Norway is home to many beautiful hikes, but this one in the Husedalen Valley is truly special: along this trail, you’ll encounter no less than four waterfalls. The Husedalen waterfalls are a must-visit destination. The hike is easily doable from May onwards. I did it myself at the beginning of May with my father, and I can tell you — it was a wonderful experience!
Contents
The Four Waterfalls of Husedalen
Over a distance of about 4 kilometers, there’s a drop of roughly 800 meters, resulting in four tall and powerful waterfalls close together. During our hike, we passed these stunning waterfalls:
- Tveitafossen (200 m above sea level)
- Nyastølfossen (400 m above sea level)
- Nykkjesøyfossen (600 m above sea level)
- Søtefossen (900 m above sea level)
Each waterfall has its own character and beauty, but for us, Nyastølfossen was the true highlight of the hike. Unsurprisingly, it’s also the largest of the four waterfalls. The coolest part is that you climb up right alongside it — so you have a constant view of the waterfall as you ascend.
Our Hiking Experience in Husedalen
The Start of Our Hike
We began our hike around 9:30 in the morning from the parking area at Husedalen. The weather was great for May — cloudy, but no rain, and a perfect temperature for hiking. Keep in mind that around May, there may still be snow near the last waterfall, though it’s usually melted by June.
The first part of the trail is fairly easy and gently sloping. It’s a good warm-up section since you’ll soon reach a power station at the first waterfall.
The First Stage: Tveitafossen
After a short walk through a beautiful pine forest, we reached Tveitafossen. The view of this 100-meter-high waterfall was already breathtaking — a perfect start! My father and I stood there for minutes, watching the water plunge down. But beware: you might get a little wet here.
This waterfall is used to generate electricity — you can see the Kinso Kraftverk power plant nearby. From here, you have two options to continue your route, even though the trail markings technically indicate only one path.
- Climb along the long pipeline over rocks and boulders (this is the official route).
- Take the zigzagging gravel road uphill. It’s marked as not allowed, but we took it on the way back — no one stopped us.
Option 2 is much longer. I’d recommend climbing up the official route and taking the gravel path back down for an easier descent.
The Climb to Nyastølfossen (the Highlight of the Hike)
The trail to Nyastølfossen was more challenging, but the views made every step worthwhile. Fairly soon, you catch glimpses of this beautiful waterfall through the forest. As you get closer, the sound of rushing water grows louder. Nyastølfossen isn’t the tallest waterfall of the four — that title belongs to the last one, Søtefossen.
Still, this waterfall stands out for its impressive width and power. The best part? You continue hiking alongside it, climbing higher and higher. You can see exactly where the water comes from and enjoy long, panoramic views of the falls.
There are plenty of great photo spots along the way. In the picture above, you can see the waterfall from a distance. At the top of this blog, you can see how close you can get. In May, the waterfall wasn’t at full force yet — the more meltwater there is, the stronger it becomes!
The Third Waterfall: Nykkjesøyfossen
After a short break at Nyastølfossen, we continued toward Nykkjesøyfossen. The trail became steeper and rockier, but once again we were rewarded with another waterfall. Nykkjesøyfossen may be the least spectacular of the four, but a waterfall is always a joy to see. There’s still plenty of power in it — you just have to admire it from a bit farther away. On the return route, it’s possible to hike back along the upper side of this section.
This area has a special tranquility that makes this waterfall unique in its own way. From this point, you’ll also notice the scenery changing — you’ve climbed quite a bit, meaning fewer trees, more rocks, and in our case: snow appearing along the trail.
The Finale: Søtefossen
The climb to Søtefossen was the most challenging part for us — the snow made it harder to navigate the trail to the top. It starts with a steep rocky ascent. Once you’re at the top, it gets easier, especially if the snow has already melted. The Søtefossen waterfall can be seen from quite a distance. Trees give way to low shrubs and rocky terrain, typical of high mountain landscapes.
When we finally reached Søtefossen, we were nearly 900 meters above sea level. This waterfall is different from the other three — instead of one big drop, Søtefossen forms a series of cascades flowing down a long stretch. The water seems to dance over the rocks, creating a mesmerizing effect. Another cool thing: you can follow the water all the way down to where it plunges into the third waterfall, Nykkjesøyfossen.
From this point, we had a breathtaking view over the entire valley. It was the perfect spot for lunch before starting our way back. My tip: on the way down, follow the river for a while — it’s beautiful. The only downside? You’ll have to do a bit of climbing and scrambling to rejoin the main trail afterward.
Practical Tips for Your Husedalen Hike
- Best time to visit: May to September
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Duration: About 4 hours (round trip for all four waterfalls + photo stops)
- Distance: Approximately 11.6 km (round trip)
- Essentials: Good hiking boots, rain gear, plenty of water, and snacks
Below you can see my hiking record using the AllTrails app (screenshot in Dutch, as that’s where I live). You can also clearly see that I took a different route on the way back.
In Summary: Combine Four Stunning Waterfalls Near Odda and Bergen
The Husedalen Valley, located within Hardangervidda National Park, is famous for its four impressive waterfalls. The combination of rugged mountains, lush forests, and roaring cascades makes this one of the most beautiful hikes in all of Norway — a must-do for hiking lovers!
You’ll find the Husedalen hike close to the popular destination of Odda (where you can also start the Trolltunga and the Buarbreen glacier hike), and about 2.5 hours from Bergen. Parking is available at the Husedalen Valley Parking. When we were there, there was more than enough space.
Planning a six-day hiking trip in Norway? Check out my blog 6 Days in Norway in May – Sample Itinerary from Stavanger.
