10. Systrafoss waterfall
Photo by Julien Carnot
In the middle of the adorable Kirkjubæjarklaustur town on the South Coast you will find the Systrafoss waterfall e. Sister’s waterfall. The name refers to the nuns who used to live together in a convent in Kirkjubæjarklaustur and is very fitting as the waterfall splits in who completely equal falls that drop side by side like two white river down the mountain.
It’s best to visit during summertime as winter often freezes the waterfall complete and the area sits still, although it’s stunning the best time in Summer.
9. Þjófafoss “ the robber’s waterfall”
Photo by Tom Page
One of the Þjórsá river waterfalls and truly one of the best ones. It used to have more water but since the power plant Búfellsvirkjun was built it’s always less and less. Still this low, ice blue fall has a great viewpoint and is well worth the stop.
8. Háifoss waterfall “the high waterfall”
Photo by WASD42
Once the highest but now the 3rd highest waterfall in Iceland this beauty drops 122 meters down a beautiful rock formation in the Fossárdalur, the innermost valley of the famous Þjórsárdalur valley. A visit to this one is not for the once who are afraid of heights but surely for the adventurous souls heading this way. The waterfall has a neighboring waterfall called Granni, that actually means neighbor and together they make the most beautiful panoramic vista.
7. Hjálparfoss waterfall
Photo by dconvertini
Another beautiful waterfall in the Þjórsárdalur valley is the exquisite Hjálparfoss waterfall or the Help’s Falls. The waterfall rushes down basalt rock formations and beautifully splits in two with an amazing pond in front. It’s fed by the freshwater river Fossár that originates in the glacier water river Þjórsá but still, you will often see locals swimming in the river in summertime.
6. Gljúfrabúi waterfall
Gljufrabui waterfall in South Iceland
The “hidden” gem on the left side of Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This quirky, magical fall is hiding in a gorge and you might get a little wet getting to it but it’s still so worth it. There is something elf-like about the surrounding area and amazing how completely different it is to its big brother Seljalandsfoss. A must visit!
5. Gluggafoss waterfall “the window waterfall”
Photo by gregpoo
This waterfall is for some odd reason a lesser known waterfall and most of the time there is no one there. This is always as surprising due to the fact that Gluggafoss is truly gorgeous. It has two seperate falls one you first walk up to and is quite small but perfect to step under and see the mighty Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcano through and then you head further up to see the actual falls. The name comes from the three holes the water has made in the tuff cliff and now bursts through in a breathtaking way. More often it will be crowned by a rainbow!
4. Seljalandsfoss waterfall “the one you can walk behind”
Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Seljalandsfoss first became famous (outside of Iceland) when the well-known TV series Amazing Race had it as one of the stops while shooting in Iceland but is know one of the most popular landmarks in the whole country. Visible right off route 1 this charmed never ceases to amaze and the fact that you walk behind it has had people talking forever. If you are still not realizing which one this is, try to remember Justin Bieber’s - I’ll show you video. It plays a main role!
3. Kvernufoss waterfall
Kvernufoss is a stunning 30 m (98 ft) high waterfall, the baby brother of Skógafoss hidden in a gorge on the right side of Skógafoss. The hike to it is only about 20 min and well worth it. Kvernufoss is one of the waterfall you can walk behind in Iceland.
2. Svartifoss waterfall “the black waterfall”
Svartifoss waterfall in Skaftafell
Located in the amazing Skaftafell national park where glaciers and fertile grounds life in perfect harmony this basalt column waterfall is one of the greatest. Svartifoss waterfall is very unique and not many know this but Hallgrímskirkja church’s architect was actually greatly influenced by it when designing the church. It’s actually no hard to see why when you compare it.
The hike to the waterfall is also beautiful, any season, and well recommended.
1. Skógafoss waterfall
Skógafoss waterfall
Now, the King of Icelandic waterfalls, the powerful, the mystical, and grand Skógafoss. Located right off the ring road 1 this waterfalls sits beautifully in the historic Skógar area. People once believed treasure was hidden behind it and many folklore tales mention the falls and somehow that doesn’t surprise me!
The trolls that lost track of time and turned into stone stand at Skógafoss’s hills and stare for eternity just adding to the magic about his place. Admire from a distance, go right up to it, hike to the trolls on the mid right side of the falls or all the way up, any way you look at it this graceful allurer will greet you with incredible views.