Voringsfossen

Even though the falls was dazzling, it surprised us to learn that this waterfall was regulated. Apparently, the controlling power company allowed the falls to flow during the tourist Summer season, but the rest of the year, it would be mostly diverted for the purposes of generating hydroelectricity. In a country where just about every big waterfall was regulated, I suppose that this was a fair compromise especially considering if we looked at the way Mardalsfossen and Mongefossen were handled (where one was allowed to flow during the summer while the other was cut off completely). Which would you rather have? It's better to have something than nothing at all, as far as I'm concerned.

The main waterfall was said to be 182m tall according to the signs here. However, the cliffs plunge as much as 300m and some of the lighter flowing waterfalls actually fall from such heights.

In terms of experiencing the attraction, we managed to see Voringsfossen from both the top and from a lower overlook. Both locations required some form of payment for parking the car (they're manned). From the upper lookout, we were at the top of the headwall of Måbødalen near the Fossli Hotel. A walkway hugged a good portion of the cliff overlooking the falls from various angles. Even though there were railings up here, there was some parts with cliff exposure so definitely be careful up there.

From the lower lookout, there was a network of trails leading right up to various cliff-hanging views (without rails) with a very close-up look at south-facing cliff walls and waterfalls that happen to plunge off of them. However, there was also a more developed lookout closer to the road near the little troll train (trolltoget; "TROLL-toh-guh") station. It was from that overlook (can get quite crowded) where we got the photo you see at the top of this page.

Directions: The lower lookout is off the Rv7 about 15km east of Eidfjord. A toll is also required at this car park.

We were able to reach the upper lookout by continuing past the car park for the lower lookout about 1km before turning left onto a local road for another 600m or so. Turning left again, we then reached the manned car park for both Voringsfossen and the Fossli Hotel (again, toll required).

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According to this sign, don't mess with these cliffs!

Looking at a particularly thick column of water at the falls

Looking back at the Fossli Hotel

Rainbow across some of the waterfalls after walking to the cliff's edge from the lower lookout

Looking up at the Fossli Hotel from the lower cliffs

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TRIP REPORTS

• June 25, 2005

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NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Vedalsfossen
• Valursfossen
• Other Hjølmodalen Waterfalls

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