Kjelfossen

The first spot was from the Stalheim Hotel's terrace. That was where we got to see a giant plunging drop way in the distance (wish I had a telephoto lens at the time). And from that vantage point, we could appreciate why the falls might be considered one of the country's tallest.

The second spot where we saw the falls was from within the Nærøy Valley (Nærøydalen). From a pullout in the road, we were able to get a fairly neck-cranking view up at the various segments of the falls coming down in parallel. However, given its multi-tiered nature, it was hard to gain any appreciation of the full extent of the falls due to geological obstructions to our line-of-sight.

Apparently, there's a bit of nomenclature involved with this waterfall as each segment of the falls seems to have different names. The uppermost tier (as stated earlier was visible from the Stalheim Hotel Terrace) is labeled Kjel Falls. Its lower tiers (visible from the road) is actually called Big Kjel Falls (Store Kjelfoss). Considerably smaller and to right of the Big Kjel Falls is the middle stream called Vetle Kjelfoss. And, the far right stream does not have a formal name and as it has the lightest flow. Even though these falls may not boast the volume as some of the other notable waterfalls in Norway, several small alpine lakes called the Kjelfoss Lakes (Kjelfossvatni) as well as snowmelt from the snowpack source the falls so they appear to have pretty reliable flow.

Directions: For directions to the Stalheim Hotel, see our Stalheimsfossen page.

To get to the lower viewpoint, look for this waterfall as you drive the E16 into Nærøydalen approaching the (appropriately located if you get the Norwegian pronunciation) Shell Gas station just before the Gudvangen Tunnel (Gudvangatunnelen). There was a roadside pullout where we got the view as you see at the top of this page. This pullout is roughly 9km east of the bottom of Stalheimskleiva (or about 25km west of Aurlandsvangen just outside the 12km Gudvangatunnelen).

[Back to top]

More contextual view of Kjelfossen

Zoomed in on one of the strands of the falls as seen from the Stalheim Hotel

[Back to top]

View Larger Map

TRIP REPORTS

• June 27, 2005

GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCES

NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Tvindefossen
• Stalheimsfossen
• Sivlefossen
• Rjoandefossen
• Kjosfossen
• Other Flåmsdalen Waterfalls

Have You Been To This Waterfall?

Share your experience!

Click here to see visitor comments for this waterfall

Click here to see visitor comments for other waterfalls that we've visited in this region

Click here to go to the Comments Main Page