Folgefonna, Glacier system in Ullensvang, Norway
Folgefonna is a glacier system comprising three separate plateau glaciers covering around 207 square kilometers, with the southern section being the largest. The ice fields spread across varying elevations and create a landscape of snow, ice, and rocky terrain.
This glacier system was shaped by ice age processes thousands of years ago and has been the defining feature of the Hardanger region ever since. The designation as a national park in 2005 marked a turning point in its protection.
The name comes from Norwegian words for thin snow layer and snow mass, showing how locals understand these ice formations. This linguistic connection reveals how the glacier has shaped the way people here think about winter and ice.
Visitors can book guided tours through the Fonna Glacier Center, where experienced guides lead ice walks from June through October. Summer is the best time to visit when conditions are safest and most accessible.
The glacier allows for summer skiing during warmer months, an unusual activity at these latitudes. Beyond this, its meltwater supplies a well-known bottled water brand and feeds into lake Sandvinvatnet.
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