About Svoufossen and Reppdalsfossen
Svoufossen (also called Svøufossen or Svøufallet) was the first of the three major waterfalls we saw converging on the area known as Åmotan (apparently meaning “converging of the rivers”).
Almost in the immediate vicinity was the sloping Reppdalsfossen (also called Reppdalsfallet), which really compelled us to want to experience the waterfalls here more intimately.
While waterfall clustering in a particular area wasn’t anything new to us, what made Åmotan so special was the size of these waterfalls.
Particularly in the case of Svøufossen and Reppdalsfossen waterfalls, Svøufossen was where the Svøu River plummeted down 156m with a 110m vertical freefall all with a high volume channeled into a deep depression in a south-facing cliff.
Apparently, it had a 313m total drop if you count all the cascades before and after the main part of the plunge.
Reppdalsfossen featured a high volume sloping cascade that zig-zagged its way down the Reppa for about 180-215m in cumulative drop over its run, but the steepest part was more like 112m in height (at least unofficially from what I measured in the topo map).
During our first visit to the area in early July 2005 (where we only pursued this place based on the markings from our Statens Kartverk Veiatlas Norge map), Julie and I managed to make a wrong turn.
We wound up finding ourselves at the brink of Svøufossen where we really appreciated how tall and powerful it was.
When we realized our error, we then backtracked to the Jenstad Farm, where we managed to witness both Svøufallet and Reppdalsfallet from the farm road with a brief random hike to try to get a better view.
Our first experience left us wanting more, but it took us 14 years since that time when we finally had a chance to return and do the waterfalls right.
In particular, we did a satisfying loop hike that descended to a nice viewpoint taking in Reppdalsfossen before descending further to the foot of Svøufossen.
Experiencing both Svøufossen and Reppdalsfossen – Hike to Reppdalsfossen Lookout
From the first of two signposted car parks at the Jenstad Farm (toll required; see directions below), we had our choice of where to go.
One sign pointed up the hill leading to Lindalsfallet, which we cover in a separate write-up.
Another sign pointed behind a fence (to confine the livestock) straight down a grassy slope to reach down towards the foot of Svøufallet.
Ultimately, we opted to follow the farm road for about 150m towards the second car park, where we could already get a good look at Reppdalsfossen.
From this second car park, we then followed a smaller farm road for 200m leading to a signed lookout for Reppdalsfallet right beside some power pole.
Experiencing both Svøufossen and Reppdalsfossen – Hike to the bottom of Svøufossen
After having our fill of the Reppdalsfossen view, we then followed a trail of use skirting the edges of a sloping green pasture belonging to the Jenstad Farm.
Towards the bottom of this hill, we could partially see the Svøufossen.
We initially walked about 275m as we descended to a picnic table at the bottom of the grassy slope, where we could already get a pretty satisfying view of the waterfall.
Then, we noticed an even steeper trail descending into the grove of trees further below, which we ultimately followed for another 400m to the very bottom at the foot of Svøufallet.
Note that there was a trail junction about half-way down this steep descent (200m from the picnic table or 475m from the Reppdalsfossen lookout), which we’d ultimately return to on the way back up.
At the foot of the waterfall, there was an open grassy area as well as a picnic table to really get to appreciate just how tall Svøufossen towered over us. We could also witness three of the rivers converging (Svøu, Reppa, and Grøvu) at this spot called Åmotan.
I also noticed additional trails branching from Åmotan crossing bridges over these converging rivers then steeply climbing up towards Svisdalen or other communities on the above the other side of the gorge and the Svøufossen itself.
After having our fill of this spot, we then backtracked our way up to the signed trail junction.
Then, we walked up another steep trail on the left, which headed right towards the first car park after around 450m.
Overall, we spent a bit over 90 minutes away from the car, and this included some chill out time for both of the waterfalls.
Authorities
Svoufossen and Reppdalsfossen reside in the Sunndal Municipality between Sunndalsøra and Oppdal in Møre og Romsdal County, Norway. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website or Facebook page.
We experienced both Svøufallet and Reppdalsfallet from the Jenstad Farm, which was perched above the converging rivers of Åmotan.
We’ll describe the driving directions from Sunndalsøra to the west and from Oppdal to the east.
Note that the drive from Sunndalsøra was actually covered in more depth in our Vinnufossen page because there were many waterfalls all along that route!
From Sunndalsøra, we drove east on the Rv70 for about 33km.
We then turned right onto the Fjellgardsvegen (“Mountain Farm Road”) near the community of Gjøra. There was a “Nasjonalpark” sign as well as a sign pointing the way to Hafsåsen.
After about 3.8km on the Fjellgardsvegen, we then kept left at a fork to go up the single-lane road climbing steeply to the Jenstad Farm. On our first visit, we made the mistake of keeping right to wind up at the brink of Svøufossen on the Snøgutu (or “Snow Road”).
Eventually at just under 2km, we reached the first signed car park at the Jenstad Farm, which was on the left.
We had to pay 30kr as of 2019 (though it was interesting to note that we had to pay 20kr in 2005).
If all the parking spaces were taken up at this first lot, there was a second (albeit smaller) one nearly 150m further.
Overall, this drive would take over a half-hour.
From Oppdal, we drove west on the Rv70 for about 35km to the signed junction with the Fjellgardsvegen near the community of Gjøra.
We then turned left onto Fjellgardsvegen and followed the directions as above to get to the Jenstad Farm.
Overall, this drive would take around 45 minutes depending on traffic or road construction.
For further context, Sunndalsøra was 68km (1 hour drive) west of Oppdal, 128km (2 hours drive) east of Åndalsnes, 187km (over 2.5 hours drive) southwest of Trondheim, 466km (6 hours drive) north of Oslo, and 578km (over 8.5 hours drive with ferry crossings) northeast of Bergen.
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360 degree sweep of both Reppdalsfossen and Svoufossen before walking closer to the latter waterfall for a closer look
Sweep checking out the Svoufossen from the picnic area at its base from walking such that the camera sees a pretty close-up and good angle for it
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