Svoufossen and Reppdalsfossen

Amotan, More og Romsdal County, Norway

About Svoufossen and Reppdalsfossen

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

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.

Amotan_079_07152019 - Svøufossen or Svøufallet
Svøufossen or Svøufallet

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).

Amotan_031_07152019 - The full length of Reppdalsfossen or Reppdalsfallet
The full length of Reppdalsfossen or Reppdalsfallet

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

Amotan_020_07152019 - Looking back towards some of the upper drops of Svøufossen with the main drop still concealed as we walked towards the Reppdalsfossen lookout
Looking back towards some of the upper drops of Svøufossen with the main drop still concealed as we walked towards the 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.

Amotan_044_07152019 - Julie and Tahia at the Reppdalsfallet Lookout besides some power poles
Julie and Tahia at the Reppdalsfallet Lookout besides some power poles

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.

Amotan_054_07152019 - Context of Svøufossen or Svøufallet fronted by a picnic table at the very bottom of the grassy pasture on the Jenstad Farm
Context of Svøufossen or Svøufallet fronted by a picnic table at the very bottom of the grassy pasture on the Jenstad Farm

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.

Amotan_016_07032005 - Svøufossen when we first saw it back in early July 2005 with seemingly much higher volume than when we saw it in July 2019
Svøufossen when we first saw it back in early July 2005 with seemingly much higher volume than when we saw it in July 2019

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.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: amotan, jenstad, sunndal, oppdal, surnadal, sunndalen, gjora, reppdalsfossen, svoufossen, svou, more og romsdal, norway, waterfall, svoufallet, reppfallet, grovu



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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.
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