It was not until night six that I first experienced a Norwegian campground. I hadn’t even intended on that being my first campground experience. I saw a glacier near me on the map, noticed a road that ventured right into its U-shaped center and I knew I must head that way. It was then that I discovered Briksdalsbre.

Briksdalsbre is at the base of Briksdal Glacier and it boasts Melkevoll Bretun campground as well as a lodge, visitor’s center, store, and restaurant. This is also the take-off point for many hikes in the area as well as excursions onto the glacier. The campground is surrounded by glaciers on three sides and has a roaring waterfall essentially overhead. It is complete with tent spots, caravan spots with electricity, cabins, fresh pastries, showers, wifi, and my favorite feature, a sauna with a glacial stream right outside to cold plunge into. And all for the price of $28/night. This was heaven.

I decided to spend the afternoon enjoying the campground amenities and hike in the morning. Sauna, first up. Immediately my lack of experience with sauna culture was apparent. All three sauna spaces had shoes waiting outside. Am I supposed to wait until the people finished up or join them? Paralyzed, I sat outside the sauna wondering how to approach it and quite frankly afraid to do the wrong thing. Certainly, I don’t want to barge into someone’s private space like a heathen! After several minutes a young couple, knowing what to do, took their shoes off and entered one of the occupied saunas. Okay! I went in as well.

The next morning I embarked on my first official hike in Norway, the modest 5.5 km round trip hike up to the base of Briksdal Glacier. This is a very popular hike but I found that the giant walls towering overhead and the powerful waterfalls gushing nearly everywhere, drowned out any distraction that other humans could possibly impose.

At the top, I was greeted by a sandy beach, a glacial lake, more waterfalls, and the tail of Briksdal Glacier. Incredible views in every direction.

As it turned out this glacial meltwater was the very same water I had cold plunged into the previous evening (post-sauna) once it had traversed down the mountainside to the campground. And yes, it was insanely cold! But what better way to first experience the sauna/cold plunge duo in Norway.

To give a sense of just how large this glacier is. Here is my GPS location at the campground.

Having successfully completed and immensely enjoyed my first Norwegian campground, sauna/cold plunge, and hike, I returned to the camper, contemplated staying a second night, but ultimately decided to continue my way north.

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Lessons from: Campground Heaven!

• There is no need to shy away from popular hikes. They are popular for a reason!
• Campgrounds in Norway tend to be incredibly affordable and extremely luxurious.
• Take the time to experience saunas in Norway!