Vettisfossen in Norway is the tallest free-falling waterfall in Europe and the 284th in the world, with a single drop of 275 meters (902 ft).
What makes this waterfall stand out is that it is the tallest unregulated free-falling single-drop waterfall in Norway. The architects have designed a notched wood pavilion curving around a bonfire, defining a natural shelter after hours of hiking.
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To access the waterfall it is an about 6km long hike in each direction (or 12km round trip). It will take you a little over 4 hours to do the entire out-and-back hike with some rest and photo breaks. Since there are other interesting waterfalls along the way, the hike doesn’t seem that long.
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Reaching the viewpoint, the inside of the Vetti pavilion serves as a compass, framing a variety of motives in the landscape, – from the rocks, heather and birch trees nearby, to the monumental mountains and waterfall in a distance.
Now Vardehagen architects in collaboration with the National Park Manager and the local municipality of Årdal in Sogn og Fjordane has been commissioned to redesign the old viewpoint. The work will begin later this year, and when the projected Vetti Pavilion is completed in 2019, visitors can enjoy a campfire, a shelter, a scenic route and an outdoor museum, next to the Vettisfossen falls.
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The architects aim to replace the classic lookout point with an insight point, a social place where hikers can experience the landscape in a diverse way, and so socialize and share their thoughts with each other.
The Breathtaking Vettisfossen Falls in Norway, written by Tor Kjolberg
Feature image (on top): Photo: © Eskild Digrenes / www.eskildigernes.com