THE BRIDES VEIL - KAYAKING TRIP IN MERÅKER

Text: Vibeke C Strømmen

Photos: Vibeke C Strømmen & Martin Fossen

Blue dot: Parkering and launching of the kayaks.

Yellow dot: The Brides Veil waterfall.

It is June 8, 2019. We drive northwards from Trondheim before we turn straight east towards the Swedish border. The last Norwegian municipality before Sweden is Meråker. Known for having a lot of snow in the winter, a ski resort, favorite training facilites for cross-country skiers and a ski high school. Norwegian Cross-country skier Emil Iversen lives here and you have seen what he has achieved in recent years.

Meråker is a small municipality with a lot of nature. A climbing park has been established here, Rypetoppen Adventure Park. Here you can zip-line from one boulder over to the next with water benath you. The main attraction is the waterfall Brudesløret - The Bride`s Veil. The top is in Sweden, while the waterfall itself is in Norway. Ha! Take that Sweden. We got the waterfall itself.

Some years ago we were in a cabin up by Lake Feren not far from here. It was then that we came across this waterfall and on the way home we drove past here and took the steep path with the many steps to get up to the waterfall. At that time there was no climbing park there. It was an impressive sight to see the waterfall up close. When we arrived at the top there was a border sign where you could stand with one foot in Norway and the other in Sweden. You can walk down here from the main road as well, but then you start in Sweden. There is a stairc next to the waterfall which you just have to go down to feel the forces the water makes and maybe get a light shower.

However, back to June 2019. We arrive at Rypetoppen parking lot and familiarized ourselves a bit before we unloaded the kayaks and dragged them down to a small pier. There were no one else here as the others buzzing around us were going into the climbing park. We gog organized and entered the kayaks. The weather was warm, the sun was shining and life wassmiling. For informtaion, the climbing park rents out both canoes and SUP boards for those who are interested in it, so we ddid not get the water all to ourselves. Nevertheless, most people rushed between the trees and the boulders and did the small Via Ferrata with the water below.

This must be the absolute shortest paddle trip we have taken. The water here is not big, but it still gives a joy and excitement as we paddle towards The Bride`s Veil. It is very powerful to get so close to a waterfall. The roaring sound of the water hitting the water and rocks at the bottom and the small sprays of water hitting your skin as you get closer is quite a cool  experience. In addition, as you approaches, the wind created by the water fall gets stronger and you really feel it when up close. Martin tried to paddle as far in as he could, and had to fight against great forces. I stayed in the background and snapped photos.

Looks more dramatic than what it actually was, but it`s a rush anyway.

Above us we hear the rustle of the zipline and the howls that follow the euphoric and terrified feeling the people in climbing harnesses have as they throw themselves out and are shot over the other side.

We paddle back to our small pier and eat some food. As it is a nice area to explore, we take the trip up to the top of the Brides Veil on foot. We do not go all the way to the top, but take in the view from a distance. As the desire to paddle is still with us, we take another trip towards the waterfall before Martin wants to see if the river that flows further down towards Meråker is possible to paddle. He has to bend down for a low bridge he thinks he can get under. And he has the dog with him. I sit in the kayak by the pier and watch what happens. They capsize of course! Unfortunately, I did not get to take any pictures of this. I get up from the kayak and run over. Most worried about the dog who has obviously got wet. We do not try to paddle further this day. Happy with the experiences and the good weather, we load up the car and drive home. I think we'll take this trip again.