Ice Ice Baby: Why Folgefonna glacier is the new Tinder

If you're looking for a dramatic landscape that looks like it was ripped straight from Norse mythology (because, honestly, it kind of was), go west. Towering over the fjord town of Odda, recently propelled into the global spotlight by Netflix series Ragnarok, lies Folgefonna. It’s Norway’s third-largest glacier. It’s got the views, the vibes, and - plot twist: it might just be the most romantic place in the whole of Norway.

Sure, you’ll be wearing crampons and a helmet, but don’t be surprised if you also find yourself catching feelings - for the scenery, for a fellow hiker, or for life itself.

According to Åsmund Bakke, general manager of Folgefonni Breførarlag, something special happens up there on the ice. “Our guests have to cooperate across nationalities and age groups,” he says. “Most people are experiencing a glacier for the very first time, and you need to work together to explore it safely. We’ve had guests who’ve become lifelong friends and even gotten married after their glacier experience. Many come back year after year.”

Yes, actual weddings have happened because two people met while tied together on a glacier. Take that, Tinder.

Photo of Åsmund Bakke

Tied together in a literal sense

Here’s the thing: when you’re walking on a glacier, you’re not just next to other people. You’re tied to them by a rope for survival purposes. If someone slips, the others hold steady. You depend on each other - for balance, for safety, sometimes even for emotional support.

In other words: the person in front of you might need to save your life – or you might have to save theirs. No pressure.

Photo by Bob Engelsen

“There’s a powerful element of trust involved,” Åsmund says. “You care for each other, motivate each other. We see it all the time: Walking on a glacier brings out the best in people. It's the perfect arena for personal growth.”

And honestly? In a world that often feels disconnected, this kind of raw, real reliance on others feels almost radical. How often, in daily life, do we put our safety in the hands of strangers? On Folgefonna, it's part of the experience - and part of the magic.

Photo by Folgefonni

An ancient glacier with secrets to share

Folgefonna isn’t just beautiful. It’s ancient. Some of the ice you’ll walk across has been there for thousands of years, silently observing the world change - kingdoms rise and fall, borders shift, Vikings celebrate, glaciers melt and grow. It’s seen more history than any of us ever will.

And when you’re up there, crunching across the frozen surface, surrounded by blinding white silence and that intense turquoise light, you feel it: a quiet, timeless presence. It’s like being part of something bigger than yourself.

Something vast and wild and deeply humbling. It’s difficult not to be moved. And that’s before you even make it to the panoramic viewpoints over the fjords.

Photo by Folgefonni

When to go and what to expect

The main glacier hiking season runs from May to October, when the ice is stable and the weather (usually) plays along. Expect ropes, helmets, and expert guides who know exactly where to take you for those "I am a speck of dust in the universe" moments.

From November to April, Folgefonna dons her winter coat, making snowshoeing and skis the best way to explore. Either way, this isn’t just a hike – it’s a social experiment, a team-building challenge, and a soul-stirring encounter with ancient nature. All wrapped into an experience you’ll never forget.

So, pack your layers, and get ready to lean on strangers in a way you probably haven’t done since kindergarten. Folgefonna is waiting, with matchmaking magic!

Photo by Bob Engelsen