BONDHUSVATNET LAKE IN HARDANGER

Lake Bondhusvatnet and Bondhusbreen Glacier was one of the first places the English tourists visited when they discovered Norway in the mid 1800´s. Map to use: Folgefonna 1:50000.

In the late 1800´s and early 1900´s, the Bondhusbreen Glacier was much larger, and the massive glacier could be seen from the outlet of the lake. Today, the glacier has retracted and the glacier arm is much smaller, but it can still be seen from the outlet of Lake Bondhusvatnet.

 

Hiking - Safety, Responsibility and Season

The nature in Norway is beautiful but also dangerous. It is important to read about your own responsibility and how to explore the Norwegian nature in a safe way.

BEFORE YOU GO HIKING – THE NORWEGIAN MOUNTAIN CODE
The weather can change dramatically in the Norwegian mountains. This is why you should follow the Norwegian Mountain Code when hiking in Norway. It can change from summer and sunny weather to winter and frost in minutes! Always bring good clothes and hiking shoes. And have enough food and water in your rucksack. We recommend you to join Guided Tours when hiking in Norway.

NOTE! Most of the hikes described on this website are intended for experienced hikers that know the area. We recommend to use a map and compass when hiking in Norway. It often happens that the mountain areas in Norway is shrouded in fog.

SEASON & WEATHER: Seasons mentioned on this website are approximately dates and are dependent on temperature and snow. Hikes mentioned in this website have different seasons. See links to the various hikes to read more about the hikes and season. It is recommended to avoid hiking if there are ice and snow in the terrain and on the trails. Always make your own evaluation about the danger of landslides and avalanches before and during the hike. Always check the weather before you go hiking. For safety reasons it is recommended to avoid hiking in Thunderstorms and in fog and bad weather!

Use the information you find on fjords.com at your own risk and your own responsibility. Errors and omissions may occur. Always make your own evaluation. Adapt your own risk to your own skills and by choosing where, when and how you travel. Fjords.com is not a guide or a travel planner, and the information on the pages should not be used accordingly. Marked and mentioned routes are not accurate and will also often change for various reasons, always look for updated information.

Visit HardangerfjordVisit Sunnhordland

Visit Hardangerfjord and Visit Sunnhordland are the official destination companies for the Hardangerfjord area.

About season and other important information

GRADING: Medium. ALTITUDE DIFFERENCE: This hike starts at approximately 60 masl (Parking). Highest point at approximately 190 masl (Lake Bondhusvatnet).

SEASON: June to September, depending on temperature and snow.

The Hike to Lake Bondhusvatnet

Drive to Sunndal in Kvinnherad by the Hardangerfjord. If you start from Odda, drive through the 11.150 meter long Folgefonn Tunnel to Mauranger and continue seven kilometers to Sunndal. From Sunndal, drive up Bondhusdalen Valley to the end of the road where you can park your car.

The trail towards Lake Bondhusvatnet starts at the parking place. Continue hiking on the 2.5 kilometer long trail to the outlet of the lake. The trail is surrounded by beautiful and wild nature with steep mountains and cascading waterfalls. The Bondhuselva River runs along the trail. It is a wild river with many beautiful waterfalls. The trail, or “Isvegen” (the Ice Road) as it is called, was built in year 1863 to transport ice blocks from the glacier down to the Hardangerfjord from where they were shipped to foreign countries.

It is an easy hike on a well prepared trail. The hike to Lake Bondhusvatnet will take you approximately one hour (two hours both ways). The hike back from Lake Bondhusvatnet is on the same scenic trail as you came.

After the hike to Lake Bondhusvatnet, you can stop by Olaløo Farm Restaurant to taste local food and drinks. During the summer season, from late June to early August, they have an open café. Otherwise you have to book in advance.

Bondhusbreen Glacier

The Bondhusbreen Glacier is a glacier arm of the Folgefonna Glacier, the third larges ice-cap in Norway. The Folgefonna Glacier is situated between Sørfjorden and the Hardangerfjord.

The Bondhusdalen Valley was formed during the ice ages, from glaciers that were situated where the Bondhusbreen Glacier lies today. Later, around 7000 years ago, the valley became ice-free. Around 4000 years ago, the climate again became colder, and the Folgefonna Glacier as it is today was then formed.

Between the Bondhusbreen Glacier and the Parking Lot at Sunndal, there are several moraines which were created by the retreats and the growth of the glaciers. The trail to the lake and to the foot of glacier goes through many of the moraines and several landslide blocks. See map from GRIND with Moraines in the Bondhusdalen Valley  (Map: Moraines are marked in green, Landslides are marked in grey blocks).

Summer Ski on Folgefonna Glacier

The Folgefonna Glacier is a “hub” for many activities. Fonna Glacier Resort is one of three Summer Ski Centers in Norway and is located on the Folgefonna Glacier in Jondal in Kvinnherad. From the Ski Resort you have fjord view to the Hardangerfjord.

The Hardangerfjord Area – What to See and Do

The Hardangerfjord area,  the orchard of Norway, is known for Summer Skiing at Folgefonna Glacier and a spectacular fruit tree blossoming in spring. Drive in the Hardanger area and see the Vøringsfossen Waterfall and all the other great waterfalls. Hike the famous Trolltunga Hike or Dronningstien (the Queens Panoramic Trail) in the area around Sørfjorden. Lake Bondhusvatnet and Bondhusbreen Glacier was one of the first places the English tourists visited when they discovered Norway in the mid 1800´s. Join a Fjord Cruise on the Hardangerfjord which is located in the county of Vestland, near Bergen, in the middle of Western Norway.

References

GRIND – University in Bergen: Bondhusdalen Valley
UT.no: “Isvegen” (the Ice Road) between Sunndal and Bondhusbreen

Accommodation by Lake Bondhusvatnet

Hardanger Fjord Lodge
Mauranger Kro og Gjestehus
Sundal Camping

FJORDS – Accommodation in Western Norway

Great Hotels in the Fjords of Norway
Bath and Spa Hotels in the Fjords of Norway
Fjords Living – Special Accommodation in the Fjords of Norway

FJORDS – Useful Links

Go Fjords – Big and Small Fjord Experiences
Visit Norway – Official page for Norway
Fjord Norway – Official page for Fjord Norway

Lake Bondhusvatnet – Map Overview