Bjørnabykset

The falls of the Opo River are found in Elvadalen near the towns of Ullensvang and Lofthus along Route 13 and the Sørfjord. Turn off Route 13 at the Church in Ullensvang (this will be about 100m south of the bridge over the Opo River) and head steeply uphill. After about 250 meters, make a sharp left turn (should be the third left, the other two are driveways). Follow this narrow road for about 800 meters to the Dalsbrua (bridge) over the Opo River. The pamphlet we have says parking is found down the hill from this bridge, but we could not find any parking in that area. Instead, turn right immediately after crossing the bridge and drive 150m to a large gravel parking area next to a school (if you are asked not to park there, or signs indicate not to do so, please find somewhere else). From here, walk the gravel road between the school and the river for 1.3km to another bridge over the Opo. The falls can be seen from the bridge and can be approached closer via the path on the north side of the river.The river Opo plunges down four or five distinct waterfalls as it tumbles off of the Hardangervidda plateau, depending on how each fall is separated from the next. Four of the falls are recognized by name, though none of which are terribly obvious to the untrained eye. Bjørnabykset is the second to last waterfall along the river, and is located approximately 418 meters above sea level toward the bottom of the river's canyon. The falls drop a total of 74 meters in two distinct steps, first a series of steep horsetails and cascades which fall 38 meters (125 feet), then in a powerful plunging fall of 42 meters (138 feet) in height. Only the lower tier is easily seen from trails in the vicinity, though it may be possible to scramble closer for a view of part of the upper tier. The final falls along the river, Mælafossen, can be viewed in tandem with Bjørnabykset from some areas.The name of the waterfall translates to “Bear’s Leap” in English. The falls apparently got their name when a bear attacked a local farmer’s sheep and when the farmer chased the bear, it leapt across the falls to escape (whether this is a legitimate event or just a fairy tale, we do not know). We’ve seen the name of the falls spelled Bjødnabykse and Bjørnabykset, presumably all three spellings mean the same thing. Signs along the trail use the former spelling, while the national topographic maps use the latter.