If I told you about a river flowing vigorously and thunderously, creating an incredible waterfall in the center of a town, would you believe me?
Yes, you have to, this is spectacular Norway, where nature shapes the landscape beautifully anywhere. For Norwegian nature, there is no limits or boundaries for beauty. And to see it, we need the time, courage, and vision to discover the beauty in every rock, every spring, each grand mountain, canyon, forest, river, fjord, and every waterfall.

Recently, we traveled to western Norway and came across a wonder, Prestfossen. Near the town of Fossbergom in the Lom municipality, part of Innlandet County.

Prestfossen waterfall in town center

The waterfall is located where National Road 15 crosses the Bøvra River, just before it joins Lake Skim.

Prestfossen has historically been used to power a mill and a sawmill, and there was once a small hydroelectric power plant at the falls. Now it is an attraction for tourists along with the famous Lom Stave Church.

Every season offers something special in Norway, though some places are restricted in winter due to heavy snowfall. The main traveling season typically runs from the end of May until September, which is ideal for most adventures.

After doing some research, my husband planned our visit to this area. According to my husband’s calculations, we scheduled our trip for mid-June, and we have been capturing many breathtaking scenes of mountains, waterfalls, fjords, and forests along the way.
Visiting this town one of the best attractions on our trip.

Jotunheimann Mountain range
The protected Bøvra River originates from the Bøverbreen, which is one of three glaciers on Smørstabbreen (the others being Leirbreen and Sandelvbreen) in the Jotunheimann mountain range.

From late May to June, the month is usually a very good time to visit Prestfossen, because snowmelt from higher elevations tends to make waterfalls run stronger and more powerful. This is not a remote fall far from civilization; it's literally right in the center of town. And right next to it stands Lom Stavkirke.

The variation in flow depends on the season, snowmelt, and rain conditions. The Bøvra river changes significant water volume, which can make Prestfossen feel very different. The waterfall is not fully frozen in winter, though heavy ice and large icicles form along its edges and banks.

The adventure zipline over the waterfall, ca. 200 meters, which started in 2009, runs directly over the falls and under the Ulstad bridge. I was very curious to have that experience, but unfortunately the start of the summer season was just a few days after our visit, so we didn't get the chance to try it. It must be a very special experience to fly over the waterfall on a zipline, so we will have to plan better and come back next year

Because it’s situated in central Lom, it has historically effectively separated the town into two parts.

But the Ulstad bridge over Prestfossen has connected both sides since its construction in 1934.

Before, people crossed the river on a footbridge made of wooden logs.

The footbridge is in a new design and is safe. The footbridge was renewed in 1990 and opened to the public in 1993. Walking through this bridge, we stroll across the waterfall on both sides of the river.

On one side of the waterfall is the main commercial center. Shops, restaurants, gas stations, and hotels. And at the bottom of the mountain, small tourist cabins are all around.

And on the other side of the waterfall, the famous Stave church and a few government buildings and museums stand beautifully.
And a huge parking place for visitor's vehicles. After parking the car, visitors can explore the church.

Lom Stave Church

The stave church is located beside a waterfall, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere in a spacious open area. Built in the mid-12th century, it is one of the largest and second oldest churches still standing in the country. This impressive structure boasts a rich history and is made from ancient timber, serving as an important crossroads between East and West. Its beautiful design makes it a unique attraction in the region.

The dragon heads adorning the roof have characterized the church since its construction, with replicas added to the east side in 1964. The original dragon heads can be seen in the museum. Every part of the church holds special significance.

There is a big cemetery around the church and some official buildings of the church.
The view of the church is very beautiful from each side and each corner.

The small and large buildings look beautiful in the sunlight, featuring classic slate roof designs. I have seen many slate-roofed buildings throughout Norway, but this area showcases particularly unique colors in the slate. I encountered these distinctive colors for the first time here.

A small path leading across the wooden footbridge. A walk around the waterfall, which is a spectacular experience. The cool atmosphere and the water sprinkles from the waterfall refresh you, with a view of distant mountains and lush green trees. Each moment, experiencing nature, seeing it, feeling it, is truly amazing. This is why it is known as spectacular Norway.

Thank you.

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