Vettisfossen hike: the ultimate guide
Vettisfossen is one of the tallest waterfalls in Norway: there is a single drop of 275m that is nearly vertical. What makes it so special is that it is the tallest free-falling waterfall in Europe and is not regulated. The waterfall is located in the Utladalen valley, near the village of Ovre Ardal. Vettisfossen is the endpoint of the hike, but you come across more waterfalls along the way: Hjellefossen, Avdalsfossen, and more.
The Vettisfossen hike was part of our Norway road trip, where we explored waterfalls, fjords, and some of the country’s most beautiful hiking trails
Vettisfossen hike in short
- Distance: 13km round trip
- Total duration: 3-4 hours
- Altitude difference: 200 m
- Difficulty: moderate
When to hike Vettisfossen (best months and weather)
The best period to hike to Vettisfossen is spring and the summer months. Even September and October would still be ok if there isn’t any snow. Keep in mind that rain is always a possibility in Norway, even in summer.
Can everybody hike Vettisfossen?
Everybody in a normal physical shape can hike Vettisfossen. Most of the trail is flat and not that long. The last part can be tricky when it rains, but if you take it slow and steady, it shouldn’t be a problem for the average hiker. Just wear good hiking boots!
How to get to Vettisfossen (parking and transport)
The easiest way is to rent a car and drive. There is a free parking lot at the start of the trail near Hjellefossen.
From Ardal, you will need to arrange local transportation to Ovre Ardal, as there are no buses that go there.
The hike itself: what to expect on the trail
The hike itself consists of 2 parts: the first part is the easiest and is almost entirely flat. You start near the impressive Hjellefossen waterfall, where the parking lot is. You can get really close to the waterfall and feel its force. After about 600m, you will come across Utladalen Naturhus, where you can enjoy some coffee and pancakes (if it’s open). You keep walking along the Utla river until you reach another waterfall: Avdalsfossen.
After the third waterfall (Avdalsfossen), you will start the first climb of the hike. But after that, it’s flat again while you enjoy some more little waterfalls. Then follows a second small climb to Vetti Gard, an old farm that is currently used as a guesthouse for mountain hikers in the summer.
Here you will have to choose: walk to the top of Vettisfossen or to the bottom. We opted to go to the foot of the waterfall. You will follow the path down a very rocky part. Especially when it’s raining, the rocks can be very slippery. At some points, there are some ropes to help you. After about 30 min, you will see the waterfall.
You will go back the same way you came. Because of the rocky terrain, it will be harder and slower than going down. After that, you come back to Vetti Gard, where you can choose to go back to the car the same way. Or, you can also hike to the top of Vettisfossen.
Treat yourself to coffee and waffles at the little café after the hike.
If you enjoy hikes with spectacular views, you might also like our hike to Trolltunga, one of Norway’s most iconic viewpoints.
Later in our trip, we also did the famous Preikestolen hike, which offers a completely different but equally unforgettable fjord panorama.
Packing list for Vettisfossen
Good hiking boots are essential, as some rocks can be slippery when it rains.
Along the hike, you will not be able to get any food or water, so pack that yourself. If you are hiking in the summer, bring sun protection and plenty of water. Wear layers of clothing: you will sweat during the hike, but the weather can change quickly.
Where to stay when hiking Vettisfossen
You can stay in the area around Ovre Ardal. There are some hotels and apartments in the area where you can stay. And if you have a tent or camper, you can always find a nice place closeby. You can find the best accommodation on Booking.
Some final tips
- There are toilets at the parking lot and at the nature center, but no toilets along the way. If you do need to go during the hike, stay away from the water and always pack your used toilet paper back with you
- Take snacks and water for the hike
- If hiking in summer, sunprotection is a must
- Leave nothing but footprints! Take all your garbage back with you
Plan your trip to Norway like a pro
✈️ Book your cheap flights to Norway on Skyscanner
🏨 Reserve a hotel, apartment, or holiday home at Booking.com
🚕 Need a transfer from the airport? Use Welcome Pickups or download the Bolt or Uber app
🛜 Use Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming fees. Use SHARON9895 to get €3
📺 Use NordVPN to keep watching your favorite programs or movies on the go
🚗 Need to rent a car? Use DiscoverCars or Local Rent
🚆 Buy train tickets from Omio or RailEurope
💳 Use Wise to pay in Norway at the real exchange rate and avoid expensive foreign card fees
🎟️ Pre-book tours, entrance tickets, and activities via Viator or GetYourGuide
🏥 Get travel insurance at World Nomads or Safety Wing
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