Glaciers are beautiful, exciting and impressive. The glaciers grow and shrink, change direction and change shape and color. Even several hundred metres thick ice is in constant motion and the arms of the glacier can grow several hundred meters in only a few years. JOSTEDAL GLACIER The largest mainland glacier is the Jostedalsbreen glacier covering an area of 487 km2. It is possible to join guided glacier hikes at both Fjærland and Jostedalen, and you can visit the information centres there to learn more about the ice and the surrounding nature. Jostedalsbreen glacier lies in the municipalities of Luster, Balestrand, Jølster and Stryn. The highest peak in the area is Lodalskåpa at 2083 meter. The glacier is a part of the Jostedalsbreen National Park and have several spectacular branches, or arms, that extend down into the mild valleys close to sea level. SVARTISEN GLACIER The system consists of two separate glaciers, the Vestre Svartisen (221 km2), which is the second largest glacier and Østre Svartisen (148 km2) which is the country´s fourth largest. The glaciers are located within the municipalities of Saltdal, Rana, Rødøy, Meløy, Gildeskål, Beiarn and Bodø, all in the county of Nordland. There are also a number of minor glaciers in the area, such as Glombreen in the northern part of Meløy, and Simlebreen in Beiarn. One of the extensions of Svartisen, Engabreen ends at the lowest point of any glacier on the European mainland, at 7 meters above sea level. Svartisen is part of Saltfjellet-Svartisen national park. Melted water from the glacier is collected and used for hydropower production. FOLGEFONNA GLACIER Søndre Folgefonna Glacier is the third largest glacier in mainland Norway and covering an area of 168 km2. Here you will find a summer ski centre, and if you want to see and experience the glacier for real, then a professional glacier team is there for you. If you don´t want to walk the glacier, you can always bicycle the glacier, do some glacier climbing or even go kayaking. Folgefonna Glacier are located within the municipalities of Kvinnherad, Odda and Etne. The highest peak in the area is 1.660 meters above sea level and the lowest point is 490 meters above sea level. BLÅMANNSISEN GLACIER Blåmannsisen glacier is the fifth largest glacier in mainland Norway and covering an area of 87 km2. Blåmannsisen glacier are located within the municipalities of Sørfold, and Fauske. The highest peak in the area is 1.560 meters above sea level and the lowest point is 810 meters above sea level. HARDANGERJØKULEN GLACIER Hardangerjøkulen glacier is the sixth largest glacier in mainland Norway and covering an area of 73 km2. The glacier is easily accessed from the north in the winter, from the railway station Finse on Bergensbanen. In the winter the highest point can be accessed from Finse using only skis. Hardangerjøkulen glacier are located within the municipalities of Eidfjord and Ulvik. The highest highest point is 1.863 meters above sea level, and is the highest point in Hordaland. Its lowest point is 1.050 meters above sea level. MYKLEBUSTBREEN GLACIER Myklebustbreen (Snønipbreen) is the seventh largest glacier in mainland Norway and covering an area of 50 km2. Myklebustbreen (Snønipbreen) are located within the municipalities of Gloppen, Stryn, Jølster. The highest highest point is 1.830 meters above sea level, and the lowest point is 890 meters above sea level. OKSTINDBREEN GLACIER Okstindbreen glacier is the eighth largest glacier in mainland Norway and covering an area of 46 km2. Okstindbreen glacier are located within the municipality of Hemnes. The highest highest point is 1.740 meters above sea level, and is the highest point and the lowest point is 750 meters above sea level. ØKSFJORDJØKELEN GLACIER Øksfjordjøkelen glacier is the ninth largest glacier in mainland Norway and covering an area of 41 km2. Øksfjordjøkelen glacier are located within the municipalities of Loppa and Kvænangen. The highest point, elevation 1,204 metres (3,950 ft), on the glacier is also the highest point in Finnmark. Its lowest point has elevation 330 metres. HARDBARDSBREEN GLACIER Harbardsbreen glacier is the 10th largest glacier in mainland Norway and covering an area of 36 km2. Harbardsbreen glacier are located within the municipality of Luster. The highest highest point is 1.950 meters above sea level, and the lowest point is 1.250 meters above sea level. SULITJELMAISEN GLACIER Sulitjelmaisen glacier is one of the largest glaciers in mainland Norway and covering an area of 33 km2. Sulitjelmaisen glacier are located within the municipality of Fauske. The highest highest point is 1.680 meters above sea level, and the lowest point is 830 meters above sea level. SPØRTEGGBREEN GLACIER Spørteggbreen glacier is one of the largest glaciers on the mainland of Norway and covering an area of 28 km2. Spørteggbreen glacier are located within the municipality of Luster. The highest highest point is 1.750 meters above sea level, and the lowest point is 1.270 meters above sea level. FOLGEFONNA GLACIER Nordre Folgefonna glacier is one of the largest glaciers in mainland Norway and covering an area of 26 km2. Spørteggbreen glacier are located within the municipalities of Jondal, Ullensvang, Kvinnherad, Odda. The highest highest point is 1.640 meters above sea level, and the lowest point is 990 meters above sea level. FROSTISEN GLACIER The Frostisen glacier is one of the larger plateau glaciers in Norway. Frostisen covers an area of about 25 km2, and is 1,710 meters above sea level at its highest point and 840 meters above sea level at its lowest point. It lies near Skjomen, a fjord branch of Ofotfjorden in the Ofoten district in northern Norway, located just south of Narvik. GIHTSEJIEGA GLACIER Gihtsejiega glacier is one of the largest glaciers in mainland Norway and covering an area of 25 km2. Gihtsejiega glacier are located within the municipalities of Jondal, Ullensvang, Kvinnherad, Odda. The highest highest point is 1.500 meters above sea level, and the lowest point is 870 meters above sea level. These are the largest glaciers on mainland Norway. However, the largest glaciers in the Kingdom of Norway are on Svalbard. The largest glacier in Europe is Austfonna on Nordaustlandet. HORDALAND Søndre Folgefonna Nordre Folgefonna Hardangerjøkulen SOGN & FJORDANE Jostedalsbreen Briksdalbreen Myklebustbreen (Snønipebreen) Harbardsbreen Spørteggbreen NORDLAND Vestre Svartisen Østre Svartisen Blåmannsisen (Ålmåjalosjieg a) Okstindbreen Sulitjelmaisen (Sállajieg a) Gihtsejieg a Frostisen (Ruostajieg a) TROMS Øksfjordjøkelen (Åovunjiehkki) FINNMARK Øksfjordjøkelen (Åovunjiehkki)