Vøringsfossen

Vøringsfossen is a waterfall located at the upper end of the Måbødalen valley in Eidfjord Municipality, Norway. Formed by the river Bjoreio as it descends from the Hardangervidda plateau, the waterfall has a total drop of 182 metres, including a major vertical drop of approximately 145 metres. It is one of Norway’s best-known waterfalls and forms part of the Norwegian Scenic Route Hardangervidda, with several viewpoints overlooking the waterfall and the dramatic gorge below.

Vøringsfossen has appeared in Hidden (2009) and The Ash Lad: In the Hall of the Mountain King (2017). Its waterfall, steep gorge and surrounding mountain landscape have been used as dramatic natural settings in both Norwegian productions.

In Hidden (2009), originally released in Norway as Skjult, Vøringsfossen is used during the film’s climactic confrontation involving Kai Koss and Peter. The confrontation reaches the edge of the enormous gorge at the waterfall, placing the characters directly beside the precipice above Vøringsfossen. Parts of the film were shot both at the waterfall and around nearby Fossli.

In The Ash Lad: In the Hall of the Mountain King (2017), originally released in Norway as Askeladden: I Dovregubbens hall, Vøringsfossen and the surrounding landscape appear during Espen Askeladd and his brothers’ journey to rescue Princess Kristin from the Mountain King. The dramatic waterfall and gorge form part of the Norwegian wilderness through which the three brothers travel on their quest. Filming at Vøringsfossen took place in 2016, with the location used alongside other Norwegian landscapes including Hardangervidda and Gaustatoppen to create the film’s fairy-tale world.

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