Six waterfalls in southern Iceland

Gullfoss

Gullfoss, the golden waterfall, is without a doubt the most famous waterfall in Iceland. Located on the famous Golden Circle where you'll find Geysir and the Thingvellir National Park, these natural beauties are a must visit in the south of Iceland. The waterfall is 32 meters high, and the surrounding canyon reaches 70 meters high. Gullfoss waterfall is on the white river Hvítá, which is powered by the second largest glacier in Iceland, Langjokull. 

Besides it being a beautiful natural site, Gullfoss also has a troubled history. In the early twentieth century, English investors wanted to buy Gulfoss, which then belonged to the farmer Tómas Tómasson, for use in the production of electricity. The farmer refused to sell Gullfoss but instead decided to rent the waterfall; his daughter Sigridur who loved Gullfoss did everything to cancel this contract, even threatened to throw herself into the waterfall if investors began to build near Gullfoss infrastructure. After years of legal battles, the rental contract was canceled. Sigridur is considered Iceland's first environmentalist. Tómas's son became the owner of the waterfall and sold it to the Icelandic government. In 1979, the waterfall became a nature reserve.

Seljalandfoss

Seljalandsfoss is a very famous waterfall in Iceland, situated on the road between Selfoss town and the Skógafoss waterfall. This cascade, born on Seljalandsá river forms a fall of 60 meters. Seljalandfoss is well-known in Iceland for being a unique waterfall because you can walk behind it.  

A little further west, you can admire the waterfall Gljúfrabúi, also known as Glúfrafoss. You can access it from the farm Hamragarðar that is accessible from the road.

Skógafoss

Skógafoss is a well-known frequently visited waterfall situated on the Skóga river. Skógafoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland with a drop of 60 meters and is 25 metres wide. 

According to local legend, the first Viking, who settled in the area, Thrasi Thorolfsson, hid treasure in a cave behind the waterfall. Legend says that local landowners found the treasure chest a few years later, but unable to grasp the ring on the side to open it, the treasure chest eventually disappeared.

Svartifoss

The waterfall, known for its long basalt columns, is in the Vatnajökull National Park. To get to the "black waterfall", you have to walk for 45minutes on a  well-marked easy path and along the way, you will find benches to rest. The return hike back is a little quicker because the road is downhill. 

In winter, expect more time and be careful because the path is very slippery; we highly recommend you use crampons.

Háifoss

Waterfall Háifoss, the second largest in Iceland, is located near the Heklavolcano in southern Iceland, on Route 32. At the river Fossa, there is a drop of 122 meters. You can hike starting from the historical farm Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng, and after a three-hour walk, you will find the waterfall along the river.

Safety information for Icelandic waterfall lovers

The summer of 2015 has seen a rise in tourism in Iceland, and an increase in incidences involving visitors unaware of the dangers of getting too close to the edge of steep waterfalls. Yes! Icelandic nature is powerful and energetic, but also, let’s not forget to respect that it’s sometimes fragile too. There is still little infrastructure around the waterfall sites listed above. Pathways and fences are few, so please be careful! And remember! “no fence” is not an invitation to get as near as you wish. At Gullfoss, some pathways don't include chains and barriers preventing access to the most dangerous areas near the waterfall. Take in the lovely view of course… but don't let the view take you!

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Hiking routes in Skaftafell National Park Iceland

Following are suggestions for a few of the more popular hiking routes in Skaftafell. Whenever possible the suggestion is a circular route. Please note that these are only suggestions; in most cases it is possible to use alternative paths, return the same way, do a reverse circle etc. Also note that distance and walking times are for reference only.

Hiking maps for Skaftafell are available in visitor centres, information offices and from park rangers. You can also use the ones here on the right; click on each picture for enlarged version.

Skaftafellsjökull (Skaftafell glacier) 
Distance: 2 km (4 km round-trip) 
Walking time: 1½ hrs. 
Route difficulty: 1 (easy) 

A paved path goes from Skaftafell Visitor Centre towards Skaftafell glacier. From the end of the paved section a gravel path leads to a point where there is a good view towards this impressive outlet glacier and its roots in Vatnajökull ice cap.

After enjoying the view you should walk back the same gravel path and then take another gravel path on the left which will lead you to Skaftafell Visitor Centre.

Svartifoss ('Black waterfall') 
Distance: 2 km (4 km round-trip) 
Walking time: 2 hrs. 
Route difficulty: 1 (easy) 

After walking 250 meters from the visitor centre through the campsite take you slightly upwards into the mountain heath in Skaftafell (elevation is 140 meters in 1.5 kilometers). From that point the path will take you down into the ravine below the waterfall).

After enjoying the waterfall and its surroundings you should walk up the basalt column steps on the other side of the ravine and follow that path all the way down to the campsite via Lambhagi. When visibility is good It is recommended to do a little extra loop to the viewpoint at Sjónarnípa on the way down.

Kristínartindar ('Kristín's mountain peaks') 
Distance: 16 km 
Walking time: 7 hrs. 
Route difficulty: 3 (difficult) 

The route to Kristínartindar goes from Skaftafell Visitor Centre through the campsite and up into the mountain heath as if you were going to Svartifoss. It is possible to go all the way to Svartifoss and then head on to Sjónarsker, but the shortest way is to cross the river on the walking bridge next to Magnúsarfoss and from there head to Sjónarsker. From Sjónarsker the path goes all the way towards Kristínartindar. When arriving at the foot of Kristínartindar you have two options.

The easy one is to walk the path around the mountain peaks where you will come onto the walking route again. The other option is to walk the path that goes through the rock scree all the way to the top of the mountain. For that hike it is strongly recommended that you have good boots and trekking poles. To go down you return the same way as you came up, with the exception of that when you arrive at the shoulder between the mountain peaks you take the path that goes to the left.

That path will take down towards Gláma where the paths meet again. From Gláma the path takes you down to Sjónarnípa and then onwards to the visitor centre/camp site via Austurbrekkur.

Sjónarnípa (a viewpoint) 
Distance: 3,5 km (6,5 km round-trip) 
Walking time: 2 hrs. 
Route difficulty: 2 (challenging) 

From the camp site walk up towards Svartifoss. Skip the first signpost for Sjónarnípa. After 450 meters another 'Sjónarnípa signpost' appears. Choose that path towards Sjónarnípa. Then continue back towards the camp site via Austurbrekkur. Even better option is to skip the second signpost also and choose the third one which is located right before Svartifoss.

Morsárjökull (Morsá glacier) 
Distance: 10 km (20 km round-trip) 
Walking time: 6 hrs. 
Route difficulty: 2 (challenging) 

The route goes from the camp site in Skaftafell across the mountain heath to Grjóthóll in Morsárdalur. A marked path goes from Grjóthóll towards Morsárjökull and the glacial lagoon in front of it. On the return you take the same path towards Grjóthóll and continue across the walking bridge on Morsá river.

You then continue on the trail next to the river all the way down to another walking bridge by Götugil. Walk over the bridge on follow the marked path that leads to the camp site.

Bæjarstaðarskógur ('Farmstead woods') 
Distance: 7,2 km (15 km round-trip) 
Walking time: 5 hrs. 
Route difficulty: 2 (challenging) 

The route goes from the camp site in Skaftafell across the mountain heath to Grjóthóll in Morsárdalur. A marked path goes from Grjóthóll towards Morsárjökull. From Grjóthóll continue across the walking bridge over Morsá river and straight on the marked path that leads to the woods in Baejarstaðarskógur.

The path continues through the woods and past two beautiful ravines that are worth a closer look. After passing the ravines it is relatively easy to walk across the sands back towards Skaftafell. There is no marked path on this route but aim for the lower end of the Skaftafellsheiði mountain heath and you should arrive at the walking bridge by Götugil. Walk over the bridge on follow the marked path that leads to the camp site. If you are not comfortable with crossing the unmarked sands you can return the same way as you came.

Kjós ('Dell') 
Distance: 12 km (24 km round-trip) 
Walking time: 8 hrs. 
Route difficulty: 2 (challenging) 

The route goes from the camp site in Skaftafell across the mountain heath to Grjóthóll in Morsárdalur. A marked path goes from Grjóthóll towards Morsárjökull. From Grjóthóll continue across the walking bridge over Morsá river and straight on the marked path that leads to the woods in Baejarstaðarskógur. Then instead of walking into the woods you should turn right and walk on the gravel bank of Kjósarlaekur.

Please note that there is no proper path or way marking. Continue until you arrive in Kjós. The same route will take you back towards Grjóthóll but instead of crossing the bridge you should continue on the trail next to the river all the way down to another walking bridge by Götugil. Cross the bridge on follow the marked path that leads to the camp site.

Getting there

By car: Road 1 goes from Reykjavík to Skaftafell (326 km). Road 998 (2 km) leads up to the visitor centre in Skaftafell. Road 1 continues to the east from Skaftafell. The distance to Höfn is 136 km and the distance to the Glacial Lagoon is 56 km.

By bus: A scheduled bus goes between Reykjavík and Höfn via Skaftafell. For further information check this website: www.straeto.is


Restaurants / food stores 

A cafeteria is operated in Skaftafell during the summer. It offers hot soups, sandwiches, cakes and coffee, along with some basic dairy products, bread, biscuits and fruits, to mention some.

A restaurant can be found in Freysnes which is 5 km to the east from Skaftafell (opposite Hotel Skaftafell). It is operated all year round and also has a small-scale food store. A larger grocery store is in Kirkjubæjarklaustur (70 km to west) and yet another one in Höfn (136 km to east).

Accommodation 

Information on accommodation near Skaftafell can be found on the website of the regional tourism organisation.

Skaftafell campground

The campground in Skaftafell is in full service from 1 May to 30 September. Guests are permitted to camp outside the service season but must take notice of limited services. Guests should contact the service desk at the visitor centre prior to camping.

Late arrivers should make contact first thing in the morning. Vatnajökull National Park does not offer any equipment rental.

Tel: +354 4708300
 e-mail: skaftafell@vjp.is

Source: Vatnajökull National Park

Three hikes in Skaftafell National Park

Skaftafell, in the southern region of Iceland, is known for its beautiful landscape and its hiking. Before 2008, Skaftafell was an individual national park but has since been annexed by the Vatnajökull National Park.  The park founded in 1967, now includes a campground with shower and sanitary facilities and has an information centre for hikers. The possibilities for hikes in this area are numerous; we decided to share three walks with you.

Blue path (easy): Svartifoss - Sjónarsker - Salt
5.5 km return - Estimated walking time: 2 hours.

The well-marked hiking path starts at the information centre at Skaftafell (Skaftafellstofa). After the camp, the trail climbs to the right. Follow the tags until you arrive in front of the magnificent waterfall Svartifoss. Nicknamed the Black waterfall, Svartifoss is known for the dark lava columns surrounding it, similar to the lava columns at Reynisdrangar near Vik. Then, walk over the bridge, go down into the ravine and climb the other side. You continue your way until Sjónarnípa, from there you can admire the glacier -the view is fabulous. To return to the starting point, head to the house made of peat named Salt, in the Lambhagi locality, where up until the early twentieth century farmers were guarding their sheep and lambs. After Lambhagi, you are almost back to the information point.

Red Road (Middle): Kjos
29.8 km return - Estimated walking time: 8-10 hours.

Start at the information point of Skaftafell (Skaftafellstofa) and head to Sjónarnípa, then to Morsárdalur, an icy valley Skaftafellsheiði. After crossing the bridge over the river MORSA, the marked path leads you to the small birch forest Bæjarstaðarskógur. Near the woods is a small natural hot bath for two. When you get to the sign in the woods, turn right. There is no marked path to Kjos, and we recommend you obtain a detailed map for this hike. Kjos is a beautiful canyon. On the way back, retrace your steps until Grjóthóll, but instead of crossing the bridge continue following the river until Götugil bridge. Walk along the well-marked path until you reach the information point.

Black Path (difficult): Kristínartindar
17.9 km return - Estimated walking time: 6-8 hours.

The trail starts at the information centre at Skaftafell, and the first part of the walk is the same as the blue path hike mentioned above, except that you are not going to Svartifoss. You can detour and go through Svartifoss, but the shortest is to cross the river over the bridge near the waterfall Magnúsarfoss and get to the point of Sjónarsker. The path from Sjónarsker then goes up the mountain Kristínartindar. When you reach a junction at the foot of Kristínartindar, turn left following the path through scree and rock, then turn left again to the top of the ridge.You return the same way you came, except that when reaching the ledge you have to go down the left path, which will lead you to the mountain plateau Glama and Sjónarnípa, then onto your starting point.

Joanne, Iceland24h.blogspot.com
May 2016