Folgefonna to Jondal via Storafjellet and Grytingsfjellet (02.08.2025)

Written by hbar (Harald Barsnes) GSM

Start point Fonna Skisenter p-plass (1,198m)
Endpoint Jondal fergekai (2m)
Characteristic Hillwalk
Duration 6h 58min
Distance 23.8km
Vertical meters 756m
GPS
Ascents Storafjellet (1,132m) 02.08.2025 12:44
Grytingsfjellet (1,091m) 02.08.2025 14:44
Visits of other PBEs Fonna Skisenter p-plass (1,198m) 02.08.2025 10:56
Hestadalen p-plass (851m) 02.08.2025 11:50
Kvålsbotnen (760m) 02.08.2025 15:35
Fonnavegen (328m) 02.08.2025 16:33

Folgefonna to Jondal via Storafjellet and Grytingsfjellet

Folgefonna from the ski center
Folgefonna from the ski center
Approaching Storafjellet
Approaching Storafjellet
Steinafjell from the northeast
Steinafjell from the northeast
Looking back at Folgefonna
Looking back at Folgefonna
Breidsete marked trailhead
Breidsete marked trailhead
Marked trail to Breidsete
Marked trail to Breidsete
Approaching Storafjellet
Approaching Storafjellet
Marked trail to Storafjellet
Marked trail to Storafjellet

I started my journey by taking the bus to Norheimsund, the passenger ferry to Herand and finally a second bus via Jondal up to Folgefonna Skisenter. From the parking lot at the ski center I returned along the paved road down to Hestadalen p-plass. Here I continued on a trail marked with red T's towards Breidsete before shortly starting my off-trail ascent to Storafjellet. Or so I thought. Very quickly I however came across another trail marked with small cairns that led me all the way to the summit, hence it ought to be possible to stay on a trail all the way from the paved road.

After a short break at the summit to take in the excellent views, I continued northwest to Grytingsfjellet. No trails or cairns marking the way here as far as I could tell. Lots of minor ups and downs and one or two steeper sections that had to be carefully navigated, but with one exception, where a tiny bit of backtracking was required, I managed to find a relatively easy route into the valley between the two peaks. Here I had another break before completing the final off-trail ascent to the summit, which was straightforward and did not present any challenges.

I returned the same way to connect with the marked trail in the valley and then proceeded to follow the trail northeast to the paved road. When getting to the road I had two choices: (i) either walk 2 km to the nearest bus stop, wait there for half an hour, take the bus to Jondal, and wait another hour for the ferry, or (ii) walk the full 10 km to Jondal to get there just in time for the ferry. I decided on the latter, which I at times regretted during the long walk to Jondal, although the views along the way were quite nice.

Upon arriving at Jondal I still had plenty of time to buy an ice cream before getting on the ferry. While on the ferry I took the chance to get on the bus coming from Odda, which then transported me back to Bergen via Norheimsund.

In summary, an excellent hike with spectacular views that can be highly recommended.

Marked trail to Storafjellet
Marked trail to Storafjellet
The summit cairn at Storafjellet
The summit cairn at Storafjellet
The summit cairn at Storafjellet
The summit cairn at Storafjellet
Storafjellet with Vikanuten to the left and Grytingsfjellet to the right
Storafjellet with Vikanuten to the left and Grytingsfjellet to the right
Storafjellet with Veranuten to the left and Folgefonna to the right
Storafjellet with Veranuten to the left and Folgefonna to the right
Grytingsfjellet from the start of the descent from Storafjellet
Grytingsfjellet from the start of the descent from Storafjellet
Descending into Botnen, i.e. the valley between Storafjellet and Grytingsfjellet
Descending into Botnen, i.e. the valley between Storafjellet and Grytingsfjellet
Grytingsfjellet from the descent into Botnen
Grytingsfjellet from the descent into Botnen
Looking back at Storafjellet from the ascent to Grytingsfjellet
Looking back at Storafjellet from the ascent to Grytingsfjellet
Approaching the summit of Grytingsfjellet
Approaching the summit of Grytingsfjellet
The summit cairn at Grytingsfjellet
The summit cairn at Grytingsfjellet
Folgefonna from Grytingsfjellet
Folgefonna from Grytingsfjellet
Nordvest for Juklavatnet from Grytingsfjellet with Steinafjell to the left
Nordvest for Juklavatnet from Grytingsfjellet with Steinafjell to the left
Returning to Botnen with Saksaklepp in the background
Returning to Botnen with Saksaklepp in the background
The marked trail in Botnen
The marked trail in Botnen
Looking back up at Grytingsfjellet from Botnen
Looking back up at Grytingsfjellet from Botnen
Following the marked trail towards the paved road in Krossdalen
Following the marked trail towards the paved road in Krossdalen
The long walk along the paved road back to Jondal
The long walk along the paved road back to Jondal
Start date 02.08.2025 10:56
(UTC+01:00 DST)
End date 02.08.2025 17:55
(UTC+01:00 DST)
Total Time 6h 58min
Moving Time 6h 18min
Stopped Time 0h 40min
Overall Average 3.4km/h
Moving Average 3.8km/h
Distance 23.8km
Vertical meters 756m

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