Tvindefossen

Tvindefossen is a waterfall in Voss Municipality, in Norway's Vestland county, right beside the E16 road toward Flåm. It lies about 12 kilometres north of the village of Vossevangen, which makes it an easy stop on the drive between Voss and the fjords.

Where is Tvindefossen and how do you get there?

The falls sit directly by the E16, roughly 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Vossevangen. The road links the Voss area with Flåm, one of the best-known villages on the Sognefjord, so a stop here fits naturally into a trip through western Norway. Getting there by car is simple, and tour buses sometimes pull in during the season.

How tall is it?

Many guides quote 152 metres, but that figure is overstated. Wikipedia lists a total height of 116 metres (381 ft), and a laser measurement by one visitor put the main drop at about 109 metres. Adding the lower section, where the water tumbles in smaller cascades, brings the total to roughly 116 metres. Some tourism sites repeat a figure of 110 metres. The differences come down to where you decide the fall begins and ends.

What does it look like?

Tvindefossen is a many-stranded waterfall. The stream Kroelvi runs over a rock edge and splits into several threads on the way down. After heavy rain or during spring melt the view is especially impressive, with plenty of water visible from road level.

What is there on site?

Next to the falls you will find a car park, a campsite, a kiosk and a souvenir shop, and the walk from the parking area to the base of the falls is short. It works well as a stop of fifteen minutes or so: enough for photos, a brief stroll and a small purchase.

Good to know

The waterfall has a reputation as a fountain of youth. In the late 1990s, as many as 200,000 people a year, mostly from the United States, Japan and Russia, reportedly came to fill containers with its water. Tvindefossen also appears in art: Norwegian painter Johan Christian Dahl painted it in 1830.

Frequently asked questions

Is Tvindefossen 152 metres high? No. The better-supported figure is about 116 metres in total, with a main drop of around 109 metres.

Is there an entrance fee? There is no gate, and the falls can be seen from beside the road. Charges for parking or on-site services may vary, so check current information before you go.

How long does a visit take? A short stop is usually enough, since the falls are close to the parking area.

Is it a good stop on the way to Flåm? Yes. It lies right on the E16, about 12 km from Vossevangen, so no detour is needed.