Fossá in Fossárdalur, East Iceland

Updated September 10, 2026Published by Iceland.orgWriting & review

Use Fossárdalur or Sveinsstekksfoss when planning this river stop. Searching only for Fossá can lead to another river or waterfall with the same name.

Three names for the lower waterfall

Visit Austurland identifies Sveinsstekksfoss, Fossárfoss and Nykurhylsfoss as names for the same lower fall. The river flows from Líkárvatn through Fossárdalur to Berufjörður. The destination listing places this waterfall by Road 1, making it a clearer starting point than an unspecified “eastern highlands” route.

The regional account describes strong changes in flow with weather. Look from stable ground and do not enter the river or gorge to get a closer view. A roadside waterfall stop does not imply that the entire valley has a maintained hiking trail.

Fit it into an Eastfjords drive

Use Berufjörður and Djúpivogur as the local planning context. Choose any longer Fossárdalur walk separately, with a route map and current access information. Hengifoss and Seyðisfjörður belong to a wider East Iceland itinerary, rather than the immediate waterfall stop.

Planning help

Fossá questions

Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.

Which Fossá does this guide cover?

This is the river in Fossárdalur that reaches Berufjörður in East Iceland. Use the valley or waterfall name to distinguish it from other places called Fossá.

Which waterfall should I look for?

The lower waterfall has three names: Sveinsstekksfoss, Fossárfoss and Nykurhylsfoss. They refer to the same fall, not three separate stops.

Does the whole river have a marked walking route?

Do not assume so. Choose an established visitor stop and confirm any longer walk locally; a river description is not a trail map.

Browse Iceland’s rivers

Country reference: Iceland statistics.

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