Folgefonna National Park
National Park Norwegian national park preserving glaciers and alpine landscapes
Protected area in Vestland containing the Folgefonna glacier; visitors come for guided glacier walks, alpine hiking, and views over fjords and glacial rivers.
Folgefonna National Park is a protected area in Vestland county, Norway, established in 2005 to conserve the Folgefonna glacier and its surrounding mountain and fjord landscapes. The park covers a substantial alpine area and centres on a large glaciated massif.
The landscape includes expansive icefields, steep valleys, waterfalls and high plateaus. Recreational uses include marked hiking routes, guided glacier walks on the Folgefonna icefields and viewpoints over fjords and waterfalls during the summer season.
The national park was created to safeguard glacial, geological and ecological values and to regulate recreational and commercial activities in a sensitive environment. It preserves the three main icefields and adjacent mountain areas characteristic of the Folgefonna massif.
The park is located in Vestland on Norway’s western side, spanning the Folgefonna massif between nearby fjords and within the Hardanger/Sunnhordland region; it is accessed from several small local towns and mountain roads in the surrounding municipalities.
- Establishment: Established as a national park in 2005 to protect the glacier environment and surrounding alpine and fjord landscapes.
- Scale and focus: The park centres on the Folgefonna glacier complex, one of Norway's larger ice caps, and covers roughly 545 square kilometres.
What to See #
- Folgefonna icefields: Nordre, Midtre and Søndre Folgefonna - the three main icefields that together form the Folgefonna glacier system and dominate the park's glaciated landscape.
How to Get to Folgefonna National Park #
Access points vary. From Odda, drive west toward Jondal and follow County Road 49 for routes to southern entrances; from Bergen, drive east toward Folgefonna (approx 3-4 hours) or use regional buses in summer months. Local tour operators run glacier hikes and boat cruises-book in advance for summer.
Tips for Visiting Folgefonna National Park #
- Use certified guides for glacier trekking or ice-caving; summer walking on the glacier requires experience and equipment.
- If visiting Folgefonna National Park for the glacier, approach via road routes from Odda or Jondal; mountain roads can be narrow and weather-dependent.
- Check local bus timetables-summer seasons have better public transport options to park trailheads.
Best Time to Visit Folgefonna National Park #
Best visited June-August for safe hiking and guided glacier activities; spring and autumn offer fewer crowds but variable conditions.
Weather & Climate near Folgefonna National Park #
Folgefonna National Park's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -10°C to 6°C. Heavy rainfall (2757 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -10°C. Heavy rain (298 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -6°C and lows of -10°C. Heavy rain (222 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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March
March is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -10°C. Heavy rain (235 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (149 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (171 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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August
August is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 3°C. Heavy rain (213 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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September
September is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of 1°C. Heavy rain (293 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -2°C. Heavy rain (314 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -7°C. Heavy rain (305 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -5°C and lows of -9°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (324 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
