Steindalsfossen with Kids: The Waterfall You Can Walk Behind
- minna
- Jun 28
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 3
If you are driving between Eidfjord and Bergen you have to add Steindalsfossen as a stop along the route. It is a spectacular 50 metre waterfall that you can walk directly behind without getting wet. It is completely free, open year round, just a five minute walk from the car park, and the main path is pram friendly.
For families looking for the perfect halfway stop to break up the drive to Bergen, here is what you need to know when visiting with a toddler.
Finding Steindalsfossen
Steindalsfossen is located 2km west of Norheimsund in the Hardanger region, right on Route 7, which forms part of the spectacular Norwegian Scenic Route Hardanger. It is about an hour and twenty minutes drive from Bergen. The car park is right off the main road and incredibly well signposted. You really cannot miss the waterfall itself as it is clearly visible from the road!
Google Maps will likely offer you a faster route from Eidfjord to Bergen that bypasses Norheimsund entirely. Do not take it! The Scenic Route adds very little time and the views along the way are well worth it.
Navigating Steindalsfossen with a Toddler
The path from the car park to the waterfall is a short, very well maintained track that takes just 5 to 10 minutes at a gentle toddler walking pace. It follows the pretty river before curving up and around to the falls. The lower sections are well paved and wide enough for a pram. There is a bridge over the river that gives you a perfect face on view of the full drop, with the surrounding green hills acting as a gorgeous frame.
For the actual path behind the falls, there are a few steps but it's easily manageable. Once you're behind the waterfall the heavy falling water is just a metre or two in front of you and I was surprised by how loud it was! You might get a little bit of spray but you won't get wet so no need for waterproofs.
We were here for about 30 mins which was plenty of time to walk behind the waterfall and enjoy the view from the bridge too. It's a perfect stop off to keep kids entertained and let them run around before heading onto your next stop. There is a handy kiosk for cold drinks and basic snacks and toilets are also available at the car park.
Where to Stay Near Steindalsfossen
If you are decide to stay overnight near Steindalsfossen then Norheimsund is the most practical base. The waterfall is just 2km from the village centre and the beautiful surrounding area has fantastic options across all price points. These three completely cover the main choices for families, I've pinned them in red in the map below for ease.
1. Thon Hotel Sandven (prices from around £120 per night)
Best for: Families who want a proper hotel with deep history, a beautiful private beach, and the most central location in Norheimsund.
The wonderful Thon Hotel Sandven has been standing proudly by the Hardangerfjord in Norheimsund since 1857. The hotel is positioned directly on the fjord with a fantastic private beach where guests can safely swim, and the gorgeous waterfront terrace is easily one of the nicer places to have breakfast in the whole region. The location puts you just ten minutes from Steindalsfossen by car and within very easy walking distance of the maritime museum, the harbour and the village centre. This is a very well run historic hotel where the true character of the building has been lovingly preserved rather than renovated away. The rooms are spacious so perfect for families and cots are readily available at this property.
2. Hardanger Feriesenter Nesvika (prices from around £130 per night)
Best for: Families who want a gorgeous cabin right on the fjord, with a private terrace and direct water access, situated perfectly between Norheimsund and Øystese.
These are three completely unique cabins positioned directly on the Hardangerfjord shoreline, each featuring its own private terrace, stunning fjord views and dedicated private parking. The cabins feature very distinct and incredibly fun interiors inspired by different continents (the American house, the Japanese house, the classic house)! You have amazing direct fjord access for wild swimming straight from your front door.
Whilst the location is great the cabins are a little bit dated and no cots are available and bedlinen is not included and a standard cleaning fee applies, both of which are highly typical for Norwegian cabins and worth factoring in.
3. Hardangerfjord Hotel (prices from around £160 per night)
Best for: Families who want a brilliant four star hotel with a fun waterpark, a dedicated children's pool, a great restaurant and the most complete family facilities in the entire area.
Located in Øystese, about 15 minutes drive east of Steindalsfossen, this brilliant four star hotel sits directly on the Hardangerfjord with stunning mountain views from the rooms. The fun indoor waterpark and dedicated children's pool are the absolute standout features that completely differentiate it from everything else in the area for families. The great hotel restaurant, huge breakfast buffet and lounge bar beautifully round out a property where you could arrive completely tired from the long road trip and not need to go anywhere else for the rest of the evening. Excellent family rooms are available here and cots are available on request at this hotel.
Why You Should Stop Here
Steindalsfossen is great place to stop and stretch your legs whilst taking in an impressive waterfall. It's not often you get to walk behind a waterfall too, especially one so accessible so it's definitely worth the stop off.
For the full Oslo to Bergen road trip itinerary including absolutely all of our family stops, read our Norway Road Trip with Kids. For our complete guide to the much bigger waterfall stop earlier on the exact same route, read Vøringsfossen with Kids. And for what to do once you finally reach the city, our Top Things to Do in Bergen with Kids covers everything from Mount Fløyen to the fantastic fjord cruise!
