Best Waterfalls to Visit in Iceland — Dirty Shoes & Epic Views

We all know that TLC song about not chasing waterfalls, right? Well, in Iceland, totally ignore it, because you will be chasing waterfalls, tons of them.

Chances are, if you’re planning a trip to Iceland, you already have a few waterfalls on your radar. But Iceland has literally hundreds and hundreds of them, and believe it or not, each one is different in its own unique way. Some are epic and powerful, some are super picturesque, some are hidden in caves, some are unbelievably blue, and some are graceful and elegant. So even if you plan to visit all 16 Icelandic waterfalls on this list, and then some, you probably won’t get tired of them. In fact, we left the country wishing we had seen even more!

With so many waterfalls in Iceland to choose from, it can be a bit hard to narrow the list down. In this article, we’ll share with you our favorite Iceland waterfalls to visit and where you can find them!

Just a heads up: Some of these waterfalls may be a bit off the beaten path and down F-roads, rough gravel roads that go into Iceland’s interior and require a 4x4 vehicle. But don’t worry, we’ll let you know when we get to them.

P.S. You can jump to the bottom of this post where we give you some helpful hints when it comes to visiting waterfalls in Iceland!

Best Waterfalls in Iceland

1. Gullfoss

Gullfoss easily makes its way onto this list. It’s Iceland’s most popular waterfall! One of the three major attractions along Iceland’s Golden Circle route, it makes for an easy day trip from Reykjavik.

On a visit to this two-tiered waterfall, you can walk a short path right up to the falls and experience Europe’s largest waterfall by volume first-hand!

Getting here: Gullfoss is at the very tip of Iceland’s Golden Circle along route 35. It’s about an hour and a half from Reykjavik. Most people, though, stop here as they make their way around the various points along the Golden Circle.

2. Bruarfoss

Bruarfoss can also be found along the Golden Circle, but is much less-visited than the neighboring Gullfoss. Fed from melting glacial water, Bruarfoss is often considered Iceland’s bluest waterfall. And guys, we can’t really argue with that statement…this water is blue!

Getting to Bruarfoss requires a short 4.4 mile roundtrip hike on a relatively flat out and back trail, but on the way, you’ll pass by two more beautifully blue waterfalls (so really, this is like a three for one deal!).

Getting here: Bruarfoss is located on route 37 along the Golden Circle, about an hour and twenty minutes from Reykjavik, and about 20 minutes before Gullfoss on the Golden Circle route.

Tip: On Google Maps, be sure to search for Bruarfoss Waterfall Official Parking. If you just put in the name of the waterfall itself, it will take you to an old trailhead that is now on private property.

3. Oxararfoss

This is the final Icelandic waterfall on our list that’s found along the Golden Circle. This one can be found in Thingvellir National Park, another major Icelandic attraction.

Thingvellir sits on the Mid-Atlantic Rift, which is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates converge, and it’s the only place where this rift is above sea level. So, when you’re here, you’re walking between two tectonic plates! How cool is that?!

Oxararfoss is located in a ravine called the Almannagja Gorge, which marks the eastern edge of the North American plate. Paved walking trails from several parking areas located throughout the park will lead you to this gorge and to this modest waterfall flowing over the ravine wall.

Getting here: Thingvellir is often the first stop on the Golden Circle route, located just 40 minutes from Reykjavik. Five different parking areas are located around the National Park, and a fee is charged to park at several of them. The P1 and P3 lots give you the easiest access to this waterfall. P1 is the main parking lot in the park, with a visitor center, but requires a small fee. P3 is just up the road and is free to park. It also provides more direct access into Almannagja Gorge.

4. Gluggafoss

The next waterfall on our list brings us away from the Golden Circle and along Iceland’s famous ring road. So many of Iceland’s best waterfalls lie along the ring road, and Gluggafoss makes for a great introduction to them.

Not only is this waterfall super picturesque with those mossy green walls so characteristic of Iceland, but it’s not very popular, so you might just get this place all to yourselves, at least for a little bit! While you’re here, climb up the first tier to get an up-close view of the tall falls flowing down the cliffside.

Getting here: In Hvolsvollur, take a left onto route 261 and drive for about 15 minutes. Gluggafoss will be on your left.

5. Seljalandsfoss

You might not recognize the name, but you probably already know this waterfall…it’s one of Iceland’s most famous.

Bustling with tour buses and crowds around the clock, don’t expect to have this Icelandic waterfall to yourself. However, we still think it’s well worth a stop. It’s popular for a reason! It’s beautiful, particularly at sunset, and you can walk the path behind the falls to get a unique perspective.

Tip: Bring your raingear! If you want to walk behind this waterfall, you will get wet! This also means the paths are super wet and slippery, so wear a good pair of grippy shoes and watch your step!

Getting here: Selajandsfoss is located right off the ring road about an hour and 40 minutes from Reykjavik. It’s hard to miss!

6. Gljufrabuifoss

Yes, this one’s a mouthful…we can’t pronounce it either. But, despite the fact that we can’t say it, this was one of our favorite waterfalls in all of Iceland! And with all the waterfalls in Iceland, that’s really saying something.

Gljufrabuifoss is actually right next to Seljalandsfoss. These two falls are connected by a short walking path, or you can drive just a bit further down and park in a smaller parking area along the road.

But, despite its proximity to one of Iceland’s most popular waterfalls, Gljufrabuifoss just doesn’t see the same crowds. Much fewer people make it over here. We don’t know why, but we won’t complain! Well, we do have a theory. Many people visit Seljalandsfoss via tour bus. They have about a half hour to spend there before they head to the next stop, so the big tour crowds from Seljalandsfoss don’t always have the time to make their way over to the neighboring waterfall.

Just another reason to rent a car in Iceland and explore on your own!

This waterfall is so neat! From afar, you can only see the top half. The bottom half lies behind the cliffside, and to get to its base requires a short rock hop down a stream inside a narrow rock tunnel. But once your inside and looking up at the waterfall cascading down, you’ll feel like you’re in a different world.

Trust us and put this waterfall on your Iceland itinerary. You’ll thank us later.

Tip: Rain gear and waterproof shoes would be good to have for this Icelandic waterfall, too. If you choose to visit the base of the falls, you will get wet!

Getting here: This waterfall is just past Seljalandsfoss off the ring road. It’s either a 10 minute walk down a flat paved walking path from the Seljalandsfoss parking lot, you can park in a small lot right next to the fall.

7. Nauthusagil

Ok, I think it’s safe to say that this was our absolute favorite waterfall in Iceland.

If you’re looking for an epically scenic waterfall with a bit of an adventure, Nauthusagil is your waterfall.

This hidden gem lies deep inside a ravine. You’ll have to rock hop over, and sometimes wade your way through, a stream to get here, and even use the help of ropes and chains to shimmy your way across some rocks and up and over a shorter waterfall. Oh, and you’ll definitely get wet! Not only from walking through the stream, but also from the trickling of water falling from the top of the entire length of the ravine.

But when you get there, it’s pretty amazing. The entrance to the falls is framed perfectly by the rocks, and when you walk up to the base of the falls, you’ll feel like you’re in a fairy tale.

What’s even better, you’ll likely have it all to yourself. What’s better than that?

We almost didn’t hike into the ravine because of how high the water level was from the recent rain Iceland had, but we ended up doing it and it was the best decision ever.

Getting here: This is one of the waterfalls on our list that requires a 4x4. This waterfall is just 15 minutes up the road from Seljalandsfoss on route 249, however it turns into a bumpy F road before you get to Nauthusagil. The parking lot is marked with a sign, and the ravine starts right at this lot. There are paths that look like they climb up the side of the ravine, but these are herd paths that dead-end quickly. Into the ravine is where you need to go here.

8. Haifoss

Iceland’s fourth tallest waterfall, Haifoss is a stunning waterfall located along the outskirts of the Icelandic highlands. Named “The High Fall”, it plummets 122 meters down into a moss-covered canyon alongside its neighbor, Granni.

Small herd paths take you alongside the canyon to beautiful viewpoints of the falls.

Getting here: This is another waterfall that requires a 4x4. After passing through Selfoss, you’ll detour off the ring road onto route 30. After 18 kilometers or so, you’ll take a right onto route 32 and drive this road for about 40 kilometers. It’s a beautiful drive and on a clear day you can see the volcano Hekla off in the distance. You’ll then take a left onto road 332. This final 7 km stretch climbs up to the Haifoss viewpoint and is rough gravel that will require a 4x4.

This waterfall is often a pit stop on the way to Landmannalauger, an incredible spot in the highlands for hiking and amazing scenery. Learn more about visiting Landmannalauger with our guide!

9. Skogafoss

Here’s another Icelandic waterfall that you’re probably quite familiar with. And as popular as it is, we would still suggest adding this to your list of must-see waterfalls in Iceland. We loved it so much we visited this waterfall three times!

The power of this waterfall from up close is nothing I had ever felt before…just make sure to wear that rain gear!

Another cool thing is that it’s pretty common on a sunny day for a rainbow to appear at the base of the falls.

Good to know: A set of stairs (about 400 of them!) will bring you up to the top of Skogafoss for a different perspective. However, this is just the start of a longer trail, called the Fimmvorduhals trail, that goes all the way to Thorsmork in the Icelandic Highlands. If you’re looking for an incredible day hike filled with epic scenery, glaciers, volcanoes, and lava fields, check out our post where we go over all the details on the Fimmvoduhals hike in Iceland.

However, even if you aren’t planning on hiking the full Fimmvorduhals, you can still walk the beginning portion of this trail, known as Waterfall Way. This relatively easy path follows the Skoga river upstream, passing 25 more waterfalls along the way. Yes, 25! So really, this list should be a lot more than 16! To see all of these falls, it will be a 10 mile round trip hike, but you can go as far you’d like and turnaround whenever.

Getting here: Skogafoss is in the town of Skogar right along the ring road. You won’t be able to miss it!

Note: There is a big parking area with an information center and bathrooms, but you have to pay a small fee to use the restrooms, so carry some small cash with you.

10. Svartifoss

This unique waterfall is located in one of Iceland’s three National Parks…Vatnajokull National Park (also sometimes still referred to as Skaftafell National Park).

This National Park centers around Vatnajokull, Iceland’s largest icecap and Europe’s second largest glacier. As you drive the ring road, you’ll see several of its glacial tongues cascading down the cliffsides.

Inside the National Park, you can hike to Svartifoss. The hike is just shy of 3.5 miles roundtrip and climbs steadily uphill for the first half. Your reward is a beautifully unique waterfall cascading down a backdrop of black basalt columns. We suggest spending more time in the park and combining this hike with another!

Fun fact: This waterfall served as the inspiration for the design of Reykjavik’s famous church, Hallgrimskirkja.

Getting here: Vatnajokull National Park is right off the ring road. The hike to Svartifoss starts right from the visitor center within the park (there is a fee to park here…but if you camp within the park for the night, it’s free!).

11. Dettifoss

Up to this point, all of the waterfalls on this list are in southern Iceland, which is the most popular area in the country. Dettifoss brings us to the lesser-visited, but no less awesome, north. In fact, it’s probably Northern Iceland’s most popular attraction.

Dettifoss is worth the visit if you’re driving the entire length of the ring road so that you can experience what makes this waterfall Europe’s most powerful.

You can access this waterfall from either the east or west side.

The west side is the more popular side. A paved road off the ring road will bring you to a large parking area with a visitor center and free bathrooms. From here, the walking trail to Dettifoss is less than a kilometer through cool rock and basalt features. There are lower and higher vantage points along the trail near the waterfall…be sure to wear grippy shoes and watch your step on the wet slippery rock here.
The road to the east side of the waterfall is gravel but passable to a 2WD car. From this side, the path to the falls is a little rockier and rougher, but you can get a bit closer (maybe a bit too close…).

Getting here: To get to the west side, follow the ring road until you hit the intersection for road 862. The parking area will be 20 minutes up on the right. To get to the east side, take 864 instead.

12. Selfoss

While Dettifoss is big and powerful, Selfoss is its smaller graceful neighbor. Found just upstream from Dettifoss, Selfoss is made up of a long stretch of smaller cascades that can be viewed from both the east and west sides just like Dettifoss.

Getting here: Parking is the same as for Dettifoss. A short flat trail branches off from that of Dettifoss and brings you to Selfoss.

13. Godafoss

Another northern Iceland gem, Godafoss is a famous waterfall found right along the ring road.

A short walk from the parking lot brings you to a picturesque horse-shoe shaped waterfall that’s an easy stop on any ring road itinerary.

Getting here: There are two parking lots right along the ring road. To see the falls from the west side, parking is right on the ring road. To get to the eastern side, turn onto route 844 to Fossholl to a small parking area.

14. Kirkjufellsfoss

Probably Iceland’s most photographed waterfall, Kirkjufellsfoss is a small but very picturesque waterfall in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Photographers from all over come to get that famous shot with the iconic Kirkjufell mountain in the background.

Tip: Because of its popularity and the small space with which to get that famous shot, it can get quite crowded. If you’re looking to photograph this one, consider staying in Grundarfjordur, a small village just a few minutes down the road, and visit Kirkjufellsfoss in the early morning or late evening.

Getting here: Kirkjufellsfoss is on the Northern edge of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, about 2.5 hours from Reykjavik.

15. Dynjandi

Dynjandi is quite a special waterfall to visit in Iceland, not only for its picturesque look but also for its remote location.

Dynjandi is located in the remote Westfjords, Iceland’s least visited region. So if you’re looking for a place to really escape the crowds and experience true Icelandic wilderness, the Westfjords are your place. Just be aware, they are quite the trek to get to…there’s a reason it’s not a well-visited place!

Dynjandi lies within one of the fjords along the southern coast of the Westfjords. It is easily visible from the parking lot, but it’s about a ten minute uphill walk up a dirt and rock path to get to its base. On the walk, you’ll pass by a handful of smaller, but still picturesque, falls.

Dynjandi itself is a giant. It gracefully cascades over the cliffside in wider and wider tiers such that the bottom is twice the width of its top. If you make it all the way out here, you’ll truly feel like you’ve found something special that not many people get to see.

Getting here: Like I said, getting to the Westfjords is quite the trek. It’s over a five hour drive to get to Dynjandi from Reykjavik. Driving here does not require a 4x4, but be prepared for some dirt roads that weave through fjords and up and over passes. Take it slow and if you can, try to avoid driving here if it’s raining and the roads are slick.

The parking lot for Dynjandi has bathrooms, a dish washing station and a nearby campground. Definitely consider camping here if you’re looking for a quiet night in the wilderness!

Important: You cannot visit Dynjandi in the winter. The gravel portion of road that leads to Dynjandi between Flokalundur and Pingeyri is closed between October and April.

16. Random Roadside Waterfalls

Ok, this isn’t one particular waterfall, but a reminder that Iceland has a bazillion of them (to be exact). As you’re driving the ring road, or really anywhere, you’re bound to see waterfalls cascading from cliffsides or flowing down streams.

Take your time while driving through Iceland, and make sure to pad some time in your itinerary for the unexpected so that you can make random stops for things you find along the way.

Bjarnarfoss, for example, is a roadside waterfall along road 54 on the southern edge of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. A small walking path will take you up close.

Here’s a cool little fall we saw on the way to a campground one night.

Other Iceland Waterfalls to Consider

Even if you see one hundred waterfalls during your time in Iceland, you’ll leave wishing you saw more. And that was exactly the case for us. There simply wasn’t enough time to hit them all!

Here are some waterfalls that are still on the list for our next visit to Iceland, and we wanted to share so that you can consider them, too!

Kvernfoss: This gem lies right in Skogar, but much less visited than its popular neighbor, Skogafoss. A short ten minute walk from the parking lot will lead you through a moss-covered canyon to a beautiful waterfall that you can walk behind.

The trail for this falls starts behind the Skogar Museum, and we believe you have to pay the museum a small fee to park and use the trail. We tried visiting, but we got there late in the day after the museum had closed and we weren’t sure if it was ok to the park there without getting fined, so we didn’t take the chance. We’ll see you next time, Kvernfoss!

Hengifoss: Hengifoss, Iceland’s third tallest waterfall, can be found in the Eastfjords, about 30 minutes west of Egilsstadir. It requires a 3 mile roundtrip hike, but you’ll be rewarded with an epic waterfall where red clay sandwiched between black basalt columns gives the impression that the cliffside is bursting with lava (maybe that’s just me?).

Glymur Falls: Just 30 minutes away from Reykjavik lies Iceland’s second tallest waterfall, Glymur. A mildly challenging 4.5 mile hike leads you to a point that overlooks the falls. You can choose to return the way you came, or cross the river upstream of the waterfall and take the path down on the opposite side.

Tips for Visiting Waterfalls in Iceland

1. The Icelandic word for waterfall is “foss”, so usually, a waterfall will be named with the suffix – foss at the end. With the long unpronounceable Icelandic words that you’ll be surrounded by, it’s a quick easy way to tell if something is a waterfall!

2. For popular waterfalls, like Seljalandsfoss or Kirkjufellsfoss, try to time your visit to the waterfall in the early morning or late evening to avoid the major crowds. Those on the southern ring road route are especially popular because of tour buses, so timing your visit before or after the tour buses make their visits is a good way to experience these waterfalls with fewer people around.

3. Make sure you bring your rain gear! I know I’ve mentioned this several times already, but I’ll say it again because it’s important. At a lot of these falls, you will get wet! Even if you don’t plan on getting close enough to get wet, still have rain gear on you at all times…you never can predict what the Icelandic weather will bring.

4. Wear sturdy, grippy shoes (and if they’re waterproof, that’s even better!). This is not the place for flip-flops. The walking paths around the falls are usually rocky, which means they get wet and slippery.

Tip: If you don’t have waterproof shoes, pack a pair of shoes that are designated waterfall shoes only. They’ll get wet and will take a while to dry in Iceland’s climate, so you don’t want to be stuck having to wear wet shoes the whole time!

5. Carry a waterproof bag or case with you for valuables such as cameras.

With so many completely awesome waterfalls in Iceland, we hope this helps you decide which ones you want to see (I know, it’s easy to say all of them, right?!). Have you been to any of these Icelandic waterfalls before? What is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!