Buarbreen

Buarbreen descends from the Folgefonna ice cap into the Buerdalen valley south of Odda, and the walk to its foot is short in distance but demanding in character: about two hours from the farm at Buer, crossing a river on a suspension bridge, then climbing over moraine and large boulders with chains and ropes fixed at the steeper rock steps. The reward is standing close under a blue calving front with the meltwater river coming out beneath it. Like the other Folgefonna arms it has retreated substantially, and the bare rock between the current front and the older moraines shows how far. Signs at the site warn against approaching the ice, and the warning is serious: blocks fall regularly.

What you actually see

• The blue ice front - a calving glacier face at the head of the valley.
• The chain sections - fixed ropes and chains on the steep rock steps.
• The boulder field - moraine left by the retreating glacier.
• The meltwater river - the outflow crossed by a suspension bridge.

When to go

July to September, once snow has cleared from the upper valley; earlier the boulder field is treacherous. Clear weather is important, both for the view and because wet rock on the chained sections is slippery.

Honest expectations

This is a scramble rather than a walk, with hands needed in places and real fall risk on wet rock. Do not go under or onto the ice, where collapses have killed visitors. Parking at Buer farm is private with a fee, and the last road section is narrow.

Nearby

Odda and the Trolltunga trailhead are at the head of the Sorfjord; Bondhusvatnet lies on the other side of Folgefonna.