Folgefonna Glacier Hike

Join us for a day trip to Folgefonna, the southernmost glacier in Norway. This experience includes a thrilling glacier hike and a tranquil cruise on the stunning Hardangerfjord, offering a complete and memorable adventure from Bergen.

Highlights

• Relaxing fjord cruise on the picturesque Hardangerfjord
• Thrilling, guided glacier hike on Folgefonna
• Stunning views of the North Sea and Rosendal Alps
• Walk behind Steinsdalsfossen waterfall
• Scenic bus ride passing waterfalls and rivers, ending up 1199 m above sea level.

Starting the journey

Your journey begins with a relaxing bus trip from Bergen to Norheimsund, where you’ll board a high speed catamaran for a fjord cruise on the Hardangerfjord. This serene start to your day allows you to unwind and soak in the breathtaking views of Norway’s natural beauty. The boat ride, although unguided, promises a seamless and enjoyable experience.

As the fjord boat reaches the town of Herand, you’ll smoothly transition to a comfortable bus journey, which will take you up through scenic landscapes to the welcome center at Folgefonna, the starting point of the glacier hike.

Choose your glacier hike

You can choose between two different glacier hikes, a panoramic tour and a blue ice tour, with different degrees of difficulty and length.

Panorama hike (shorter option)

The panorama hike offers a perfect introduction to glacier hiking in a more accessible format. This tour is adapted to participants’ wishes and physical conditions, making it suitable for a wider range of visitors. You’ll experience the wonder of walking on glacial ice while enjoying magnificent surroundings. The highlight of the tour is a relaxing lunch break with spectacular panoramic views of the North Sea, the Rosendal Alps, and the broader Folgefonna National Park. This hike is shorter and less physically demanding than the blue ice hike, making it an excellent choice for families, first-time glacier hikers, or anyone preferring a more relaxed pace while still experiencing the magic of Folgefonna Glacier.

Blue ice hike (longer option)

The Blue Ice Hike takes you to the Juklavass Glacier, an impressive section of the Folgefonna glacier system. This experience features both serene flat ice expanses and more adventurous crevasse areas, creating a diverse glacier landscape to explore. Your guides will adapt the tour to match your group’s wishes and physical capabilities, ensuring a memorable yet comfortable experience. During your journey, you’ll pause for a lunch break surrounded by world-class panoramic views of the North Sea and the majestic Rosendal Alps. Throughout the hike, your glacier guide will share fascinating details about local culture, physical geography, climate changes, and glacial formations. This option is more challenging and longer in duration than the panorama hike, making it ideal for those seeking a more immersive glacier adventure.

Walk behind a waterfall?

As the day winds down, you’ll return to Bergen. Right after you have changed from fjord boat to bus in Norheimsund, we have added a small bonus on the return journey: a delightful 45-minute interlude at the Steinsdalsfossen waterfall. This stop allows you to marvel at the waterfall’s beauty and even walk behind its cascading waters for a truly unique perspective.

During your visit to Steinsdalsfossen, you’ll have the opportunity to explore two souvenir shops, perfect for finding special keepsakes or gifts that capture the essence of your Norwegian adventure. Additionally, a charming café nearby offers a selection of refreshments. Whether you’re craving a warm cup of coffee, a light snack, a refreshing soda, or a delicious ice cream, it’s the perfect way to conclude your memorable day.

Traveling early summer or in september?

In order to extend the glacier hiking season as long as possible for our guests, we have an alternative option that includes the Panorama tour and bus transport from Bergen. We run this tour in early summer and from August to mid-September.