Jostedalsbreen National Park Travel Guide

Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier on the European mainland. It is located within the Jostedalsbreen National Park, just north of Sognefjorden in the western province of Sogn og Fjordande. 

In the early 18th century, the glacier expanded, wreaking havoc with precious agricultural areas nearby. A survey in 1945 put the glaciers in the park at 815 square kilometers, but global warming now has the glacier retreating slightly.

The park has an enormous variety of natural environments ranging from deciduous forests at lower altitudes, to glaciers and bare mountains higher up. The ice-sheet stretches 60 km, covering almost half the park. The scientific value of the glaciers, glacial rivers and moraines, plus the cultural landscape of the mountain summer pastures represent important criteria for preservation.