The Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Norway
My favourite thing about Norway is just how accessible it is. Many of the most beautiful waterfalls in Norway, for example, can be seen directly from the road. There are rest stops and well maintained paths to others, and only with a few do you need to climb or treck further (but that’s part of the fun!).
Below are some of our favourite waterfalls. This is by no means an exhaustive list, as beauty can be found around every corner in this country. But hopefully it will give you an idea of what to expect when chasing waterfalls in Norway.
Langfossen/Latefossen
I’m putting these 2 waterfalls together simply because they are very close to one another. Langfossen was voted one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world for it’s beautiful and untouched cascades. It’s easily accessible as it runs directly next to the E134 road, and there’s a handy rest stop where you can enjoy the view from. If you prefer to hike to the top of the waterfall, you can find info about the trail here.
Latefossen is about a 20 minute drive North East on the same stretch of road. It’s a twin waterfall, so you get 2 for the price of one! It is special in that it consists of two separate streams flowing down from Lake Lotevatnet and as they fall, they join in the middle of the waterfall, just before going under the road. Be careful if walking over the bridge to see them, as it is a busy main road. And make sure to bring a raincoat – that mist will get you soaked in seconds.
Nyastølfossen/Søtefossen
This multi-waterfall hike will allow you to see 4 waterfalls in one go, but gets more demanding as you progress. Starting at Kinsarvik, it’s a tidy path into the Husedalen valley. You’ll first come across Tveitafossen and the hydro-power plant it services. Then after a steep climb and a bit of a scramble, you’ll reach the viewpoint for Nyastølfossen. It’s a 115m plunge and makes a LOT of noise. We turned back here due to time constraints, and because we had the dog with us, but if you keep going the trail will take you on to Nykkjesøyfossen and finally Søtefossen, which is meant to be the most beautiful of all. It’s definitely on our list for next time!
Vøringsfossen
If you have a fear of heights this one is NOT for you. Vøringsfossen is located in the Mabodalen valley, just outside of Eidfjord. It’s one of Norway’s most popular tourist sites and gets very busy in the summer months. There’s a huge car park and access is via stairway bridges that overhang the valley below. The waterfall itself has a drop of 182 meters, but the valley is much higher so you view it from above. There’s a hotel at the very top of the waterfall, which is accessible by a terrifying (at least, to me!) bridge across the ravine. One side is 16 meters higher than the other, so it looks like a collapsed scaffold.
Steinsdalsfossen
Another popular attraction, Steinsdalsfossen is famous for being the one waterfall in Norway which you can walk behind. It’s located about 2km outside the town of Norheimsund. From the parking lot, the path goes along the waterfall, up a hill, and behind it, offering a unique viewpoint. In windy conditions I recommend wearing a rain coat.
Skjervsfossen
This tall, 2 tiered waterfall has viewpoints both at the top and the base. I recommend parking at the top and following the path all the way down the side of the waterfall, to get the best of both. And don’t forget to stop at the public toilets in the car park – they have glass floors and one glass wall where you can look out at the fast flowing river while you do your business!
Hjellefossen/Avdalsfossen/Høljafossen/Vettisfossen
One of my favourite hikes in Norway took us past these 4 waterfalls. The first, Hjellefossen, can be seen from the car park. So even if you don’t fancy a walk you can pull in and admire the view. If you follow the easy trail, you’ll soon come to the dramatic and very photogenic Avdalsfossen. We saw a few elderly tourists turn back at this point, but if you can manage a bit of an uphill climb then you can also get to Høljafossen. This stocky little waterfall might not be as big as the other 3 but its emerald colours make it unique.
This is where the trail starts to get a bit more demanding. After a couple of miles you will have the choice to go either to the top or the base of the final waterfall – Vettisfossen. I recommend the base, but be prepared for a lot of scrambling. There isn’t a path here, so you’ll be clambering over rocks and balancing on scree, but it’s a lot of fun. And the reward it reaching the tallest free-falling waterfall in Europe. It feels a bit like being in Jurassic Park. For more info on this hike see this post.
Norway is known as ‘the land of 1000 waterfalls’ so this list is just the smallest fraction of what you will see when you visit. It’s not uncommon to see 100 little waterfalls flowing into a single fjord as you drive along its banks. But I hope this list inspires you to visit some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Norway. And you’ve already been and think I’ve missed any particularly great ones, let me know.
