LivingTravelThe best waterfalls to visit in Iceland

The best waterfalls to visit in Iceland

If hot springs are not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Iceland, it is very likely that they are waterfalls. The country has more than 10,000 waterfalls and you would have to work very hard to avoid them no matter where you are traveling.

There are so many different types of waterfalls. Dive, multi-step, punchbowl, frozen, ramp, waterfall, fan, waterfall, block; Iceland has them all. You can see four of the waterfalls on this list in one day, if you think about it: start at Thingvellir National Park with Gullfoss and Oxararfoss and embark on the four-hour drive to Vík with stops at Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss along the way. The other waterfalls on this list range from Vatnajökull National Park to the northernmost parts of the country.

While a good majority of them just require a quick start off the trail, some require a bit more effort. To help you determine which ones to prioritize, we’ve put together a list of our top 10 waterfalls around Iceland.

01
from 10

Gullfoss

Direction
Iceland

Get directions

You’ll constantly find a crowd around this waterfall’s lookout, and for good reason. Surprisingly, it doesn’t detract from the majesty of the view either. This panoramic waterfall is located within the Golden Circle on the Hvítá River, quite close to the popular attractions Geysir and Silfra Fissure.

Iceland’s second largest glacier, Langjökull, feeds the water at these falls. There are two stages to this waterfall, which rises to 32 meters in total, sending the water deep into the canyon. Try visiting on a sunny day – it’s not uncommon to see bright rainbows bouncing off the falls when the clouds part.

02
from 10

Seljalandsfoss

Direction
Þórsmerkurvegur, Iceland

Get directions

Web

Visit the website

At a height of 65 meters, you can see Seljalandsfoss from the road. You can hike to the falls, which touch the ground and form a calm, shallow pool (well, as calm as any waterfall could be). Follow a path that will take you behind the waterfall, but bring a raincoat. You’re certainly going to get a little wet.

The trail can be slippery, so strap on your hiking boots. If you are in front of the waterfall and follow the gravel path to the left away from Seljalandsfoss, you will also find a number of smaller waterfalls.

03
from 10

Dettifoss

Direction
Dettifoss, Iceland

Get directions

Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe and it is worth a trip north to see it. Located near Akureyi, also known as the capital of North Iceland, you won’t be able to see this waterfall from the road. It’s located inside a canyon makes it a bit more elusive than Seljalandsfoss or Gullfoss. If you are in the area, don’t miss the neighboring falls, Selfoss and Hafragilsfoss.

04
from 10

Glymur

Direction
Iceland

Get directions

Glymur is perfect for waterfall enthusiasts who are also looking for a little hike. You will want to reserve half a day to enjoy all that this area has to offer. Located just a 40-minute drive from Reykjavik, you’ll see caves, rivers, canyons, mountains, and valleys on your hike to the waterfall. Pack a lunch and find a secluded spot with a good view for a quick rest.

The 198 meter drop makes it the second highest waterfall in Iceland, below Morsárfoss, which has a drop of 228 meters. You can hike the north or south side of the waterfall, and many hikers have shared that the south approach has better views of the falls.

05
from 10

Svartifoss

Direction
8, Iceland

Get directions

Web

Visit the website

Just off Route 1 at the southern end of Vatnajökull National Park you will find Svartifoss, which means ‘Black Falls’. The waterfall gets its name from the black basalt columns that line the walls of the waterfall. To get there, start at the Skaftafell Visitor Center, where the trail begins. From there it’s a 45 minute hike (be warned: it’s a bit uphill all the way to the waterfall). On your hike, you will see three waterfalls along the way: Þjofafoss, Hundafoss, and Magnusarfoss.

06
from 10

Oxararfoss

Direction
Aðalstræti 10, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

Get directions

You will find this waterfall just inside Thingvellir National Park, but you won’t see it on the way, despite being only a few meters from the road. To get there, you’ll quickly hike up a cliff-lined ravine and along the cliffs (it’s less than ten minutes from the parking lot). This is the perfect place not only to view an impressive waterfall, but also to get a close look at the huge rocks that jut out from the tension between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. This waterfall was also man-made, in a way, considering that the Oxarar River was physically moved in the 9th century to provide better water for members of parliament.

07
from 10

Skogafoss

Direction
Skógafoss, Iceland

Get directions

Conveniently located on the road to Vík, Skogafoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. Local folklore shares that a treasure chest of gold is located behind the falls. You can walk on the right side of the falls to get a breathtaking view of the river before it hits the ground. The pool at the bottom of the waterfall is shallow and you can walk quite close, but be prepared to be covered in mist.

08
from 10

Barnafoss

Direction
Möðruvellir 5, Möðruvallavegur, Iceland

Get directions

Barnafoss, or Children’s Falls, has a morbid history. According to Icelandic sagas, the two Hraunsás children were left home alone while their parents visited the church for Christmas mass. They returned home and the children left. They followed in his footsteps to the nearby waterfall, where the footsteps stopped. Fearing they would drown, the mother demolished the arch leading to the waterfall and cursed the falls so that no one else could survive crossing the waterfall.

This waterfall is more like rapids than a direct shot to the ground. You will also find a series of falls called Hraunfossar nearby, originating from a lava field.

09
from 10

Kirkjufellsfoss

Direction
Iceland

Get directions

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is home to one of the most photographed mountains and waterfalls in the country: Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss. Three separate falls, all of the same name, make up Kirkjufellsfoss and you can even walk between them (the falls are really short and peaceful).

Bring your camera – if you put it at a right angle, you can get the falls and the mountain in one frame.

10
from 10

Godafoss

Direction
Goðafoss waterfall, Iceland

Get directions

Godafoss, or “Waterfall of the Gods,” got its name after Christianity was named the official language of Iceland in AD 1,000. Upon learning of this, the Lawpeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, the person in charge of choosing the official religion, threw all his statues of Norse God into the waterfall after making his decision. Located on the ring road, Godafoss is a 45-minute drive from Akureyi. Like Gullfoss, this waterfall offers a panoramic view of the surroundings.

Ruling coalition between left, conservatives and liberals wins elections in Iceland

The coalition that has governed Iceland for four years has won again in the legislative elections and manages to retain its majority in Parliament. The Executive is made up of left, conservative and liberal parties and among them they have won 37 seats out of 63 seats. The conservative Independence Party is the… Continue reading "The ruling coalition between the left, conservatives and liberals wins the elections in Iceland "

Top 10 things to do on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

If you are looking to enjoy as many different landscapes as possible in a short amount of time, add Iceland's Snaefellsnes Peninsula to your

How to see the Northern Lights in Iceland

There's a reason the Northern Lights rank so high on travelers' wish lists - it's far from easy to find. But the

When is Independence Day in Iceland (National Day)?

When is Independence Day celebrated in Iceland and what are the local Icelandic traditions that travelers can experience on "Independence Day?

Top 10 hot springs to visit in Iceland From the famous Blue Lagoon to...

While there are more reasons to visit Iceland than you could count, the country's collection of hot springs ranks high on that list. And by

More