Bergen: Bondhus Glacier Lake & National Park w/Lunch in Rosendal

Within just ten minutes after leaving Bergen, we’re already out of the city and surrounded by beautiful scenery. A little later, the road follows the idyllic Osterfjord, with Osterøy — Northern Europe’s largest inland island — on the left-hand side. At the narrowest point of the fjord, you’ll spot the elegant suspension bridge that connects Osterøy to the mainland.

After about an hour on the road, we arrive at the scenic Blåbærsletta. This is the perfect spot to stretch your legs, take a bathroom break, and—most importantly—soak in the views of the Fusafjord. We spend about 15 minutes here, enjoying a refreshing pause in nature’s embrace. From Blåbærsletta, we drive through beautiful fjord and mountain scenery towards the Hardangerfjord. On narrow roads, we pass lush valleys and charming small villages, where you can catch a glimpse of local life. Keep your eyes open for the many waterfalls plunging down the mountainsides—an impressive sight that truly shows the power of nature. As we get closer to the Hardangerfjord, the landscape gradually opens up, offering wide panoramic views across the fjord.

About 40 minutes after leaving Blåbærsletta, we arrive at Gjermundshamn, where we take our first ferry crossing of the day across the Hardangerfjord. The short journey of around 20 minutes offers beautiful views of the fjord and the surrounding mountains and provides a pleasant break from the road. As we sail across the fjord, you can enjoy the changing scenery and see the landscape from a different perspective. After the ferry crossing, we drive for another 10 minutes towards Rosendal.

Rosendal is a small village beautifully set between the fjord and the mountains, known for its calm atmosphere and strong connection to local life in the Hardanger region. We park directly on the quay, where you can enjoy beautiful views across the fjord and towards the surrounding mountains. In Rosendal, it is time for lunch. We enjoy a warm meal at a local restaurant, where food is prepared with a focus on local ingredients and traditional flavours. This is a relaxed break before continuing towards Bondhus Valley for the walk later in the day. We stay in Rosendal for almost one hour.

Bondhus is one of the most scenic areas in the region. The walk through Bondhus Valley follows an open, well-maintained route through a wide valley, with views of surrounding mountains and waterfalls along the way. The route gently leads to the clear waters of Bondhus Lake, where the Bondhusbreen Glacier comes into view at the far end of the valley. The glacier is part of Folgefonna National Park, home to one of Norway’s largest mainland ice caps and a landscape shaped by ice over thousands of years. The walk to the lake is approximately 2.5 km one way and takes about 30-40 minutes at a relaxed pace, with around 20-30 minutes on the return. This part of the tour offers a comfortable balance between easy walking and impressive natural scenery, without steep or demanding terrain. A local guide accompanies the walk. We allow a total of 2 hours in Bondhus Valley, including the walk and time at the lake, so there is no rush and plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings at your own pace.

Jondal is idyllically situated by the Hardangerfjord, surrounded by mountains and green valleys. The village is an important gateway to Folgefonna National Park, one of Norway’s largest glacier areas, located just a short distance inland. In summer, the contrast between glacier landscapes and the fjord below is especially striking. Jondal has a strong local identity and a long history connected to the fjord, with well-preserved wooden buildings and traditions linked to boat building and coastal life. The village is one of the few in Norway with official status as a national park village, reflecting its close relationship with nature and focus on sustainability. We make a short photo stop near the ferry terminal before continuing with the second ferry crossing of the day.

Located near Norheimsund in the Hardanger region, Steinsdalsfossen is one of Norway’s most well-known and accessible waterfalls. The surrounding area is known for its fertile landscapes and scenic roads, making this a pleasant stop along the journey. With a drop of around 50 metres, Steinsdalsfossen is especially famous for the path that runs behind the waterfall, allowing visitors to walk behind the rushing water and experience its power up close without getting wet. You will have time to walk along the path, enjoy the views, and take photos. Steinsdalsfossen is a favourite spot for photographers and offers excellent opportunities to capture the character of the Hardanger landscape. We stay at Steinsdalsfossen for approximately 30 minutes.