The area around Nedre and Øvre Åselivatnet is so epically beautiful that it hurts. This is an location that I ”discovered” by chance when I passed by the area a couple of years ago. I had a couple of hours to spare and stopped at a small and insignificant parking lot. Here I found a path that I started following and soon realized what a fantastic place for landscape photography I had ended up in. Now I always stop here every time I’m in the area. Norwegians seem to know about the location, but there are always very few people the times I’ve visited the location. Most of the time I’ve been alone.
From the Åselidalen valley, a large stream flows through a beautiful waterfall into the lake Øvre Åselivatnet. The stream then continues down through a number of smaller waterfalls into the lake Nedre Åselivatnet and then flows out into a fjord.
The trail from the parking up to the lake Øvre Åselivatnet goes over bare granite cliffs and through a very beautiful and remarkable forest. The trail then continues up to Åselidalen valley past a mighty waterfall that is cascading down over 100 meters. The area is surrounded by granite cliffs over 1000 meters high. Some of them can be climbed quite safely and the views are exceptionally impressive.
Best Time to Photograph The Location
I have only visited the area in late summer and early fall, but I am convinced that before the lakes freeze, you can visit the area at any time to get epically beautiful photos. The valley and lakes face north, which means if you want a soft warm light you must visit the area during June when it is midnight sun. At other times of the year the area soon falls into shadow during sunrise and sunset due to the surrounding high mountains.
How To Find The Location
The area is quite close to the world’s strongest tidal current, Saltstraumen, which you should take the opportunity to visit while you are in the area. From Saltstraumen, you drive the road that first takes you south and then turns west along the Marvollvika fjord. The parking lot is quite discreet and is easy to miss. By the parking you drive over a road crest with a sharp curve, so be careful when turning off. At the small parking lot, you can easily find the beginning of the trail that takes you up to the lake Øvre Åselivatnet.
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