The Rauma river is one of the most powerful rivers in Norway, and at Slettafossen it forces itself through a narrow gorge about 30 to 40 metres deep. The result is a thundering combination of waterfall and rapids that has been a tourist attraction since the 19th century. The name Rauma itself comes from the Old Norse word raumr, which means something like thundering waterfall. This is the place that gave the river its name.
Slettafossen is also the end of the line for Atlantic salmon. The fish run 42 kilometres upriver from the sea at Åndalsnes to reach this point, where the 16-metre drop stops them. The Rauma was once one of Norway's great salmon rivers, but the parasite Gyrodactylus salaris devastated the stock, reducing it to 5 to 10 percent of what it had been. A major revitalisation project has been underway, and the population is recovering, but it is still far from what old-timers remember.
There is a bridge across the gorge with a good view straight down into the chaos. Parking is right by the E136, about 39 kilometres east of Åndalsnes. It is a short stop, ten minutes is enough, but the raw power of the water is impressive.
Slettafossen is also the end of the line for Atlantic salmon. The fish run 42 kilometres upriver from the sea at Åndalsnes to reach this point, where the 16-metre drop stops them. The Rauma was once one of Norway's great salmon rivers, but the parasite Gyrodactylus salaris devastated the stock, reducing it to 5 to 10 percent of what it had been. A major revitalisation project has been underway, and the population is recovering, but it is still far from what old-timers remember.
There is a bridge across the gorge with a good view straight down into the chaos. Parking is right by the E136, about 39 kilometres east of Åndalsnes. It is a short stop, ten minutes is enough, but the raw power of the water is impressive.