Mardalsfossen is the Norwegian waterfall with a total drop of about 655 metres and one of the country’s tallest free-falling cascades.
It is located in Møre og Romsdal county, where the Mardøla river descends from the mountain area above the Eikesdalen valley. The waterfall consists of several drops, with the longest single plunge commonly measured at roughly 297 metres.
Mardalsfossen is partly regulated for hydroelectric power. During the summer tourist season, water is released through the waterfall, while at other times the visible flow can be much smaller. This seasonal management explains why photographs and descriptions may show notably different volumes.
The waterfall became internationally associated with environmental protest in the 1970s, when activists camped in the area to oppose a proposed hydroelectric development. The project proceeded, but seasonal water releases preserved a substantial public display of the falls.