Mardalsfossen, Towering waterfall in Molde Municipality, Norway.
Mardalsfossen is a waterfall in Molde Municipality that cascades approximately 705 meters in multiple stages. The longest single vertical drop reaches 358 meters straight down into the Eikesdalsvatnet lake below.
Environmental protests in the 1970s led by Arne Næss resulted in an agreement between conservation and power production. This compromise allowed the water to flow freely during summer months instead of being completely diverted for energy.
The waterfall held such deep meaning for local communities that it was chosen to represent the former Nesset Municipality on its official coat of arms. This choice reflects how the sight shaped the identity of those who lived nearby.
You can reach the waterfall on a marked hiking trail about 2 kilometers from the Mardalen parking area, taking around 30 minutes to walk. The best time to visit is between late June and mid-August, when the water flows at its fullest.
The waterfall operates under a release schedule and flows naturally only between June 20 and August 20 each year. Outside this window, most water is diverted for hydroelectric power, so the site looks very different to visitors who arrive at other times.
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