Which Norwegian national park contains the largest glacier in mainland Europe?

Jostedalsbreen National Park contains Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier on mainland Europe. The park is in western Norway’s Vestland county and was established on October 25, 1991.

Jostedalsbreen covers roughly 487 square kilometres and stretches for more than 60 kilometres, although its ice is divided into many branches reaching down separate valleys. Famous glacier arms include Nigardsbreen, Briksdalsbreen and Bøyabreen. The national park itself covers about 1,310 square kilometres, with glaciers occupying a substantial portion of that area.

The glacier is sustained by heavy snowfall rather than exceptionally low temperatures. Its many tongues descend toward relatively low valley elevations, creating dramatic scenery and making several outlets accessible to visitors. The park’s highest mountain is Lodalskåpa, at 2,083 metres.

A common confusion is treating Jostedalsbreen National Park and the glacier as identical. The park is the wider protected landscape; Jostedalsbreen is the ice cap within it. “Mainland Europe” also excludes Iceland’s larger glaciers, which is why the wording matters.