The waterfall wonders of Åmotan

Åmotan - Combining the force of five rivers

Åmotan in Jenstadjuvet south of Gjøra in Sunndalen is an area with steep mountain peaks, moorlands and terraces that create an intricate river system where five waterways meet.

Three of the rivers form magnificent and lush waterfalls down towards Åmotan, offering an extraordinary natural attraction.

Waterfalls

Each of the three falls is remarkable in its own right: Reppefallet and Lindalsfallet, which have a freefall of 110 metres, the 156 tall Svøfallfallet. What makes Åmotan so spectacular, however, is the combination of the three falls together in action.

"It's a very special sight, even if I think Lindalsfallet is the most beautiful waterfall. It looks like an American canyon", says the guide Anders Hovde. Guided waterfall walks are available every Thursday in July and August. It is a three-hour long adventure that departures from Sunndalsporten on Gjøra. The area is well sign-posted. Those who prefer to explore Åmotan on their own will find more information here.  

Internationally renowned

"Every year, 5,000-6,000 tourists visit Åmotan, although the place seems to be more famous in Europe than in Norway - more than half of the tourists are from abroad”, Hovde says.

One reason is that Åmotan has been featured in several foreign blogs and websites.

"We have read and heard so many exciting things about Åmotan that we just had to see it", exclaims Bert and Marie Jeanne Hogenberg, two pensioners from the Netherlands. And it's really amazing!" The Hogenbergs are caravanning in Norway, and Åmotan was a given stop on their itinerary.

Down the gorge

The best way to experience Åmotan is to go down the gorge. Getting close to the falls, hearing the roaring water and feeling the force is an experience you will cherish for life. Just remember to be careful. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and follow the signposts. You cross the rivers on bridges, and be aware that there is a safety chain in the steepest part.

School road

Until 1953, children from Lundli south of the gorge passed the area on their way to school. To reach the school at Svisdal, they had to go down a steep trail, cross the river on a narrow, rocky suspension bridge, and continue up another steep hill.

Counting waterfalls

The numerous waterfalls in Sunndal are in the process of being mapped by Sunndal National Park Center. The aim of the project is to put the spotlight on all the beautiful waterfalls in the area. 

"At the moment, nobody knows how many waterfalls there are in Sunndal, but soon we will have a good idea," Gunn Signe Aarnes at Sunndal National Park Center says.

The biggest fall in Europe

Many of the waterfalls are already known, of course, and some of them are in the top 10 largest waterfalls in the world.

The most famous is Vinnufossen, also known as Vinnufallet, just east of Sunndalsøra. According to the World Waterfall Database , this waterfall has the highest freefall in Europe. Vinnufossen consists of four separate falls, the longest of which is an impressive 420 metres.