Canonical URL: https://www.iceland.org/waterfall Content updated: 2026-09-10 This is the Markdown representation of the page. Interactive tools and forms are available on the [HTML page](). Source-check and review dates retain the meanings stated in the article. --- Waterfalls # Waterfalls of Iceland A starting list of well-known falls, easy stops, and hike-in favorites, organized by region. Updated September 10, 2026 · [Published by Iceland.org]() · [Writing & review]() 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. 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 [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) [View details]() South IcelandShort hike ### Kvernufoss Waterfall 30m and easy to miss. Bring waterproof layers; spray reaches the trail. Best for Quieter alternative near Skogafoss [View details]() West IcelandHike ### Glymur Waterfall 198m, second-tallest in Iceland. Seasonal trail; check river crossings. Best for Canyon views in summer [View details]() West IcelandLava-waterfalls ### Hraunfossar Waterfall Springs from lava field. Pairs with nearby Barnafoss. Best for Gentle walks + scenic viewpoints [View details]() West IcelandRapids ### Barnafoss Waterfall Children's Falls. Stay behind railings; fast water and slippery edges. Best for Fast water through a narrow channel [View details]() North IcelandPowerhouse ### Dettifoss Waterfall Choose the east or west approach before driving; the roads and visitor paths differ. Best for Raw force [View details]() North IcelandScenic falls ### Godafoss Waterfall Waterfall of the Gods. 12m high, 30m wide. Great at golden hour. Best for Easy access + great photos [View details]() WestfjordsTiered cascade ### Dynjandi Waterfall 100m bridal-veil cascade. Easy hike; 6 smaller falls on the way. Best for Wide bridal-veil shape [View details]() EastfjordsHike ### Hengifoss Waterfall Stop at Litlanesfoss on the climb to Hengifoss; it can be a shorter turnaround. Best for Layered basalt + red clay bands [View details]() EastfjordsBasalt falls ### Litlanesfoss Waterfall 30m, framed by basalt columns. On the Hengifoss trail. Best for Column views [View details]() 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 [View details]() South IcelandBasalt falls ### Svartifoss Waterfall 20m in Skaftafell. Inspired Hallgrímskirkja. 1.5 km uphill hike. Best for Unique basalt column backdrop [View details]() South IcelandCanyon falls ### Háifoss Waterfall 122m plunge into a deep canyon. 4x4 recommended. Best for Háifoss and Granni canyon views [View details]() South IcelandHidden falls ### Gljúfrafoss Waterfall 40m. Wade through water to enter the cave. 500m from Seljalandsfoss. Best for Hidden inside a canyon [View details]() North IcelandBasalt falls ### Aldeyjarfoss Waterfall 20m, framed by basalt columns. Highland F-road access. Best for Basalt columns + glacial water [View details]() North IcelandWide cascade ### Selfoss Waterfall 11m wide horseshoe. 1 km upstream from Dettifoss. Best for Wide horseshoe shape [View details]() South IcelandMulti-stream ### Fagrifoss Waterfall 80m multi-stream. Near Laki craters. F-road access. Best for Remote highland setting [View details]() South IcelandWide falls ### Faxi Waterfall 7m wide falls with visible salmon ladder. Near Golden Circle. Best for Salmon ladder viewing [View details]() South IcelandRoadside ### Foss á Síðu Waterfall 30m. Wind can blow the water upward. Visible from Ring Road. Best for Wind-blown reverse effect [View details]() South IcelandOasis ### Gjáin Waterfall Small waterfalls in a green hollow. Game of Thrones location. Best for Multiple cascades and mossy lava [View details]() EastfjordsGorge falls ### Gljúfursárfoss Waterfall About 45m, below the Road 917 parking area; optional Drangsnes continuation. Best for Vopnafjörður coast and ravine [View details]() South IcelandWindow falls ### Gluggafoss Waterfall 44m. Water flows through 'windows' in the cliff. Near Hvolsvöllur. Best for Water through holes in the rock [View details]() EastfjordsMist falls ### Gufufoss Waterfall 40m. Steam-like spray on road into Seyðisfjörður. Best for Roadside view on Route 93 [View details]() North IcelandCanyon falls ### Hafragilsfoss Waterfall 27m. Third in the Dettifoss trio. Less crowded. Best for Canyon views downstream of Dettifoss [View details]() South IcelandDistant view ### Morsárfoss Waterfall 227m. Revealed by retreating glacier in 2007. Viewable from distance only. Best for Iceland's tallest waterfall [View details]() South IcelandCanyon falls ### Ófærufoss Waterfall 40m two-tier. Natural bridge collapsed 1993. Highland F-road access. Best for Eldgjá volcanic canyon setting [View details]() South IcelandWide falls ### Þjófafoss Waterfall 5m on Iceland's longest river. Named in old accounts of thieves. Best for Mount Búrfell backdrop [View details]() South IcelandVolume falls ### Urriðafoss Waterfall 6m. Check current local access before visiting. Best for Highest volume in Iceland [View details]() West IcelandEasy stop ### Álafoss Waterfall 15m near Mosfellsbær. Adjacent to the Álafoss wool factory. Best for Waterfall + wool store visit [View details]() South IcelandTwin falls ### Systrafoss Waterfall 25m twin streams at Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Easy village trail. Best for Medieval convent history [View details]() West IcelandRapids ### Barnafossar Waterfall Series of rapids next to Hraunfossar. Dark children's legend. Best for Powerful glacial rapids [View details]() 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 [View details]() 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 [View details]() ## 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. [South Iceland]()[West Iceland]()[North Iceland]()[Westfjords]()[East Iceland]() Country reference: [Iceland statistics]().