The landscape surrounding the Berdalsbreen glacier in Hurrungane, the westernmost and most alpine part of Jotunheimen National Park, is characterized by profound geological contrasts. When photographing near the glacier-fed lake Berdalsvatnet, I was particularly drawn to the intense blue light glowing from within the glacier ice itself.
While the dark, towering rock walls of hard gabbro surrounding the glacier are slowly shaped and broken down by frost weathering over thousands of years, the glacier moves and changes much faster from season to season. Nature up here, accessed from the scenic Tindevegen mountain road, never stands still. This means the conditions, the crevasses, and the alpine light shift from minute to minute while standing there with the camera.
The unseen changes and the melting permafrost
Capturing a moment during the final, steep ridge climb toward the summit of Store Soleibotntind as a hiker pauses to pet a husky against a backdrop of snowy peaks—the raw energy of Hurrungane is undeniable.
However, documenting landscapes in Jotunheimen brings a deep sense of responsibility. According to the UN Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), human activity has significantly altered 75 percent of the Earth’s land surface, triggering a global biodiversity crisis.
For me, capturing these areas with a camera goes hand in hand with preserving them exactly as they are. Practicing sustainable hiking and leaving no trace ensures that the ancient rocks, pristine waters, and wild silence remain undisturbed for the future. Witnessing these rapidly changing landscapes is a powerful reminder to respect and care for the wild nature around us.
Exploring the majesty of Berdalsbreen and Berdalsvatnet
Tucked away deep within one of Norway’s most dramatic mountain ranges, this glacier has bypassed the major guidebooks and commercial tourist paths. Consequently, it is a raw, untouched realm that only reveals itself to those who actively seek the authentic and the inaccessible.
Additionally, hidden between the razor-sharp, alpine peaks of the Hurrungane range in southwestern Jotunheimen, Berdalsbreen is no place for casual Sunday walks. These are highly demanding mountains, standing as a true eldorado for skilled and experienced alpine skiers and mountaineers. It is a challenging sanctuary where nature still dictates the rules. For those who venture into this high-altitude landscape, it offers a profound look at the untamed power of the Norwegian mountains.
The majesty of Berdalsvatnet
Furthermore, this is exactly where the Berdalsbreen glacier ends its slow descent. If you sit quietly on the moraine rocks nearby, the mountain silence is occasionally shattered by a deep, thunderous crack. Ultimately, it is the sound of the glacier calving—enormous blocks of ancient ice breaking off the tongue and plunging directly into the freezing waters of Berdalsvatnet below.
Berdalsbreen Glacier: Crystal Turquoise Waters at 1512 moh
Standing on the moraine rocks, we watched the heavy mountain mist lift to reveal the intense, turquoise waters of Berdalsvatnet. Step into the high-alpine wild and discover the story behind this hidden natural wonder.
