Vinnufossen, Norway

Vinnufossen, just east of Sunndalsøra in Sunndal Municipality (Møre og Romsdal), is one of the tallest waterfalls in Europe. The Vinnu river, fed by the Vinnufonna glacier, falls 845 metres down the mountainside in three tiers, the longest of them 575 metres, before joining the Driva.

How to Get There

The waterfall is about 6 km east of Sunndalsøra on road RV70, with parking at the Holsskeiet rest area. Sunndalsøra is about 2.5–3 hours by car from Trondheim.

Visiting and Hiking

From the rest area you get a good view of the falls without walking. Beside them climbs Vinnutrappa, a Sherpa-built stone staircase whose first part opened in autumn 2022; the walk to the top of the finished section takes 30–40 minutes. The stairs are open from 15 May to 1 November, and drones are not allowed because of the nearby Vinnu airfield.

Best Time to Visit

The waterfall is most spectacular in late spring and early summer (May to July), when snow melting from the glacier increases the water flow. However, Vinnufossen remains an impressive sight throughout the warmer months.