Waterfalls of Iceland
You know what waterfalls are: beautiful cascades of water that delight the soul and fill the air with the sound of the power of nature. The first thing to know about waterfalls in Iceland is that there is a sheer quantity of these gorgeous waterworks that boggles and numbs the mind.
You may find yourself, as you progress through one are of glacial beauty and outpouring to another, saying to your fellow travelers “There’s another waterfall.”, with a resigned and exhausted air. Rarely on this earth are there places so densely packed with waterfalls, and it falls to us to enjoy them.
While most of the many thousands of small falls do not hold official names outside of their respective, tiny domains, many of the larger and more storied waterfalls have their own names and nicknames known worldwide. We will list some of the most splendid and grand of that number here, along with a helpful map of their locations. It would be a ponderous tome that listed every waterfall in Iceland, so we will focus only on the ones we consider the best, for one reason or another.
The first thing to know when hunting waterfalls in Iceland is the Icelandic word for “waterfall“, which is “foss“. You are going to see this word a lot, and it will come at the end of the name of each waterfall you see. Keep a keen lookout for signs and you’ll find enough waterfalls along your route for a lifetime. Just kidding, there aren’t enough falls for that.
Brúarfoss is a small fall, not really much more than rapids in the water. You don’t come to the falls on the river Brúara for their size, but for their color.
It is hard to convey in words the vibrance, brilliance, and life in the blue of this rushing water. Brúarfoss has been called the Bluest Waterfall in Iceland and based on our personal experience, that is true by a country mile.
Visiting the falls requires parking at a paid parking lot, the toll being payable through the Parka app. The current cost starts at 750 ISK and goes up for larger vehicles. There is a short path to the falls themselves, and a bridge over the river to observe them from.
Roughly 100 kilometers from Reykjavik, Brúarfoss is close to several other excellent places, such as Strokkur Geyser and our next waterfall of note, Gullfoss.
Gullfoss is a 30 minute drive from Brúarfoss. Technically two large falls, Gullfoss is popular due to its size, its relative proximity to the capital, and its romantic and relatable history. In the early 20th century the landowners, sheep farmers, battled with a rich English businessman for possession of the falls, pitting a love of nature against the exploitation of the land for commercial gain. The businessman wanted to use the river and falls to run a hydroelectric power plant. Eventually, after many years, the sheep farming family prevailed and Gullfoss is still much as it was 100 years ago. There is a plaque at the top of the falls commemorating Sigríður Tómasdóttir and her victory.
The icelandic word for “gold“ is “gulli“, so Gullfoss translates into English as “Golden Falls“, a fitting name when the sun hits the great wash of water. Observation is possible from several heights and angles at the parking lot at the falls. Wherever you decide to stand to watch the water descend, there is a good amount of mist coming off the falls, so wear something waterproof.
The origin of the name of the fall is a matter of some debate, with some saying it comes from the rainbow that appears above it in the mist, and other saying it is from a man who was so greedy, that he threw a chest of gold over the falls so no one else could claim it when he was gone.
There is no fee to visit, but there is a fee to use the parking lot, payable at a self service machine. There is also a visitor center, cafe, and gift shop.
Seljalandsfoss has a lot going for it, starting with its location just off of the Ring Road. Although it is 2 hours from Reykjavik the drive is an easy one, without any turns except into the parking lot, which charges 800 ISK. The second reason to visit is that Skogafoss is 30 minutes to the west, so this is the logical next stop for most travelers.
The best thing about Seljalandsfoss is that although the power and volume of the fall is small, the height it falls from is big, about 200 feet, or 60 meters. Around this narrow but tall pillar of water is a path, so that visitors can walk around the entire waterfall, observing it from all sides. Obviously there will be spray soaking anyone who chooses this route so dress appropriately.
Skogafoss is a large waterfall in southern Iceland, visible from the Ring Road. It is very popular given its proximity to Reykjavik and the large parking lot can be quite busy in the warmer months. One of the larger waterfalls in Iceland, you can walk along the riverbank, right up to the fall. Given its size, it is impossible to get so close without getting wet from the spray, so wear some waterproof clothing and a rain jacket if you don’t want to be soaked. Aside from making everything wet, the spray also helps to create rainbows in and around the falls, when the sun is shining, that are full, beautiful, and worth the trip by themselves.
The parking lot and flat trail make Skogafoss accessible for those with mobility issues, including wheelchairs, though the approach is gravel, not paved. There is also a trail and steps leading up and above the falls to an observation deck.
Folaldafoss is a lovely water feature just inland from Berufjörður, a small fjord opposite the Ring Road. This fall is on road 939, which is also known as either Axarvegur or the Oxi Pass. It is unpaved and does not lead to any other tourist destinations so you can expect no crowds and little company.
There is a small parking area with a plaque commemorating the man who is credited with the construction of the road, Hjalmar Gudmundsson. You will need to walk downhill, across small stream, and along some dirt paths for a couple hundred yards to reach the base of the waterfall, so an up close look is not possible for those with wheelchairs. The view from the parking area is elevated and provides a decent panorama.
Laugavallalaug is special on this list. Not only is this a waterfall, it is also a geothermal hot spring! This makes it unique, but not alone, among the waterfalls of Iceland. Notably, there are also hot spring waterfalls along the Eyjafjordur, just outside of Akureyri.
This waterfall is a bit harder to reach though, and that is the understatement of this article. DO NOT attempt to come here without a 4x4 vehicle, nor one with low clearance. The road is long, unpaved, and the weather is cold, windy, and rainy. It is entirely possible to make the drive without seeing another person or vehicle. F-Roads are the only way to reach it, and F-Roads are the interior mountain roads in Iceland that are almost entirely unpaved. The “F” in F-Road stands for “fjall”, which is the Icelandic word for “mountain”.
Once you do reach Laugavallalaug, there is a parking lot, which does not charge a fee. A short walk of perhaps half a mile leads you to a cabin and a compost toilet, so that you can attend to eating, changing, or other activities. A much shorter walk leads you down and to the waterfall itself, and the small pools that have been arranged at the bottom for the use of visitors. Be sure to leave the area as you found it. Pack it in, pack it out.
The water is obviously not regulated, and the temperature can fluctuate, so test it before stepping in. It can be hotter or cooler than its average of 104 Fahrenheit. Be careful.
Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Iceland and the second most powerful waterfall in Europe, after the Rhine Falls in Germany, though some dispute the ranking of those two. We know they are both large, impressive, and time taken quibbling over rankings is time not spent standing on their banks admiring their beauty.
Dettifoss is fed by the largest glacier in Iceland, Vatnajökull and resides in the largest National Park in Iceland, Vatnajökull National Park. It is the largest National Park due to the fact that the glacier takes up 13% of Iceland by itself.
Conveniently situated near both Akureyri and Husavik, Dettifoss is a must see waterfall in Iceland. In addition, another impressive waterfall named Selfoss is just upstream, and would be the star of the show in the area if not for the drop and power of Dettifoss.
Goðafoss, or the God Falls, is a waterfall in northern Iceland. Located east of Akureyri and just off of the Ring Road, Goðafoss is a beautiful waterfall in its own right that lacks some of the grandeur and size of others such as Skogafoss or Dettifoss. It lacks a massive drop, but the waters are delightfully blue and the width of the fall is large.
It takes its name from the story of Thorgeir Ljosvetningagodi, a priest who around 1,000 AD determined that although Norse paganism could still be practiced in Iceland, Christianity would become the official religion of the country. Having reached this decision, he cast some of his idols into the water.
Planning your own trip? Find all these waterfalls and more, mapped out here!