Espelandsfossen

Ulvik, Hordaland County, Norway

About Espelandsfossen

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Espelandsfossen was one of two waterfalls that we visited frp, the same county of Hordaland that also happened to share the same name.

As if that wasn’t confusing enough, this waterfall also seemed to resemble the other waterfall in Odda if you happened to see a photo of the two taken out of context.

Espelandsfossen_Granvin_066_06252019 - Espelandsfossen in Granvin
Espelandsfossen in Granvin

However, the similarities ended there as we had totally different experiences with each waterfall.

While we easily spotted the Espelandsfosen in Odda due to its position next to a well-used road by the famous Låtefossen Waterfall, we didn’t have as much success visiting the waterfall in Granvin on our first visit in June 2005.

In fact, we managed to drive right past it without knowing as we headed west from the town of Ulvik.

It took a return trip 14 years later when I headed east from Granvin, and I easily spotted this waterfall framing the valley Espelandsdalen and the lake Espelandsvatnet.

Espelandsfossen_Granvin_017_06252019 - Espelandsfossen and Espelandsvatnet in the Espelandsdalen as seen from the Fv572
Espelandsfossen and Espelandsvatnet in the Espelandsdalen as seen from the Fv572

Apparently, it was far easier to find this waterfall heading east as opposed to heading west.

Indeed, it seemed to make a lot more sense to head east to Espelandsfossen these days, especially given all the changes that had been done to the roads around Hardangerfjord since our visit back in 2005.

The most notable of these changes included many more tunnels as well as a bridge that replaced a ferry crossing the Hardangerfjord itself.

Experiencing Espelandsfossen

While I was able to see Espelandsfossen from the county road between Granvin and Ulvik, there really wasn’t a sanctioned place to pull over and have a look.

Espelandsfossen_Granvin_034_06252019 - Following the red arrow to continue towards Espelandsfossen and not towards the private home
Following the red arrow to continue towards Espelandsfossen and not towards the private home

Instead, I had to stop the car at the unsigned and not-so-obvious trailhead just east of the bridge over the waterfall’s stream (see directions below).

Once I stopped the car at the trailhead, I then noticed signs which encouraged me to climb into the somewhat overgrown trail of use.

After about 150m on the narrow trail, I then reached a fork, where handwritten signs pointed to the left to continue to the waterfall.

The path on the right went to a house or farm, which I’d imagine belonged to the owner with jurisdiction over the trailhead and this trail.

Espelandsfossen_Granvin_041_06252019 - Direct look at Espelandsfossen from within the turbulence of the spray zone
Direct look at Espelandsfossen from within the turbulence of the spray zone

Continuing further up the narrow trail, I eventually went to an open area where Espelandsfossen blasted it with its spray.

This made taking direct photos of the falls difficult.

However, I did walk a little past the spray zone for a little less of a turbulent viewing experience.

It looked like the trail continued climbing steeply above the Espelandsfossen, but I didn’t feel the need to go any further so I turned back.

Espelandsfossen_Granvin_065_06252019 - Looking downstream from Espelandsfossen towards Espelandsvatnet and the rest of Espelandsdalen
Looking downstream from Espelandsfossen towards Espelandsvatnet and the rest of Espelandsdalen

By the time I made it back down to the trailhead, I wound up spending about 45 minutes away from the car.

Authorities

Espelandsfossen resides near the town and municipality of Granvin in Hordaland County, Norway. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: espelands, espelandsvatnet, granvin, ulvik, hordaland, norway, waterfall, voss, vossevangen, eidfjord



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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.