Iceland is quite literally the land of fire and ice. The dramatic landscape of this Nordic nation has inspired filmmakers and tourists alike, who are drawn to this island to see its natural wonders in the flesh. From all its glaciers and mountains come rivers, and from the rivers, powerful waterfalls gush over timeworn crevices and sheer drops.
In fact, Iceland has no shortage of waterfalls, many situated in one of Iceland’s three national parks. Some are famous simply for how incredible they look in photographs, while others have ancient myths and legends haunting them. Some of the best ones, however, are straightforward to reach from the capital – Reykjavik – thanks to the country’s easy-to-follow Ring Road.
Seeing the best waterfalls in Iceland means seeing some stark and beautiful landscapes, hitting the road on some truly epic drives, and gazing in awe at the power of nature.
Table of Contents
Famous Waterfalls in Iceland
Kirkjufellsfoss
Situated near the charming fishing village of Grundarfjörður, north of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Kirkjufellsfoss is one of the most photographed natural wonders in Iceland. That’s possibly due to the epic scenery, which consists of the stark, conical shape of Mt. Kirkjufell rising up to 463 meters above sea level. The distinctive shape of the mountain sits in solitude, with the waterfall gushing in the foreground.
Meaning “Church Mountain Falls,” Kirkjufellfoss is easily accessed thanks to the nearby car park that allows visitors to stop off close by. This is around a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Reykjavik. Once you’ve arrived, it’s a simple matter of following a well-trodden trail for a few hundred meters until you meet the waterfall itself.
Usually, you’ll see a gathering of photographers trying to capture the iconic shot of Kirkjufellsfoss pouring over the rugged rocks into the cold water below, with Mt. Kirkjufell looming in the background. Sometimes, however, clouds stubbornly cling to the peak, so it’s not always in full view. For a different perspective, one that doesn’t have the mountain in the background, there’s a bridge you can cross, too.
Godafoss
Roaring down from a height of 12 meters and with an impressive width of 30 meters, Godafoss is a force to be reckoned with. You’ll find this particular waterfall in northern Iceland, just off the Ring Road, situated between Akureyri and Lake Myvatn.
Godafoss is a feature on the Skjalfandafljot River, originating in the Icelandic Highlands. It essentially looks like a wall of water, powerfully surging over a curved rockface into the icy pool below.
Meaning “Waterfall of the Gods” in Modern Icelandic, the origin of the name is not entirely certain. It has been suggested that the name Godafoss comes from two rocky crags at the waterfall that resembles pagan idols.
There’s also a myth relating to the falls. According to one 19th-century source, the waterfall was given its current title in the year 999 (or 1000) when Thorgeir Ljostvetningagodi – a senior country official – made Christianity the official religion of Iceland. He then threw his own statues of the Norse gods into the plunge pool of the falls in a ceremony related to the acceptance of Christianity.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss is easily one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. Reached via a straightforward two-hour drive from Reykjavik along the Ring Road, Gullfoss is located in southwest Iceland in the Haukadalur Valley, where the Hvítá River rages through on its way to the sea.
An iconic stop along the Golden Circle route around the island nation, the name Gullfoss aptly translates to “Golden Falls.” It’s a two-tiered waterfall that is very impressive to see, and it all begins where the river intriguingly makes a sharp turn. First dropping down a set of stairs carved by the water in the rock, the falls make two dramatic drops – one 11 meters and the next 32 meters high – through a small crevice just twenty meters wide. This makes it seem as though the water disappears into the earth.
Needless to say, Gullfoss is a powerful display of nature and a truly beautiful sight. It’s so powerful, in fact, that there have been attempts to harness its power for renewable energy. The falls also erode the water to such a degree that the falls lengthen by about 25 centimeters per year.
Seljalandsfoss
Part of the Seljalandsá River, which originates beneath the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, the beautiful Seljalandfoss is situated on the south coast of Iceland. Reaching it is a simple matter of turning off Route 1 and following the straightforward route to the falls.
Because of how easy it is to get to – and because of its sheer spectacular cascade – it’s one of the most visited waterfalls in Iceland. It’s a classic-looking waterfall, which drops an impressive 60 meters in one narrow stream of water.
While you can marvel at this stunning cascade from afar, it’s also possible to get up close and personal to Seljalandfoss. In fact, you can walk behind the cascade itself and watch the water plunging down with a view out across the lowlands and beyond the sea. Wear waterproof clothing if you plan on going close to the falls, as you will almost certainly get wet; the path can also be slippery, too.
Because it’s a popular stop-off, it might be a good idea to visit early in the morning. Alternatively, come in the evening, when the waterfall is elegantly illuminated, which creates an even more atmospheric spectacle.
Skogafoss
Though many of Iceland’s best waterfalls are fairly straightforward to reach, Skogafoss requires very little effort to get to. Driving from Reykjavik may take a little while, but due to its location near the village of Skogar – complete with accommodation as well as cafes and restaurants – it is easily reached if you’re staying here.
Skogafoss, located on the Skógá River, is another waterfall in Iceland that you can get fairly close to. It plummets from a cliff in the south of Iceland into a plunge pool that once formed part of the coastline. This coastline has receded and is now found around five kilometers (three miles) from the waterfall.
With a width of 25 meters and an eye-popping drop of 60 meters, Skogafoss is one of Iceland’s biggest waterfalls. Because of this dramatic cascade into the pool below, there are consistent double rainbows visible in the spray when the sun is shining.
It may be unsurprising, then, that there is a legend linked to this mystical cascade. It is said that Þrasi Þórólfsson, an early Viking settler, hid his treasure in a cave located behind the falls. The legend holds that this treasure was later discovered by locals, but upon grabbing the ring on the side of the chest, it disappeared – all that was left was the ring. This is said to have been given to the local church and was used on the door. It can now be seen at the Skogar Museum.
Dettifoss
Dettifoss is one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe – not just in Iceland. Only the Rhine Falls, situated in Switzerland, are more powerful. Part of the Vatnajökull National Park, the falls boast an average water flow of 193m3 per second as they plunge from a height of 100 meters along the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river.
You’ll find this powerful cascade on the Diamond Circle, one of the popular tourist routes that trace around the island. The thunderous falls are best approached from the west, where the road is paved and a footpath leads from the parking area (complete with public toilets), giving visitors easy access to the impressive spectacle.
Often called “The Beast” because of its power, it’s recommended that you wear waterproof clothing and footwear with good grip due to the spray, which can often make the paths slippery. There’s a viewing platform for photo opportunities, while a few hiking trails lead to other interesting sights in the national park in which Dettifoss is located, including another waterfall: Selfoss.
Kolufoss
Situated in the Kolugljufur Canyon, Kolufoss (sometimes Kolufossar) is not just one cascade but a series of falls along the Víðidalsá River in northern Iceland. This majestic natural sight is surrounded by rustic farmland, spreading out from either side of the canyon as the water makes its relatively gentle descent down a rugged gorge.
You’ll find this series of small falls on the south side of the Vatsnes Peninsula. There’s a viewing platform where you can watch the water as it tumbles impressively along. It’s a good spot to stroll and get a few different photos from different vantage points.
These falls are named after a female giant called Kola, who, according to myth, made her home here, where she lived off the river’s equally giant salmon. Though it’s said she often ate these salmon raw, occasionally, she cooked them in Koluketill (her cauldron in the form of a hot spring nearby). She slept on a stone bed, evidenced by the name of Kolurúm – a ledge on the west side of the canyon.