South IcelandClassic falls
Skogafoss Waterfall
60m drop. Climb the 527 stairs for a top view; mind the wind at the base.
Best for
Big spray + rainbow chances
Waterfalls
Waterfalls of Iceland
A starting list of well-known falls, easy stops, and hike-in favorites, organized by region.
Tip
Bring a rain shell
Wind can turn spray into sideways rain, even on sunny days.
Quick Answer
Iceland's waterfalls organized by region, from Gullfoss and Skogafoss to quieter falls like Gljúfrabúi and Kvernufoss, with access and hiking notes for each stop.
View details
South IcelandWalk-behind
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
65m drop. The path behind can be icy or closed in winter.
Best for
Unique angle (when open)
South IcelandShort hike
Kvernufoss Waterfall
30m and easy to miss. Bring waterproof layers; spray reaches the trail.
Best for
Quieter alternative near Skogafoss
West IcelandHike
Glymur Waterfall
198m, second-tallest in Iceland. Seasonal trail; check river crossings.
Best for
Canyon views in summer
West IcelandLava-waterfalls
Hraunfossar Waterfall
Springs from lava field. Pairs with nearby Barnafoss.
Best for
Gentle walks + scenic viewpoints
West IcelandRapids
Barnafoss Waterfall
Children's Falls. Stay behind railings; fast water and slippery edges.
Best for
Fast water through a narrow channel
North IcelandPowerhouse
Dettifoss Waterfall
Choose the east or west approach before driving; the roads and visitor paths differ.
Best for
Raw force
North IcelandScenic falls
Godafoss Waterfall
Waterfall of the Gods. 12m high, 30m wide. Great at golden hour.
Best for
Easy access + great photos
WestfjordsTiered cascade
Dynjandi Waterfall
100m bridal-veil cascade. Easy hike; 6 smaller falls on the way.
Best for
Wide bridal-veil shape
EastfjordsHike
Hengifoss Waterfall
Stop at Litlanesfoss on the climb to Hengifoss; it can be a shorter turnaround.
Best for
Layered basalt + red clay bands
EastfjordsBasalt falls
Litlanesfoss Waterfall
30m, framed by basalt columns. On the Hengifoss trail.
Best for
Column views
South IcelandGolden Circle
Gullfoss Waterfall
32m total drop in two stages. Iceland's most famous waterfall on the Golden Circle.
Best for
Two-stage cascade into a canyon
South IcelandBasalt falls
Svartifoss Waterfall
20m in Skaftafell. Inspired Hallgrímskirkja. 1.5 km uphill hike.
Best for
Unique basalt column backdrop
South IcelandCanyon falls
Háifoss Waterfall
122m plunge into a deep canyon. 4x4 recommended.
Best for
Háifoss and Granni canyon views
South IcelandHidden falls
Gljúfrafoss Waterfall
40m. Wade through water to enter the cave. 500m from Seljalandsfoss.
Best for
Hidden inside a canyon
North IcelandBasalt falls
Aldeyjarfoss Waterfall
20m, framed by basalt columns. Highland F-road access.
Best for
Basalt columns + glacial water
North IcelandWide cascade
Selfoss Waterfall
11m wide horseshoe. 1 km upstream from Dettifoss.
Best for
Wide horseshoe shape
South IcelandMulti-stream
Fagrifoss Waterfall
80m multi-stream. Near Laki craters. F-road access.
Best for
Remote highland setting
South IcelandWide falls
Faxi Waterfall
7m wide falls with visible salmon ladder. Near Golden Circle.
Best for
Salmon ladder viewing
South IcelandRoadside
Foss á Síðu Waterfall
30m. Wind can blow the water upward. Visible from Ring Road.
Best for
Wind-blown reverse effect
South IcelandOasis
Gjáin Waterfall
Small waterfalls in a green hollow. Game of Thrones location.
Best for
Multiple cascades and mossy lava
EastfjordsGorge falls
Gljúfursárfoss Waterfall
About 45m, below the Road 917 parking area; optional Drangsnes continuation.
Best for
Vopnafjörður coast and ravine
South IcelandWindow falls
Gluggafoss Waterfall
44m. Water flows through 'windows' in the cliff. Near Hvolsvöllur.
Best for
Water through holes in the rock
EastfjordsMist falls
Gufufoss Waterfall
40m. Steam-like spray on road into Seyðisfjörður.
Best for
Roadside view on Route 93
North IcelandCanyon falls
Hafragilsfoss Waterfall
27m. Third in the Dettifoss trio. Less crowded.
Best for
Canyon views downstream of Dettifoss
South IcelandDistant view
Morsárfoss Waterfall
227m. Revealed by retreating glacier in 2007. Viewable from distance only.
Best for
Iceland's tallest waterfall
South IcelandCanyon falls
Ófærufoss Waterfall
40m two-tier. Natural bridge collapsed 1993. Highland F-road access.
Best for
Eldgjá volcanic canyon setting
South IcelandWide falls
Þjófafoss Waterfall
5m on Iceland's longest river. Named in old accounts of thieves.
Best for
Mount Búrfell backdrop
South IcelandVolume falls
Urriðafoss Waterfall
6m. Check current local access before visiting.
Best for
Highest volume in Iceland
West IcelandEasy stop
Álafoss Waterfall
15m near Mosfellsbær. Adjacent to the Álafoss wool factory.
Best for
Waterfall + wool store visit
South IcelandTwin falls
Systrafoss Waterfall
25m twin streams at Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Easy village trail.
Best for
Medieval convent history
West IcelandRapids
Barnafossar Waterfall
Series of rapids next to Hraunfossar. Dark children's legend.
Best for
Powerful glacial rapids
EastfjordsHike
Fardagafoss Waterfall
Marked approach from Áningarsteinn; the final section is more difficult. Do not assume cave access.
Best for
Waterfall and local cave folklore
South IcelandIdentity unresolved
Onno-Óltifoss Waterfall
The name and location remain unverified. Read the identification note before planning a detour.
Best for
Checking the place name
Check the path, then the parking period
Some changes affect the whole day’s route. At Dettifoss, the park permanently closed Fosshvamm in May 2026 after rockfall and cracking; use the open west-side paths rather than an older walking map. At Svartifoss, Skaftafell’s Austurbrekkur work is scheduled for September 2026. Check the park’s current notices before choosing a circuit.
Parking systems also differ. Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi share the Seljaland parking area, while Parka lists eight-hour periods at Skógafoss and Faxi. Read the individual guide and the displayed tariff before paying; one waterfall’s payment window does not apply to the next stop.
Use a shorter turnaround when it suits the day
On the Hengifoss trail, Litlanesfoss provides a column-framed waterfall view before the longer climb. At Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, the land manager identifies partially accessible viewing facilities; that does not make every path wheelchair accessible. A riverbank viewpoint and a full gorge hike can require very different amounts of time and effort.
Planning help
Waterfall FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the most famous waterfall in Iceland?
Gullfoss, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss and Dettifoss are well-known choices. Compare their location and approach instead of relying on a popularity or power ranking to choose your route.
Can you walk behind any Icelandic waterfalls?
Yes. Seljalandsfoss has a path behind the curtain of water (closed in icy winter conditions), and Kvernufoss near Skógafoss also allows you to walk behind. Bring waterproof clothing; spray is heavy.
When is the best time to visit waterfalls in Iceland?
Summer (June–August) has the longest daylight and easiest access. Many waterfalls are also worth seeing in winter when partially frozen. Some highland waterfalls like Aldeyjarfoss and Háifoss require summer F-road access.
Are Iceland's waterfalls dangerous?
Rocks near waterfalls are often wet and slippery. Stay behind barriers, wear sturdy shoes, and be cautious of spray that can soak you and your gear. Never climb on wet rocks near the edge of a waterfall.
How many waterfalls does Iceland have?
Iceland has thousands of waterfalls thanks to its glaciers, rivers, and steep terrain. Over 30 are well-known visitor destinations, and many more unnamed falls line the Ring Road and highland trails.
Pair waterfalls with a region
Use the region pages to build a route around these stops.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.