Norway has some of the most stunning waterfalls you can see anywhere in the world!
Many of them are just on the side of the road and easy to access without having to invest the time and effort into a long hike.
In this article, we will summarise the best waterfalls in the West Norwegian Fjords region.
Table of Contents
Epic Waterfalls Video
To fully appreciate the size and power of this list of waterfalls I encourage you to watch the video below, and then read the full article.
There is only so much I can convey with the picture. You need to see this water flow!
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Top 7 Best Waterfalls in Norway
1. Langfossen
At the top of the list is possibly the most epic waterfall I have ever seen in my life! It is so big that only half of the face of the waterfall is visible in the image above.
Langfossen is 612 meters high! See that ridge right at the top? That’s about half way up!
This is a seriously powerful and violent flow of water that thunders down the mountain at an incredible pace, and makes you feel incredibly small when you stand at the base.
It has a similar shape and beauty to the third waterfall on our list (Tvindefossen), but is six times the size!
There are multiple places to view
- From the car park and surrounding picnic area. This is as far back as you can get without being on the water – you’ll need to be here to see the full face of the waterfall.
- There is a tunnel that takes you to the other side of the road so you can get up close to the base. This is where the above photo was taken.
- There is a hiking trail that will take you all the way to the top of the falls. We had done the Kjeragbolten hike the day prior so I did not do this – I hope to go back one day to experience this hike as it was one of my favorite places in Norway!
I would encourage you to allocate a few hours for your visit to Langfossen so you can do all three of the above!
2. Trollstigen
The waterfalls of Trollstigen are only a side note to this natural masterpiece.
It is the huge valley and surrounding mountains that take centre stage, but the twin waterfalls and the winding road of that bends between each face of water is part of what makes this experience a true highlight of any road trip through Norway.
This whole scene has the wow factor everywhere you look, but if you objectively look at the waterfalls they are not as impressive as Langfossen. But you simply couldn’t rate them any lower than no. 2 due to the incredible backdrop.
There are multiple viewing platforms at the top of the waterfalls that over look the valley, and there is also a small car park at the base so you can see the view in the opposite direction.
In between is simply one of the most magical drives you will ever go on, and one that gives me goosebumps whenever I think back to it.
3. Tvindefossen
The shape of the flow of water at Tvindefossen is very similar to Langfossen, but is smaller in height and broader across the face.
This creates a majestic staircase of water flowing across multiple streams that creates a perfect scene that belongs on a postcard.
It is not the biggest waterfall on our list at 110m in height, but it makes up for it with its unique shape and strong water flows that are very imposing and loud!
4. Latefossen
This is one of the most unique waterfalls that I have seen that combines both towering twin flows of water, lush greenery that splits them down the middle, and a dark rocky backdrop that provides an amazing contrast of colours.
Latefossen stands at 165 meters tall and has a unique v-shape with two streams of water that converge at the base, crashing into a river just meters from a road bridge!
My favorite part about this is when you are approaching by road you cannot see the falls until you are right next to them! It is both a shock and another wow moment when you first see it.
You have to be careful though. The road is wet, and no one is watching where they are going! Traffic slows to a crawl here so you need to be careful not to drive into the back of a car that has stopped.
There is a car park at the end of the bridge so you can get out and walk around. Crossing the road can be equally dangerous so take care if you want to get closer to the base of the falls.
5. Steinsdalsfossen
Steinsdalsfossen is the smallest waterfall on our list at just 46 meters tall.
What makes this such an epic waterfall is the contrast you get in the experience when viewing from a distance to when up close.
As you approach Steinsdalsfossen it looks like a tranquil and picturesque location. Like something that belongs one a book cover. But when up close to the narrow flow of the water you realise just how powerful it is!
There is a walkway that goes under the stream of water to a viewing platform alongside the face. As you pass by underneath you notice the force of the waterfall is unlike anything else on this list. It is small and concentrated, but fast and dense.
When you reach the viewing platform you get a stunning view past the waterfall and over the surrounding region. Everything looks tranquil again, but you have that raging torrent of water just a few feet away.
6. Seven sisters and Ljosurdfossen
If you head out onto the fjord from the popular town of Geiranger you will find these twin waterfalls on opposite sides of the water to each other.
Both are over 200 meters high and have a unique look about them.
On one side you have the Seven Sisters waterfall, where multiple streams of water look to delicately flow down a broad section of cliff. No one stream is particularly big and almost has a silky look to it.
Directly opposite is the more imposing flow of Ljosurdfossen. This is a waterfall that is more typical of what we have discussed so far where a big stream of water cascades down an impressive and uniquely shaped cliff face.
If traveling by kayak, you can get very close to the base of the waterfall and it is a very impressive site! I highly recommend that you kayak here if you have the time and the fitness to do so.
You can also visit the falls in a fraction of the time by just taking a boat. Cruises leave the main port frequently and will allow you to just hang out on the boat and take in the views in relative comfort.
You can also view the falls from land on one of the hiking trails along the mountains on both sides of the fjord.
7. Waterfall Walk
Still in the town of Geiranger, the Waterfall Walk is an elevated walking platform with multiple viewpoints that track the edge of the Geiranger River.
This allows you to get very close to a series of rapids and falls as it flows through the town and out into the fjords.
You will get close enough to cop some of the spray, but its a small inconvenience to experience the roar of the water as it thunders down each waterfall.
The walk is 300 steps from the base to the top and is an impressive display of nature’s power, yet on a much smaller scale than the other waterfalls on this list.
Conclusion
The big caveat to this list is that I have not (yet) visited every waterfall in Norway.
One comment on the YouTube video above mentioned that we should also check out Vøringsfossen and one day I hope to do so!
Regardless, I hope this has given you some inspiration to put Norway at the top of your must-visit countries.
It is an incredible place to do a road trip with some incredible waterfalls just waiting to be discovered.