16 Waterfalls in Iceland You Must See

In addition to being ‘The Land of Fire and Ice’, Iceland is a cornucopia of all things nature. The waterfalls in Iceland are some of the most unique and stunning. Some are very popular, some are not-so-popular. Some require a bit of a trek, some are down dirt roads and some are right off the main trail. These are 16 spectacular waterfalls in Iceland that you should see!

SKOGAFOSS

Skogafoss is easily one of the most recognizable waterfalls in all of Iceland. Its relatively close proximity to Reykjavik. It’s along that southern coast trek that many visitors make. Skogafoss is a beauty in summer and winter and always has a decent flow. The power of this waterfall is unreal and it’s just a rush to see. You can enjoy it from a short stroll to its base, or you can climb the stairs to view from above. If you visit in the winter, be careful on those stairs; they ice over.

The big bonus of this waterfall is continuing up the river and checking out the other waterfalls above Skogafoss. I had no idea that you could see more here until we went up top one night. There’s a gate at the top that you’re actually allowed to continue through (be sure to shut this gate behind you) it follows along the river that creates Skogafoss. As it flows down the mountain is creates several other cascades. There is a point where you come across a sign that asks you not to continue because they’re regrowing vegetation; respect that. It’s the combination of all of these things and the surrounding landscape that make Skogafoss my favorite of the waterfalls in Iceland.

NEED TO KNOW SKOGAFOSS

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 156km // 2 hours, 5 minutes drive time.
SEEING SKOGAFOSS: You can essentially drive up to this waterfall. Other options are viewing from above and continuing on to the other falls. It’s about 2-3 miles for that hike.
STAY NEAR HERE: Rauðafell 1 – this cozy guest house is a 10 minute drive from Skogafoss. They offer free breakfast, comfortable beds in private rooms and shared bathrooms. We loved our stay there.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: It’s very near Seljavallalaug Hot Spring, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and Sólheimajökull Glacier.

SVARTIFOSS

Svartifoss is another iconic waterfall, but it is less visited for a couple of reasons. It’s a bit further from Reykjavik than others and it requires a bit of a hike to see it. It’s about 2 miles roundtrip and it’s straight uphill and then downhill. Be very careful if doing this in the winter. The most iconic thing about this waterfall is the basalt columns that surround it. They actually inspired works of Icelandic architecture, including Hallgrímskirkja. As I said, the hike is very uphill at the beginning, but you’re also rewarded along the way. There are a few different waterfalls that you’ll get to see as you hike along. First, your view of Svartifoss will be from afar, but it’s spectacular even from there. You have to hike down into this natural amphitheater. In the summer the base of this waterfall is quite crowded at midday, but you can still get photos without people.

 
NEED TO KNOW SVARTIFOSS

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 326km // 4 hours, 10 minutes drive time.
SEEING SVARTIFOSS: It requires a 2 mile hike to get to this waterfall. I would rate it as a easy to moderate hike, only because of how steep the first part of the hike is. 
STAY NEAR HERE: Hof 1 Hotel – at only 13 miles away, it’s a great, close option for visiting Svartifoss. They offer private rooms and even family rooms. They have an on-site restaurant for dinner and a breakfast buffet in the morning to make your stay easy.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: The Ice Caves are just down the road, and Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach are only 45 minutes away.

DETTIFOSS

Dettifoss is actually the waterfall with the highest volume in all of Europe, let alone the highest volume of the waterfalls in Iceland! Over 95,000 gallons of water fall over the edge every single second. It’s a massive, beautiful and powerful site to behold. You can view this stunning waterfall from both the east and the west side of this gorge. We visited from the west side which is accused from Route 862 and is now a paved road to Dettifoss (although it’s closed from Jan – April). The next road up is 864 – that’s access to the east side and is still a pretty rough gravel road. If you’re in a standard car, definitely do 864.
Viewing Dettifoss from the west side requires a bit of a hike to get to the edge of the waterfall and the path continues a bit down the gorge to get some spectacular views of the falls. You start to feel the mist from 200 meters away! The hike is easy and I recommend venturing upstream to Selfoss, the circuit from the parking lot to these two falls is just over 1.5 miles. If you’re lucky, you might see a waterfall going across. If you’re really lucky, like we were, you can catch a double rainbow.

 
NEED TO KNOW DETTIFOSS

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 555km // 7 hours drive time
SEEING DETTIFOSS: Getting to Dettifoss requires a bit of a hike. Just there and back is a half a mile. 
STAY NEAR HERE: Nordic Natura – just 15 miles from Dettifoss, it’s off of 862 and looks like a very serene location. It gets unbelievable reviews (almost 10 out of 10) and looks stunning! Dettifoss Guesthouse – this is more of a budget option for staying near Dettifoss, however it’s off 864 on the other side of Dettifoss, and it still gets almost 9/10 stars! 
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: Dettifoss is in Vatnajökull National park, so there are many other sites within the national park worth checking out. Myvatn Nature Baths and Grjotagja Cave are about 1 hr and 15 min away.

GULLFOSS

Gullfoss is one of the most-visited waterfalls because it is on the well-traveled path of the Golden Circle. This massive waterfall is a true stunner. The muted blue tones of the river make the water between the rushing white of the actual falls pop even more. Gullfoss spills into the gorge below in two sections. The ability to park right at the overlooks makes it an easy waterfall to visit. Between summer and winter, I especially loved this waterfall in the winter. Right as we got there, massive snowflakes started to fall and it felt like a true winter wonderland. 

NEED TO KNOW

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 116 km // 1 hour, 40 minutes drive time
SEEING GULLFOSS: You can park very near to the two different overlooks to get a beautiful vantage point of these waterfalls. There are also walking paths that allow you to get closer to the falls should you wish to do that.
STAY NEAR HERE: Efra-Sel Hostel –  This hostel is the perfect Golden Circle location. Many of the highlights are a short drive away. We had a private room with a shared bath. Their kitchen was well-stocked with cooking supplies. Also, a hot tub is available for sue and we saw on a lot of reviews that said in the winter, they saw the Northern Lights from there.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: Gullfoss is one of the popular sites of the Golden Circle so any of the other highlights of the Golden Circle are points of interest nearby. This includes Geysir, Strokkur, Kerið Crater Lake and Þingveller National Park.

KIRKJUFELLFOSS

Kirkjufellfoss is hands-down one of the most iconic views associated with Iceland because of the backdrop of it. In the background of this waterfall, you can see Kirkjufell – the mountain that looks like a wizard hat. This waterfall is visible from the road. However, to get to this iconic view you have to do the very short trail that leads from the parking area up over the waterfall and leads to this stunning overlook. The hike is very short and acceptable for all ages. Just know when you go back down the hill, it can be a bit slick.

NEED TO KNOW

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 183 km // 2 hours, 25 minutes
SEEING KIRKJUFELLFOSS: You can see the waterfall from the parking area. However, this view with the mountain in the background you have to take the path up around the top of the falls. 
STAY NEAR HERE: Skjólsteinar – this is a great budget option with wonderful reviews as well in the town of Grundarfjordur. Kirkjufell Guesthouse – this is super highly rated for couples and would be a more private experience. It’s a bit more expensive, but still not an over-the-top splurge. 
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: Kirkjufellfoss is located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula which is near the aptly named Snæfellsnes National Park along with many other gorgeous natural sites.

GUFUFOSS

Gufufoss is a bit like a mini Skógafoss. It’s a slight detour off of Route 1 (the famous Ring Road) in the eastern fjords. The roads are unbelievably windy and incredibly scenic and Gufufoss is just off the road. You’ll see the top of it cascading, round a corner and then there’s a very small parking area. Although it’s visible from the parking area, you’ll get the best view Gufufoss is you stroll down the super short path to check it out. The scenic drive and sheer beauty of this waterfall are what make it so high on my list.
 

NEED TO KNOW

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 674 km // 8 hours, 15 minutes drive time
SEEING GUFUFOSS: Although it’s visible from the road, it’s exceptionally beautiful from the extremely short and flat walking path. 
STAY NEAR HERE: Post-Hostel – This hostel is less than three miles from Gufufoss and is located this gorgeous fjord-area. Private rooms with private bathrooms are available, and even mountain and sea views! It’s the top hostel on my list to stay at on our next trip to Iceland.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: The west fjords in themselves are a site to see. The mountains lead right up to sea and the glacier carved landscape is truly breathtaking.

MÚLAFOSS

Múlafoss is near the end of the of the west fjords. It’s up a steep, gravel road that looks like it wouldn’t have much at the end of it. That is indeed the correct road to go up. There will be a small parking area and you can walk out to overlooks up there. Seeing Múlafoss by walking just a short 5 minutes from your vehicle. I think that this waterfall has a specular tiered shape to it and it drops the water into a bright, beautiful teal pool at the base. Plus, look at that backdrop! It’s a stunner!

NEED TO KNOW

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 568 km // 7 hours drive time
SEEING MÚLAFOSS: Although it isn’t truly in view from the road, it’s a super short and only slightly slanted walk to the falls. It’s five minutes or less.
STAY NEAR HERE: Lindarbrekka – is less than two miles from Múlafoss and is a highly rated homestay/farm stay experience. The cottages look exceptionally stunning and have amazing views.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: The west fjords are very close at hand and Höfn is less than two hours away. It’s a quaint coastal town surrounded by mountains and a great place to stock up on supplies if you’re driving the Ring Road.

FARDAGAFOSS

Fardagafoss is a beautiful waterfall just outside of the town of Egilsstaðir and a short trek off of the Ring Road. This waterfall falls in three beautiful tiers. You follow an uphill, but easy path up the hillside to see all these sections of the waterfall. The first section of the falls sits just above a beautiful horseshoe bend. The next two tiers fall back to back. The uppermost tier has a small cave behind it that you can actually walk behind. That cave is actually tied to an Icelandic folk tale about a troll. I love the legends tied to so many landmarks in Iceland.

NEED TO KNOW

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 655 km // 8 hours drive time
SEEING FARDAGAFOSS:  Visiting this waterfall requires a slight walk, and while it is uphill, it isn’t strenuous. Be careful if you go to walk behind the uppermost waterfall, those rocks get slick if they’re wet.
STAY NEAR HERE: Guesthouse Svartiskógur Egilsstaðir – this guesthouse is about 28 miles from Eglisstaðir which made it super peaceful. We had a private room and private bath, but you can rent larger rooms, cabins and more here as well. The larger rooms even come with a kitchen.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: The town of Egilsstaðir has some interesting things to do, which is very nearby. Plus, there are several other waterfalls in the area like Litlanesfoss, Klifbrekkufossar and Rjukandi Waterfall.

ÖXARÁRFOSS

Öxarárfoss isn’t a massive waterfall by any means, but it is very beautiful. Located in Þingveller National Park, it’s located down a trail that starts with the trail that walks between the two continental plates (Europe + North America). It’s 2.6 mile trail that winds through some of the most iconic things of this National Park. The most stunning part of this waterfall, though, is the gorgeous black rock that surrounds it. In the summer, there’s a nice layer of green moss covering the lower rocks which is bright and beautiful. However, in the winter, when the snow falls, it’s a stark contrast. It’s a fantastic show of beauty.

NEED TO KNOW

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 49 km // 45 minutes drive time
SEEING ÖXARÁRFOSS: Öxarárfoss requires a 2.6 mile roundtrip hike. It’s relatively flat and takes you by some beautiful + miraculous sites along the way.
STAY NEAR HERE: Efra-Sel Hostel –  This hostel is the perfect Golden Circle location. Many of the highlights are a short drive away. We had a private room with a shared bath. Their kitchen was well-stocked with cooking supplies. Also, a hot tub is available for sue and we saw on a lot of reviews that said in the winter, they saw the Northern Lights from there.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: Öxarárfoss is one of the popular sites of the Golden Circle so any of the other highlights of the Golden Circle would be worth seeing. A quick list Geysir, Strokkur, Kerið Crater Lake and Gullfoss.

SELJALANDSFOSS

This is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland because of its proximity to Reykjavik and many other stunning natural sites along this coastline. The other claim to flame for Seljalandsfoss is the ability to walk behind it. It’s an iconic location for a sunset photo from behind it. If you do walk behind it be sure to do so carefully, you WILL get wet and the path is super slick. The first time I came here, I’m pretty sure a lady broke her arm slipping and falling. I did that at a waterfall in Thailand, and it’s not fun! Also, be sure to continue down the trail to the other waterfalls along this path. There are toilets and a snack shack here to help you enjoy your visit.
 

NEED TO KNOW

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 128 km // 1 hour, 40 minutes drive time
SEEING SELJALANDSFOSS: Seljalandsfoss is very, very close to the car park (which has a small fee). It’s only a 3-5 minute walk.
STAY NEAR HERE: Rauðafell 1 – this cozy guest house is a 10 minute drive from Skogafoss. They offer free breakfast, comfortable beds in private rooms and shared bathrooms. We loved our stay there.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: It’s very near SeljavallalaugHot Spring, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Sólheimajökull Glacier and Skogafoss. Plus, the below waterfall Gljúfrabú, is in the same car park area, just a short walk away!

GLJÚFRABÚ

Gljúfrabú is a waterfall a short walk from Seljalandsfoss but it’s a bit harder to get to than its more popular sister-falls. It would potentially be very easy to walk right by this waterfall and never see it. To get right under it, you have to be willing to get wet because you have to walk through this mossy gorge, in the stream coming out from the opening and the mist is just tunneled right out at you. Honestly, we opted to enjoy it from here because it was frigid the day we went. Plus, it was the first stop of the day along our Ring Road drive, so we didn’t have anywhere to change and didn’t want to be soaked and cold for all our other stops that day.

NEED TO KNOW

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 128 km // 1 hour, 40 minutes drive time
SEEING GLJÚFRABÚ:  Getting to Gljúfrabú isn’t a long journey, but it’s a wet journey. It’s about a half mile walk round trip from the parking area, but when you get to the gorge, you have to walk through the stream to get to the base of the falls. Be very careful because the rocks are slick. We saw several people fall trying to get back here.
STAY NEAR HERE: Rauðafell 1 – this cozy guest house is a 10 minute drive from Skogafoss. They offer free breakfast, comfortable beds in private rooms and shared bathrooms. We loved our stay there.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: It’s very near SeljavallalaugHot Spring, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Sólheimajökull Glacier, Skogafoss. Of course, Seljalandsfoss is accessible from the same car park.

BARNAFOSS

Barnafoss, which literally means Children’s Falls, is a waterfall that rushes down a small lava canyon and under a bit of a natural arch. There apparently was a larger natural bridge that went over this waterfall because that bridge is part of the story that gives these falls their name. According to legend, two children skipped church one day and wandered from their homes while theirs family was at church. They were crossing the natural bridge when they slipped and fell to their deaths. When the mother of the children discovered this, she destroyed that bridge so that no other family would have to feel that pain.

NEED TO KNOW

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 125 km // 1 hour, 40 minutes drive time
SEEING BARNAFOSS: Barnafoss is just up from Hraunfossar. It’s a short, easy walk, probably 5 minutes, from the car park. 
STAY NEAR HERE: Nes Guesthouse – This is a somewhat affordable guesthouse that’s less than 11 miles from Barnafoss. The rooms look cozy, there’s a little hot spring and they have a great breakfast rating as well!
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: Hraunfossar, Glanni Waterfall and Akureyri are all nearby.

URRIÐAFOSS

Urriðafoss isn’t the world’s most captivating waterfall, but it still is beautiful. I think the teal and turquoise shades of water are what make it somewhat showy. However, I think the biggest reason to visit this waterfall is simply because it’s there. I know that sounds a bit odd, but it’s relatively close to so many things and if you’re driving anywhere near the town of Selfoss, stop in and see this beauty.

NEED TO KNOW

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 77 km // 1 hour drive time
SEEING URRIÐAFOSS: You can see this waterfall from the car park, but the best view of the waterfall is down a small path about 5 minutes.
STAY NEAR HERE: The town of Selfoss is right by this waterfall and there are all kinds of options of places to stay. An awesome budge option is Guesthouse Bitra B&B.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: This is pretty central to Reykjavik, Skogafoss and the Golden Circle. It’s a great addition to a day full of travel.

GLANNI WATERFALL

Glanni Waterfall is just off of Route 1, so it’s a no-brainer to check out another waterfall. It’s not a waterfall that I would go drastically out of my way to visit, but if you’re doing the ring road I would absolutely check it out. It’s a wide, but fairly short which sort-of adds to the beauty because the water sections out in to multiple falls of various sizes. 

NEED TO KNOW

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 105 km // 1 hour, 25 minutes drive time
SEEING GLANNI WATERFALL: It’s a short, easy 5 minute walk to the viewing area. 
STAY NEAR HERE: Nes Guesthouse – This is a somewhat affordable guesthouse that’s less than 11 miles from Barnafoss. The rooms look cozy, there’s a little hot spring and they have a great breakfast rating as well!
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: Hraunfossar, Barnafoss and Akureyri are all nearby.

GOÐAFOSS

Goðafoss is literally the fall of the gods, but it’s not because it’s a sacred viking site, but a Christian one of sorts, surprisingly. When the landowner of the area converted to Christianity, he took his statues of the Norse gods and threw them into the waterfall. 1000+ years later, the name stuck! 

NEED TO KNOW

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 438 km // 5 hours, 15 minutes drive time
SEEING GOÐAFOSS: Goðafoss has a carpark right there, and it’s a short, 5-ish minute walk to the viewing area.
STAY NEAR HERE: Fermata North – is a great budget-friendly option that looks super cozy! Plus, there’s a continental breakfast available!
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: Goðafossis near-ish to Grjotagja lava cave, Myvatn Nature Baths and Hverir.

HRAUNFOSSAR

Hraunfossar is in the same carpark as Barnafoss. It isn’t a show-stopper, by any means, but it’s still worth seeing. I think the coolest thing about this waterfall is that it spills over a collection of black lava-rock. I love volcano-related things, so getting to explore lava fields is always exciting and then if you add a waterfall it’s extra-cool! It think it makes the color of the water really pop against it! 

NEED TO KNOW

DISTANCE FROM REYKJAVIK: 125 km // 1 hour, 40 minutes drive time
SEEING HRAUNFOSSAR: Hraunfossar is visible from the car park. You can 
STAY NEAR HERE: Nes Guesthouse – This is a somewhat affordable guesthouse that’s less than 11 miles from Barnafoss. The rooms look cozy, there’s a little hot spring and they have a great breakfast rating as well!
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEARBY: Barnafoss is in the same parking area, as well as the lava fields of the area. Deildartunguhver Hot Spring is very nearby as well!

BONUS: ROADSIDE WATERFALL MAGIC

 
One of the many joys/treasures of road tripping Iceland is that just about everywhere you look it’s a freakin’ cornucopia of amazing landscapes. Waterfalls are no exception. These are just a few of the roadside waterfalls that we were able to actually stop and take a photo of!

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