Gråbrek Mølle – A Hidden Gem for Long Exposure Photography

Just a short drive from Stjørdal town center lies Gråbrek Mølle, a small but picturesque spot that quietly whispers stories of the past. Once a working mill, it’s now more of a forgotten relic — wrapped in moss, surrounded by trees, and set against the soothing flow of a small river. It’s one of those places that invites you to slow down — and for us photographers, it’s a perfect place to experiment with long exposure.

A Bit of History

Gråbrek Mølle was part of the local farming community’s backbone. Like many mills in Norway, it likely served several farms in the area, grinding grain long before industrialization changed everything. While most of the structure is gone or overgrown, you can still spot remnants of the old foundation and channel, giving the place a unique charm and texture — especially when captured in soft, moving water and still surroundings.

A Playground for Long Exposure

What makes Gråbrek Mølle so special for photographers is how accessible it is. You can park just a few hundred meters away and walk down a small path to reach the river. The water cascades gently over rocks and through what’s left of the mill’s water channel, offering a perfect scene to practice shutter speed control, ND filters, and tripod composition.

Whether you’re trying long exposure for the first time or just want a calm place to refine your technique, this spot has it all: moving water, textures, depth, and even changes in light through the trees.

Tips for Shooting Here

• Bring a tripod and an ND filter — even a basic 3-stop filter will do wonders.
• A shutter speed around 1–4 seconds often gives just the right amount of motion blur in the water.
• Try different angles — shoot low from the waterline or high up on the old stonework.
• Morning light or overcast days work best to avoid blown-out highlights.

📍 How to Get There

Gråbrek Mølle is located just a short drive from Stjørdal sentrum, with easy parking and a short walk down to the site. It’s a great little detour if you’re in the area with your camera.

👉 View on Google Maps
Coordinates: 63.4525° N, 11.0660° E

Gråbrek Mølle waterfall (Canon R6 +EF 100mm f/2.8L – 1/8sec – f/8 – ISO 200 – 100mm)

The sidewaterfall (Canon R6 +EF 100mm f/2.8L – 0.3sec – f/8 – ISO 200 – 100mm)

The sidewaterfall (Canon R6 +Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art – 1/4sec – f/8 – ISO 50 – 50mm)

Part of main waterfall + side waterfall (Canon R6 + Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art – 1/4sec – f/8 – ISO 50 – 50mm)

The main waterfall (Canon R6 + Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art – 1/4sec – f/8 – ISO 50 – 50mm

The railroadbridge above the main waterfall (Canon R6 + EF 70-200 f/2.8L – 1/160sec – f/2.8 – ISO 50 – 155mm)

Selfportrait in front of the waterfall (Canon R6 + Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art – 0.3sec – f/8 – ISO 50 – 50mm – 10 second timer(and that seems forever 😉))