Jostedalsbreen Nasjonalpark

Jostedalsbreen National Park, which was founded in 1991, covers an area of 1,310 square kilometres. Jostedalsbreen is the biggest glacier in mainland Europe, and covers 487 square km2 of the park. The national park also contains many other large and small glaciers. Seven municipalities have areas within the national park, and the Jostedalsbreen glacier divides two of the world's longest fjords, the Sognefjord and the Nordfjord.

The glaciers are natural laboratories, particularly with respect to climate changes, geology and vegetation/flora. The movement of the glaciers contributes to constant changes in the landscape. The confluence of melt water from the glaciers creates glacial rivers, one of the most distinctive features of the Jostedalsbreen National Park. The landscape of the national park ranges from lush valleys to alpine mountains and an arctic climate. The core of the national park consists of untouched landscape that can only be reached on foot. Near the glacier, there is an interesting cultural landscape that is still used for agriculture and as grazing land. Around 600,000 people visit the Jostedalsbreen National Park every year.

One of the most unique features of the Jostedalsbreen glacier in olden times was the kinship and sense of community between the small communities on either side of the glacier. The old highways and byways crossed the glacier.

The most famous glacier arm of the great Jostedalsbreen is Briksdalsbreen with approximately 300.000 visitors every year, from all over the world.

At Jostedalsbreen National Park Centre you can learn more about the National Park.