Vinnufossen is Europe’s tallest waterfall by total height, with a drop of about 865 metres.
The waterfall is in Sunndalen, in Møre og Romsdal, Norway. It descends from the Vinnufonna glacier toward the Vinnu River, and its flow varies substantially with snowmelt, rainfall, and seasonal conditions. Vinnufossen is often described as a horsetail waterfall because its stream spreads as it falls.
Height rankings can be confusing because waterfalls may be compared by total vertical drop, tallest uninterrupted plunge, or volume of water. Vinnufossen’s European record refers to its overall height rather than the height of one continuous free-falling section. Norway has several other exceptionally tall waterfalls, including Vøringsfossen and Kjelfossen, but they are different waterfalls with different measurements.
The waterfall is part of a mountainous landscape shaped by glaciers and steep river valleys. Its source, the Vinnufonna ice field, is a key reason the waterfall has strong seasonal variation and can appear markedly different at different times of year.