Vinnufossen in Norway – Europe's highest waterfall

Text and photo: Helena Bergström

Sometimes the best experiences are the ones you don’t plan at all. We were actually just looking for a good place to stop for lunch. As we turned into the parking lot, we suddenly saw a waterfall that seemed to fall almost from the sky. It turned out to be Vinnufossen – Europe’s highest waterfall.

On the way through Norway…

We started our trip to Norway with a visit to Vestre Sorken Holiday Farm, which is one of the excellent stops when traveling through Norway (or Sweden) with The Nortrip app. On our way towards the coast, we stopped for a night of relaxed free camping on a mountain, in Oppdal.

Then the journey continued, and the views became more and more beautiful. Finally we needed to stop for lunch, and that's when we ended up in a parking lot, where we could walk further...

A waterfall that almost disappears into the clouds

It's hard to grasp how high Vinnufossen really is. From the parking lot, the waterfall looks almost surreal, like a thin white line against the dark mountainside. The further you look, the more you realize that the fall actually continues far, far up.

With a total drop of around 860 meters, Vinnufossen is usually considered the highest waterfall in Europe, although there may be different ways of measuring it, and one of the highest in the world. The water comes from the Vinnufonna glacier and plunges down in several stages before reaching the valley below.

It is not a waterfall that thunders forward in one massive cascade. Instead, it is elegant and almost floating, with water falling in different stages. The amount of water in the falls depends on the weather, the season, and the amount of meltwater flowing from the glacier.

Vinnufossen – an easily accessible waterfall

One of the great advantages of Vinnufossen is that it is so easily accessible. The parking lot is right by the road, and the parking lot has services in the form of toilets, garbage disposal, information signs and simple food service.

From the parking lot, it is only a few minutes' walk to the start of "Vinnutrappa", where you can get an even better view of the waterfall.

Vinnufossen up close – via Vinnutrappa

For those who want to experience Vinnufossen up close, there is Vinnutrappa, a staircase and hiking trail that leads up along the waterfall. The staircase is not yet fully completed, but you can already get a good distance.

Walking up to the stairs, and climbing them, can be quite strenuous, but does not require any specific skills beyond normal fitness and some time to rest and breathe from time to time.

Hiking in Vinnutrappa is a bit special. The stairs are not cast in concrete or built of wood, but consist of natural stone that has been laid by hand – stone by stone. The work is carried out by Nepalese Sherpas, whose knowledge of building sustainable trails in steep mountain environments has made them sought after in Norway.

Vinnufossen is at its most powerful during the summer when snow and glaciers melt in the mountains. It is therefore a good idea to be prepared for the water levels to vary depending on the season.

Our impression

We love when travel offers unexpected surprises, and Vinnufossen was just that. What started as a simple lunch stop turned into one of the most memorable moments of the trip, so far.

There are waterfalls that are wider, more powerful, and more dramatic up close, but few give the same sense of height.

More things to see and do nearby in Norway

Norway is a fantastic country, with incredible views and nature experiences. Here you will find more tips:

• Vestre Sorken Holiday Farm
• Finnskogtoppen
• Troll's Path
• Atlantic Road