Volefossen

Take Route 60 south from Stryn to the small town of Olden and make a left onto Route 724 immediately before crossing the river (note, a new road was being built when we visited, so expect directions to change in the future), watching for signs pointing to Briksdalsbreen and Oldevatnet. Follow the signs to Briksdalsbreen, proceeding all the way to the end of the road at the Visitors Center 22km from Olden (stay to the right after crossing the river for day use parking, for which there is a fee). Volefossen will be visible on the right (west) side of the valley.Volefossen is the most prominent waterfall in Oldendalen, plunging conspicuously over a sheer cliff directly opposite the parking area and tourist center at the famous Briksdal Glacier. The falls drop in four distinct steps steps for a total of 388 meters (1,272 feet). The uppermost drop starts out as a horsetailing fall and reverts quickly into a series of cascades, dropping about 70 meters (230 feet). The second fall is the largest, a free-falling plunge of 205 meters (670 feet). The third section is a series of cascades and veils which commence immediately at the bottom of the second drop, tumbling another 95 meters (310 feet) over broader shelves of bedrock. Volefossen is visible plunging into Oldedalen for nearly the entire length of the valley and can be seen in tandem with the Melkevoll Glacier and Oldevatnet in many areas. Perhaps the most eye catching view of the falls is when standing at the top of nearby Kleivafossen along the trail to the Briksdal Glacier (something we were not able to witness when we surveyed the falls in June 2011 due to low clouds occupying the valley). The stream feeding Volefossen flows from the Flatebreen and a handful of modest lakes, which ensure a consistent volume of water present throughout the year.Reliable sources have told us that the proper spelling for the falls is Vålefossen, however every map we've come across uses the more phonetically generic Volefossen. The pronunciation is the same (using a long "O" as in "go") in either case.