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Fossá, Streymoy – the best known Faroe Island waterfall

Fossá falls in Faroe Islands. Note vehicles on the road
Fossá falls. Note vehicles on the road / Stig Nygaard, Flickr. CC BY 2.0

WorldBlue  In short

One of the best known Faroe Islands waterfalls is Fossá – a spectacular waterfall with two cascades – vertical plunges.

3.9 out of 10 stars 39.3%

GPS coordinates
62.2508 N 7.0794 W
Location, address
Europe, Faroe Islands, north-eastern part of Streymoy, south from Haldarsvik, best seen from Eysturoy across Sundini sound
Height
˜ 110 m
Drops
2
Tallest single drop
˜ 60 m
Run
˜ 110 – 140 m
Width
some metres – > 30 m

Map of the site

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WorldYellow In detail

"Fossá" in Faroese means "river with waterfalls" – several streams on the islands have such name. In fact, islands are very rich with waterfalls – and many smaller streams have formed even taller waterfalls than Fossá – but Fossá is considered to be the largest one.

The stream of falls starts in the uplands. One of the tributaries comes from Víkarvatn lake.

In dry weather the width of the stream is some meters, but after heavy rain, this waterfall becomes truly spectacular.

Almost all tourist guidebooks mention that this waterfall (both cascades together) is 140 m tall. Wondermondo has doubts – according to the topographical maps the upper rim of the falls is approximately 140 – 150 m above the sea level, but the base is some 30 m above the sea level. Maybe the figure in tourist guides includes the steep run from the base of the falls to the Sundini sound – here the stream over the distance of 180 m descends by some 30 m, forming some smaller cascades.

References
  1. Flickr gallery of this waterfall, created by Jan Egil Kristiansen. Accessed on June 5, 2012

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