10 best waterfalls in South Iceland you can easily reach
South Iceland is one of the most waterfall-rich regions on earth. Glaciers, volcanoes, and ancient lava fields combine to send rivers crashing off clifftops, canyon walls, and basalt columns at every turn. The good news is that you don't need to be a hiker to experience the best of them. Every waterfall on this list is reachable from a paved or well-maintained road, with a short walk from the parking area.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Gljúfrabúi Waterfall
Skógafoss
The classic South Coast giant
Standing 60 metres tall and 25 metres wide, Skógafoss is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland, and it earns every bit of that attention. The sheer volume of water thundering down from the Skógá River creates a permanent mist cloud that catches rainbows on sunny days. You can walk right to the base of the falls from the car park in just a few minutes. For a different perspective, a steep staircase of 428 steps leads to a viewing platform at the top, with sweeping views over the South Coast.
Seljalandsfoss
Gljúfrabúi
Just a few minutes' walk from Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi is one of South Iceland's best-kept secrets. The 40-metre waterfall is hidden inside a narrow gorge and completely invisible from the road. To see it, you step through a crack in the rock face and wade through a shallow stream, emerging into a mossy, cathedral-like chamber where the water falls from a natural skylight far above. Wear waterproof boots. The experience feels nothing like a typical tourist stop. Park at Seljalandsfoss and allow an extra 30 minutes for this one.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss
The Golden Circle's crown jewel
Few waterfalls anywhere in the world generate the raw, visceral force of Gullfoss. The Hvítá River drops in two dramatic tiers, 11 and 22 metres, before disappearing into a canyon so deep it seems to swallow the river whole. In summer, a lower viewing path brings you close enough to feel the spray on your face. In winter, the falls take on an entirely different character, with ice formations building along the canyon walls. Gullfoss is a centrepiece of the Golden Circle and combines perfectly with Geysir and Þingvellir.
Brúarfoss
Iceland's bluest waterfall
Brúarfoss may be the most photogenic waterfall in all of Iceland. It is not tall — the drop is just two to three metres, but the colour of the water is extraordinary. Fed by glacial melt from Langjökull, the Brúará River runs in an impossible shade of electric blue that seems unreal against the dark volcanic rock. A dedicated parking area built in 2023 puts you within a five-minute walk of the falls. An alternative free parking area is available a little further away, with a flat 7-kilometre round-trip walk passing two other waterfalls along the way. This is a stop that rewards photographers in particular.
Kvernufoss
The quieter walk-behind waterfall
Located five minutes' drive from Skógafoss, Kvernufoss is its overlooked neighbour and, on a crowded South Coast day, a welcome reward for those who take the extra step. The 30-metre waterfall sits inside a moss-covered gorge, and a well-maintained gravel path leads to its base in about 15 minutes from the Skogar Museum car park. Like Seljalandsfoss, you can walk behind it, but with a fraction of the crowds. This makes it ideal for visitors who want a more intimate waterfall experience. Park at the museum and pay the small parking fee.
Brúarfoss
Kvernufoss
Reykjafoss
A waterfall with geothermal soul
Reykjafoss sits in the geothermal valley just outside the town of Hveragerði, framed by steaming vents and vivid green moss that thrive in the volcanic heat beneath the ground. It is a compact and beautiful waterfall, where the landscape itself feels alive. Hveragerði is one of South Iceland's most convenient bases, making Reykjafoss an easy and rewarding stop on any itinerary through the region.
Öxaráfoss
A Game of Thrones filming location
Þingvellir National Park is known primarily for its geology and history, but Öxárárfoss rewards a short detour. The 10-minute walk from the car park along a well-maintained path leads to a slender waterfall dropping into the Öxará River, framed by the dramatic canyon walls of the Almannagjá fault line. Fans of Game of Thrones may recognise it as a filming location. As part of the Golden Circle, it fits naturally into a full-day loop and combines well with snorkelling at Silfra for travellers who want to make the most of Þingvellir.
Reykjafoss
Öxarárfoss
Háifoss
The dramatic canyon viewpoint
At 122 metres, Haifoss is one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland and, despite its remoteness, is reachable with a standard 4x4 vehicle via gravel road from the Þjórsárdalur Valley. A short walk from the parking area leads to a clifftop viewpoint overlooking both Haifoss and its neighbour, Granni ("Neighbour"), which cascade side by side into a deep, volcanic canyon. The scale of the view is extraordinary. This is the longest drive on the list, but the combination of height, solitude, and dramatic canyon geology makes it well worth the journey for travellers heading inland from the Golden Circle area. Eagle-eyed fans of Stranger Things may recognise Háifoss from the show's most recent season, making it a draw for screen tourism as well as nature lovers.
Hjálparfoss
Twin falls in a lava landscape
Hjálparfoss is a two-pronged waterfall where two streams converge and drop together into a wide, turquoise pool framed by dramatic basalt columns. The name translates loosely as "helpful waterfall," a nod to its historical role as a reliable freshwater source for travellers and livestock crossing the interior of Iceland. It sits in the Þjórsárdalur Valley near Fossá River, easily reached on a short, flat walk from the car park. The setting is strikingly beautiful and far less visited than the South Coast waterfalls, making it a genuine reward for those heading towards the highlands.
Háifoss
Hjálparfoss
South Iceland's waterfalls are spread along three of the country's most-travelled routes: the Ring Road along the South Coast, the Volcanic way and the Golden Circle inland loop. With careful planning, it is possible to see several of the falls on this list in a single day.
Use this Interactive Map to find all the waterfalls on this list and plan your route through South Iceland. Each stop is just a short drive from the next, so it is easy to string several together into a memorable day out in the region.
