Birksdalsbreen Glacier

Briksdalsbreen (the Briksdal glacier) is one of the most accessible and best known arms of the Jostedalsbreen glacier, located in the municipality of Stryn in Vestland county.

The glacier lies on the north side of the Jostedalsbreen, in Briksdalen (the Briks valley) which is located at the end of the Oldedalen valley, about 25 kilometres south of the village of Olden. It is located inside Jostedalsbreen National Park. Briksdalsbreen terminates in a small glacial lake, Briksdalsbrevatnet, which lies 346 metres (1,135 ft) above sea level.

Grew when others shrank

The size of Briksdalsbreen depends not only on temperature, but is also strongly affected by precipitation. Measurements since 1900 show small changes in the first decades, with advances in the glacier front in 1910 and 1929. In the period from 1934 to 1951 the glacier receded by 800 metres (2,600 ft), exposing the glacial lake. In the period from 1967 until 1997 the glacier expanded by 465 metres (1,526 ft) and covered the whole lake, with the glacier front ending at the lake outlet. The glacier attracted international attention in the 1990s, as it was growing at a time when other European glaciers were in decline.

After the year 2000, the glacier once again receded. In 2004 it had receded to 230 metres (750 ft) behind the lake outlet and in 2007 the glacier front was on dry land behind the lake. In this regard, its position approximated the situation in the 1960s. However, glaciologists speculate that the size of the glacier was at its smallest since the 13th century.

 As Briksdalsbreen is now very narrow at some stretches, it is possible that it will temporarily disconnect from the larger Jostedalsbreen.

Take a hike

It is possible to make a 5,9 km or approx. 2 hour hike to get closer to and study the glacier.

After 15 minutes walk, you’ll experience the powerful waterfall Kleivafossen. Right before the waterfall, you can chose the newly restored shortcut ‘Emperor Wilhelm’s path’ up along the waterfall. If you chose to follow the road across the bridge below the waterfall, you can climb the stone stairs along the waterfall to reach the plateau that leads to the glacier. While climbing the stairs, you will also pass a pothole that might interest some.

Not hiking? No problem

The Birksdalsbreen tourist attraction dates back to late 1880s when the German Emperor Wilhelm II made the hike and the glacier famous. German tourists followed, so the local farmers built the road in 1928, and later the bridge to transport tourist by horse and cart to the glacier.
Today the horse and cart is replaced by environmental friendly “Troll cars” that can transport those that can’t – or don’t feel like – hiking.

In the area

Sources: Wikipedia.org and Ut.no