10 Most Impressive Waterfalls In Iceland

Iceland is a paradise for adventure travelers and outdoor photographers. This country has diverse natural attractions with volcanoes, hot springs, glaciers, and majestic waterfalls. Here are the 10 most impressive waterfalls in Iceland that should be on your bucket list.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Located ​​on the South Coast, Seljalandsfoss is one of the best waterfalls in Iceland, pouring water into a small lake below from a height of 60m. An easy path (wet and potentially freezing) takes you to the back of the falls. Following the trail, a small cave will appear behind the craggy cliffs, giving you a truly picturesque view from the inside out.

Driving a car is the best way to visit Summer is the ideal time to come here for a picnic, watch the flowers bloom on the trail, relax in the vast green prairie and enjoy the cool, humid air. When night falls, the lights at the foot of the waterfall begin to light up, creating an extremely splendid scene. When winter comes, Seljalandsfoss is a magnificent ice waterfall. 

• Height: 60 m (200 ft).
• Location: South Iceland (63°36′57″N 19°59′34″W).
• Entrance fee: Free.
• Getting there: Renting a car in Iceland is an excellent option for day trips and road trips. From Reykjavík, you can follow Ring Road 1 and drive towards the South Coast. The distance between Seljalandsfoss and Reykjavik is around 125km (77 miles), which takes about two hours if you drive non-stop. Check your car options here.
• Tour: Join an amazing South Coast day tour from Reykjavík and visit Seljalandsfoss, Sólheimajökull, and the beautiful Reynisfjara beach. Check tour info here.

Gullfoss Waterfall

Gullfoss Falls is part of the Hivta River in ​​southwest Iceland as part of the Golden Circle.

With a height of 32 meters, the waterfall falls the first time at 11 meters and the second at 21 meters. You will be amazed by the water blocks pouring down the rocky crevices rushing like thunder.

In winter, the paths to the top of the falls are blocked by slippery rocks and steep cliffs. Don’t worry. You can still watch the falls from afar at Gullfoss cafe, enjoy more local food and visit the small souvenir stalls. 

Also, there are many exciting activities waiting for you nearby. You should consider visiting Thingvellir National Park to learn more about Iceland’s important geological, historical and cultural values or relax at the Secret Lagoon Hot Springs with a healthy source of natural minerals.

• Height: 32 m (105 ft).
• Location: Southwest Iceland (64°19′34″N 20°07′16″W).
• Entrance fee: Free.
• Getting there: The driving distance from Reykjavík to Gullfoss is 112 km (70 miles), taking about 1.5 hours by car. From Reykjavik, travel 54 kilometers (33 miles) east on the Ring Road before turning onto Road 35. Continue driving till you reach Gullfoss parking. Book your car here.
• Tour: From Reykjavík, you can join a trip to Golden Circle and visit the breathtaking Geysir region, Gullfoss waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park. Check tour info here.

Skogafoss Waterfall

Located in the South at 62 meters high and 25 meters wide, Skogafoss is one of Iceland’s largest and most beautiful waterfalls. A rainbow is easy to catch here at any time, thanks to the combination of thousands of water sprays with warm sunshine.

The path to the waterfall is quite flat. Challenge yourself to conquer the path leading to the top of the waterfall to admire its majesty. Along the way, there are many picnic areas to rest in and watch the sunset. Moreover, you can join Iceland’s most famous hiking trail – the Fimmvorduhals (25 km long), in which Skogafoss is the endpoint. Hikers come here and finish it in 2 days.

• Height: 60 m (200 ft).
• Width: 25 m (82 ft).
• Location: Skógar, Iceland (63°31′47″N 19°30′50″W).
• Entrance fee: Free.
• Getting there: The distance between Reykjavik and Skógafoss is around 154km (95 miles), taking around 2 hours by car. From Reykjavik, follow the Ring Road towards the East. Turn left to reach the parking lot one kilometer off the main road, and you’ll reach Skógafoss. Check your car options here.
• Tour: You can join the South Iceland tour to see the beauty of Skógafoss.

Godafoss Waterfall

Godafoss is known as the “waterfall of the gods” as this is where Christianity was made the official religion of Iceland in 1000. Located in the North of Iceland, Godafoss is 12 meters high and 30 meters wide. From a distance, the waterfall is shaped like a horseshoe, surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes.

With a minus 10 degrees Celsius temperature, cold winds and severe weather in winter are a great challenge for visitors. Moisture from the waterfall may quickly cause the filter or lens to freeze.

Instead of walking to the waterfall, you can take a quick 30-minute drive from Akureyri and then park. The walkway from the parking lot to the waterfall is quite long but mostly paved. So, you can easily walk the entire way to take memorable photos and enjoy the scenery.

• Height: 12 m (39 ft)
• Width: 30 m (98 ft)
• Location: Northern Iceland.
• Entrance fee: Free.
• Getting there: The distance from Reykjavik to Goðafoss Waterfall is 436 km (271 miles). It’s about 35 km from Akureyri to Goðafoss, taking about half an hour. Book your car here.
• Tour: I highly recommend taking a day tour from Akureyri to Goðafoss, where you can also see Lake Mývatn and visit a local hot spring.

Dettifoss Waterfall

Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Iceland and second in Europe. This magnificent waterfall is located in Vatnajökull National Park and will not let you down with its grandeur. 

Dettifoss is more than 100 meters wide, 44 meters high, and has an average intensity of 193 cubic meters per second. You will be utterly amazed by its strength and spectacular landscapes. The sound of the waterfall flowing like a roaring tiger, pouring water down and splashing white foam around. The mist from the fall can even be seen from a few miles away.

With its grandeur and ferocity, Dettifoss has been the filming location of many Hollywood blockbusters. If you are a fan of Prometheus (2012) or Oblivion (2013), you will not be surprised by the post-apocalyptic scenes with the crater in northeastern Iceland and the Dettifoss waterfall.

• Height: 44 m (144 ft).
• Location: Northeast Iceland (65°48′52.8″N 16°23′04.1″W).
• Entrance fee: Free.
• Getting there: The best way to get to Dettifoss waterfall is from Akureyri (150 km), taking 2 hours by car. You can fly or drive from Reykjavik to Akureyri.
• Tour: From Akureyri, you can join a private Dettifoss Waterfall tour, which takes you to the mighty falls, Lake Mývatn, and Eyjafjordur.

Glymur Waterfall

With a peak of 198m, Glymur is the second-highest waterfall in Iceland. Located in the western part of the Hvalfjordur fjord, Glymur is fed by the river Botnsa and descends into a majestic mossy green gorge.

You can come here all year round to experience a hike to Glymur, which is recommended as a must-do for adventurous people. Crossing the rushing frozen river on the trail will be an unforgettable adventure. Then, you need to pass the rest of the path, which begins to be steep.

There are a lot of loose stones that can break at any time, so you have to be cautious. Some of the steepest sections of the trail have ropes to help you up (and down). Walking along the canyon, you will see a variety of local birds nesting and living on the cliffs. Please note that in winter, only the west side of the falls can be reached because of heavy snowfall.

• Height: 198 m (650 ft).
• Location: West of Iceland (64°23′45″N 21°14′28″W).
• Entrance fee: Free.
• Getting there: Glymur Waterfall is about 70.5 km (44 miles) northeast of Reykjavik, not far from the Golden Circle. Check your car options here.

Haifoss Waterfall

Situated near the volcano Hekla in southern Iceland, Haifoss – 122m high, is the third-highest waterfall in Iceland. Its appearance is vertical, like a ruler dumping water into the Fossa River. Due to the gravel, it is quite challenging for visitors to join the hiking trail to the top of the falls is difficult. After reaching the top of the Haifoss, you will feel like redemption from all the materialistic things of life with a world-class panoramic view.

It has incredible surroundings with a dark, rough landscape. Because of its severe environment and rugged terrain, very few plants and birds live here. In winter, Haifoss changes its appearance dramatically. The vapor and the water form beautiful ice sculptures that pile up from bottom to top.

• Height: 122 m (400 ft).
• Location: South of Iceland.
• Entrance fee: Free.
• Getting there: The distance between Reykjavik and Háifoss is around 138km (86 miles), taking about 2 hours by car. Check your car options here.
• Tour: You can join Landmannalaugar & Háifoss Waterfall tour from Reykjavik. You’ll see the beautiful lava fields and hot springs and admire the striking Háifoss.

Hraunfossar Waterfall

Along with the splendid natural beauty, the Hraunfossar waterfall, located in the Borgarfjörður district, is described as a beautiful slice of paradise that nature has bestowed on Iceland. In 1987, Hraunfossar, often known as the lava falls, became a National Monument.

This waterfall captivates travelers’ attractions thanks to travelers’ attractions thanks to the numerous small streams of water flowing through the jagged lava layers created when a volcano erupts under the glacier. Also, the green color on the rocky banks creates an extremely brilliant fairy scene.

You can climb the falls by a trail that runs along the waterfall several hundred meters long. A boardwalk at the top and terraced observatories offer spectacular views of the creeks that cascade down the river from the opposite side of the waterfront.

• Location: West of Iceland.
• Entrance fee: Free.
• Transport: Hraunfossar is about 122 km (76 miles) from Reykjavik, about 1 hour and 40 minutes by car. Check car information here.
• Tour: You can join the Silver Circle day tour and see the stunning waterfalls of Hraunfossar, Langifoss, and Barnafoss.

Also, you should consider visiting Iceland’s longest cave nearby, Víðgelmir. This impressive cave is 1,595 meters long and situated in the Hallmundarhraun lava field.

Dynjandi Waterfall

In the local dialect, Dynjandi means “echo of thunder.” Dynjandi is located in the Northwest of Iceland, known as the “jewel of the Westfjords.” It is sometimes called “Mountain Falls.” From a distance, it looks as beautiful and gentle as a giant bridal veil. But when you come closer, you will be mesmerized by the grandeur created by the roaring waterfall and the vast natural landscape.

In fact, Dynjandi is actually a collective name for the series of 7 falls. Dynjandi Waterfall, which is at the top, is the first in the series of 7 waterfalls here, with a width of 30m, gradually descending to 60m, pouring water into the deep abyss. You will easily fall in love with the clear and cool water pouring down from the top.

• Height: 100 m (330 ft).
• Location: Arnarfjörður, Westfjords, Iceland (65°43′57″N 23°11′55″W)
• Entrance fee: Free.
• Getting there: Dynjandi waterfall is about 5 hour’s drive from Reykjavik (363 kilometers/ 226 miles) and about 6 hours from Akureyri. Check car rental options here.

Svartifoss Waterfall

Svartifoss is also known as Iceland’s Black Falls, as it is surrounded by hexagonal black lava columns. At the foot of the falls are sharp and jagged rock formations. The basalt columns here inspire many Icelandic architects to create famous works, such as the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík or the national theater. You should come here in the fall because the trail going up to the top of the waterfall is covered with beautiful green grass.

At the foot of the nearby waterfall, there is a small bridge, enough for you to rest and watch the waterfall from afar. To protect your safety from falling rock debris, barriers have been prepared.

• Height: 20 m (66 feet).
• Location: Vatnajökull National Park in South East Iceland.
• Entrance fee: Free.
• Getting there: Svartifoss Waterfall is about 4 hours from Reykjavik (327.4 km/ 203 miles) via Route 1.

Above are the ten most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland for natural lovers. Feeling inspired to head on a waterfall-seeking adventure? Get ready, and let’s go!