Jondal is a village of about 1,100 people on the eastern shore of the Hardangerfjord, one of only six places in Norway officially designated as a national park village. The designation recognizes its role as a gateway to Folgefonna National Park. A 19-kilometre toll road climbs from the village center straight up to the Juklavassbreen glacier arm, where guided glacier walks are available in summer.
Until recently, Jondal was as isolated as many fjord communities in western Norway. Before the Folgefonna Tunnel opened in 2001 and the Jondal Tunnel followed in 2012, reaching the village meant ferries and long detours. The tunnels transformed the peninsula from a cluster of near-islands into a connected road network within a single generation. Jondal was an independent municipality from 1863 until 2020, when it merged with Odda and Ullensvang.
The village has a proud maritime heritage. Its coat of arms featured three golden boathooks on red, a nod to the shipyards and sailing college that once defined the local economy. The singer and actress Herborg Kråkevik is from Jondal. The Juklafjord Information Centre at the harbor has exhibitions on the national park and the glacier.
Until recently, Jondal was as isolated as many fjord communities in western Norway. Before the Folgefonna Tunnel opened in 2001 and the Jondal Tunnel followed in 2012, reaching the village meant ferries and long detours. The tunnels transformed the peninsula from a cluster of near-islands into a connected road network within a single generation. Jondal was an independent municipality from 1863 until 2020, when it merged with Odda and Ullensvang.
The village has a proud maritime heritage. Its coat of arms featured three golden boathooks on red, a nod to the shipyards and sailing college that once defined the local economy. The singer and actress Herborg Kråkevik is from Jondal. The Juklafjord Information Centre at the harbor has exhibitions on the national park and the glacier.
