Reinanuten hike above Folgefonna glacier, sometimes called a hike to an ice castle, offers spectacular views, and a close encounter with a glacier. Check out all the details about this special place.
Reinanuten, sits at 1297 meters above sea level, in the national park of Folgefonna in the south of Norway.
The mountain is located near the quite well-known (thanks to the Ragnarok TV series) town of Odda. The area offers some of the best hikes in Norway, such as the world-famous Trolltunga, or picture-perfect Bondhusvatnet. However, there is one more hike, lesser known, but not less spectacular – the Reinanuten hike that follows a climb from the bottom of the valley all the way up to the wall of Buerbreen glacier.
The massive wall of ice appearing in front of your eyes after ascending to the top of the mountain makes an unforgettable impression, and it’s worth every effort on this steep and challenging, but not very long hike. Check below for more details about hiking Reinanuten.
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Reinanuten hike – the basic information
Total distance: 8 km
Total time: 5-6 hours
Highest point: 1297 m
Lowest point: 250m
Elevation gain: 1040 m
Path: Marked path
Difficulty: Challenging (steep)
Season: Best late summer/autumn to see the glacier, which is not covered in snow
Starting point: The hike starts from the car park in Bruer
Drinking water: a few streams and lakes on the way
Where to stay near Reinanuten hike: I recommend staying in the town of Odda or around. One of the most recommended hotels is Vikinghaug, a traditional Norwegian house that offers apartments for rent, glacier and fjord views and a garden. Check it out here.
Reinanuten hike difficulty
Reinanuten is not technically a difficult hike or a very long one. However, the main challenge comes with the steepness of the trail, and, in our case, the amount of mud that was on the path. The wet rocks and sliding soil made going down quite hard and slippery. If you have any issues with your knees, I would recommend taking hiking poles.
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Reinanuten hike description
The hike to Reinanuten is a great day trip. I recommend starting early, so you can stay on the top as long as you want. Especially if you hike in the late summer or early autumn when the days are getting shorter.
This is a steep hike – 4km one way, 1100 meters of elevation difference, but it is so worth it. I was lucky enough to do it in a glorious early autumn day with warm sunny weather, no wind, and stunning views. When the weather is good, Norway in autumn is a great place to be.
The hike starts from a car park at Buarbreen that costs 185 NOK per day (paid only by card on the exit). It’s also a start to the hike to Buerbreen (3 hours return).
Nearby, you can find the National Park Farm at Buer, where you can see grazing sheep and running chickens. The restaurant next door serves coffee, cinnamon buns, and meals (including after-hike burgers).
The Reinanuten hike starts by crossing the river and immediately steepens up on the way through the forest. It steeply rises until you walk above the tree line, where the fantastic view opens up to the glacier and the mountains around.
Afterward, you continue slowly uphill on the plateau towards the glacier. The massive wall of ice appearing in front of your eyes after ascending to the top of the mountain makes an unforgettable impression. You really feel small in the middle of mighty nature. Especially when you witness the glacier calving, which I did! A huge block of ice tumbling down with a loud roar is a spectacular sight.
At a moderate pace, the hike takes around 5-6 hours both ways.
Read more about Norway:
30 Best Hikes In Norway You Need To Try
Tips on how to travel Norway on a budget
Kjerag hike without the crowds – Kjeragbolten
Best Norwegian gifts and souvenirs to bring back from your trip
Would you like to hike Reinanuten? Or maybe you already have? Let me know in the comments!
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