Folgefonna National ParkAbout Folgefonna National Park
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.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -10° - -6° | -18° | 298 mm | overcast | 94% | 11.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
| February | Poor | -10° - -7° | -18° | 222 mm | overcast | 93% | 10.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.0h |
| March | Poor | -10° - -6° | -17° | 235 mm | overcast | 91% | 9.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | -8° - -2° | -12° | 121 mm | overcast | 87% | 7.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 14.3h |
| May | Poor | -3° - 2° | -6° | 112 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.5 m/s | 1.1 high | 16.8h |
| June | Poor | 0° - 5° | -2° | 149 mm | overcast | 83% | 6.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 18.2h |
| July | Poor | 2° - 6° | -1° | 171 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 17.5h |
| August | Poor | 3° - 6° | -1° | 213 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.7 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 15.3h |
| September | Poor | 1° - 2° | -4° | 293 mm | overcast | 90% | 8.5 m/s | 0.5 low | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | -2° - 0° | -8° | 314 mm | overcast | 90% | 9.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | -7° - -3° | -14° | 305 mm | overcast | 94% | 10.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| December | Poor | -9° - -5° | -16° | 324 mm | overcast | 94% | 10.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.9h |
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.