From Tungestølen to Austerdalsbreen glacier

What a beautiful walk. The glacier only appears as a present at the end. Quite a tough walk through all the boulders and the swampy bottom.

With other tracking apps, the total distance was measured at around 16 km.

The path is very wet and muddy. Gaiters and rain gear are essential.

Fortunately, I had the premium version of Kommot. Weather was almost perfect for the minute. Maybe it was a coincidence, but it helped us plan. It was just stupid that we started an hour late. That's how the rain got us.

beautiful valley At the end of May there was still so much snow that the path was barely visible.

Today was the day. After a relaxed breakfast (finally no stress about leaving), we start our hike to the Austerdaalsbreen glacier. We can hardly wait to reach it, because seeing a glacier up close is a first for both of us. The hike starts off a bit strenuous because the path is full of mud and swamp and we keep going over large stones. Ari quickly loses interest and puts his backpack on first. After about 30 minutes we finally reach a good, flat path and the three of us walk again. 👫🐶 We cross streams and rivers several times. My new hiking boots are about to get the full program 🫢 After just under 5 km the time has come. The Austerdaalsbreen is in front of us and the sun is shining at full strength, making the glacier look simply majestic. We are lucky times 10, because this view is really something special. That's why we try to get as close as possible. We walk across two snowfields, hoping that there won't be a hole anywhere, and stop when it gets more and more rocky. After what feels like a million photos, we turn around and take a break with fresh cherries and cookies. We watch someone come out of the glacier or walk over it. Wow. That person must definitely be equipped and know what he's doing. From a distance, it looks like he's taking a Sunday stroll, but he's walking over snow, ice and rocks. As our break drags on, we're lucky enough to be able to speak to him later when he's resting near us. He's wearing a helmet, spikes and an ice axe and tells us that he was here for the first time 35 years ago. Back then, the glacier tongue was much further down the valley and he didn't have to work so hard to take good ice photos. It quickly turns out that the Norwegian is not only a globetrotter but also an adrenaline junkie who runs into erupting volcanoes and things like that. When we add him later on Facebook, we also see lots of pictures from his front garden 😂 It was really exciting to meet him and of course he had a few good tips for us too. Back in the camper we make ourselves dinner and a big pot of chocolate chai tea. The farmer is rounding up his sheep in it. We're hoping for a night without the sound of bells ringing, but that's only semi-working. When I go out with Ari again shortly before midnight, I'm surprised by a beautiful red sky, which is the perfect end to this beautiful day. ❤️

Our one-hour journey took us along narrow roads, through unlit single-lane tunnels, and over a 15km-long unpaved "bomveg" (toll road) to the Tungastølen Tourist Inn, at the foot of which our first Norway hike of the year began. We immediately ascended a rocky path, occasionally requiring the use of a hand, from which we followed the glacial stream of the Austerdalsbreen glacier below us. The technical mountain trail led us into the swampy Austerdalen valley, where, thanks to the many wooden planks and low water levels, our feet stayed dry during the numerous stream crossings. Despite the dense cloud cover, we were also incredibly lucky with the weather, as it didn't rain during the entire tour. Shortly before the final bend, we had to climb the steep ridge of a mountain spur. At the top, we reached the memorial plaque and saw the glacial arm peeking around the corner for the first time. The view was truly incredibly impressive! Down in the glacial lake, there were bizarre ice formations, which we inspected more closely on the return journey, after an extensive exploration of the highest point of our hike. Initially, we followed the same paths on the way back as on the outward journey, but there were still plenty of photo stops, so we arrived back at the starting point late, as usual. But the effort was worth it in every respect, and the tour is truly highly recommended!

Such good weather 🌞 we weren't used to it anymore... but you don't want to complain. The journey to the starting car park is already the first adventure. 30km single lane road, extremely curvy and very small bypass bays including dark tunnels. But back to hiking. The route mostly leads over rocky/rough paths until you are in front of the glacier after the last short ascent..... a really impressive sight. The blue of the shimmering ice... it drips, cracks and trickles... it makes you feel small as a person... And mankind is working with full force to ensure that such beauties perish.... As always, komoot mixes up the images. And we're only armed with cell phones and we can't do anything about it