The magnificent icefall and valley have drawn tourists since the mid 1800s. As you walk from the quay in Sundal, a hamlet on the shore of the Maurangerfjord, you are retracing a historic path. The Ice Road wasn’t built for tourists, but rather to transport ice, which was used for refrigeration in the towns and villages up and down the coast.

It’s an easy hike; the gravel road up to Bondhusvatnet lake is also suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. A round trip takes about two hours. The trail to the far end of the lake – and better view of the icefall – requires sturdy footwear. The trail continues up to a moraine below Bondhusbrea. Allow three hours for the hike to the far end of the lake and back again, and four hours if you’re hiking to the moraine.

When Queen Sonja of Norway officially opened Folgefonna National Park in 2005, the location chosen for the ceremony was Bondhusdalen. Her Majesty’s signature is on a rock by the lake.

You can sign up for a guided hike to Bondhusbrea icefall. Experienced guides will enrich your adventure with fascinating facts and exciting stories.

Warning:  Always keep a safe distance from the icefall. Huge blocks of ice may shift suddenly – and that can prove lethal!

 

Bondhusdalen foto Jan Rabben
Bondhusdalen
foto Jan Rabben

Activities

Hike to Bondhusvatnet lake
Hike to Fonnabu cabin
Guided glacier hike
Fonnabu cabin
Holmaskjer cabin
Breidablikk cabin
Skiing across the Folgefonna in spring

Hiking in norwegian nature

The Norwegian outdoors is fantastic, but hiking or skiing in it can be challenging. Both terrain and weather vary, so it’s best to be well prepared. Load your pack well; know how to use and always carry a map and compass. Here are some hints for safe hiking and skiing in Norway. Enjoy your trekking!

CABIN VISIT FROM A TO Z

Most DNT cabins are self-service (with stocks of provisions) or no-service (no provisions stocked). Here’s a guide to staying at a cabin

 

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The historic hiking trail across Folgefonna glacier

About the national park

Folgefonna, the third largest glacier on mainland Norway, is the heart of the national park. Exotic and dramatic, this magnificent glacier has drawn tourists since 1833. Here are glacier tongues and icefalls, wild valleys, and raging rivers of rushing meltwater and scenic summer pastures.