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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
157 reviews
Excellent
114
Very good
40
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
LJ A
Congresbury, UK147 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We paid 150NOK to stay in the car park. We followed well signed posted trail. A 3km hike to the base of the glacier. The climb was strenuous but we are not fit. Saw families with young children (including mother’s carrying infants) and dogs taking the hike in their stride. No toilets on route. It was a warm day but the wind blowing off glacier made the breeze feel like aircon. There are lots of sections where you have to use a rope to pull yourself up over rocks. Definitely recommend if you like stunning views.
Written August 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AnneOslo2013
Oslo, Norway32 contributions
Jul 2020
It feels good to reach the top after a varied hiking following the river. The path is very good marked, and it starts walking through a farm with cows. After a few minutes you walk into the wood and the the path easily climbs upwards. Further up you cross some rivers and then it gets steeper. But not scary. It is 3 km totally, and really worth it reaching the top. After a snack on the top watching the glacier and the view you climb down again. You should at least set aside three hours for this trips
Written July 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
yl40500
Even Yehuda, Israel14 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
Followed Nigel P's recommendation (https://www.tripadvisor.co.il/ShowUserReviews-g1096319-d2302149-r395591052-Buarbreen-Odda_Hardanger_Hordaland_Western_Norway.html#REVIEWS) and went there in a partially rainy weather.
The hike is 3-4 hours long depending on personal pace. Prepare to use the ropes to climb and descend especially in wet weather.
Not crowded which is definitely an advantage. The weather is tricky and changed a few times. A behaviour which is usually a characteristic of higher mountains. We had pouring rain near theglacier which was a drawback. Still the view and the waterfalls did it.
Wear rain resistant clothes, and especially water resistant hiking boots. On the way down watch for slippery rocks and muddy trail.
The hike is 3-4 hours long depending on personal pace. Prepare to use the ropes to climb and descend especially in wet weather.
Not crowded which is definitely an advantage. The weather is tricky and changed a few times. A behaviour which is usually a characteristic of higher mountains. We had pouring rain near theglacier which was a drawback. Still the view and the waterfalls did it.
Wear rain resistant clothes, and especially water resistant hiking boots. On the way down watch for slippery rocks and muddy trail.
Written July 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Enyedy00
Seattle, WA565 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
To reach the trailhead of the Buerbreen glacier hike, you have to drive up a narrow one lane road. It seemed like an unused road, narrow and bumpy and foliage all around - we didn't meet anyone driving in the other direction, and then we got to the parking lot, which is paved and quite large and it was full of vehicles. Buarbreen glacier hike isn't so remote after all!
Sharing this trail with lots of other tourists is fine. We only did the hike up to the glacier, you can go out with a guide and actually walk on the ice, but we did not take that option.
There is one short section along the river where previous hikers have made hundreds of small cairns with all the stones on the bank. Make your own cairn! I simply added a few rocks to the top of an already existing mound.
There is more climbing than I expected on this hike. The contour map shows the trail runing right alongside the stream which is formed by the melting ice, so I assumed that a river trail would be mostly flat. But its not flat. The water comes splashing and tumbling down the rocks and sends up a lot of spray. There is a lot of water melting off of the ice.
The uphill sections require climbing over boulders. Because we had a nice day, the rocks were not slick and there wasn't much trouble for us going up and back. Our total time on this excursion was about 3 to 4 hours. In many (perhaps a total of 20 sections?) of the boulder sections there are big thick ropes anchored for you to hold onto as you climb. I imagine on a wet day, when the rocks are slippery, that these ropes are useful, but on a dry day you can mostly just walk up the rocks on your own. However, the ropes are fun because we posed for photographs, holding the ropes and trying appear like we were dramatically climbing (it helps to tilt the camera a little to make the climb look steeper)
You will want your camera at the end of the trail. The glacial ice is blue and looms above you. A good place for a picnic lunch.
On our way back down, we gave a lift to some hikers who had walked all the way up from the campground. Now that's a hike!
Sharing this trail with lots of other tourists is fine. We only did the hike up to the glacier, you can go out with a guide and actually walk on the ice, but we did not take that option.
There is one short section along the river where previous hikers have made hundreds of small cairns with all the stones on the bank. Make your own cairn! I simply added a few rocks to the top of an already existing mound.
There is more climbing than I expected on this hike. The contour map shows the trail runing right alongside the stream which is formed by the melting ice, so I assumed that a river trail would be mostly flat. But its not flat. The water comes splashing and tumbling down the rocks and sends up a lot of spray. There is a lot of water melting off of the ice.
The uphill sections require climbing over boulders. Because we had a nice day, the rocks were not slick and there wasn't much trouble for us going up and back. Our total time on this excursion was about 3 to 4 hours. In many (perhaps a total of 20 sections?) of the boulder sections there are big thick ropes anchored for you to hold onto as you climb. I imagine on a wet day, when the rocks are slippery, that these ropes are useful, but on a dry day you can mostly just walk up the rocks on your own. However, the ropes are fun because we posed for photographs, holding the ropes and trying appear like we were dramatically climbing (it helps to tilt the camera a little to make the climb look steeper)
You will want your camera at the end of the trail. The glacial ice is blue and looms above you. A good place for a picnic lunch.
On our way back down, we gave a lift to some hikers who had walked all the way up from the campground. Now that's a hike!
Written October 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
marcus_uk2008
London, UK56 contributions
Sep 2017 • Friends
At first you wonder if you are in the right place, following a small road past houses, then on up through the forest on a narrow road with no indication of going the right way. Suddenly you come into a car park full of cars and hikers! Easy parking and a WC before the hike. Then it's a hard hike up to the stunning glacier. There's a fair bit of clambering over rocks, and pulling yourself up (and lowering yourself down) on ropes. The hike is relatively short though (an hour up for us) so it's a good balance. Recommended a a great hike to warm you up for Trolltunga. 150kr (pay by credit card) for the car park.
Written September 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
phil_travel_europe
Zurich46 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
This hike (4h return) takes you close to the glacier and offers nice views. The best thing in my eyes is the path up - it passes several small bridges and climbs a lock of rocks (ropes help on every more difficult section). Great advanture walk with elder children!
Written August 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nigel P
12 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Well this restored my faith in Norway aftercare Trolltunga experience. Despite rainy grey weather, it was a fantastic walk. The going is quite hard underfoot and certainly decent walking boots are needed. Walking poles are useful on the way down. Higher up there are fixed ropes and one simple 45 degree ladder. Helpful on the way up and essential on the way down. The views of the glacier and the water coming off it are great. I would recommend as an afternoon walk. Also for those geologists amongst you some very good banded gneiss and excellent rock smoothing and striations from the most recent glaciation.
Written July 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jan1988
Ostrava, Czech Republic124 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
A great and reasonably challenging hike involving ropes, crossing of wild creeks and climbing. One of the best hikes I have experienced in Norway. You will need a good hiking boots and warm clothes (well you are heading to the glacier, aren´t you...). This hike can be dangerous, rocks are slippery and you have to have a strong hands (as I have mentioned before - climbing is involved). The time is about 2h up and 2h down.
But the view is amazing and you will have a great feeling of achievement, when you will arrive near the glacier. Do not visit the glacier itself without certified guide, it is very dangerous, as the glacier is still moving!
But the view is amazing and you will have a great feeling of achievement, when you will arrive near the glacier. Do not visit the glacier itself without certified guide, it is very dangerous, as the glacier is still moving!
Written July 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lroy89
Oslo, Norway147 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
Short drive from Odda, about 15 min. The first 5 min of the 1,5 hours estimated time (one way) is flat, after that you walk in fairly steep terrain. The trail is well marked and easy to follow, and there are ropes on the steepest parts. You should wear desent hiking boots, and don't bring dogs you can't carry (we met a lady who had to stop halfay up because she couldnt get the dog up some of the parts of the trail)
Written July 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steven R
Rye, Australia1,306 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
I just finished the hike today October 15th while it was raining.It was very wet and slippery but the ropes made the impossible possible.I am 69 yrs old and got up in 2hrs and down in 1 and a half hours.I enjoyed the trip in wet conditions so any other condition should also be enjoyable.The gate to the carpark has been left open and no money collector there so free parking at the moment.Definately worthwhile but do it early so that you are not coming down in the dark..
Written October 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Over welke camping gaat het precies? Want wij zijn ook van plan om deze zomer in Odda te camperen.
virginie1981
Livry-Gargan, France21 contributions
Bonjour
Pouvons nous realiser cette rando avec un enfant de 4 ans dans un sac à dos de rando !
Cdlt
Frédéric P
240 contributions
oui s'il est débrouillard. Il faut passer par des endroits un peu escarpés avec des cordes pour se maintenir. C'est surtout ma météo qu'il fait guetter.
dmarlot
1 contribution
Bonjours pouvons réaliser cette randonnée seul ou bien faut-il un guide
Merci bien de votre réponse
F. S
Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium77 contributions
Seuls sans hésitation!
On a vu des gens avec des enfants, des bébés (sur le dos bien sûr), des personnes âgées.
Prévoyez juste de laisser vos bras "libres" car il y a plusieurs cordées à faire en chemin ;-)
Mathilde B
Toulouse, France88 contributions
Bonjour,
Est il possible de rejoindre le glacier en avril?
Et peut on (avec guide) marcher sur le glacier à cette période?
Merci d'avance!
trotemfortus
Israel
Is possible to do the hike to Buarbreen during the second week of October 2016 (October 6 or 7 or 8) will it be open?
yl40500
Even Yehuda, Israel14 contributions
I think yes. Officially it is OK (See the "visit Norway" site). The weather is very important. I would check 2-3 days before. If it is very rainy you should either prepare for very wet weather (boots, raincoat) or drop it. Use the ropes ! There is a small gate where the trail starts. I saw it closed when I went down (5pm) so if it is closed when you arrive I guess it is a sign to not go up. Go up around 10-11am so you have enough light going down.
2014sue
lajolla4 contributions
Hello,
We will be staying at the Tyssedal Hotel the first week of September and will have a car, what are the driving directions to this hike?
Thanks!
yl40500
Even Yehuda, Israel14 contributions
Very easy. Go down route 13 to Odda. and continue south (still on 13) a few hundred meters from the center. You will reach a T crossing that has a branch to the right (west). It is Jordalswegen. There is a post with many signs. The top one is yellow and says "Buer". The rest show camping and other stuff. Foiiow "Buer" signs and you will get there.
scandy2016
New York City, NY7 contributions
What is the difference between Buarbreen and Bondhusdalen? Are these separate places or are they the same thing?
Justin H
47 contributions
I also found this confusing to understand when I was there. They are both located in the Folgefonna National Park but go to different glaciers. I am not able to post links here but go to VisitNorway dot c.o.m and you should find tourist information for both.
Melanie H
Costa Mesa, CA15 contributions
Hi! Does anyone know how old you must be to hike the glacier? We are traveling with kids, a 13 year old and 15year old.Thank you!
Buarbreen (Odda) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Buarbreen
- Hotels near Buarbreen:
- (7.02 mi) Trolltunga Guesthouse
- (3.75 mi) Vikinghaug
- (4.11 mi) Hardanger Hotel
- (4.13 mi) Bakkegata - The Blue House
- (3.93 mi) Trolltunga Hotel
- Restaurants near Buarbreen:
- (1.10 mi) Buer Restaurant
- (4.13 mi) Glacier Restaurant
- (4.13 mi) Fjoren Makalause Mat
- (4.12 mi) Thai Take Away Odda
- (3.92 mi) Trolltunga Restaurant