9 Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland You Have to Visit
Iceland is chock-full of spectacular waterfalls. SERIOUSLY. There seems to be another one around every corner, just waiting to receive your awestruck gaze. Maybe the country should be called Waterfallland instead?
If you love the outdoors, and especially if you hold a special place in your heart for waterfalls, Iceland will not let you down. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most beautiful waterfalls we saw during our eight-day road trip around Iceland, along with some useful information to help you plan your own visit.
Happy waterfall hunting!
1. seljalandsfoss
One of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland, the majestic Seljalandsfoss is approximately 60 meters tall. Visitors can approach from trails to the left and right, as well as walk behind the falls to observe the beautiful surrounding area through a veil of mist. Make sure to bring a rain jacket though, and perhaps even waterproof pants, if you plan to walk behind the waterfall. If you head north along the trail, you can also observe several smaller waterfalls flowing from the cliffs above. Tip for photographers: If the weather is good and you have the time, try taking a photo from behind the waterfall at sunset.
Parking costs 700 ISK, or about $5. Restrooms and food are available on the premises.
2. skógafoss
Another of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls, Skógafoss stands at 60 meters tall and 25 meters wide. You can walk up close to the waterfall, but plan to wear a rain jacket and waterproof pants if you do. Otherwise, you’ll leave Skógafoss in awe of its beauty and power, but soaked to the bone!
A long stairway to the right of the waterfall leads to an observation deck from which you’ll get a great view of the waterfall from atop the cliff, and in the distance to the south, the Atlantic Ocean.
3. kvernufoss
Kvernufoss is just a five-minute drive from Skógafoss, but not many people know about it. Since it’s not as well-known, it’s also much less crowded. From the starting point at the parking lot of the Skógar Museum, it takes about 15-20 minutes to hike to the waterfall, which is tucked away inside a beautiful canyon. The 1.6 km hike (one way) is relatively easy, as you walk along mostly flat ground beside the river that winds through the canyon. At one point, you have to hop over a small fence, but a step ladder is provided to help you do so.
The Skógar Museum requires that visitors to the falls pay a small fee to park in the museum lot.
4. svartifoss
Svartifoss is located within the Skaftafell Nature Preserve, which is home to Svínafellsjökull, one of Iceland’s most popular destinations for glacier hiking. Known for its distinct hexagonal basalt columns, Svartifoss—“black falls” in Icelandic—exudes a unique, dark beauty among the waterfalls of Iceland. The round trip hike to the waterfall takes about 1.5 hours. Along the way you can stop to see three other smaller waterfalls—Þjofafoss (Thieves’ Fall), Hundafoss (Dogs’ Fall) and Magnusarfoss (the Falls of Magnus). You’ll also have great views of the mountain peaks within Skaftafell and the glacier whose water feeds the falls.
5. dettifoss & selfoss
Dettifoss in northern Iceland is one of, if not the, most powerful waterfalls in all of Europe. The thousands upon thousands of gallons of water pouring over the edge every second create a heavy mist that flows through the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river canyon, making for a mysterious and beautiful scene, especially at sunset.
There are two ways to approach Dettifoss by car from Iceland’s Ring Road. Route 864 will take you to the eastern side of the river, but part of the route is a gravel road that requires slow, careful driving. We approached the waterfall from Route 862, which is paved the entire way and takes you to the western side of the river. From this side, the waterfall is just a short walk away through a barren rocky area (in summertime be prepared to meet swarms of annoying gnats). The western side also offers a more direct view of the falls, and the setting sun lights up the river canyon engulfed in mist.
If you walk for a short distance down a trail leading south, you can see Selfoss, another beautiful waterfall on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river.
6. goðafoss
Located 45 minutes east of Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city, Goðafoss is a wide, semi-circular waterfall on the Skjálfandafljót River. Walking along a bed of large stones, you can get very close to the falls by approaching along the trail from the eastern side. Be careful here, as the rocks are unstable and you can easily twist an ankle if you’re not careful. There is also a designated observation area overlooking the falls on the eastern side, and another one on the western side from a point that’s a bit further away.
7. kolugljúfur canyon & kolufoss
Kolugljúfur Canyon is a lesser-known, but beautiful river canyon in northwestern Iceland that’s just a 10-minute drive off the Ring Road. The canyon’s jagged rock walls stand tall over the Víðidalsá River. From the small gravel parking lot, you can access a bridge over the canyon, which offers a wonderful view of Kolufoss waterfall and access to the western side of the canyon. You can also walk down under the bridge to a rock stack that stands in the middle of the canyon, offering a stunning view straight down the middle. Be careful here though, since there are spots here where you could slip and fall. If you have more time to explore, trails on both the eastern and western sides wind along the full length of the one-kilometer-long canyon.
8. sheep’s waterfall
Located just off of Route 56 in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Sheep’s Waterfall is one of Iceland’s best-kept secrets. From the parking lot on Route 56, which offers a breathtaking view of Selvallavatn Lake and distant mountain peaks, you walk down an embankment until you reach the falls on the left. In rainy weather, the embankment and trail along the river can be slippery, so wear appropriate footwear and watch your step. But don’t miss this waterfall, it’s a Snaefellsnes gem!
9. kirkjufellsfoss
One of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland, Kirkjufellsfoss is located just outside the small town of Grundarfjörður on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Though the waterfall is small relative to Iceland’s other amazing waterfalls, what makes this one special is its proximity to the iconic Kirkjufell Mountain. Especially during golden hour and at sunset, the waterfall and mountain provide a stunning scene for landscape photographers and anyone who appreciates the beauty of nature.
