Magnificent and epic waterfall experiences: The forces of nature bring you to life

The waterfalls in Fjord Norway are at their biggest, wildest, and most beautiful in spring, when the temperature starts to rise and the snow that has accumulated on the mountains and plateaus during winter starts to melt. There is still snow on the tops of the mountains, and the landscape further down the mountainsides has started to take on a green shimmer. You’re guaranteed to see waterfalls of all sizes even on a short drive along the fjord roads during this season, and you will hear the roar of the biggest among them from miles away.

The world’s tallest waterfall in Fjord Norway

Did you know that nine out of the ten tallest waterfalls in the world are in Norway, and that most of them are in Fjord Norway? The waterfalls are the result of processes that have been taking place for millions of years. The landscape used to be flat, before massive movements in the earth’s crust led to parts of the land being lifted up along what is now Western Norway. Over the course of numerous ice ages, huge quantities of ice, snow and rock have cleaved their way through the mountains down to the ocean. When the snow in the mountains melts, the water levels in the rivers and waterfalls rise. They are the very link between the mountains, glaciers, fjords and sea. And also the link between winter, spring and summer.

In front of, behind, above and below

In a number of places in Fjord Norway you’ll find magnificent, huge waterfalls relatively nearby. Some of them are easy to reach by road. Park your car and walk up close to the waterfalls. You can get really close to some of them and even walk behind the huge volumes of water. It’s also possible to walk to the top of some waterfalls to the point where the river plunges off the mountain, while at others you can get a sense of the forces of nature at play from below. Some waterfalls are so close to the roads that it almost feels as if you’re driving through them. That gives you a real rush and a sense of being at one with nature. It’s a sign that spring has really set nature in motion. But be careful and follow the guidelines on the signposts beside the big waterfalls, and respect the huge forces of nature which can pose a risk and danger.

Watch out for the wicked wood nymph!

Something else you should take care not to run into at the waterfalls in Fjord Norway is the wicked wood nymph. Tradition has it that this nymph has the appearance of a beautiful woman with a cow’s tail and lives in the mountains, rocks, waterfalls and under the ground. She can lure and entice men, and, in some sagas, even marries them. But then she suddenly transforms into a gruesome creature, and legend has it that many men have been lured and enticed by the alluring first impression.

You can actually see a wood nymph at the foot of Kjosfossen waterfall on a trip with the Flåm Railway, as the train makes a stop there. You can leave the train and experience the 225-metre waterfall, and watch the wood nymph dancing and singing her beautiful song to the curious onlookers.

A bit further north in Fjord Norway, the Rauma Railway wind its way down the steep mountain sides in Romsdalen – giving you a great view over precipitous waterfalls, rushing salmon rivers and clear and quiet river waters. Lonely Planet has named this section of railway the most beautiful train journey in Europe several times, and it has been used as a backdrop in blockbusters like Troll, Harry Potter and Mission: Impossible.

Experience the waterfalls on a round trip

You don’t need to go far from the fjord cities Molde, Ålesund, Bergen and Stavanger, or other towns or attractions in the region to experience the waterfalls in Fjord Norway. Why not do a round trip and combine visits to waterfalls with other activities? You can book waterfall abseiling or guided hikes to waterfalls in several places. The keenest waterfall enthusiasts can notch up lots of magnificent experiences in one road trip.

Regardless of what you decide to do, the waterfalls in Fjord Norway are a sign of spring. That’s when they’re biggest, and you can make them part of your Springfulness experience.