Gjerdefossen
Gjerdefossen is one of the nicer waterfalls in the Geirangerfjord, the one closest to Geiranger, More og Romsdal, Norway.
I don’t know why but Gjerdefossen intriges me. From a distance it looks so impressive and intriguing. It is hard to explain why. Maybe it is the shape or maybe because Gjerdefossen is the waterfall you can see (almost) from everywhere.
Last time I was in Geiranger I stayed at camping Grande, just near the waterfall. A great camping site whit amazing views, possibilities to rent a boat, you can fish and eat your own catch. From the camping you have a great view on Gjerdefossen. From the parking there is a path to Gjerdefossen, but I didn’t payed attention, so how is a question for me???
When driving up, from the campsite, to Eidsdal (Ørneveien means Eagle road) there is a parking at the top of Gjerdefossen 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.
Driving up, from Geiranger centre, to Dalsnibba, again you will have a great view on the Geirangerfjord with Gjerdefossen on the right side.
Finally you can take the ferry and pass the waterfall from nearby. 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.
Gjerdefossen is a gorgeous waterfall, often not recognized as a large waterfall, because only part of it is visible. Gjerdefossen is the first waterfall on the right side in the Geirangerfjord. When survey the map, the waterfall must have at least a height of 400 meter, probably more. The single drop of Gjerdefossen is difficult to determine but is appr. 200 meter. Surveying the map it should be only a hundred meter but looking at the pictures 200 meter is more likely.
Gjerdefossen is fed with melted snow from the mountains Eidshornet (1.629 m) and Geitfonnegga (1.453 m). I am surprised that the flow of the river Kviturelva is quit consistent while there is no valley, lake or glacier at the source of the river. Still I think early summer is the best time to see Gjerdefossen.
Gjerdefossen falls towards the south like most of the waterfalls in the Geirangefjord. When I took the ferry the sky was clouded and backlight didn’t bothered me to much. Otherwise early in the morning or later in the afternoon is a good time.
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: