Guidebook
Lonely Planet Norway
Lonely Planet · 2024
Current Lonely Planet covering the western fjords, Hardanger, Geiranger and Telemark roads past Norway's big falls.
Norway · Fauske Municipality
Fossen
Fossen is a waterfall along the Sjønstå River in Fauske Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is about 9 kilometers upriver from the Sjønstå farm.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Fossen drops over a series of steps on the Sjønstå River. It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Fauske, Norway. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Fossen is number 5 on our list of waterfalls at the ends of the earth. As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Fossen itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Fauske are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forBoat cruisesHikingPhotography
When to go
Snowmelt feeds the falls from late May; June to August is the short, bright season, and many access roads close in winter.
Getting there
- Base town Fauske, Norway
- Country Norway
- Region Fauske Municipality, Nordics & Baltics, Europe
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Fossen
Norway
Height—Width—
Most similar
Krka Falls
Croatia
Height25 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall and in Croatia
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
Most similar
Krka Falls
Croatia
Height25 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall and in Croatia
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
25 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Krka FallsVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
We don't have a reliable crest width for Fossen yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
Guidebook
DK Eyewitness Norway
DK Eyewitness · 2024
Illustrated Norway guide, good for planning fjord drives such as Geiranger and Hardanger.
On the map
67.17444, 15.82749
Quick answers
Where is Fossen?
Fossen is in Norway (Fauske Municipality). The nearest base is Fauske, Norway. Its coordinates are 67.1744, 15.8275.
When is the best time to visit Fossen?
Peak flow is June to August. Snowmelt feeds the falls from late May; June to August is the short, bright season, and many access roads close in winter.
What can you do at Fossen?
Beyond the viewpoints: boat cruises, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Fossen?
The usual base is Fauske, Norway. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
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