Bergen Day Tour to National Park Folgefonna and Glacier Lake

Waterfalls, ferries, and a glacier lake fill this long day. From Bergen, Maresia Tours takes you into Western Norway for a 10-hour outing that combines Steinsdalsfossen, two Hardangerfjord crossings, Folgefonna National Park, and Bondhusvatnet. The day costs $228.66 per person, so you are paying for more than a quick scenic drive.

I especially like the chance to walk behind Steinsdalsfossen and the easy forest path to a bright turquoise glacier lake. The ferry rides also break up the bus journey and give you a fine view of the fjord from the water. The main drawback is time: this is a full day with several hours on the road, and ferry schedules or landslides can affect the plan.

The tour has earned a 4.9 rating from 408 ratings, with 98 percent of bookers recommending it. Guides such as Sam, Alexa, Froven, Irini, and Salomé have been praised for their warmth, humor, storytelling, and practical help. Still, one reported no-show shows why you should keep your booking confirmation and contact details handy.

Key points at a glance

• Behind-the-waterfall access: Steinsdalsfossen lets you walk behind the falling water during a short stop.
• Two Hardangerfjord ferry rides: The crossings are included and give you a welcome change from the bus.
• Bondhusvatnet is the day’s star: A turquoise glacier lake sits below forested mountains, with the glacier visible in the distance.
• The main hike is gentle: Much of the route is flat, paved, or on an even gravel path, though extra walking toward the falls is rougher.
• Guides add real value: Sam and Alexa are among the guides praised for strong storytelling and help with photos.
• Bring your own food: Snacks are not included, although stops may offer chances to buy something.

Why this tour makes sense from Bergen

Bergen is a good base for seeing Norway’s fjords, but getting to Folgefonna National Park without a car takes planning. This trip bundles transport, ferry crossings, a guide, and a national park walk into one day. You do not need to study road connections or work out how to reach Bondhusvatnet on your own.

The route also gives you several types of scenery rather than one viewpoint. You move from Bergen’s urban edge to waterfalls, ferry decks, wooded valleys, rocky ground, glacier water, and high mountain views. That variety helps the long day feel like a journey through Western Norway, not simply a bus ride to one attraction.

The tradeoff is clear. A 10-hour tour leaves at 9 a.m. from Strandkaien 2 and returns to the same meeting point. Some of the day is spent sitting in an air-conditioned vehicle, and one person reported waiting almost an hour for a ferry on the return journey. If you want a slow, intimate day in the national park, a private trip would suit you better. If you want to see a great deal without renting a car, this group outing offers strong value.

The group can reach up to 45 people. That is large enough to feel like a standard coach excursion, though the guide’s quality matters greatly. The strongest comments name guides including Sam, Alexa, Froven, and Salomé, with particular praise for clear explanations, humor, and good organization.

Steinsdalsfossen: a quick start with a memorable trick

The first major stop is Steinsdalsfossen, a famous waterfall where you can walk behind the falling water. You have about 20 minutes, and entry is included at no extra cost.

This is a smart opening stop because it gives you an active experience right away. You are not merely looking at a waterfall from a roadside platform. You can follow the path behind the water and see the spray and rock face from an unusual angle. It is also a useful place to start taking photographs, especially with help from the guide.

Twenty minutes is enough for the main path and a few pictures, but it is not a long waterfall walk. Keep an eye on the meeting time. You will have much more space for walking later at Bondhusvatnet, so treat Steinsdalsfossen as a sharp, memorable introduction rather than a full hike.

A stop here may also be useful for food or coffee, according to the practical details shared by previous participants. Since snacks are not included, this can be one of the better chances to buy something if you did not pack breakfast or lunch.

Hardangerfjord by ferry, not just from the roadside

The tour crosses the Hardangerfjord by ferry, then explores another part of it later in the day. The first crossing lasts about 20 minutes, and the second takes about 25 minutes. Both are included in the price.

These crossings matter because fjord scenery looks different from the water. From the ferry, you see the relationship between the steep shores, wooded slopes, small settlements, and open water. You also get a chance to stand up, stretch your legs, and take photographs after sitting on the bus.

The ferries are part of the local transport system, so the experience feels more connected to everyday Norway than a private sightseeing boat would. You are joining the same practical network used to cross the fjord, not simply circling scenic water for an hour.

The schedule can be the day’s weak point. Ferry departures are outside the guide’s complete control, and one account described a wait of nearly an hour on the return. That does not ruin the trip, but it can reduce time in the park or make the return to Bergen feel long. Build a little patience into your expectations.

Folgefonna National Park: a gentle route through real nature

The first walk inside Folgefonna National Park lasts about 45 minutes. The route is described as mainly flat, with trees, boulders, and a river carrying glacier water. The return walk takes another 45 minutes.

This is not a technical glacier expedition. You are not walking on the ice or using climbing equipment. Instead, you are heading through a natural setting shaped by ice and water, with the glacier environment visible in the river and mountain scenery. That makes the park accessible to people who want a taste of Norway’s high country without signing up for a difficult mountain trek.

Several detailed accounts describe the route as paved or gravelled and easy for most people. That said, the experience is not completely effortless. Some participants describe walking uphill, and conditions can change quickly in Western Norway. Rain can make the trail and rocks less pleasant, even when the route itself is manageable.

Wear shoes with a firm sole and bring a waterproof layer. A small backpack is more useful than a large one because you will want your hands free for balance and photographs. You should also save some energy for the walk back. The route is pleasant, but this is still an active day after several hours of transport.

The guide’s role is especially useful here. Sam has been praised for explaining Norwegian culture, farming, food, Vikings, and the fjords along the way. Alexa has received similar praise for combining history and storytelling with practical organization. Good narration makes the bus sections pass faster, but it also gives the scenery context once you arrive.

Bondhusvatnet: the payoff of the day

Bondhusvatnet is the central attraction. After walking through the park, you reach a glacier lake with turquoise water, forested mountains around it, and a glacier visible in the distance. You have about 45 minutes at the lake itself, though the total walking time around the stop gives you a broader sense of the area.

The color of the water is one of the reasons this stop stays in people’s memories. It comes from glacier-fed water and looks striking against the darker trees and mountain rock. You can sit on a rock, boulder, or bench, eat the snack you brought, and take photographs without needing to rush from one viewpoint to another.

The time here is flexible enough for different energy levels. You can settle near the main lake area and enjoy the view, or try to walk farther toward a cascading waterfall that feeds into the lake. One useful warning is that the trail toward the falls becomes rougher and more demanding. It has been described as an ankle-breaking path, so do not follow it simply because other people are doing so.

You may also find a beach area farther on if time allows, but the schedule is not generous enough to promise every extra path. Your safest plan is to enjoy the main lake first. Then, if the weather, trail, and meeting time all work in your favor, explore farther.

This is where the tour’s value becomes easiest to understand. A waterfall stop is impressive, and ferry rides are scenic, but Bondhusvatnet gives you time to sit in a quiet mountain setting. You get a proper pause rather than a quick photograph from a coach window.

The return route and Western Norway photo stop

After Bondhusvatnet, you walk back through Folgefonna National Park to the bus. This return section is part of the planned experience, not simply a transfer. It gives you another look at the river, trees, boulders, and changing views that may have seemed different on the way in.

The second Hardangerfjord ferry crossing follows, lasting about 25 minutes. Depending on the timetable, this can be a pleasant break or a waiting point in a long return journey. Use the ferry to stretch, take photos, and enjoy the water before settling back into the vehicle.

The final countryside photo stop lasts about 15 minutes. It is a useful closing pause because the route back to Bergen may otherwise feel like one extended drive. You can take in Western Norway from another viewpoint and make a few final photographs before returning to Strandkaien.

The drive itself is made easier by the guide’s commentary. Names such as Froven, Sam, Alexa, Irini, and Salomé appear in especially positive accounts, with praise for humor, warmth, and clear explanations. The bus has reportedly included phone chargers and a small bathroom, though you should not treat every vehicle feature as guaranteed for every departure.

Is $228.66 good value?

At $228.66 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing ticket. But the price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a tour guide, and both ferry crossings. It also covers a full day of transport from Bergen to a national park that would be difficult to reach without your own car.

I see the best value for visitors staying in Bergen for only a few days. You get several major elements of Western Norway in one organized day: a waterfall, a fjord crossing, a national park, a glacier lake, and countryside views. The guide’s stories add value that a self-drive itinerary would not automatically provide.

The value is weaker if you dislike long bus rides or prefer to spend most of your time walking. The actual lake and park time is broken into scheduled sections, while the route between Bergen and the sights takes up a large part of the day. You are buying access and convenience, not maximum hiking time.

Food is the main extra expense to plan for. Snacks are not included, so pack a lunch or buy food during one of the available stops. A few practical accounts mention opportunities to purchase snacks at the waterfall stop and during the ferry portions. Bringing your own food gives you more control and lets you use your time at Bondhusvatnet for the view.

Weather, footwear, and what to pack

Western Norway can change from clear skies to rain quickly. The tour operates in wet weather, and one September outing was still described as worthwhile despite rain. The lake, waterfalls, and ferry crossings remain attractive in poor weather, but the trail can feel less comfortable and photographs will be less predictable.

Pack:

• Waterproof outerwear
• Shoes with good grip
• Lunch or substantial snacks
• A refillable water bottle
• A small backpack
• Extra layers
• A phone or camera with free storage
• A portable charger, even though chargers may be available on the bus

Do not rely on the easy route description as a reason to wear ordinary city shoes. The main trail may be flat and accessible to most people, but the optional route toward the falls is rougher. Stay on the main path if your ankles, knees, or balance are a concern.

Most people can participate, but the day still requires walking for roughly 90 minutes through the park, plus time at the waterfall and ferry terminals. You should be comfortable getting on and off the bus and walking on outdoor paths.

Conditions can change the plan

A landslide once prevented a group from taking the ferry and visiting the lake. The guide and driver adjusted the day, and a proportional refund was provided. This is a useful reminder that a fjord and mountain tour depends on roads, ferry service, weather, and trail conditions.

That kind of disruption is disappointing, especially when Bondhusvatnet is the main reason you booked. Still, the response described above suggests that the operator may offer a fair adjustment when a major part of the route becomes impossible. Ask about the day’s plan if conditions change, and keep your expectations flexible.

There was also one report of a guide failing to appear without advance notice, leaving a group to make its own plans. It is a serious blemish beside the otherwise very strong record. Confirm the meeting point at Strandkaien 2, arrive before the 9 a.m. start, and keep the operator’s contact information accessible.

The stated cancellation terms are simple: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Bergen day trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a broad sample of Western Norway without driving. It suits you especially well if you value a guide who talks throughout the journey, enjoy taking photographs, and are happy with a moderate walk rather than a demanding hike.

It is also a good match for first-time visitors to Bergen. You see more than one famous sight, and the guide can explain local culture, geography, fjords, farming, and Norwegian stories as you go. The ferry crossings help make the day feel varied.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet private outing, long time beside the lake, or a serious hike toward the glacier and waterfalls. The group may contain as many as 45 people, the ferry timetable can create delays, and the park portion is carefully scheduled.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Strandkaien 2, 5013 Bergen, Norway.

What time does the tour leave Bergen?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Bergen.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Are the ferry crossings included?

Yes. Ferry crossings are included in the tour price.

Is food included?

No. Snacks are not included. You should bring your own food or buy snacks during an available stop.

How difficult is the hike?

The main route through Folgefonna National Park is described as mainly flat, paved, or on an even gravel surface. Most people can participate, but the optional path toward the falls is rougher.

Can you walk behind a waterfall?

Yes. At Steinsdalsfossen, you have the chance to walk behind the falling water.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of 45 people.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a full scenic day from Bergen with transport included. The combination of Steinsdalsfossen, two fjord ferries, Folgefonna National Park, and Bondhusvatnet is hard to match without a car, and the guides can make the long drives genuinely useful.

Skip it if you want a slow, private day or a serious glacier hike. For most visitors with limited time in Bergen, though, the price is fair for the distance covered and the number of major sights included. Pack food, wear proper shoes, expect changing weather, and protect your schedule from the occasional ferry delay. That preparation gives you the best chance of enjoying the turquoise lake and the wider journey that makes this tour worthwhile.