In a country with an estimated 10000 waterfalls, you won’t have to drive far to reach one. But not all waterfalls are created equal and no matter which part of Iceland you find yourself traveling through, there are some waterfalls that you just won’t want to miss. If you only have a day to drive along the scenic south coast, we’d recommend you call in at these five waterfalls, each providing a compelling but different reason to stop. Let’s begin furthest away from Reykjavik and work our way back towards the capital.
The one with the columns: Svartifoss
You’ll find Svartifoss tucked away within beautiful Skaftafell, an unmissable part of the Vatnajökull National Park. To reach it, you’ll need to hike along a pretty trail which passes several other waterfalls: Þjófafoss (Thieves' Falls), Hundafoss (Dogs' Falls) and Magnúsarfoss (named for a local farmer). But these are merely the pre-show.
After about 45 minutes walking largely uphill, you reach your destination. Svartifoss (Black Falls) takes its name from the dark color of the basalt columns that flank it to form a natural amphitheater. You’ll view it from a fenced platform; it’s not possible to view it more closely, though this does give you a more impactful, panoramic view. Take a while to appreciate the scene and absorb all the detail – this place is truly breathtaking.
The one with the rainbows: Skógafoss
Equally magnificent is Skógafoss. This impressive waterfall can be seen from the ring road but you’d be doing it a disservice if you simply viewed it through the car window. Stopping here allows you to stroll along the river bank and get a closer look. As you approach, if the sun is out and the waterfall isn’t in shadow, you’ll see a rainbow – sometimes a double – as the light catches the spray.
It’s also a good idea to climb the metal steps beside the falls. Once you reach the top, you get a splendid view of the Icelandic coastline stretched out in front of you. In fact, Skógafoss was once right beside the sea but has receded because of the natural processes of erosion. Clocking just how far back you now are from the ocean is a reminder of just how dynamic such environments are and what nature is doing right before our very eyes.
The one you can walk behind: Seljalandsfoss
Twenty minutes’ drive west of Skógafoss is another waterfall that at 197 feet high is just as tall, though not quite as broad. Seljalandsfoss boasts a different claim to fame: this is one of the few waterfalls in the country (Skútafoss in south east Iceland is another) where you can walk behind the curtain of water. Note that in winter, sometimes this isn’t possible for safety reasons – you don’t want to be under ice that can potentially fall.
Being able to do so gives you a different perspective on the scene and a fuller understanding of how fluvial processes work. As you follow the trail up and behind the falls, you’ll pass under the gnarly overhang. Over time, the rocks will be undercut more and more until this overhang eventually collapses under its own weight. For now, however, the water pouring down in front of you will be your sole focus.
The one tucked away out of sight: Gljúfrabúi
It’s now an open secret that there’s a “hidden” waterfall right alongside Seljalandsfoss. Gljúfrabúi is tucked inside a cleft in the rock and remains stubbornly out of view until you line yourself up with the opening. Peer through the gap and you’ll witness a remarkable sight as the water cascades down to the ground.
If the water levels aren’t too high, you can don rubber boots and waterproofs and step into this semi-concealed chamber. Being able to stand underneath the waterfall in such a spot is an incredible experience and so long as you’re prepared to get wet – like really wet – then it’s worth considering. Just remember to leave a change of clothes in the car so you have something dry to pull on afterwards.
The one with the most volume: Urriðafoss
Our final pick is not as well-known as the other four, but just as worthy of your time. A visit to Urriðafoss is discounted by some travelers as this waterfall isn’t very tall, only around 20 feet high. So why does it warrant a place on this list, you might wonder? In a word: water – and lots of it.
Urriðafoss is located on Iceland’s longest river and its claim to fame is that it is one of the country’s most voluminous waterfalls, often the front runner. On average, a whopping 12,700 cubic feet per second (360 cubic meters per second) of water cascades over the Þjórsárhraun lava field. At certain times of year, the flow can be even greater. Witnessing the immense power of nature in this place isn’t something you’ll want to miss, so don’t forget to add Urriðafoss to your south coast itinerary.
