Bringefossen
(Gomsdalsfossen)
Bringefossen, also called Gomsdalsfossen, is a beautiful waterfall in the Geirangerfjord, region More og Romsdal, Norway.
The waterfall is often confused with the Gjerdefossen which is the first waterfall at the right from Geiranger. Bringefossen is the second major waterfall on the right side of the Geirangerfjord. You can’t see Bringefossen from the harbor in Geiranger, you have to take the ferry to see Bringefossen from close by.
The ferry isn’t very cheap (360 NOK roundtrip) but it is its money worthwhile. The ferry goes frequently and can be crowded. If you want a good spot (with a chair) on the deck, go standing in front of the line and take a chair on the right side (when leaving from Geiranger). Best views are from at the right side of the fjord. A ferry timetable can be found on the website of visitflam.
Another option is to drive up to Eidsdal on a road called Ørneveien (which means Eagle road). There is a parking at the top with the best view you can wish on the Geirangerfjord. With good weather you can make the best pictures of Norway with the famous Seven sisters (Dei Sju Seistrene) at the right side. You also can see a part of Bringefossen. Maybe from the camping site Grande you have a better view.
When surveying the map, Bringefossen must be 575 meter high, in total. The waterfall is being fed with melted snow from the Gomsdalen that ends in the Bringeelva. There are three major mountains which are responsible for the consistent flow of the Bringeelva: Eidshornet (1.629 m), Storrvassniba (1.393 m) and Geitfjellet (1.615 m).
Bringefossen is the unofficial name I gave it but is more powerful and wider then other named waterfalls. I also saw people naming the waterfall Gomsdalsfossen because the source lies in the Gomsdalen.
I think Bringefossen is an undervalued waterfall, certainly if you look closer at the waterfall or take a good look at the pictures. The reason the waterfall is so unknown is because it is near the famous Dei Sju Seistrene (Seven Sisters waterfall). People forget to look right and only are taking pictures of Dei Sju Seistrene (Seven Sisters waterfall).
Geiranger is a perfect base for day trips, hikes or boat trips. I can recommend the ferry Geiranger-Hellesylt. It wasn’t cheap but again (fourth time) I enjoyed the boat trip. It can be cold because of the wind, so take a jacket with you. If you are with more then two people you also can rent a boat at Grande camping in Geiranger. In two hour time you can make your own trip and it really fun, certainly with children.
A lot of people take their fishing rod with them when renting a boat. It is allowed to fish freely on sea (fjord) and there is a lot of fish in the fjord. Nice for the bbq! I am not really fund of fishing so I bought Salmon in the supermarket (quit cheap in Norway).
It always nice to know which waterfalls there are in the Geirangerfjord. From Geiranger the first waterfall you see at the right side (after the camping site) is Gjerdefossen.
A little bit further at the right side you will see Bringefossen. Here you already can see the famous Sju Systre (or Dei Sju Systrene also called seven sisters waterfall). Look at the right side of the top of the waterfalls. Here you see several farms.
On the other side of the Fjord you can see Friaren. The legend of the seven sisters is that the seven sisters dance playfully down the mountain, while the suitor, a single waterfall opposite the seven sisters (called Friaren), flirts playfully from across the fjord. The Suitor tried to propose to the seven sisters on the opposite side of the fjord but never succeeded. Nice story.
After the Sju Systre you will see a low volume waterfall at the right side called Brudesløret (Bridal veil) and on the opposite side of the Geirangefjord Ljosurfossen. There are still many named and unnamed waterfall in the Geirangerfjord but these are the significant ones.
Off cause at Hellesylt you will see the Hellesyltfossen. After the ferry arrives in Hellesylt you still have 10 minutes to visit the waterfall.
Other things to do in and around Geiranger:
- Nice walk to Storsetterfossen (recommended!)
- Kayaking
- Dalsnibba
- Flydalsjuvet
- Day trip Muldalsfossen
- Challenging hike to Homlongsetra: