The World's Most Spectacular Waterfalls

Mardalsfossen, Norway

Wow Factor: In Norway’s fjord-filled southwestern region, Mardalsfossen has one of Europe’s tallest waterfalls (and the tallest single drop in Norway). The dramatically tiered falls plummet down 2,154 feet of sheer granite, with the first plunge measuring 1,174 feet.

Keep in Mind: In the 1970s, the Norwegian government tapped Mardalsfossen for hydroelectricity (as it did many of the country’s other waterfalls), and now the falls are “turned on” for tourists only from June 20 to August, from approximately 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The rest of the year, barely a trickle is visible.

Base Camp: A 15-story glass tower designed to resemble a ship, the luxuriously avant-garde Rica Seilet Hotel Molde juts out over a lake, a half day’s drive from Mardalsfossen.