Norway. Austerdalsbreen Glacer

  A peaceful morning departure from our tent in Veitastrond turned into one of the most memorable hikes of our Norway adventure. From winding mountain roads to misty glacier views, sheep-filled farms to an unexpected ice cave exploration—this radial hike to Austerdalsbreen had it all. Quiet, beauty, and a touch of wildness...

  Map of the hikes...

   We left our tent early that morning, taking only the essentials with us - snacks, warm layers, and our cameras. It was a radial hike, so we kept our campsite set up and took just one light backpack. The valley was calm and quiet, the kind of silence you only find in remote places like Veitastrond.

  The road was beautiful right from the start—mountains all around us, draped in low clouds and morning mist. The trail followed the valley floor, winding past rivers and wildflower meadows, with dramatic cliffs rising on either side...

   Soon we reached a small farm, and the landscape came alive with sheep wandering freely across the fields and at times right up to the road. Just above the farm, perched on a hillside, we spotted Tungestølen cabin - a striking cluster of nine pentagonal timber structures designed by Snøhetta. Nestled on a sun-drenched plateau overlooking the Jostedalsbreen glacier, these wooden cabins feature angular, panoramic windows and a spacious communal lounge area with a stone fireplace. The path didn’t lead directly to it - you had to leave the trail and climb a bit higher on the hill to reach its cozy interior. Although it beckoned with its comfort and stunning views, we decided to push on toward Austerdalsbreen first, saving the cabin for our return...

  The next stretch was about five kilometers of peaceful hiking...

   

  The clouds thickened as we approached Austerdalsbreen, and a gentle drizzle began. When we reached the glacier viewpoint, we were completely alone. No tourists, no noise. Just the sound of glacial streams and the distant crack of shifting ice...

   From a distance, Austerdalsbreen looked dramatic and mysterious under the grey sky. But we couldn’t resist getting closer...

   Surprisingly, the approach to the ice was quite easy - no technical gear needed....

  Carefully, we made our way across the rocks and stepped into a glowing blue ice cave carved into the glacier’s edge...

   It was pure magic. Light filtered through the ice, turning the cave into a surreal frozen world. We stayed inside for a while, taking photos, soaking in the silence and the cold, and just being completely present in the moment...

   After exploring the cave, we climbed onto a nearby rock to enjoy breakfast with beautiful views ... It felt unreal - just us, the glacier, and the sound of nature...

  On the way back, we finally saw a few other hikers heading toward the glacier, but we were happy to have had it all to ourselves for that magical window of time...

  Back near the farm, we made a spontaneous decision - why not check out the fancy tourist hut on the hill? The weather was getting heavier, and a cozy spot sounded perfect...

  The hut turned out to be warm and beautifully designed inside, with huge windows framing the mountain views. We ordered two cappuccinos, sat down by the window, and spent nearly an hour just watching the mist move over the peaks...

   To our surprise, the lounge area had a shelf full of books and maps, making it more than just a place to warm up. The most fascinating find was a detailed Inventory of the Norwegian Glaciers—a book that documented all the glaciers in the region. We spent some time flipping through its pages, comparing names, locations, and looking at striking photographs showing how the glaciers had changed and melted over the years. It was a quiet, thoughtful moment—seeing the passage of time etched into the ice.

     View from the cabin window to the glacier... 

  After that peaceful and inspiring break, we hiked back to our tent in Veitastrond...

   We spent the evening resting, cooking a simple meal, and soaking in the calm atmosphere of the valley...

    The next morning, we packed up and walked to the tiny local bus stop, ready to leave Veitastrond behind...

  Our next destination was Lake Jølstravatnet. From there, we continued to the small town of Skei, where we planned to spend the rest of the day relaxing and sleeping in a cozy mountain hut nearby...