Mardalsfossen

Fortunately for visitors like us, the administrators compromised by letting this waterfall flow from late June to late August, which is right in the midst of the tourist season. I guess this is an acceptable compromise considering this one could've gone the way of Mongefossen, Tyssestrengene, or Ringedalsfossen (where they hardly flow at all).

While we were able to see the falls along the county road (completed in 1991 prior to which boat travel was required) on the eastern shore of Eikesdalsvatnet, we got closer more intimate views of the falls on the trail to its base. It took us about 30-45 minutes each way to do the hike from the car park to the base.

From the large car park (see directions below), we walked back along the unpaved road towards a signed fork (which we noticed it on the way in). Then, we took the spur path and walked gently uphill for about 10 minutes. At that point, there was a clearing and a sign indicating the falls were another 30 minutes (2km) further along the much narrower and primitive foot trail.

The foot trail persisted as it weaved through a forested area. About half way through the walk, we saw another waterfall on the Mardøla watercourse on the cliff opposite Mardalsfossen. Once we got towards the end of the trail, it got increasingly rocky and less vegetated. It was from here that we got somewhat decent views of the falls while feeling some of its mist. I suppose we could've walked all the way to the base of the falls, but we were content with the views you see at the top of this page.

Directions: We drove in from Åndalsnes, where we followed the Rv64 around Istfjorden then on the Rv660 along the southern shores of Langfjorden. After about 46km of driving, we arrived in Eresfjord township where we turned off from the main road to our right onto a county road leading deep into Eikesdalen (note that on the northeast end of Eresfjord, we saw Strandfossen). We then continued about 27km along this road towards the south end of the lake Eikesdalsvatnet.

Shortly after getting beyond the southern end of the lake, the road went over a bridge where there was a signed fork for the falls. We took the signed fork on our right, which was an unpaved gravel road, to where there was a large car park. On that last unsealed stretch, we passed by the trailhead which we would eventually backtrack to on foot as part of the hike.

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A cleaner look across Eikesdalsvatnet at Mardalsfossen

Julie starting to walk the signposted spur path

Julie on the spur path shared with bikers

Julie on the trail when it became primitive

The path is lush

A separate waterfall seen near the end of the trail

Julie and I made it only so far from the base of Mardalsfossen before we decided not to go any further

Returning to the trailhead with Eikesdalsvatnet in the distance

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NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Strandfossen
• Other Eikesdalen Waterfalls

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