Skip to content

Or try searching by Category and/or Location

 

South Iceland brings you countless waterfalls.

Ever wondered why we travel the world for waterfalls? Is it to hear the thundering noise of a thousand crashing drops, instantly followed by a thousand more? Is it our hope for the sun to come out and paint a rainbow in the cascade's spray? Feeling the fresh mist on our faces? Waterfalls tend to stay high on our wish lists when planning the dream holiday, even if only to get our picture taken by a world-famous landmark. How about a road trip devoted to waterfalls? Here are some of our favorite waterfalls you can visit without driving any F-roads!

Accessible in summer*

*may require 4WD cars and hiking

 

... How about a road trip devoted to waterfalls?

 

 

 Kvernufoss - Photograph by Páll Jökull Pétursson

 

Reykjafoss

Reykjafoss

A pretty waterfall in the botanic garden of Hveragerði
Öxarárfoss

Öxarárfoss

Öxarárfoss flows over the edge of a ravine in Þingvellir national park.
Gullfoss

Gullfoss

Gullfoss is the "golden waterfall" which the Golden circle draws its name from.
Urriðafoss

Urriðafoss

Iceland's most voluminous waterfall
Hjálparfoss

Hjálparfoss

Hjálparfoss is a beautiful, two-stepped waterfall in Þjórsárdalur.
Gjáin

Gjáin

An enchanting oasis at the edge of the highlands. 10-minute hike (one-way), accessible in summer.
Háifoss

Háifoss

The 128-meter-high Háifoss is Iceland's second-tallest waterfall. Accessible in summer with 4WD car or a 6-km hike (one-way).
Þjófafoss

Þjófafoss

Þjófafoss means "thieves' waterfall". It is said that thieves were drowned there in the old days.
Fossabrekkur

Fossabrekkur

A well-hidden oasis in an otherwise barren landscape. Accessible in summer, short walk from the road.
Ægissíðufoss

Ægissíðufoss

An attractive waterfall just south of Hella village
Gluggafoss

Gluggafoss

Aptly named, Gluggafoss (Window waterfall) has carved a series of holes or windows in the surrounding cliffs.
Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss

The photogenic Seljalandsfoss has a popular walkway behind the cascade.
Gljúfrabúi

Gljúfrabúi

The waterfall Gljúfrabúi tumbles down from the Gljúfurá River.
Skógafoss

Skógafoss

The 60-meter-tall Skógafoss waterfall has become iconic for South Iceland.
Kvernufoss

Kvernufoss

Kvernufoss is hidden in a canyon near Skógar Museum. 20-minute hike (one way), Accessible when there is no snow.
Systrafoss

Systrafoss

A beautiful waterfall next to nice hiking trails in Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Foss á Síðu

Foss á Síðu

A tall and narrow waterfall behind an old farm, next to the Ring road.
Svartifoss

Svartifoss

The 20-meter-high Svartifoss is iconic for its hall of black basalt columns. Accessible in summer by a 45-minute hike (one way).

Worthwhile waterfall hikes

Skógafoss - Photograph By Þórir N. Kjartansson

Svartifoss - Photograph by Þorsteinn Roy Jóhannsson

Háifoss hike

Distance: 12 km total
Difficulty: Moderate. Some parts are steep and require caution.

At 122 meters, Háifoss is Iceland's second tallest waterfall. There are two ways to visit Háifoss: Hiking or driving. The hike is 6 kilometers each way. Start at Stöng, the excavation site of a Viking-era longhouse. A marked trail leads hikers along Fossárdalur valley, following the river Fossá. As you reach the bottom of the valley, the course takes a rather steep ascent to the top of the cliffs across from the waterfalls Háifoss and Granni. Be careful and keep a safe distance from the cliff's edge as you take in the impressive views. The easiest way back is to backtrack. Alternatively, you may walk along road 332, making it a round trip of 18 kilometers.

Prefer the driving option? Road 332, a rough gravel road accessible for 4WD vehicles, leads to a parking lot near Háifoss. From there, it is just a five-minute walk to the viewpoint.

Skógá river hike

Distance: Up to 16 km total.
Difficulty: Moderate. Considerable elevation increase.

Skógá river is primarily known for its iconic Skógafoss waterfall. Fewer people know that the river holds several other waterfalls, visible from an enchanting hiking route. The hike starts with stairs next to Skógafoss. From there, the trail winds and bends along the river with a steady elevation increase. Keep in mind as you go further that you will need the same time to traverse back. If you keep going, you will eventually reach a walking bridge across the river. This is a good place to turn around and walk back, enjoying the ocean view to the south.

(Hikers going further are presumably trekking Fimmvörðuháls, which is a challenging 25-km one-way hike ending in Þórsmörk. Trekking Fimmvörðuháls requires careful prior planning and hiking experience)

Svartifoss hike

Distance: 5,5 kilometers round-trip.
Difficulty: Easy.

Svartifoss cascades off a cliff adorned with beautiful black basalt columns. The hike starts at Skaftafell Visitor Center, leading you through the campground before beginning a mild ascent to a viewpoint above the waterfall. The trail then takes you across a footbridge to the other side of the ravine, reaching another viewpoint. On the way back to the visitor center, the path passes an old turf house named Sel. This is an easy hike and an ideal way to enjoy Skaftafell national park.

Hike safely

Study the route ahead of hiking and stay on the marked trail at all times. The weather will likely change during your hike, so you must check the weather forecast before heading out. Be warm: bring a hat, gloves, a warm sweater, a waterproof jacket, and trousers. Pack food and water, even for short hikes. Leave a travel plan for free at Safetravel.is or notify someone about your plans. Never go on a hike without a charged phone

 

Hiding in the Highlands

Headed for the mountains? If you have studied and prepared for a journey in the remote Highlands of Iceland or plan on booking a guided tour, you may get a chance to see even more remote waterfalls. Highland roads, or F-roads, are only open in the summer and require both experience and careful planning to explore. Safetravel.is provides trusted information on Highland driving. Several tour companies offer day tours and longer trips to the remote interior of Iceland.

Fagrifoss

Fagrifoss is a scenic 80-meter-high waterfall in volcanic landscapes near Lakagígar craters. It flows in a soft bend off a steep hyaloclastite rock into a green gorge below.

Road F-206 to the waterfall and the craters is a rough mountain road for modified 4WD cars. There are unbridged rivers on the way, which must be crossed cautiously. As with other F-roads in Iceland, this is not a road for regular SUV rental cars. Therefore, you may want to look into guided super jeep tours to Fagrifoss and Lakagígar rather than risk damaging your rental car.

Safetravel.is provides trusted information on Highland driving. 

Ófærufoss

Ófærufoss is a spectacular waterfall that flows into the Eldgjá canyon in two cascades. The best way to get there on a 4WD car is to turn off Road 1 between Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur onto Road 208. Further on, the road turns into the mountain road F-208. Make a stop at Hólaskjól highland center to get the latest information about river crossings and road conditions ahead. If conditions are safe, head on to Eldgjá canyon. Park your car and enjoy the short hike to the waterfall.

Several tour companies offer day tours and longer trips to the remote interior of Iceland.

Fagrifoss - Photograph by Páll Jökull Pétursson

Ófærufoss - Photograph by Þorvarður Árnason