When I think of Iceland, I think of volcanic mountains, geysers, and waterfalls! Iceland has over 10,000 waterfalls, so it can be very hard not to see one. There are several located right outside Reykjavik and of course many more along the Golden Circle! In the week we spent in Iceland, we stopped at 6 different waterfalls, but saw many more along our road trip!
The Icelandic language is beautiful to hear but very hard for a foreigner to pronounce any of their words – this includes names! All the waterfalls we visited had the most unique names, and again, very difficult to pronounce. I have listed the Icelandic name of each waterfall we visited, along with the meaning of the name. In my opinion, these are the best ones to visit!
Oxararfoss – Meaning: Axe Falls
Our first stop was at Oxararfoss, located in the Pingviller National Park. There are two options for getting to this waterfall. One, you can park just outside the national park and hike down a trail in between the continental plates or two, drive into the national park, towards parking lot 1 or 2, and walk slightly uphill to see the waterfall.
To me, this is a small, but sweet waterfall with a rippling brook to match, a great place to relax and soak in the beauty of Iceland! It is the perfect waterfall to visit first in Iceland!
Gullfoss – Meaning: Golden Falls
This is the perfect name for such a strong and powerful waterfall! We stopped here on our second day driving the Golden Circle, the most famous route in Iceland. As we were driving towards the falls, we spotted a rainbow! We quickly parked and ran down to grab a quick shot. Come to find out, the rainbow is a constant fixture at the falls, as long as the sun is shining.
There are several paths along Gullfoss and all with killer views! One from above is stunning and gives you a great perspective of the greatness of the falls. Another is up close and personal with the falls, unfortunately, it was closed when we visited in April. Keep in mind the mist of the falls can be felt from the parking lot! Be sure to wear your rain jacket or grab a poncho! Fun fact: In wildness and fury these falls outshine the Niagara Falls in the United States!
Skogafoss – Meaning: Forest Falls
This was by far my favorite waterfall in Iceland! It is absolutely massive, and the scenery is just stunning! The pictures do not do justice to this place! The first thing we did was hike the 500 steps to the top! This was quite the hike and I must admit I was struggling those last few steps. But it was worth it! The view was the most spectacular sight! You can just feel the power from the falls!
There is a small hiking trail past the falls. We followed until the end and saw several other smaller waterfalls and even more gorgeous scenery! As we made our way back down, we got as close to Skogafoss as we could. Bring your waterproof gear. We only took the go-pro as a precaution and we ended up soaked! It was such a fun experience!
Seljalandsfoss – Meaning: Seller Falls
Not sure why the translation is ‘seller’ but, this is another one of my favorites! I recommend getting here early, as many of the tour buses make this their first stop. You also have to pay for parking which was $6 (and be sure to get a receipt, there were officers ticketing cars without receipts).
Where a poncho or a rain jacket is a must when visiting Seljalandsfoss, there is a path that leads around the entire falls and I guarantee you will get wet! I recommend wearing hiking boots as well as the path will be muddy.
Gljufrafoss – Meaning: Dweller in the Gorge
If you continue past Seljalandsfoss, there is a hidden waterfall just a 9-minute walk away.
Many of the paths were closed when we visited in April, but if you wear high enough waterproof boots, you can walk through the stream and see the falls up close!
Hjalparfoss – Meaning: Helping Falls
This is one of the hidden falls we were able to visit! I am so glad Sam found it because we had the place to ourselves! About a 30-minute drive from the Secret Lagoon, you will turn onto a dirt road. Also, make sure your car has a four-wheel mode, the road is full of potholes! Drive for about 5 minutes and you will see the beautiful Hjalparfoss! We stayed for as long as we could and got some epic shots!
Best Time to Go:
I recommend getting to each of these waterfalls as early as you can. Most are located on the Reykjavik tour bus routes. The busses typically arrive around 11 am and there will be many, many tourists and it will be harder to get those stunning shots.
Parking:
Each waterfall has a designated parking lot. Seljalandsfoss and Gullfoss (in the summer) there is paid
Movies Filming Locations:
Skogafoss is a site for many movie film locations including Vikings, Thor: A Dark World, and Game of Thrones. Oxararfoss is also a film location for Game of Thrones.
These are some of the best waterfalls to visit in Iceland and they do not disappoint! This list is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to visiting all the waterfalls in I
Until the next destination!
If you have any specific questions, do not
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