A Little Detour to Bondhusvatnet
Sometimes the places you don’t really know what to expect from turn out to be the ones you remember the most.
On our way from Odda back towards Bergen, we decided to make a little detour to Bondhusvatnet; a glacier lake hidden in Bondhusdalen, close to Sundal in the Hardanger region. It has been on my bucketlist for many years, and I finally got to go.
We knew it was supposed to be beautiful. We didn’t quite expect this.
A short hike with a very big reward
The walk to Bondhusvatnet is wonderfully uncomplicated: around 2.3–2.5 kilometres each way, following a gently climbing gravel road through the valley. At a relaxed pace, you can expect around two hours for the return walk, although you will probably want to spend some time at the lake itself. (Hardanger)
There is a large paid parking area at the beginning of the trail, and we arrived sometime during the morning.
It was raining. Normally that isn’t exactly what you hope for when setting off on a hike in Norway, but this time the rain turned out to be very much in our favour. There were hardly any people around.
Following the river into Bondhusdalen
Almost immediately, the walk feels like entering another world.
The trail follows the beautiful Bondhuselva river, with clear glacier water rushing between huge moss-covered rocks, surrounded by dense green forest. It felt almost fairytale-like – particularly in the rain, when everything became even greener.
This is not a hike where you need to wait until the end for the scenery. The walk itself is part of the experience.
But then you reach the lake. And everything opens up.
Bondhusvatnet
It is difficult to describe quite how beautiful Bondhusvatnet is when you first see it.
Turquoise glacier water. Enormous mountains rising almost vertically around it. Moss-covered rocks scattered through the water. Waterfalls appearing in the distance.
And when we arrived, almost complete silence. A small group left just as we reached the lake, which meant that for a while we had the entire place to ourselves. We stood there in the soft rain, looking across the water, and it felt slightly unreal.
Then the rain stopped. And eventually, the sun came out. And then we discovered the glacier
What we hadn’t realised before arriving was that there was another surprise hidden behind the clouds.
We noticed Bondhusbreen mentioned on an information board by the lake. Bondhusbreen is an arm of the much larger Folgefonna glacier, and on clear days you can see it high above the lake. (Hardanger)
We hadn’t even known it was there.
As the clouds slowly lifted from the mountains, a strip of blue-white glacier suddenly appeared between them. It was one of those perfect travel moments you could never really have planned.
We stayed for a while, had some snacks, watched the weather change across the mountains and simply enjoyed having this extraordinary place almost entirely to ourselves.
Timing is everything
Walking back down, we realised just how lucky we had been.
More and more people started coming towards us. And then more.
By the time we reached the bottom, the parking area that had been relatively quiet when we arrived was completely full.
Bondhusvatnet is one of the most popular hikes in Hardanger, so our rainy morning had accidentally given us something rather special. (Hardanger)
If I were visiting again, I would absolutely aim for early morning, particularly during the busier months.
And don’t necessarily let a little rain put you off. Norwegian weather changes incredibly quickly, as we experienced more than once on this trip. Sometimes the rain is exactly what gives you the place to yourself.
Good to know before hiking to Bondhusvatnet
Distance: 5 km return
Time: Around 2 hours return at a relaxed pace
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: Approximately 135 metres
Trail: A gravel road
Parking: Paid parking at Bondhusdalen; currently NOK 125 per day
Facilities: Toilets are available by the parking area. (Hardanger)
The walk is considered easy and is suitable for families. The official tourism information even notes that the main route can be managed with a stroller. (Hardanger)
One important thing to know: swimming in Bondhusvatnet is not permitted, as the lake provides drinking water for the local communities of Bondhus and Sundal. (Hardanger)
And if you plan to continue beyond the lake towards Bondhusbreen, check the current conditions and signs. Access further into the valley can be restricted because of glacial conditions; the innermost section is closed during summer 2026. (Hardanger)
Is Bondhusvatnet worth the detour?
Completely.
After hiking Trolltunga the day before, this was an entirely different kind of experience. No long day in the mountains, no big physical challenge – just an easy walk into one of the most beautiful landscapes we saw in Hardanger.
For such a short hike, the reward is almost ridiculous: The river, the turquoise water, the enormous mountains, the rain, the silence – and finally watching Bondhusbreen emerge from behind the clouds.
Definitely make the detour. Period.
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