Top 5 waterfalls of Iceland
What do you expect when you visited Iceland? Well … a lot of waterfalls (foss) ofcourse! In this blog I’ll write about our experience with the amazing waterfalls, you’ll need to visit.
As we set foot in the enchanting land, I knew that one of the most natural wonders awaited us. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the rain and the relentless wind, we still had a lovely time to witness these wonders.
Best time to go: April-September
Contintent: Europe
Capital: Reykjavik
How to get around: by car
Time: 12 days
Language: Halló (hello), góðan daginn(goodnight)
Food: Icelandic hotdog, Skyr, lamb, fish
While Iceland has many well-known and breathtaking waterfalls, there is an attraction in seeking out the lesser-known gems that lie off the beaten path. These hidden ones hold a sense of mystery, offering a unique experience for those to explore beyond the tourist hotspots. If you plan a trip to Iceland make sure you go wander around and take a hike in these astonishing places. I wish I could tell you which hidden waterfalls I did, but you need to find them on your own. Also to keep them in there natural state, because a lot of the places we visited were to crowded and it didn’t feel peaceful. Still, the tourist routes are also a must-see, just not as unique!
Dare to wander off the tourist trail, for it is in these hidden gems that you'll see the most fairytale waterfalls!
Skógafoss
The first waterfall we visited was Skógafoss. Rain poured but it couldn't dampen our excitement. As we came closer to this thundering cascade, the force of the water going into the pool below was wonderful. Next to the waterfall, you can climb the stairs in order to see the waterfall from the above. Make sure you watch your step because it is slippery and there can be a lot of wind in Iceland. Once your up there you can hike a trail further. Right before the waterfall there is a resto/bar where you can heaten up.
Seljalandsfoss
Next on our journey was Seljalandsfoss, known for its unique feature: a path that allows you to walk behind the waterfall. Sadly because of the heavy rainfall it was closed, a bummer! But still so beautiful. Further ahead there is the glufrabui, a much smaller waterfall in a cave that looks so serene on pictures, but yet again it was closed because of the heavy rain.
Waterfall Seljalandfoss Iceland
Gullfoss
The legendary Gullfoss: the ‘Golden Falls.’ Here, the rain continued and also a little bit of snow! The immense power of the waterfall echoed through the canyon and leaving us in awe of nature's raw force. Keep in mind that this is one of the most touristic waterfall and I mean a lot of people will be here. Nevertheless, the the size of this waterfall was extraordinary.
Waterfall Gulfoss Iceland
Svartifoss
Nestled in the national park Vatnajokulspodjgardur there is the black waterfall. As we travelled further along Iceland's picturesque landscapes of the mountain and I must say, if you want a good workout: just go there. You’ll need to hike a couple of miles before you reach the waterfall. Despite the relentless rain and wind, the scene before us was nothing short of magical. The falls gracefully cascaded down.
Waterfall Svartifoss Iceland
Bruarfoss
This one is a route that was more off the beaten path. It’s not the most popular waterfall but it was so stunning. You can park your car direct at the waterfall or you can, just like we did, take a nice hike from the bruar trail-parking. As we walked through this piece of nature, the path was so muddy from the rain of the last couple of days, so take your good hiking boots with you! After a 20-minute hike (make it 40 minutes because of the mud) we came to the first small waterfall, which was really lovely. So serene and no other people! We followed the path next to the ocean-blue river to the next waterfall. A little bit bigger than the first one and also a natural gem. In the end we reached the Bruarfoss which was breathtaking. It looked a little bit like Gulfoss but then much smaller. It was so graceful and peaceful because we were here alone.
Tip: make sure you put this one on your to-see list.
Also there are a lot of waterfalls we didn’t see due to lack of time that I will list here:
Kirkjufellsfoss
Glymur waterfall
Detifoss
Despite the rainsoaked clothes and the relentless wind, the beauty we witnessed was beyond compare. Each waterfall possessed a unique charm, showcasing the stunning charm of Iceland's natural wonders.