Norway is sometimes referred to as the land of waterfalls. Saying that this country has a lot of waterfalls is still an understatement. In addition to the amount of waterfalls, Norway also has 9 of the 20 highest waterfalls in the world and the 10 highest in Europe. Worthy of being called land of the waterfalls, don’t you think?
So where should you start or which ones should you visit? In this blogpost we’ve summed up our favorites that we’ve visited, to help you decide.
Interesting side note: Fossen means waterfall in Norwegian, so whenever you see the word fossen, you know there will be a waterfall.
1. Vøringsfossen
- 60° 26′ N, 07° 09′ E
Vøringsfossen in one of the highest waterfalls in Europe. It is 182 meters high in total, with a free fall of 145 meters. What makes this waterfall so beautiful is that it is located in a steep, fairytale-like gorge: the Måbødalen valley. It is located next to the famous Hardanger tourist road RV7 and there are multiple viewing options:
On top of the gorge
– Viewing platforms near the Fossli Hotel
– A viewing platform Fossastromma at Vøringsfoss Kafertaria & Souvenir
– A new bridge crossing the canyon.
Or ascend into the gorge and experience the force of the cascading water at the base of the waterfall.
Season
Viewing platforms
1st of April – 31st of October, depending on snow conditions.
During winter the waterfall can be partially or entirely frozen. Large amounts of snow can entirely cover the security fences of the viewing platforms!
Hike
+/- May 15th to October. Path has to be free of snow.
Parking
There are two parking lots
– a upper parking at the Fossli hotel
– a lower parking at Fossatromma and Vøringsofssen Cafetaria.
You can reach all viewing platforms and the hike from both parking lots.
The hike
From Vøringsofssen Cafetaria:
Distance: 3,7km (one way)
Duration: 2-3 hours total
From upper exit Måbøtunnel:
Distance: 1,7km (one way)
Duration: 1,5 hours total
Elevation: 250 meters (down and up)
Rough terrain so proper hiking shoes required.
2. Vettisfossen & Hjellefossen
- 61° 23′ N, 7° 57′ E
With a free fall of 275 meters Vettisfossen is Norway’s largest protected/unregulated waterfall. It is located in Utladal, near Øvre Årda. The waterfall can be reached by foot, both top and bottom. During the hike, you will pass some other impressive waterfalls such as Hjellefossen and Avdalsfossen.
You can find more detailed information about this hike in our blogpost: Hike to Vettisfossen – A Complete Guide
You can park your car at Hjellefossen. Toilets are also available here.
The hike
Distance 6,5 km (one way)
Time: 3-4 hours total
Elevation
– Top: 560m
– Bottom: 200m
3. Låtefossen
- 59° 57′ N, 6° 34' E
Låtefossen is a twin watterfall in the Odda valley. It has a height of 165 meters and has been a popular travel destination among tourists. The best part about this waterfall? It is easily accessible because it is located directly by the main road 13 between Odda and Rødal. Park your car and behold this beautiful piece of nature without any effort.
4. Langfossen
- 59° 50′ N, 6° 20' E
Only 20 minutes from Låtefossen, you find Langfossen: an impressive 612 meters high waterfall. It is the fifth highest waterfall of Norway. The power and beauty of it is just indescribable. In 2011 it was even listed in CNN’s top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
It’s almost impossible to miss this waterfall as it is located next to the road.
From June to October you can also hike to the top of the waterfall.
5. Seven Sisters Waterfall
- 62° 06′ N, 07° 05′ E
The Seven Sisters Waterfall consists of (not surprising) 7 separate streams falling down into the Geiranger Fjord. The waterfall is 410 meters tall in total and the highest of the seven streams has a free fall of 250 meters. The waterfall is most impressive from May to July when the water level is at its highest due to the melting of the snow.
You can visit the waterfalls by taking a boat trip on the Geiranger fjord (also the regular ferry passes this waterfall).
6. Storsæter Waterfall
- 62° 06′ N, 07° 13′ E
Last but definitely not least: The Storsæter/Storseter waterfall. The unique thing about this waterfall is that you can also walk behind the waterfall. It is located in the Geiranger Area.
The hike starts from the Vesterås farm, and there are two routes you can choose at the start. You can follow a tractor trail followed by a stone pathway with hundreds of steps made by Sherpas from Nepal.
Or you can take another trail that is not a stone pathway, but is shorter and steeper. After a while (after an altitude of 100meters) the trail comes onto the stone pathway leading you right up to Storsaeter waterfall. (We took the stone pathway up and the other trail down).
Distance: 1,5km (one way)
Duration: 2 hours
Elevation: 230m
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