Norway · Jotunheimen
Vettisfossen
Norway's tallest unregulated waterfall — meaning no dam or hydro scheme has ever touched it — drops in a single free fall deep inside the Utladalen valley, reached only by a several-hour hike from the nearest road. Its protection since the 1880s makes it one of Europe's oldest deliberately conserved natural landmarks.
Norway's tallest unregulated waterfall — meaning no dam or hydro scheme has ever touched it — drops in a single free fall deep inside the Utladalen valley, reached only by a several-hour hike from the nearest road. Its protection since the 1880s makes it one of Europe's oldest deliberately conserved natural landmarks.
Vettisfossen drops 275 metres (902 ft) on the Utla, inside Utladalen Landscape Protection Area. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Ovre Ardal, with OSL the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated hard.
Summer glacial melt from Jotunheimen keeps the free fall at its fullest for the multi-hour hike in.
What you can do here
Camping
Falls where you can legally sleep within earshot of the water.
Hiking
From ten-minute boardwalks to multi-day approaches through cloud forest.
Photography
Light angles, moonbows, spray management and the hours that actually work.
When to go
Summer glacial melt from Jotunheimen keeps the free fall at its fullest for the multi-hour hike in.
Entry: Free
Getting there
- Base townOvre Ardal
- AirportOSL
- CountryNorway
- RegionJotunheimen, Europe
- AccessHard — a serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide
On the map
61.5397, 7.7828
Quick answers
How tall is Vettisfossen?
Vettisfossen drops 275 metres (902 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Utla.
When is the best time to visit Vettisfossen?
Peak flow is June to August. Summer glacial melt from Jotunheimen keeps the free fall at its fullest for the multi-hour hike in.
What can you do at Vettisfossen?
Beyond the viewpoints: camping, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated hard — a serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide.
How do you get to Vettisfossen?
The usual base is Ovre Ardal, and the closest airport is OSL. A serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide from there. Free.
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