Latefossen
(Låtefossen)
Låtefossen is one of the most visited waterfalls in Norway and is located near Skare and Odda in the region Hordaland, Norway.
Låtefossen is without a doubt one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Norway and is easy to access: road Rv13 runs along the base of the waterfall. Låtefossen is located two kilometer north of Skare when driving to Odda on road Rv13.
When driving from Skare to Odda you cross the ancient arch bridge in front of Låtefossen. Be sure that your window is closed. In summertime Låtefossen is extremely powerful and cars get a good shower. Next to the waterfall there is a parking lot that can be crowded in summertime.
This is also why Låtefossen is my favorite waterfall and I have been there four times, every time enjoying the power and beauty of this tremendous waterfall.
With an enormous noise the twin fall Låtefossen thunders down from the Lotevatnet on an altitude of 340 meters. Just before the old stone arched bridge, the two separate streams join each other and flows under the bridge into the river Grønsdalslona.
Låtefossen is being fed by the river Austdølo and several lakes on the Hardangervidda. The Reinsnosvatnet on an altitude of 595 meters is one of the biggest lake that feeds the river Austdølo. Melting water thunders down with a great force over 165 meters in two separate streams. The power, the shape and the surrounding makes Låtefossen my number 1 waterfall of Norway with a rating of five stars.
Best time to visit is in the early summer when it not so crowded with cars at the parking lot. For photographers: I like taking pictures late in the afternoon when the last sunrays of the day are shining on the waterfall and the light gets a soft tone. In the morning Låtefossen is still in the shadow but you will have a fantastic view on Espelandsfossen on the opposite side of the road.
There are several spots from where you can take photo’s: from the road side taking pictures towards east or from the remains of the old hotel photographing towards the northeast. Also walk to the river with the stone bridge in front, guarantee for a nice picture.
I was for the fourth time at Låtefossen May 3th in 2015, but that was really to early in the season. Springtime was cold and snow was melting slowly. There was still a lot of snow in Norway and several roads were closed. The last picture is the one taken in May. You can see the difference with the other pictures taken in June and July.
Over a hundred years ago Låtefossen was a popular attraction for English and German tourists. There was no road and tourists were picked up down by the fjord and transported to the waterfall with horse carriages. There was also a small hotel besides the waterfall. Today you might follow the path leading to where the hotel was previously lying at the southern end of the waterfall. Nowadays only the ruins of the hotel can be visited. From here you will have a great view on Låtefossen and Espelandsfossen.
A hundred meters from Låtefossen, on the other side of the road, Espelandsfossen thunders down, an undervalued waterfall. As a photographer I like Espelandsfossen more because it is just a bit more photogenic. Especially when the sun is just coming over the mountains creating a nice contrast between light and dark.
Other big waterfalls nearby: Langfoss, Vidfoss, Aednafossen, Strondsfossen and the Tjørnadalsfossen.
Beside chasing waterfalls there are a lot of things to do in and around Odda. Hiking is the most popular activity and there are many gorgeous hikes to be made. On the website of Wikiloc you can find tracks that other people have registered (tip!). One of the popular walks is to Trolltunga.
Its really marvellous and your vivid description has made it more enigmatic. I would love to visit it in this October during my Norway trip. Could you please tell my can we do the trip from Odda by public transport? Is it at a walkable distance from the bus stop at Skarsmoen?
Thank you again for your beautiful trip report.
I never walked the way from the busstop but according to Google maps it is a 20 minute walk. Only problem is that you have to walk along the road and as far I can remember there is no pedestrian path. It is possible but it is a popular road so I don’t know if you are going to like it.