The forecast was for rain again today but this time it was actually correct and it did rain all day. But this didn’t stop us from having the best day of the entire trip!
We parked in the Steindalsbreen car park which was another ‘Easy Park’. This time we had to use an online ‘dial’ to set our anticipated return time before setting off.
There were picnic benches, a toilet and information in the car park which was the starting place for 4 different treks.
We set off in light rain and were immediately in lush green woodland as we began our 10 mile round trip to the Steendalsbreen glacier and back again.
The first section was a fairly steep uphill however the path was soft and springy and much better than the never ending stones of the previous day.
And today the waymarkers were the occasional ribbon hanging in a tree. The path and signposting was clear however and it was easy to find our way.
We came across Riegadangeadgi or the Birth Stone, a place where Elen Margrete Hansdatter gave birth to a boy in 1848.
The walk flattened and we continued through woodland and with moss covered stones and pretty wild flowers it felt like an enchanted forest.
Much of the route was adjacent to a turquoise river coming from the glacier.
You can rent a cabin hidden here in the Steindalen valley about half way between the start of the trek and the glacier. There are a couple of picnic benches and we stopped here for a break on the way back.
We continued along a mostly flat and open section of the Steindalen valley.
And came to a steep rocky section to climb just before the glacier.
We crossed the moraine ridge and now had the glacier in sight!
A helpful sign post explained the lines which can be seen on most of the rocks were caused by the glacier slowly moving across them.
We had lunch in front of the glacier and noticed a cold micro climate! We were in a ‘bowl’ and could feel the coldness coming from the glacier.
After a bite to eat we walked further towards the glacier along a path to the right. We continued until we reached it!
It is advised not to walk on the glacier without relevant experience. Chris and I walked on the initial part and had put our spikes over our boots for grip.
The main part of the glacier will have deep cracks and crevices so would be too dangerous.
As we walked over the glacier we could see rocks embedded and half embedded in the ice.
We discovered an ice cave at the glacier!
And decided to venture inside… the ice cave was the real wow factor of the walk and was totally unexpected.
When we looked closely we could see small particles inside the ice.
The 6 of us stayed in the ice cave for a few minutes before starting our return journey back towards the cars.
There are signs which show how far the glacier has receded each year. Sadly the above marker shows where it would have been in 2010, only 14 years ago.
Summary
With woodland, a picturesque turquoise stream, a glacier and an ice cave this was a wonderful and memorable day. The hiking wasn’t too difficult as much of it was on flat terrain and despite the rain and the woodland there was far less mosquitos than we experienced on previous days. The ice cave was unexpected and was a real highlight of the day 🙂
frombluetogreen.com 
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