from year to year on the ice cap decides the speed of the downhill movement. But due to melting, the movement does not make the glacier grow constantly. The balance between speed and melting decides if it actually grows or shrinks.

The last years the Nigardsbreen Glacier has grown with such a speed that if this goes on for a few years more, the glacier will reach the lake below.

The growth makes the glacier front steeper, causing ice blocks to fall off. Therefore we urge you to look for and respect all warnings. Don't go past the danger signs !