Kvinne foran isbreen Austerdalsisen Emilie Solbakken / Visit Helgeland

Austerdalsisen is a large glacier arm of Svartisen, stretching down towards Austerdalsvatnet and Svartisvatnet in a wild mountain landscape at the foot of Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park.

Austerdalsisen is a glacier arm of Svartisen, stretching down towards Austerdalsvatnet and Svartisvatnet, about a 40-minute drive north of Mo i Rana.

A boat operates across Svartisvatnet during the summer season, depending somewhat on the amount of snow in the mountains. Usually, the boat runs from around mid-June to August.

Get directions to the parking area by Svartisvatnet on Google Maps

The glacier Svartisen is an ancient giant resting among ice-covered peaks and deep valleys, in the wild mountain landscape between Saltfjellet and the Helgeland coast. It is Norway’s second-largest glacier, covering an area larger than Oslo and Bergen combined. With its many glacier arms, it reaches down towards the valleys and mountain lakes below. Austerdalsisen is one of them, and in the beautiful landscape surrounding it, you can see how the glacier’s powerful forces have shaped the mountains over thousands of years.

When the winter snow gives way to the warmth of summer, the blue ice is revealed. This is the old, densely packed glacier ice, whose deep blue colour shines like a sapphire when sunlight plays inside it. The ice is alive, in its own way – always moving, always changing. Massive blocks fall from the glacier edges with a thunderous roar that echoes between the mountains. Meltwater creates rivers and waterfalls on the rock below. It’s a truly powerful experience of nature!

Always keep a safe distance from the glaciers edge. It is unstable, and large ice blocks can break off without warning.

Hiking on the glacier itself should only be done with proper knowledge and safety equipment. If you don’t have the necessary experience, you can join a guided tour.

Thank you for respecting the local communities, and for helping us preserve the natural beauty of Helgeland!

Please:

  • Strive to leave no trace of your visit. Bring back all your rubbish, including used toilet paper, and discard it in the nearest rubbish bin.
  • Plan your toilet visits and use the opportunity when you pass a toilet. In the wilderness, make sure you are not a nuisance to others.
  • Respect the local wildlife. Keep a good distance from wildlife, livestock and birds. Keep your dog leashed.
  • Respect private property. Keep a respectful distance from houses and cabins.
  • Show good boating sense. Keep a good distance from shore and drive at a low speed, especially when you are close to anyone or anything on the water, including birds or animals. Avoid loud and disturbing engine noise. Be aware that some islands and nature reserves are important nesting sites, and that going ashore is prohibited during the nesting season.
  • Follow the Norwegian Mountain Code (Fjellvettreglene). Plan your excursion according to the weather forecast, your skills and experience.
  • Join a guided excursion or consider hiring an experienced guide, especially when you don’t have sufficient experience or knowledge to guarantee a safe trip.

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