Dive in the wonderful world of the waterfalls of Iceland. In Iceland there are over 10,000 known waterfalls all in different shapes and sizes. The waterfalls I will only tell you about are the ones I have seen. So there are many more than listed here, and there are probably many more than the named ones. The name of a waterfall (often) ends with the word Foss. This is the Icelandic word for waterfall.
A lot of the waterfalls are findable on Google Maps. But not all of them are reachable by normal car. You have to check the SafeTravel app before taking a road. Some of the waterfalls you can only get to with 4X4 or mountain vehicle.
Sometimes waterfalls are on privately owned land, and can only be seen from the roadside. The water of most waterfalls (or all waterfalls) is drinkable, but check the colour before doing so. Most of the water has been naturally filtered by the volcanic rocks, but sometimes the natural source is too close, and the water gets a bit murky. This is still drinkable, but the clear water is better. This is why you do not need to buy water in the supermarket. If you bring a bottle, you can keep refilling it in natural springs.
Shapes and sizes
Because there are a lot of waterfalls, there is something for everyone. Some, like Svartifoss, are known for the colour of the surrounding rocks. Svartifoss meaning blackwaterfall, hints at the colour of the basalts behind it. The biggest waterfall in Iceland nowadays is Morsárfoss, and it is 228 meters high. It is at the edge of the retreating Morsárjökull. It looks like it can be found at the edge of the Skaftafell Nature Reserve. The most powerful one is Dettifoss, which means The collapsing waterfall or Thunderous waterfall.
And then you have the ”famous” ones like Skógafoss (62 meters) (seen in Vikings) and Gullfoss (11 and 21 meters), meaning Golden waterfall. These are two relatively big ones, by the look of it. Also, Seljalandsfoss (65 meters) is quite a famous one. You can walk behind this waterfall, and this is done by all the tourists who visit. These are probably better known because they are close to the road, or even close to the 1. You can book South Coast tours or Golden Circle tour in which these waterfalls are included.
What most people don’t know is that, next to the well-known Seljalandsfoss or Skógafoss, there is another waterfall. Most of the time, people who visit with a bustour don’t have the time to see the hidden ones. Next to Seljalandsfoss there is Gljúfrabúi. This hints to the gorge you have to go through to see this smaller hidden waterfall. It is a fantastic photo spot because of the big rock in front of it on which you can stand. And close to Skógafoss you have Kvernufoss. Another waterfall you can walk behind. These are most of the time less crowded.
Magical waterfalls, and where to find them
Most of the time, when you are doing a roadtrip or a tour outside the capital area, it is difficult not to see them. Most of the waterfalls are probably in the south, this is where most of the melting water flows out. And the fewest are probably found in the Westfjords. But if you keep your eyes open, you can spot one every so many kilometres.
The waterfalls I have visited, the list is growing
Göngumannafoss is the waterfall in the middle of the Dynjandi walking trail. This waterfall is also in the Dynjandisá River and between 2 and 6 meters high. It has a platform to have a look at this waterfall and the ones above and below it. The walk is not that difficult up to this point, and it also depends on how busy the trail is and when I was there they were working on the paths.
Göngumannafoss, Ísafjarðarbær, Westfjords Region, Iceland
Bæjarfoss is the first waterfall in the big cascade of waterfalls leading to the big Dynjandi. It is the start of the Dynjandi walking trail, but this one is visible before you have to start your ascending to the top. It is a good start for the next 6 upcoming falls. If you look at it from the Dynjandisheiði Heath, it’s the last waterfall before the Dynjandisá River meets the ocean.
Bæjarfoss, Ísafjarðarbær, Westfjords Region, Iceland
Fossfjörður Foss is a beautiful waterfall on the roadside with an almost clear blue pond and a calm stream flowing into the fjord. The road passing this waterfall is a nesting area for birds. So drive carefully and slowly as Arctic Terns lie on the road and/or fly over very low. I don’t think there is an official parking space, so if you want to stop, find a safe place next to the road.
Fossfjörður, Vesturbyggð, Iceland
Fossfjörður, Vesturbyggð, Iceland
Bjarnarfoss is a waterfall in the river Landakotsgil which falls from the mountain Mælifell. The fall is about 79 meters high and falls in two parts. Sometimes the upper part of the waterfall gets blown away by the wind and the last part of the stream trickles down. The waterfall can be visited and also seen from the road and from the grounds of the Búðakirkja.
Bjarnarfoss, Snæfellsbær, Western Region, Iceland
Mögáfoss is the waterfall in the Fjarðarárgljúfur canyon. It is accessible by stopping at the bottom of the canyon and walk up to the platform or, if you have a 4×4, you can drive on the F206 towards the overview point. It falls 35 meters down from the river Mögá. The walk is relatively easy to the viewpoint.
Mögárfoss, Skaftárhreppur, Southern Region, Iceland
Also known as Nykurhylsfoss or Sveinsstekksfoss. There is a love path around the waterfall which will take you about an hour, but is so worth it. The legend says that the mythical creature The Nykur (waterhorse) lives or used to live in the pond underneath the waterfall.
Fossardafoss, Múlaþing, Eastern Region, Iceland
Botnlækjarfoss is in the most furthest point of Ásbyrgi. The waterfall ends in a pond named Botnstjörn. It is about 1km walk from the parking to the waterfall. You can also walk up to the platform. From there you have a nice view over the pond.
Botnstjörn, Norðurþing, Northeastern Region, Iceland
Ægissíðufoss is one of the most beautiful waterfalls I have seen. You can drive a bit on a normal paved road, but the last bit of road is unpaved with a lot of potholes. You can walk up to the edge of the ”cliff” and walk along the ridge to get different views. There is also a wooden staircase going down, but when I was there is was privately-owned property. There was a note on the fence. If it is still there, please respect this.
Ægissíðufoss, Hella, Rangárþing ytra, Southern Region, 850, Iceland
Faxifoss is a smaller waterfall on the Golden Circel. But because most people either do a Golden Circle tour or only do the big stops, this one is often missed. You do have to pay for parking. This waterfall is in the Tungufljót river and is 7 meters high. It has a salmon stairs, which is not used very often.
Faxi, Bláskógabyggð, Southern Region, Iceland
Múlafoss is the last waterfall in the Múlagljúfur Canyon. It is all the way in the back and falls from the Múlaa (the river originates from the Öræfajökull glacier) and falls 100 meters in two steps. The last step has plunged for so long that it has made a hole in the floor of the canyon. The flow goes underground for a few meters and comes back up to make the stream at the bottom of the canyon.
Múlafoss, Sveitarfélagið Hornafjörður, Southern Region, Iceland
The Hangandifoss is the first waterfall you will see when you walk the Múlagljúfur Canyon trail. It plunges down 123 meters and is one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland and falls from the Fosslækur river. Because this fall is so close to the glacier, the water is still a bit murky. The trail up to the view point is moderate to a bit difficult. Most of it is more hilly than a climb.
Hangandifoss, Sveitarfélagið Hornafjörður, Southern Region, Iceland
Kvernufoss is a hidden waterfall in the area of Skógafoss. You have to pay for parking, and the walk is 10 -15 minutes easy walk. This waterfall is in the river Kverna (also known as Kvarnarhólsá) and falls 50 meters down. The waterfall and its stream are in a little gorge and the walking path takes you behind the waterfall aswell. Make sure you have waterproof clothes or a dry pair with you, just in case the wind is blowing the mist over you like a shower.
Kvernufoss, Rangárþing eystra, Southern Region, Iceland
Svartifoss is or is one of the highlights of Skaftafell National Park. The walking trail is 1km one way. This waterfall is known for the color of the basalt rocks behind it, black. Svartifoss is about 80 meters high and you can walk up really close. The fall is in the Stórilækur river, which originates from Svínafellsjökull (The Hollywood glacier). The walk-up is called easy to moderate but is sometimes quite steep. So take your time.
Svartifoss, Kvarnarkofalág, Sveitarfélagið Hornafjörður, Southern Region, Iceland
Hundafoss is the waterfall below Svartifoss in the Vatnajökull National Park (in Skaftafell Nature Reserve). It flows from the Baerjargil river and has an observation platform and is 24 meters high.
Hundafoss, Sveitarfélagið Hornafjörður, Southern Region, Iceland
Gufufoss is next to one of the most beautiful roads I have seen. It takes you towards Seyðisfjörður and once you start the descent you have a beautiful road with mountains on both sides, and they are filled with small waterfallstreams. Only a few have names like Gufufoss, which means Steamfall. This fall is part of Fjarðará river and is only 25 meters high. There is a pulloff parking, which is not that big and next to a steep road.
Gufufoss, Seydisfjordur, Múlaþing, Eastern Region, Iceland
Aldeyjarfoss is a beautiful and powerful waterfall which falls 20 meters in a basaltcanyon. The color of the water depends on the water coming out of the glaciers. The water of the river Skjálfandafljót flows with force towards the Bárðardalur valley.
It is reachable with a 4×4, which is required for this road. You have to open, and close, two gates. Check the road before you go. You have to drive 40km over an unpaved road.
Aldeyjarfoss, Þingeyjarsveit, Northeastern Region, Iceland
Mígandifoss is one of the few visible waterfalls that end in the ocean. It is between 80 and 100m high, or deep depending on how you look at it. The water comes out of the ground from underneath the road. The fall itself is visible from a viewpoint, please don’t stop on the road. If you come from Ólafsfjörður there are viewpoints 1.3 and 3.6km after the tunnel. If you come from Dalvík, the first stop is after 7km on your right side.
Mígandifoss, Dalvíkurbyggð, Northeastern Region, Iceland
The Dynjandi is a cascading waterfall which is about 100 meters high. From the parkinglot it is less then a kilometer to the waterfall. The trail ends about 93 meters higher then the parking.
Dynjandi, and it’s lower falls, come from the Dynjandisá river which comes from the Dynjandisheiði Heath. This great area you will past if you go by car.
Dynjandi, Ísafjarðarbær, Westfjords Region, Iceland
Kirkjufellsfoss is an easy accessible waterfall. You have to pay for the parking, and they check your license plate with camera’s. There is a little path to the pond underneath Kirkjufellsfoss, but half way this path you have a beautiful sight of the waterfall with mount Kirkjufell on the background.
Kirkjufellsfoss, Snæfellsnesvegur, Grundarfjarðarbær, Western Region, 350, Iceland
Bæjarfoss in Ólafsvík is a waterfall in town, hence the name towns fall. Its height is probably between 30-40 meters. It is easy accessible even from the town of Ólafsvík.
Bæjarfoss, Ólafsvík, Snæfellsbær, Western Region, 355, Iceland
Barnafoss is not a big waterfall, if you can even call it a waterfall. It is more of a series of rapids that go through a narrow pathway of the vulcanic rocks of the lava field. It has the name Waterfall of the Children because two kids had drowned in the fast flowing water after falling into it. It is an easy walk and you can park your car at the parking lot of Hraunfossar.
Barnafoss, Borgarbyggð, Western Region, Iceland
Barnafoss, Borgarbyggð, Western Region, Iceland
Hraunfossar is a beautiful long waterfall. It flows out from underneath a lava field. That is why the water is so beautifully blue and clean. You can park really close-by and the walk is really easy. If you go over the bridge you can even set foot on the lavafield (Hallmundarhraun). It is only 12 meters high but stretches out for 900 meters. The water flows into the river Hvítá.
Hraunfossar, Borgarbyggð, Western Region, Iceland
Goðafoss is a gorgeous round waterfall of two streams coming together in one pool. The fall is 12 meters high and 30 meters wide. It is said that the statues of the ”pagan” gods are at the bottom of this pool. They were thrown in the year 1000 by Thorgeir Thorkelsson. He wanted Iceland to become Christian and hoped this would speed up things.
Godafoss Waterfall, Þingeyjarsveit, Northeastern Region, Iceland
Foss á Síðu is a waterfall on private property, so you can’t walk up really close. But, this 30-meter high waterfall is clearly visible from the road. Even if you stand at the nearby landmark, Dverghamrar, you can see it in the distance. If you do want to drive a bit closer, there is a road leading up quite close to Foss á Síðu. The water that flows down from this waterfall is the Fossa river, and it drops three times.
Foss á Síðu, Skaftárhreppur, Southern Region, Iceland
Skógafoss, just like Seljalandsfoss and Gullfoss, is one of the most visited waterfalls in Iceland. It is on the south coast next to the ringroad. The water that falls from this waterfall is the Skógá river and drops 60 meters down. The water will meet with the stream of Kvernufoss and flows out into the ocean. You can park your car and have a short walk up to the waterfalldrop where you can stand in the mist. Or you can take the walkingtrail that leads up to the top of the waterfall and enjoy the view. If you walk up to the waterfall and stand in the good area, you can see a trolls face in the rock on the left side of the waterfall.
Skógafoss, Rangárþing eystra, Southern Region, Iceland
Nauthúsagil has a waterfall, Nauthúsafoss and the dead end of the gorge. This waterfall is only 20 meters high, but the walk in the gorge is more amazing than the one at Gljufrabui. In the middle, you will come across a smaller waterfall, but this is not the one. If it is a bit dark, let your eyes get adjusted to the ”dark” and you will see a chain on the other side of the water. You can use that to get above the smaller waterfall to get to Nauthúsafoss. Keep in mind that you are walking through a gorge with a waterstream. This can be higher and more fastflowing if there is more water coming down the waterfall. You may get wet feed. Also, note that this waterfall is next to the 249, which switches to the F249. It is advised to drive a 4X4 because of the road conditions, mostly potholes and unpaved.
Nauthúsafoss, Rangárþing eystra, Southern Region, Iceland
Gljúfrabúi, or Gljúfrafoss, is a smaller waterfall (40 meters) next to Seljalandsfoss, which is only a few hundred meters away. It is in the back of a small gorge. Gljúfrabúi, Canyon Dweller, is a photogenetic waterfall. The waterfall is already visible through the narrow gap and in front of it there a big rock on which you can stand for the perfect instagram worthy picture. The waterfall is formed by the river Gljúfurá, which flows down to the banks of the Krossá river before going into the ocean.
Gljúfrabúi, Þórsmerkurvegur, Rangárþing eystra, Southern Region, 861, Iceland
Seljalandsfoss is a ”free” waterfall. I mean that it falls of the edge. You can walk behind it, and if you have the time, do so. This is one of the ”tourist” waterfalls, that’s because all the Southcoast tours stop here. If it is busy at the moment you arrive, get some warm drinks, enjoy the view or go to Gljúfrabúi, which is a 10-minute walk away. The walking path to go behind the drop takes you in a circle, so it brings you back to the road to the parking lot. Seljalandsfoss falls 60 meters from the cliff’s edge. These cliffs used to be the coastal lines of old Iceland. Back then, Seljalandsfoss probably fell into the ocean. Nowadays, the water of the Seljalands River still goes back into the ocean, but now via a calm stream.
Seljalandsfoss, Rangárþing eystra, Southern Region, Iceland
Gluggafoss, also known as Merkjárfoss, is not next to the 1 so you have to take a little detour. It is one of the many waterfalls in the river Merkjá, which is why both names are acknowledged for this waterfall. The total drop of Gluggafoss is 52 meters. You can split the drop into two falls. The long and narrow one (main drop) is 44 meters. The second drop is wider and 8 to 8,5 meters high. You can walk up to the lowest drop and go partially behind it. On the right side of the waterfall is a hiking path. It is quite a steep walk, but the view is amazing. The waterfall is close to Þórsmörk, and you can see the washed out banks of the Krossá river, if the weather allows.
Gluggafoss, Rangárþing eystra, Southern Region, Iceland
Öxarárfoss is the waterfall in Þingvellir. Depending on where the tourbusses stop, most people from the tours don’t go to this waterfall. If you drive towards P5 you can already see the waterfall in the background. The walking trail from the visitors center is 1,7km and takes 25 minutes. Öxarárfoss is 14 meters high and the width depends on how much water comes down. The width varies between the 5-10 meters and 26,5 meters. But most of the time it is in the 5 to 10-meter range.
Öxarárfoss, Efrivallavegur, Bláskógabyggð, Southern Region, Iceland
Unknown, no name or not noted
Sometimes you come across a waterfall with a name that isn’t noted anywhere online, like Lísafoss. The rocks of this gorgeous little waterfall are filled with crystals. If you go down in the ”valley” of the waterfall and look up, you can see the snowy mountaintops just peaking over the edge of the waterfall.
Also, with Gervidalssáfoss I wasn’t able to pinpoint it on my map, but it was worth the visit. If you walk the path next to the waterfall, you have a pretty view over the fjord. The path is also covered in pretty rocks, if you are into that.
Other than that, keep your camera ready, your eyes open and look for snowy tops or high rivers that could come down. If you find a cool waterfall with a lovely little pond, keep an eye out for your surroundings. You never know what you might see or find. Sometimes, when you are in the East, you can see reindeer crossing the river. But sometimes, before you even notice, or before you know what is going on, you have found Nykurhylsfoss. And that wild horse you see isn’t a wild horse, but a Nykur.
If you are interested in more folklore, check out the Westfjords page. And if you want to know more about waterfalls, leave a comment or email me. If you need help with picking out the waterfalls for your trip or want a trip specially made for you, send me an email, and we will plan out an amazing trip.