Waterfalls

There are several places in the Sognefjord region where you can see majestic waterfalls cascading down steep mountainsides, and some of these waterfalls are among Norway's highest. Seeing hundreds of thousands of litres of water cascading down a cliff can be a strangely fascinating and humbling experience.

 

When the snow thaws in May many of the waterfalls are so big that you can hear their mighty roar a long way off, and it is a refreshing experience on a hot summer's day to get so close to one of the waterfalls that you can feel the spray of cool mountain water on your skin.

 

Safety tips near waterfalls

Please respect the potential dangers of the waterfalls. Not only is the current strong if you fall in, but the ground nearby is often slippery and wet from the mist, and the cliffs are steep and tall.

Take care to follow instructions and stay on the path. If there are fenced viewing areas, please do not step outside the fences, as the ground may be slippery or structurally weak.

Be especially careful in winter when the mist freezes to ice, or in the spring when the falls flow unusually high.

Vettisfossen, Årdal

With a free fall of 275 metres Vettisfossen is the highest protected waterfall in Norway. You can get there on foot by walking up the beautiful Utladalen in Øvre Årdal.

With its free drop of 275 metres (about 900 feet), the Vettisfoss is the highest waterfall in Norway which has not been regulated. The waterfall is situated at Vettismorki in Årdal, and it was protected as early as 1924. In his book "Under Storen", the writer and photographer Jan Schwarzott has described it as the queen of waterfalls: "once the queen gets to you, she will never leave your heart".

Vettismorki marks the lower end of the valley of Utladalen. It is in this monumental natural setting that you can imagine that the Sognefjord in a way has cut its way into the biggest mountain massif in the country - Jotunheimen. In this area you find about 50 mountain tops higher than 2000 metres (6600 feet).

Down in the town of Årdal, aluminium is produced in gigantic metal plants, where the furnaces are generated by hydro-electricity from the surrounding mountains and glaciers. And in this landscape you can find traces of people’s activities and settlements in the distant past.

Feigefossen in Skjolden, Luster

The 218 metre high Feigefossen waterfall is in an idyllic setting on the southern side of the Lusterfjord. 

When you get to Skjolden, you must follow the narrow, so-called "romantic road" along the southern shores of the Lusterfjord. You stop by the fjord where the Feigeelva river runs into the fjord and continue on foot up to the waterfall. The path takes you over a hilltop, and suddenly the mighty waterfall comes into view - an almost shocking experience. If you keep on climbing all the way to the top, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the alpine mountains of Hurrungane to the east.

Wear good shoes and bring something to drink, the trail can be a bit slippery and the hike uphill is not too long, but it is steep.

From Feigefossen Waterfall it is only a short drive to UNESCO Urnes Stave church and the nice cafè at Gamlefjøsen Cafè.

Kjosfossen, Flåm

The mighty Kjosfossen is one of many highlights on the Flåm Railway. The waterfall has a total fall of 93 meters and is only accessible by train. It is posible to experience Kjosfossen all year, which gives the traveler the opportunity to visit a roaring waterfall during summer and pass by a snow and ice-covered waterfall during winter.

Watch out for Huldra – a beautiful mythological creature with long hair wearing a red dress!

Kvinnafossen, Leikanger

Kvinnafossen falls 120 metres and is situated right beside the main road between Leikanger and Hella. During the spring thaw, the spray from the waterfall reaches across the road. When the snow melting is at its maximum strength you must be prepared to drive through an almost impenetrable cascade of water when passing the waterfall of Kvinnafossen. This waterfall is situated a few kilometres from Hella on the road to Leikanger and Sogndal.

According to legend, it is possible to see a rock formation in the shape of a woman when the flow of water in the river is just right (the word "kvinne" in Norwegian means woman). For this reason passing cruise liners used to go close to land to observe this phenomenon.

Brekkefossen, Flåm

On the hiking trip to Brekkefossen waterfall you will have a grand view of the fjord and into the valley. Start the walk from Flåm town centre on an asphalt road up the valley alongside the Flåm river. After a gentle 1,5 km walk, we continue up the mountain side on our way to the Brekke Waterfall. The rocky and steep trail quickly gains elevation and soon the small village of Flåm is visible through the trees. After about 30 minutes of uphill hiking, the trail opens up on a grassy ledge, offering beautiful views of the area. Join us on this hike to get a unique insight to the local culture, history and life by the fjord! 

Åsafossen, Skjolden/Luster

A gorgeous waterfall, easy accessible by foot! Straight across the street from Vassbakken Kro & Camping in Skjolden, the Åsafossen waterfall leaps down the mountain side. The hike up to the waterfall has been reinforced and secured by Nepalese Sherpas, making it fairly easy to approach the waterfall by foot.

Kjelfossen, Gudvangen

Kjelfossen is located in Gudvangen in Aurland municipality. The waterfall has a height of 755 m and a free fall of 149 m. Kjelfossen has also been nicknamed the bridal veil. There are 8 waterfalls that gather into 1 large waterfall. You see Kjelfossen best from Gudvangen Camping, and on the way to Flåm from the road E16.

Viagra Falls, Sogndal

The river running between the lakes Anestølsvatnet and Dalavatnet, foremost in the Sogndalsdalen valley, is called the Viagra Falls or the Viagra River. In an old myth it is claimed that the water in the river enhances potency and fertility. Whether this is because the area has many goats at grass or the water from the glaciers is uncertain. However, the farms in the area are known to have many children.