From fjord to glacier — stay in Jondal

Jondal sits at the inner end of the Hardangerfjord in Ullensvang, where Folgefonna National Park begins just above the village. The experiences here range from high to low — glacier hiking and glacier kayaking on Folgefonna, RIB safaris, cycling and swimming along the fjord.

Hardanger House is a design hotel with views of the fjord and the mountains surrounding Jondal. Here, dinner is made with local Hardanger flavours, and a sauna warms you up after a day in the wild. This is where the adventure begins.

The glacier above the village

What sets Jondal apart from most places in Hardanger is the proximity between fjord and glacier. From Jondal centre to Folgefonna, it's less than 20 kilometres and roughly 1,200 metres of elevation. Those who want to cycle it can — Fonnavegen leads all the way up. Check the events calendar for organised cycling days and other events in Jondal. Those who prefer to walk on ice drive to the starting point and meet a guide from Folgefonni Breførarlag.

Folgefonni Breførarlag is the main activity provider in Jondal. They offer guided glacier hikes into Folgefonna National Park — trips that require no experience, but leave a lasting impression. Glacier hiking across the ice, glacier kayaking on meltwater by the glacier, and combination tours where you can do both in the same day. The guides know the glacier and adapt each tour to weather and conditions — all you need to bring is warm clothing and curiosity. The team also runs Café Juklafjord, where you can fuel up on coffee, local apple juice and homemade apple cake before or after your trip. Back in Jondal, the sauna at Hardanger House awaits — and a view over the fjord you won't tire of.

On the fjord and around the village

Down by the water, the pace shifts. A RIB safari with Hardangerfjord Adventure takes you close to waterfalls and fjord landscape at speed, while Hardanger Fjordcruise offers quieter trips through narrow fjord arms and past waterfalls — with a local captain as your guide. For those who simply want to get in the water, there are swimming spots and piers where the fjord is deep enough to dive straight in.

If you prefer to use your legs, there are trails in every direction. Mt. Samlen offers one of the finest viewpoints in Hardanger — 686 metres above sea level with a panorama of the fjord. In Herand, a short drive from Jondal, you'll find the cultural trail through a landscape of weathering pits and ancient bedrock, and Hereiane — a hike across bare rock with views down to the Herandsfjord.

Jondal is also a fruit-growing village. Along the roads, apple, plum and cherry trees grow in orchards that have been cultivated for generations. At Spar Jondal by the pier, you'll find fresh fruit, coffee and takeaway pizza — a natural stop after a day on the glacier. Driving from Jondal to Utne, you're on Norwegian Scenic Route Hardanger — with waterfalls, mountains and fruit orchards along the way. En route, Kramsjø Guesthouse is a charming stop, where restaurant Meieriet serves wood-fired pizza among other things. Further on, Utne awaits with the Hardanger Folk Museum and Utne Hotel — one of the oldest hotels in Norway, known for its local cuisine.

Hardanger House

Jondal is a place worth spending time in. With so many experiences within short reach — and a glacier day being a full day — it's worth booking more than one night.

That's where Hardanger House comes in. The design hotel sits by the fjord with Folgefonna and the western Norwegian mountains as its nearest neighbours, and has nine rooms — all with furnished terraces and fjord views.

Because after a day on the glacier or in the fjord, few things beat coming back to a hotel where you can tell someone cares. The wine list is broader than you'd expect to find in a fjord village, and after dinner, you simply step out onto the terrace and let the evening do the rest.

Hardanger House is not just a place to sleep — it's part of the experience. Breakfast buffet is included, and the hotel has a gym, sauna and EV charging station.

More than a stopover

Jondal isn't just a place you pass through on the way to somewhere else. It's a place you're in no hurry to leave. There's plenty to explore nearby — Baroniet Rosendal and Bondhusdalen, for instance, are just a short trip from Jondal.

See events in Kvinnherad and Hardanger for festivals, concerts and seasonal experiences throughout the year.

There's something about places where everything is close. Where you can go from glacier to sauna, from paddle stroke to dinner table, without the day feeling rushed. Jondal is that kind of place. Hardanger House is where you land. The fjord, the glacier and the village take care of the rest.