Svartisen

Svartisen is Norway’s second largest glacier, with an area of ​​approximately 374 km². It is located in Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park in Nordland, and stretches from Saltfjellet in the east to Holandsfjorden in the west.

Western and Eastern Svartisen

The Svartisen today consists of two main glaciers, Vestre Svartisen and Østre Svartisen. In the middle of the 18th century, Svartisen was one continuous glacier, but today it is divided in two. Vestre Svartisen is the largest of the two, and has an area of ​​approximately 260 km². t stretches from Saltfjellet to Holandsfjorden, and is the only glacier in Norway that stretches all the way down to the coast.

Østre Svartisen is the eastern part of the glacier, and is located in Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park in Nordland county. The glacier has an area of ​​approximately 114 km², and is the fourth largest glacier on the Norwegian mainland. Østre Svartisen is a mountain glacier, and lies on a ridge between 1,000 and 1,500 meters above sea level.

Engabreen

Engabreen is one of the largest glacier arms of Vestre Svartisen. It stretches out to Holandsfjorden, and is one of the most popular attractions in Helgeland . The Engabreen is an important tourist destination, and contributes to creating jobs and value creation in the region. The glacier is also an important natural area, and is protected through the Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park.

To get to Engabreen in Meløy Municipality, you must take a car or bus to Holandsvika, which is along FV17 – Kystriksveien. At Holandsvika, you can take the boat over to Engen Brygge, the trip over takes about 10 minutes.

Route information can be found here.

The Engabreen is a powerful nature experience, and offers a range of activities for both experienced and inexperienced hikers. It is possible to take a guided trip to the glacier and the trip usually takes 3 hours. On the trip, you can experience the mighty glacier up close, and learn about how glaciers work. You can also hike on your own, there are several hiking trails that go up to the glacier.

Here are some tips on how you can experience Svartisen and Engabreen:

• Take a guided trip to the glacier. This is the best way to learn about the glacier and its history.
• Glacier hike on the glacier with a certified glacier guide. We take you to the top of the glacier and offer a powerful experience of crevasses, blue ice and a fantastic view.
• Go on a trip on your own. There are marked hiking trails in the area, so you can choose a tour that suits your level, whether you want to experience the glacier up close or just look at the spectacular scenery.

No matter how you choose to experience Svartisen and Engabreen, you are guaranteed a memorable nature experience.

This post is also available in: Norsk bokmål (Norwegian Bokmål)