History & travel
The Winter Fortress
Neal Bascomb · 2017
Account of the WWII sabotage of the Vemork heavy-water plant at Rjukan, built to harness the power of Rjukanfossen.
Norway · Telemark
Rjukanfossen
The town of Rjukan grew up entirely around the hydroelectric potential of this falls in the early 1900s, and the surrounding valley now carries UNESCO recognition for its industrial heritage. Because it sits in shadow much of the year, the town installed giant mirrors on the mountainside in 2013 to redirect sunlight into the square below.
UNESCO World HeritageAnchor of a UNESCO industrial heritage landscape Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Rjukanfossen drops 104 metres (341 ft) on the Måna, inside Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Rjukan, with OSL the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy.
As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
What you can do here
Planning one of these? Check your travel insurance covers adventure activities — SafetyWing is one option.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Summer snowmelt gives fullest flow; much of it is now diverted for hydroelectric power most of the year.
Entry: Free
Getting there
- Base town Rjukan
- Airport OSL
- Country Norway
- Region Telemark, Nordics & Baltics, Europe
- Access Easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint
How it compares
This waterfall
Rjukanfossen
Norway
Height104 mWidth—
Most similar
Dynjandi
Iceland
Height100 mWidth30 m
Also a plunge waterfall, of similar height and in Iceland
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
100 m
104 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
DynjandiRjukanfossenVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Dynjandi
30 m
Angel Falls is 9.4× taller than Rjukanfossen. It is about the same height as Victoria Falls (108 m). We don't have a reliable crest width for Rjukanfossen yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Rjukanfossen
4:13
8:20
3:11
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
History & travel
The Real Heroes of Telemark
Ray Mears · 2004
Ray Mears on the commandos' survival on Hardangervidda and the raid on the Vemork plant beside Rjukanfossen.
Walking in Southern NorwayUte Koninx
Walking guide
Walking in Southern Norway
Ute Koninx · 2021
Ten multi-day treks incl. Jotunheimen and Hardangervidda, the high country above Vettisfossen and Vøringsfossen.
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Norway
Lonely Planet · 2024
Current Lonely Planet covering the western fjords, Hardanger, Geiranger and Telemark roads past Norway's big falls.
On the map
59.8664, 8.479
Quick answers
Where is Rjukanfossen?
Rjukanfossen is in Norway (Telemark), inside Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site. The nearest base is Rjukan and the closest airport is OSL. Its coordinates are 59.8664, 8.4790.
How tall is Rjukanfossen?
Rjukanfossen drops 104 metres (341 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Måna.
When is the best time to visit Rjukanfossen?
Peak flow is June to August. Summer snowmelt gives fullest flow; much of it is now diverted for hydroelectric power most of the year.
What can you do at Rjukanfossen?
Beyond the viewpoints: ice climbing, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint.
Is Rjukanfossen a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. Rjukanfossen lies within a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site. Expect park fees, marked trails and rules on where you can walk, swim and fly drones.
How do you get to Rjukanfossen?
The usual base is Rjukan, and the closest airport is OSL. A short walk or roadside viewpoint from there. Free.
Nearby
Closest to Rjukanfossen
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Valursfossen
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Full guide Vøringsfossen
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One of Norway's most celebrated national tourist route waterfalls