Buarbreen
Buarbreen
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
161 reviews
Excellent
117
Very good
41
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2
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Anne J
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine S
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
Nice hike with the kids , a bit steep passages but the kids love it. A lot of people have to be patient at times. Beautiful view , it's worth a visit . Award of parking a little expensive ( 230 kroner)
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Written August 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina K
Saint Louis, MO29 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Amazing hike! My family is in decent shape, and we thought this "moderately challenging" hike was "hard!" There are several sections where you have to pull yourself up the side of a rock with rope, some uphill sections, and some parts that were almost like rock climbing! The views were spectacular the entire way up to the glacier! From the lower parking lot to the glacier and back my watch clocked 4.83 miles. Would recommend if you're up for it!
Written August 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yl40500
Even Yehuda, Israel17 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Enyedy00
Seattle, WA547 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phil_travel_europe
Zurich41 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jan1988
Ostrava, Czech Republic121 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David P
Salt Lake City, UT108 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
There is a lot of discussion about whether this hike is difficult or not. The difficulty depends on a number of factors, principally your physical fitness and any physical limitations/injuries that you may have, and the weather. For me in my mid-to-late 50's and in relatively good shape and with no real physical limitations, I would rate the hike slightly more difficult than moderate based on the steady steep climb, tempered somewhat by the fact that the hike is not very long. The weather was also great the day we did the hike (high around 63 with no precipitation). Our 21 year-old son who is in great shape thought the hike was barely moderate in difficulty, while our 23 yea-old daughter and my spouse would have rated it more similarly to my rating.
I would recommend parking at the parking lot at the farm at the top of the road (NOK 150, pay when you leave - you will need a credit card to pay). The road to the parking lot is very narrow, with much of it only wide enough for one vehicle so you will need to navigate oncoming traffic. Going in the morning when traffic is largely going up the canyon will make this easier. The hike begins with a mostly flat, wide trail that can be a bit muddy in places if there has been recent rain (common for the area). After about 1/4 mile, the steepens and remains a steady climb for the next 3/4 mile or so. The final 3/4-to-1-mile to the top gets a bit steeper still, and you will have some ropes, chains and ladders to help along the way. The river formed by runoff from the glacier roars for most of the hike, and the views off the valley and glacier are wonderful. While you can see the glacier from the parking lot, the view from the top of the hike is stunning.
Because the hike is not very long, less than 4 miles roundtrip, the hike is pretty doable if you are in ok shape and don't have significant limitations. My tracking app says we hiked 3.92 miles with 1,284 feet of elevation gain. Hiking time was 2 hrs and 8 minutes, with very few rest stops other than about 20-30 minutes at the top. If I were doing this hike and Trolltunga, I would recommend a rest-day in-between the hikes, especially if you hike Trolltunga first. We hiked Buarbreen first and Trolltunga the next day, which was doable, but would have been better to hike Trolltunga completely fresh.
There is a restroom in the restaurant by the parking lot for use before or after the hike, and though we didn't try it, I understand the restaurant is pretty good.
I would recommend parking at the parking lot at the farm at the top of the road (NOK 150, pay when you leave - you will need a credit card to pay). The road to the parking lot is very narrow, with much of it only wide enough for one vehicle so you will need to navigate oncoming traffic. Going in the morning when traffic is largely going up the canyon will make this easier. The hike begins with a mostly flat, wide trail that can be a bit muddy in places if there has been recent rain (common for the area). After about 1/4 mile, the steepens and remains a steady climb for the next 3/4 mile or so. The final 3/4-to-1-mile to the top gets a bit steeper still, and you will have some ropes, chains and ladders to help along the way. The river formed by runoff from the glacier roars for most of the hike, and the views off the valley and glacier are wonderful. While you can see the glacier from the parking lot, the view from the top of the hike is stunning.
Because the hike is not very long, less than 4 miles roundtrip, the hike is pretty doable if you are in ok shape and don't have significant limitations. My tracking app says we hiked 3.92 miles with 1,284 feet of elevation gain. Hiking time was 2 hrs and 8 minutes, with very few rest stops other than about 20-30 minutes at the top. If I were doing this hike and Trolltunga, I would recommend a rest-day in-between the hikes, especially if you hike Trolltunga first. We hiked Buarbreen first and Trolltunga the next day, which was doable, but would have been better to hike Trolltunga completely fresh.
There is a restroom in the restaurant by the parking lot for use before or after the hike, and though we didn't try it, I understand the restaurant is pretty good.
Written August 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Over welke camping gaat het precies? Want wij zijn ook van plan om deze zomer in Odda te camperen.
Written January 2, 2020
Bonjour
Pouvons nous realiser cette rando avec un enfant de 4 ans dans un sac à dos de rando !
Cdlt
Written July 19, 2019
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.
Written July 19, 2019
Bonjours pouvons réaliser cette randonnée seul ou bien faut-il un guide
Merci bien de votre réponse
Written March 25, 2018
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 ;-)
Written July 17, 2018
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!
Written February 20, 2018
Hei, Is there a way of accessing this trailhead via public transportation?
Written May 18, 2017
The bus only to Odda and then on foot. This walk took us the whole day. On the way, huge fields of strawberries. Was beautiful and delicious!
Written June 21, 2017
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?
Written August 13, 2016
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.
Written August 20, 2016
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!
Written August 10, 2016
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.
Written August 20, 2016
What is the difference between Buarbreen and Bondhusdalen? Are these separate places or are they the same thing?
Written July 14, 2016
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.
Written July 15, 2016
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!
Written May 29, 2016
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