Haugabreen is a graceful tongue of blue ice dropping out of Myklebustbreen on the western edge of Jostedalsbreen National Park. It sits at the head of quiet Stardalen, a valley that still feels a bit off the main tourist circuit. I grew up not far from here, and Haugabreen is where many locals take their first proper glacier hike. The approach is short, the scenery is big, and the ice is reliable through much of summer.
If you are looking for a manageable glacier experience in Norway with minimal logistics, Haugabreen is a smart choice. The hike from the upper parking to the glacier front is short, and guided trips typically spend two to three hours on the ice with all technical gear included. Expect a moderate walk, a steady final climb, and the thrill of crampons crunching into hard blue ice.
Curious about where to park, the best season, safety rules, and what to pack for a glacier day in Sunnfjord? Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of Haugabreen.
Where Haugabreen Is
Haugabreen lies in Stardalen, in the Sunnfjord region of Vestland county. It is an outlet of Myklebustbreen on the western side of Jostedalsbreen National Park. The obvious bases are Skei in Jølster and Byrkjelo in Gloppen, both close to the E39 highway that links Bergen and Ålesund. On the map you are essentially between fjords, lakes, and high ice, which makes it easy to pair Haugabreen with other classic West Norway stops.
When to Go
Glacier season here usually runs mid June into September, sometimes stretching into October in cooler years. The access road up the valley typically opens around mid June, once snow has melted and the ground firms up. Start early for calmer weather and better light, and always build in a weather buffer because Atlantic systems can roll in fast. Local guiding companies adjust their schedules to conditions and will advise if strong wind or rain would make the ice unpleasant that day.
Getting There and Parking
From Skei, follow signs into Stardalen. At the hamlet of Høyset, a small private toll road climbs roughly 3 kilometers up Haugadalen to the upper parking. The toll is commonly around 50 NOK and is sometimes paid at an honesty box, so bring cash just in case. The surface is gravel and can be bumpy but it is passable in a standard rental car when the gate is open. From the upper lot you are already in alpine terrain, with water tumbling off the cliffs and the river threading the valley floor.
If the upper road is not open yet in early season, you can walk it from the lower gate. It adds time and elevation, but the views up the valley are a gentle warm up before the moraine.
The Hiking Route To The Glacier
From the upper parking, the path crosses the meadows at Haugastøylen, then follows the Driva river toward the glacier. The first half is gentle and scenic on a clear footpath through grass and rock slabs. The final approach steepens on moraine, with a few short scrambly steps and loose gravel if the ground is wet. Count on about 2.5 kilometers to the ice and roughly 300 meters of elevation gain, which usually takes one to one and a half hours at a relaxed pace.
You will know you are close when the air turns noticeably cooler and you start to hear the dull drip and crackle of meltwater. The footpath ends where the glacier begins. Do not step onto the ice without a certified guide, even if you see tracks. Crevasses can be thinly bridged and the pattern shifts week to week.
Guided Glacier Walks: What To Expect
Several local operators guide Haugabreen during summer. A typical trip runs six to seven hours in total, including the hike in, rope up, time on the ice, a snack break, and the return. On the glacier you will wear crampons, harness, helmet, and clip into a rope team. Guides choose the day’s route to match the group and the ice conditions. Many trips include gentle ice features, small gullies, and a peek into a crevasse or moulin when safe. Minimum ages vary by company, often from about 12 years for open group trips.
If you prefer a quieter outing, book a private guide. That buys you a flexible start time, a custom pace, and sometimes a short taster session of top rope ice climbing if conditions allow. It also helps for families with mixed experience levels or for anyone who wants more time for photos without feeling rushed.
What To Pack
You do not need your own glacier kit for a guided trip, but you do need proper hiking clothing. Here is what works well in our climate:
- Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support. Trail runners are too soft for crampons on hard ice.
- Layering system. Bring a wicking base layer, a warm mid layer, and a waterproof shell. The air feels cool right above the ice even on sunny days.
- Light gloves and hat. You will be touching cold, wet surfaces.
- Sunglasses with strong UV protection and sunscreen. Light bouncing off snow and ice is hard on eyes and skin.
- 20 to 30 liter backpack with water and real food. There are no services in Haugadalen.
- Cash for the toll road and a clean bag for packing out any trash.
- Trekking poles if your knees prefer support on the descent.
Most guides supply technical gear and a briefing before you step onto the ice. Confirm exactly what is included when you book.
Safety, Etiquette, and National Park Rules
Jostedalsbreen National Park is protected so the usual Leave No Trace rules apply. Stay on the path through the meadows, pack out everything, and avoid walking on fragile vegetation. On the ice, listen to your guide and keep the rope tidy. Never stand under blue seracs or ice cliffs for photos. If the river is running high after rain or warm nights, give meltwater channels a wide berth. Local authorities and guiding companies strongly discourage unguided glacier travel due to crevasse risk.
Remember that weather here shifts quickly. A sunny morning can turn to low cloud and drizzle in the afternoon. Carry a proper shell, warm layer, and enough food even on short objectives. Reception is patchy in the upper valley so do not count on your phone for maps or calls.
How Hard Is It, Really
If you can hike a few hours on uneven ground and handle a short, steeper finish, you can do Haugabreen. The approach is shorter than many other Norwegian glacier routes, which is why we bring visiting friends here. Time on the ice moves at a beginner friendly pace, and guides usually keep the gradient modest unless the group asks for something spicier. Expect to feel the crampon technique in your calves on the first steps. If knees are a concern, trekking poles help on the way down.
Families with outdoorsy kids do well here. The novelty of the gear keeps spirits up, and the quick payoff from car park to ice works in your favor. For very young children or anyone new to mountain terrain, consider a shorter day that goes to the glacier front only. Treat the end of the footpath as your turnaround. The ice edge can crumble without warning, and meltwater undercuts it from below.
Where To Stay Nearby
Base yourself in Skei for quick access and calm lake views, or in small cabins and farms deeper in Stardalen if you want mountain air and a starry night. If you are touring the region, Byrkjelo makes a straightforward stop on the E39 corridor. Wherever you stay, book summer weekends well in advance and plan dinner groceries in Skei or Byrkjelo since rural shops close early. I always keep a simple camping stove in the car for a hot drink after cold glacier air. It is a small luxury that makes a big difference.
What It Pairs Well With
You can comfortably weave Haugabreen into a wider Sunnfjord and Nordfjord itinerary. Here are a few combinations that work nicely:
- Eggenipa above Byrkjelo for a big summit feel in half a day. The view back toward ice and fjord is clean and dramatic when clouds clear.
- The Norwegian Glacier Museum in Fjærland for kid friendly exhibits and a roof over your head if the rain sets in.
- Bøyabreen viewpoint in Bøyadalen, where the glacier hangs above the café and roadside pullout.
- Fishing or paddling on Jølstravatnet near Skei for a soft evening after your glacier day.
This mix gives you one day on ice, one day hiking a proud local peak, and one soft day with culture and roadside glacier scenery.
Local Tips From The Valley
- Start before 9 a.m. on warm days. Afternoon meltwater makes small stream crossings splashier and rocks greasier.
- If the upper toll road is closed early in the season, walking it is worth the extra time. The valley is at its greenest just after the snow pulls back.
- Pack a thin sit pad or spare layer. Lunch on cold rock next to the ice drains heat quickly.
- After rain, look for small waterfalls streaking down the walls on both sides of the valley. They photograph best in soft light.
- Bring a dry pair of socks in the car. It is an old Norwegian habit that keeps the ride back much nicer.
Haugabreen rewards the prepared traveler. It is friendly by glacier standards, dramatic enough to feel remote, and close enough to Norway’s west coast routes that you can add it without twisting your itinerary. If you catch the valley on a bright morning after rain, with the rock washed clean and the ice glowing turquoise, you will understand why we keep coming back.