Espelandsfossen

Espelandsfossen is found adjacent to Rv572 between the town of Ulvik and Rv13 in Grandvin. Drive about 8km east on Rv572 from the junction with Rv13, or about 11km west from downtown Ulvik to where the stream crosses the road. The falls will be found just upstream. Note that there is essentially no place to park where the falls are visible from immediately below. An additional good view can be had by driving about 3/4 of a kilometer to the west and parking along the side of the road.Espelandsfossen is a prominent waterfall located north of Espelandsvatnet in Voss. A measurement of the falls height was not obtained when surveyed in June of 2011, however based on one-meter contour topographic maps and aerial imagery, the falls drop for a total of 135 meters (442 feet) in three distinct steps. The upper tier is a 19 meter (62 feet) veiling horsetail style fall, then following a short stretch of cascades the main fall occurs, leaping 90 meters (295 feet) over a nearly sheer cliff. The final drop consists of a series of distinct cascades below the main fall which drop a final 13 meters (45 feet). Only the 90 meter fall can be clearly seen from the nearby road, while the final cascades can be seen from the trail which leads to the base of the falls, and the upper tier may only be visible from the opposite side of the lake. An additional cascading fall occurs a short distance downstream of the bottom of Espelandsfossen itself, though it isn't yet clear whether it should be considered as part of the cumulative fall or a separate waterfall on its own - we do not currently include it in the overall height, but may re-evaluate that decision based on a future survey.