ICETROLL - Glacier Hiking & Kayaking
ICETROLL - Glacier Hiking & Kayaking
ICETROLL - Glacier Hiking & Kayaking
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
ICETROLL offer glacier walking tours, combined with either kayaking or a scenic motorboat tour to the glacier. We also offer rafting tours (see RiverPig) and Ice climbing adventures
Jostedal, Norway
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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ICETROLL - Glacier Hiking & Kayaking
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
404 reviews
Excellent
368
Very good
22
Average
3
Poor
6
Terrible
5
Christoffer
14 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
My brother and I went river rafting with ICETROLL at the campsite in Jostedal and we had an amazing trip.
Our instructors Ollie and Jack were great! They were funny, kind and definitely knew what they were doing. They made sure everyone in the group knew what to do and explained all the safety procedures very clearly.
The first part of the trip was nice and easy and you had plenty of time to get used to the different manoeuvres and enjoy the beautiful nature around us. Here Jack also told us about the nature in the valley.
The last part of the trip was more adrenaline fuelled with great rapids and a lot of fun.
We had a small kid in our group who joined us for the first part of the trip and he seemed very thrilled.
All in all there is something for everyone both the adrenaline seekers and the families with small children.
Our instructors Ollie and Jack were great! They were funny, kind and definitely knew what they were doing. They made sure everyone in the group knew what to do and explained all the safety procedures very clearly.
The first part of the trip was nice and easy and you had plenty of time to get used to the different manoeuvres and enjoy the beautiful nature around us. Here Jack also told us about the nature in the valley.
The last part of the trip was more adrenaline fuelled with great rapids and a lot of fun.
We had a small kid in our group who joined us for the first part of the trip and he seemed very thrilled.
All in all there is something for everyone both the adrenaline seekers and the families with small children.
Written July 13, 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.
Marianne B
Oslo, Norway1 contribution
Jul 2020 • Family
We did both the Glacier tour with Kayaking and the river rafting Two days in a row, with two kids of age 5 and 8. Both trips were great experiences and plenty of fun! The guides were very experienced, with lots of knowledge of the Glacier / river, and big focus on safety, which was especially important to us with the kids. They were very good at making the trip interesting an fun for both the kids and the adults , and adapted the level so they it worked for everyone in the group. The guides were also very nice and friendly, which made the day even better!
We are very satisfied with every part of both tours, from the booking and the information provided, to the guides and the activity itself. Highly recommended!! :-) We will be back!
We are very satisfied with every part of both tours, from the booking and the information provided, to the guides and the activity itself. Highly recommended!! :-) We will be back!
Written July 17, 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.
HIstvan
Paty, Hungary55 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We saw some pictures on the internet about people kayaking among 'icebergs', so when we decided to visit Norway, we knew we want to try this.
We were lucky with the timing of our trip as we arrived to Jostedal on the first week when kayaking on Styggevatnet lake was possible, so there was lots of ice during our tour. :)
The tour started with a short drive from the meeting point to the lake, where after a short walk we got into our kayaks. Unfortunately, there were no single kayaks available, so we had to pair-up, but that was ok. When we got onto the water there were still lots of ice around, so we had to break the ice with the tip of the boats.
During the kayaking, our guide was very nice, she explained a lot about the area. When we got close to the glacier we approached into an 'ice forest" with lots of small icebergs that we had to paddle around. It was fun.
After landing, we had a short break to have some food, got our crampons and ice-axes and started to walk on the glacier. That's a unique experience and our guide explained again a lot about glaciers (and lemmings on the ice), she even served hot chocolate before our return.
Unfortunately, when we got back to the kayaks, we received strong wind that made paddling back more difficult. But that was ok.
In general, we had a great full day on the lake and on the ice.
Couple of things: Even if it is warm in the valley, get some extra clothes, hat, and gloves as it is freezing on the lake and on the ice. Expect some rain. Kayaking back and forth on the lake takes time, so don't reserve a table for the evening. :)
We were lucky with the timing of our trip as we arrived to Jostedal on the first week when kayaking on Styggevatnet lake was possible, so there was lots of ice during our tour. :)
The tour started with a short drive from the meeting point to the lake, where after a short walk we got into our kayaks. Unfortunately, there were no single kayaks available, so we had to pair-up, but that was ok. When we got onto the water there were still lots of ice around, so we had to break the ice with the tip of the boats.
During the kayaking, our guide was very nice, she explained a lot about the area. When we got close to the glacier we approached into an 'ice forest" with lots of small icebergs that we had to paddle around. It was fun.
After landing, we had a short break to have some food, got our crampons and ice-axes and started to walk on the glacier. That's a unique experience and our guide explained again a lot about glaciers (and lemmings on the ice), she even served hot chocolate before our return.
Unfortunately, when we got back to the kayaks, we received strong wind that made paddling back more difficult. But that was ok.
In general, we had a great full day on the lake and on the ice.
Couple of things: Even if it is warm in the valley, get some extra clothes, hat, and gloves as it is freezing on the lake and on the ice. Expect some rain. Kayaking back and forth on the lake takes time, so don't reserve a table for the evening. :)
Written August 24, 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.
Maciej S
2 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Our experience with Icetroll was great. We did Elvepurka rafting, it was fun, safe and veery refreshing. Our raft guide navigated the boat professionally, another crew member took pictures and prepared some hot drinks. We would go again!
Written June 26, 2022
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.
LindadeLeeuw
Lombok, Indonesia7 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
We did the 2 day trip and loved every bit of it. The first day was a bit rainy, but it added to the Norway experience. The second day we did ice climbing and we were very happy we did so. It was sunny and the glacier was so beautiful. Especially when going down the cravesses. We would highly recommend booking the trip if you love beautiful nature and doing something memorable!
Written September 5, 2021
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.
Hotze H
2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
The guide used the Little Piggies-part of the ride to show us what happens when the boat gets full of water. While the other two boats very carefully steered around the rapid. Our little daughter of five (and the other participants as well) were scared shitless. Other instructions were also executed very challenging instead of instructional. Nothing happened of course, but this part of the trip was meant to build confidence en learn about the safety instructions. Not to challenge them, while people already were far beyond their comfort zone as first time rafters. This has ruined our experience. Our daughter definitely never wants to go on a river again. The experience could and should have been so much nicer.
Written August 23, 2022
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.
Kris
10 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We did the overnight kayak & glacier tour. Our guides, Nahir and Marcelo, were fantastic. They were incredibly knowledgeable and kept us very safe while also sharing stories of their experiences. We stayed in tents next to the glacier and woke up to an incredibly calm and still lake with stunning views. Definitely the highlight of our trip to Norway!
Written July 17, 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.
DCinDC
Washington, DC169 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The glacier walk was amazing and we got to walk in between crevices. The gear (crampons, harness etc) worked very well and we felt secure. Guides provided hot chocolate during the walk. The lake was beautiful to kayak on.
The downside was the company really understaffs the activity so that we were expected to help carry all of the kayaks. As these were tandem sea kayaks, they required 4 adults to carry each one. One person on our trip nearly fell into the lake when he lost his footing. We are relatively fit adults and it was a struggle to lift them. There are 4 occasions to carry kayaks, so it got old.
The trip also felt very rushed. We had very little time to to eat and go to the bathroom (7 hour trip).
I would still recommend the trip but be prepared!
The downside was the company really understaffs the activity so that we were expected to help carry all of the kayaks. As these were tandem sea kayaks, they required 4 adults to carry each one. One person on our trip nearly fell into the lake when he lost his footing. We are relatively fit adults and it was a struggle to lift them. There are 4 occasions to carry kayaks, so it got old.
The trip also felt very rushed. We had very little time to to eat and go to the bathroom (7 hour trip).
I would still recommend the trip but be prepared!
Written August 20, 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.
Hi folks.
Thanks for your review and views on what is required! Great for others to read and understand from a clients perspective and our reply :-)
LUNCH: Firstly, sorry to hear you felt rushed on the lunch stop. We try to really maximise the time on the glacier, as - I hope you agree - it is the most spectacular/interesting place to be on the trip. It is a long day that requires really good group management from the guides to keep things moving, and that is an art in itself, so sorry if you didn't get the best feeling there!
LIFTING KAYAKS: I am really sorry you feel we understaff the trips. We actually work to keep trips at low numbers (max 9 per guide kayaking, max 8 per guide on motorboat trips). The reason for the lower numbers is social mainly. With the kayaking, We also then have max 4 double kayaks to manage over the lake, a nice low number for safety reasons. We found for socialising during the day 6-8 clients is pretty perfect, the guide can chat with everyone, rather than TO everyone, as it would be when over 12-13 persons.
Regarding the number of persons to carry kayaks from the lake and how we do it: You are right that we use 4 persons (clients included) carrying the kayak about 15-25 metres on average, over un-even ground. With 4 persons; 40kg kayak + your bags = maybe 11-12kg each. This is within the range of most folks and is also possible to have others help if you don't feel up to it - can be 6 persons also, when available. Guides are sure to mention important things like "if you feel unbalanced just let the kayak go" and with 3 others holding it and going slowly there is little chance for issues. Or simply put it down and re-set if needed.
The main point though is we work as a team for this and it is an unavoidable task when you kayak in front of a calving glacier on a hydro reservoir. There is no way to leave kayaks on the water or beside the lake as they can be washed away (trust me, I have seen it all). So we need to move them. Not only this, we are not able to create a "permanent or even temporary rolling track as the lake is a reservoir for a hydro power station, which level rises each day, all summer, between 5cm and 50cm (have seen over 1m rise in one day). So for every 2 days we use one place for coming ashore, the 3rd day we have to find somewhere new.
If anyone has an amazing solution to this issue, please get in touch (info@icetroll.com) as we have used many eyes and years on solving this, and the best we have found for time saving and safety, is this.
Thanks again for your review, really great to bring it up :-)
Kind regards, Andy.
Written March 14, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Evelyn L
3 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
We went as a family (children 8 and 11 years) on the Nigardsbreen Glacier Tour. First, after good instructions, we went kayaking across the lake for about half an hour, then hiked maybe one hour to the glacier. After preparing the ropes, harness and crampons we went on the glacier. What a great experience!
Be sure to wear sturdy, waterproof shoes. Take enough food and drinks with you.
Sandra, Calum, Lucas and Rosita (hope I wrote the names correct) did a very good job. We felt safe all the time. They also took good care of the children even though we were a fairly large group. The explanations were very good and interesting.
We made the best memories! You did a great job!
Be sure to wear sturdy, waterproof shoes. Take enough food and drinks with you.
Sandra, Calum, Lucas and Rosita (hope I wrote the names correct) did a very good job. We felt safe all the time. They also took good care of the children even though we were a fairly large group. The explanations were very good and interesting.
We made the best memories! You did a great job!
Written June 11, 2022
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.
Tobias
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Worst experience ever!
Have to say we didn‘t make the tour. Obviously we made an mistake in the booking process online. We booked our 12 year old with the from 14 but we didnt the note that we should give them a call. Otherwise we would have done it, why not? but we had to write the age anyways. 5 min prior to the start we got told to call the owner and what happens then was my worst phone call I had my entire life. I was accused to be a liar and to disrespect them and although i apologized several times he didn‘t stop calling me a liar and so on. Yeas we obviously made a mistake when we booked the trip online. And it would have been ok to tell us in a normal way that we can‘t participate although it was really on short notice which does not really speak for the company. But this was really that much that i couldn’t get it out of my head for 2 days.
To sum it up from my point of view this guy behaved like the worst guy i have ever phoned to my entire live.
Can‘t recommend it therefor.
Making mistakes is something which happens from time to time but being accused this way is not correct or fair.
Have to say we didn‘t make the tour. Obviously we made an mistake in the booking process online. We booked our 12 year old with the from 14 but we didnt the note that we should give them a call. Otherwise we would have done it, why not? but we had to write the age anyways. 5 min prior to the start we got told to call the owner and what happens then was my worst phone call I had my entire life. I was accused to be a liar and to disrespect them and although i apologized several times he didn‘t stop calling me a liar and so on. Yeas we obviously made a mistake when we booked the trip online. And it would have been ok to tell us in a normal way that we can‘t participate although it was really on short notice which does not really speak for the company. But this was really that much that i couldn’t get it out of my head for 2 days.
To sum it up from my point of view this guy behaved like the worst guy i have ever phoned to my entire live.
Can‘t recommend it therefor.
Making mistakes is something which happens from time to time but being accused this way is not correct or fair.
Written July 27, 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.
Hey folks,
Thank you for the review. This is a topic we really feel strongly about - as you found out - and we are extremely happy to talk about this here. It was myself who you talked with on the phone, when I called you questioning how it was possible you booked on a tour with your 12 year old when the age limit is impossible to mistake as 14 years on the booking system.
Your comments above are not entirely accurate, as you are aware, and I know from the conversation we shared. You admitted to booking when warned by the website that you had to call us before booking. THAT is our only issue, which you wouldn't admit to until you became aware I was cancelling your booking . Unfortunately it is a really big issue:
We take tours to places that are changeable and extreme. That is to say the weather is changeable and exposed AND the environment we use is also changeable. The area we go it is not possible to go to safely without skilled knowledge. This means we need clients that are well INFORMED and are TRUSTWORTHY. By booking your child on a tour we very clearly (and you agreed it was clear) ask you to talk to us first, you have shown we cannot trust you nor are you at all prepared for where you are going with your precious child because you didn't talk to us - regardless of your country of origin.
The fact you were still insisting on taking the tour with a large part of your reasoning being _ the country you come from - was quite unbelievable. How on earth is a child from one country allowed on one of our trips without talking to us, but a child from another country should follow our rules? There is a term for this mentality, which we all know and no-one wants to be associated with.
This hopefully demonstrates how seriously we take our job > your families safety first and foremost - and how we cannot tolerate folks side-stepping a system which is in place for extremely good reason, safety and enjoyment - your families and our OTHER CLIENTS. Anyone who has taken our kayak tours with children under 14 can attest to the questions we ask and the standards we set.
I sincerely hope you enjoyed the rest of your holidays in Norway, amazing place to be!
Andy Cullens.
Written March 14, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hola muy buenos días espero estén muy bien!!! Quería saber que sucede si está lloviendo el día que vayamos a hacer el tour de caminata por el glaciar ? Ya que solo estaremos un día cerca de Jostedal, devuelven el dinero? Mil gracias
Written July 9, 2024
Ciao! posso chiederti quanto costa l'ingresso al parco e quanto avete pagato l'escursione di cui parli? e ti ricordi quando è durata? Grazie mille
Written January 22, 2019
There is no cost to enter the beautiful area around the glacier and the cost for the trip is based on how many are in your group.
I recommend contacting the great team at Icetroll who will give you all the details.
Written March 19, 2019
Hello Everyone, was planning on a visit to Norway about March 2019, any idea if Nigardsbreen Glacier and Ice Troll Glacier Hiking is a possibility during this time period. I am planning to drive down from Oslo and stay over at the Jostedal Camping. However unsure about the weather conditions in March.
Will it be a good idea to include Nigardsbreen on my wish list or just give it a pass. Will be travelling with wife and 2 kids - 9 and 6 year olds! Thanks in advance for your feedback and response!
Written September 25, 2018
Hi, I believe that March might be too early in the season though you can easily contact Andy or the team at Icetroll by email and they will confirm this.
The main issue though I think will be the ages of your children which I believe are too young to go on the glacier.
This notwithstanding it’s a trip not too be missed!
Written September 25, 2018
Hi, Selena. What would you like to know about this attraction? We are going to Norway with 2 kids (8 yrs and 11 yrs) and would like to do some ice trekking
Written July 7, 2018
Hi... we (family of 3 - 2 adults and 1 child 7 years old) are visiting Norway in later this month. Are there any glacier tours that we can be part of?
Cheers... Abhishek
Written June 2, 2018
With limited time in the area, we are trying decide between 2 nights in Fjaerland, with a trip to the Nigardsbreen glacier, guided by Glacier Blue Ice Hikes, or, 2 nights in Solvorn, with a trip to the Austdalsbreen glacier guided by Ice Trolls. Has anyone done both? If so, can you provide a comparison to help guide our decision?
Written February 18, 2018
Hei, thanks for the question. For both the Nigardsbrevatnet trip and the Austdalsvatnet (Styggevatnet) trips you would be best to stay in Solvorn, so that is easy for you to decide :-) Both trips/companies meet in Jostedal, we (Icetroll) meet at the Breheimsenter (the local information center here). Fjaerland is about 1.5-2 hours hours drive here, and from Solvorn it is about 50 mins or so.
Hope you have a nice stay in Norway!
Kind regards, Andy
Written March 5, 2018
Where's the best airport to fly into for this tour? I'm hoping to see Trollstigen (serpentine mountain road) while I'm on this side of the country but it's hours of a drive from the tour. We'll be coming from Stavanger (Pulpit Rock, Kjerag) and plan to do this tour after the hikes and before we fly into Oslo. We plan to hire a car for the entire trip. Any recommendations on which airport to fly into to save time on travel?
Written August 5, 2017
I am not positive but Bergen is probably the closest airport to this tour. It might be your best option. I don't think there are any airports closer.
Written August 6, 2017
Hi we are group of friends. Wanted to know more on below, duration, difficulty level, price:
NIGARDSBREEN
Blue Ice Hike- Family
Short Blue Ice hike
Long Blue Ice Hike
Special Blue Ice Hike
Kayaking and glacier hiking
We want to do this activity on 12th Jul.
Written June 15, 2017
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