Norway is known for some of the best hikes in the world. One of them is Buarbreen, located near the small town of Odda. During the hike to Buarbreen, you’ll walk towards the glacier of the same name, which is part of the Folgefonna glacier area. Odda is a municipality in the fjords of Western Norway and a popular starting point for many stunning hikes. We stayed here for 3 nights. Set aside half a day for Buarbreen and don’t forget your hiking boots, because it’s quite a challenging walk. I spent a little over 2 hours on the trail, minus the photo breaks, of course. Let me tell you all about my experience visiting this beautiful glacier near Odda!
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Buarbreen is one of the most famous hikes near Odda
To reach the Buarbreen parking lot, we drove from Odda along Route 13 towards Røldal. Route 13 is also the main road running through Odda. Follow the signs to Buer, and you’ll eventually find yourself on a narrow gravel road leading to a large parking area at the foot of the trail. I honestly thought I was driving the wrong way because it felt like a road you shouldn’t be on — but that happens quite often in Norway. Just hope you don’t meet a campervan coming the other way.
The parking lot is quite spacious. I visited in early May and it was fairly quiet. If it’s not busy, it’s worth driving a bit further. There’s a second parking area about 400 meters up the road, which saves you a few steps at the start of your hike!
Don’t forget to pay for parking
Note: parking here is paid. I was here in the low season, and it wasn’t really clear whether they check tickets or not. I didn’t have to enter my license plate and the machine didn’t print a receipt either. Parking cost me 185 NOK in May 2024 — roughly €18 — which is quite steep for a remote parking lot.
Your hike starts through a small forest
The hike covers 5.5 km, with over 400 meters of elevation gain and a walking time of around 3 hours. That might sound like a lot for this distance, but that’s because you’ll also be climbing and scrambling — more on that later.
As with many hikes in Norway, you’ll need to follow the red trail markers to reach Buarbreen. On the way up, they’re easy to spot. I found it a bit trickier on the way down, but you can always look back if you’re unsure. The trail runs through a valley, so you can’t really get lost.
The first section is relatively flat and quickly leads to a large open rocky area next to the river. You’ll also see grazing cattle here — don’t worry, they’re harmless and just hanging out. Soon after, you’ll enter the forest, where the real fun begins. You’ll cross several streams and eventually even a waterfall! Here, you’ll find the first rope to help you cross safely. There used to be a nice bridge… but that’s long gone. I only knew because I’d read about it in an old blog beforehand.
After crossing a waterfall, the real climbing towards Buarbreen begins
The climb is a mix of hiking, stepping up rocks, and sometimes even crawling on all fours. For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend this hike for people with young children — especially in bad weather. You’ll have your hands full with yourself.
Past the waterfall, the real fun begins. You’ll get your first view of the stunning Buarbreen glacier! I was there in May, so from this point I could also see the first snow patches — and there would be plenty more later. You’re still not at the top here. You can see Buarbreen, but there’s still quite a bit of hiking left to reach it.
On several steeper slopes, you’ll find ropes or chains to help you pull yourself up. These are great for extra safety. I had a beautiful dry day, but I can imagine they’re essential if it rains. From here, you’ll constantly have a clear view of the Buarbreen glacier — which makes this part of the hike especially cool: challenging terrain and breathtaking views the whole way.
Safety first!
My most important tip for the Buarbreen hike: be careful and stay safe! Unfortunately, we had to skip the last half kilometre to the top. The trail simply wasn’t safe anymore. We did this hike in early May after several warm days. The snow was melting — but snow melts from underneath. The Buarbreen glacier itself wasn’t affected much, but the trail was. We couldn’t see where it was safe to step and ended up breaking through the snow in places.
This might be easier in the summer months. Still, on a wet day, it can be a dangerous hike. Wear sturdy hiking boots with ankle support (so, not your white sneakers — yes, I actually saw someone start this hike in white sneakers). Don’t forget a rain jacket and waterproof gear, as Norwegian weather can be unpredictable. Once you’re soaked, it can get cold quickly.
Looking for adventure? Hike to Buarbreen!
Buarbreen is a beautiful half-day hike that’s great fun thanks to its rocky terrain and stunning views of both the glacier and the valley. You’ll find this glacier close to the popular town of Odda. You can read all about hiking around Odda in this blog. The hike is doable for anyone in reasonable shape, but don’t be afraid to use your hands along the way. Enjoy your adventure on this spectacular trail!
Want to do more amazing hikes? About an hour’s drive away, you’ll find the stunning 4 Waterfalls of Husedalen trail.
Where to stay near Buarbreen?
We stayed in an Airbnb on a fruit farm, just 13 kilometres from Trolltunga. The cabin was located between Odda and Kinsarvik — perfect for all our hiking plans. Tip: buy your groceries in Odda, as it’s quite remote!
Use the map below to easily find a hotel in or around Odda.
Things to do nearby
Want to plan more fun activities near Odda? You can also go rock climbing for a day or take a fjord cruise on the Hardangerfjord!
I did the Buarbreen hike during my 6-day Norway trip. Here’s my full travel itinerary from Stavanger.
