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 · More og Romsdal
Mardalsfossen
Once considered among the tallest waterfalls in the world, its flow has been harnessed by a hydroelectric dam since the 1970s and now runs at full natural force only during a scheduled summer release, drawing crowds who plan trips around the exact dates. Outside that window the cliff face runs nearly dry.
Runs at full natural force only a few weeks a year Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Mardalsfossen drops 705 metres (2,313 ft) on the Mardola. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Eikesdal, with MOL the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Mardalsfossen itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Eikesdal are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Full natural flow is released only for a few summer weeks; a hydro dam diverts it the rest of the year.
Entry: Free
Getting there
- Base town Eikesdal
- Airport MOL
- Country Norway
- Region More og Romsdal, Nordics & Baltics, Europe
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Mardalsfossen
Norway
Height705 mWidth—
Most similar
Aluoja Falls
Estonia
Height700 mWidth—
Also a plunge waterfall, of similar height and in Estonia
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
108 m
330 m
700 m
705 m
979 m
Victoria FallsEiffel TowerAluoja FallsMardalsfossenAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 1.4× taller than Mardalsfossen. It drops 6.5× further than Victoria Falls (108 m). We don't have a reliable crest width for Mardalsfossen yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Mardalsfossen
4:23
4:05
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
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
62.4715, 8.1199
Quick answers
Where is Mardalsfossen?
Mardalsfossen is in Norway (More og Romsdal). The nearest base is Eikesdal and the closest airport is MOL. Its coordinates are 62.4715, 8.1199.
How tall is Mardalsfossen?
Mardalsfossen drops 705 metres (2,313 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Mardola.
When is the best time to visit Mardalsfossen?
Peak flow is June to August. Full natural flow is released only for a few summer weeks; a hydro dam diverts it the rest of the year.
What can you do at Mardalsfossen?
Beyond the viewpoints: 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 Mardalsfossen?
The usual base is Eikesdal, and the closest airport is MOL. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there. Free.
Nearby
Closest to Mardalsfossen
Mongefossen
Norway · 773 m · 12 km away
Mongefossen is a waterfall in the Rauma Municipality of Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is the fourth…
Vermafossen
Norway · 381 m · 14 km away
Vermafossen or Vermefossen is a waterfall in Rauma Municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The…
Stigfossen
Norway · 20 km away
Stigfossen is a waterfall in Norway.
Vinnufossen
Norway · 845 m · 40 km away
Vinnufossen or Vinnufallet is one of the tallest waterfalls in Europe and the eighth-tallest in the world.…