Brekkefossen Waterfalls, Gloppen, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
Eidsfossen was a powerful waterfall on the Gloppen River that literally made us feel like the ground beneath our feet was trembling. Indeed, the operative word with this waterfall was “power”, and it was most certainly on display during our late June 2005 visit to this region of Norway. So it was no wonder that we saw infrastructure around the falls indicating that it was being tapped for hydroelectricity. Yet even with this degree of intervention, the falls was still flowing forcefully. Imagine how much crazier the falls would be flowing if the hydro infrastructure wasn’t there! There was so much spray kicked up by the base of the falls that there were even bold rainbows arcing just downstream of the waterfall’s main drop.
The falls was said to have a cumulative height of 33m, which Julie and I were able to appreciate from a couple of viewing spots. From the upper viewing spot near the brink of its power drop (as shown in the photo at the top of this page), we also noticed there was a salmon ladder that was said to be the longest in the world at 230m as it allowed salmon to continue swimming upstream past this otherwise impenetrable barrier on the Gloppen River. I had read after the trip that the largest known catch along this stretch of river was an amazing 26kg! Anyhow. it was from this vantage point that we truly felt dwarfed by the sheer volume of water that was passing by us. Julie and I couldn’t even hear ourselves talk from here.
Epic Norway Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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