Lake Bondhusvatnet in Hardanger was one of the first places visited by English tourists when they discovered Norway in the mid‑1800s. 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.
About season and other important information
OFFICIAL HIKE DESCRIPTION – Tour descriptions from fjords.com may be incomplete and inaccurate, errors and omissions may occur. Therefore, it is important to look for updated information from official information sources. You can search for most of the mountain hikes in Norway in the website UT.no. There you will find more accurate hike descriptions with maps, elevation profiles and other useful information. Unfortunately, UT.no has only Norwegian text and does not cover all the hikes on this website. Here is a hike description from UT.no to lake Bondhusvatnet. Read about your own responsibility and about how to explore the Norwegian nature in a safe way. We recommend using a guide.
GRADING: Easy. 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.
NOTE – Avoid going outside the trail. There is rough terrain outside the trail and it can be slippery. The river that runs next to the trail has strong currents.
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).
The Hardangerfjord Area – What to See and Do
The Hardangerfjord area, Norway’s orchard, is known for its spectacular fruit tree blossoms in spring. Lake Bondhusvatnet and the Bondhusbreen glacier in Kvinnherad by the Hardangerfjord were among the first places visited by English tourists when they discovered Norway in the mid-19th century. See Vøringsfossen in Måbødalen, Låtefossen in Oddadalen and all the other beautiful waterfalls in the area around the Hardangerfjord. The Hardangerfjord is Norway’s second longest fjord and is located in Vestland county, near Bergen, in the middle of Western Norway.
Visit Hardangerfjord – Visit Sunnhordland
Visit Hardangerfjord and Visit Sunnhordland are the official destination companies for the Hardangerfjord area.
Hotels and Accommodation by Lake Bondhusvatnet
Hotel Sundal
Mauranger Kro og Gjestehus
Sundal Camping
References
GRIND – University in Bergen: Bondhusdalen Valley
UT.no: “Isvegen” (the Ice Road) between Sunndal and Bondhusbreen