10 Must-See Waterfalls in Iceland

During my trip to Iceland, the glacier guide who led my group into an ice cave proudly informed us that Iceland has a million waterfalls.

At the time, I thought he was joking — but as my trip went on, I became less and less sure.

Of course, Iceland doesn’t actually have a million waterfalls — no one knows how many there really are, and what exactly counts as a waterfall, anyway? — but it does have a lot. So many, really, that you could spend your whole trip just chasing waterfalls, if you wanted. And they are amazing, with striking settings and dramatic plummets.

Here are 10 of the many must-see waterfalls in Iceland.

TIP: This map contains the locations referenced in this blog post. To save it to your own Google Maps account, click the star next to the map’s name. You can then find and use the map from your Google Maps app by going to “Saved,” then “Maps.”

1. Gullfoss

If most visitors to Iceland see only one waterfall, it’s this one. Gullfoss is on the Golden Circle — a trio of attractions that can be visited in just one day from Reykjavík.

It’s an impressive waterfall, funneling into a wedge shape and pouring over two successive drops, then carving a deep canyon as the water continues.

Its recent history is notable too. In the early 1900s, businessmen wanted to buy the falls to use for hydroelectric power generation. However, a local woman, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, protested the development of Gullfoss and advocated for its environmental preservation — even allegedly walking the 120 kilometers to Reykjavík multiple times in order to meet with government officials and attempt legal action to preserve the falls.

While Sigríður’s legal efforts failed, her efforts drew public attention to the issue, and the hydroelectric projects were ultimately canceled.

Today, Gullfoss is owned by the state of Iceland and is permanently conserved, and Sigríður is often considered to be Iceland’s first environmentalist.

2. Seljalandsfoss

While every waterfall on this list is beautiful, Seljalandsfoss offers something unique: the chance to walk behind it.

Seljalandsfoss is dramatic, falling approximately 200 feet straight down. It also falls right in front of a small cavern — which, conveniently, you can walk through, meaning that you walk right behind the water.

Heads up that if you choose to walk behind the falls, you will get wet from the spray.

In addition to the primary falls, you can also check out other, smaller falls that line the same cliffside.

3. Skógafoss

Speaking of drama, don’t miss Skógafoss. Skógafoss is approximately the same height as Seljalandsfoss, but much wider and more powerful.

You can (and should!) walk up close to the waterfall and get a better sense of its scale and power, but you can also climb a set of stairs besides the falls (pictured below, above the sheep!) and get a view from up high.

4. Stjórnarfoss

So far, I’ve been talking about waterfalls with big drama, but here’s a gentler one that’s notable for its pretty setting, with interesting volcanic rock formations and soothing moss covering it all.

Stjórnarfoss is a particularly great choice if you’re hoping to get away from the crowds. Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Skógafoss are all heavily trafficked by tourists, not least because of their proximity to Reykjavík and other extremely popular tourist attractions. Stjórnarfoss, while not actually that far away, is located in a more remote setting and gets fewer visitors.

5. Foss á Síðu

Speaking of more remote waterfalls, don’t miss Foss á Síðu. Located on farmland near the southern coast of Iceland, this remarkably slim waterfall spills over a curving cliffside, falling almost 270 feet into a small creek at ground level.

Asking for sunlight is a tall order in Iceland, but I think Foss á Síðu is especially lovely at golden hour — that is, the time shortly before sunset or after sunrise, when the light most beautifully . (In November, that meant 9:40 a.m.)

6. Öxi Pass Falls

Okay, this one’s actually a series of waterfalls along an incredible drive called the Öxi Pass, which provides a mountainous shortcut on the eastern side of Iceland.

My tour group approached the Öxi Pass from Djúpivogur. Driving north from there on Route 1 (the Ring Road), we followed the western side of Berufjörður. This portion of the drive was incredibly beautiful in and of itself: we drove just above the water’s edge, admiring dramatic cliffs and picturesque Icelandic homes across the waterway. So many little waterfalls dotted the mountain on the other side of the water that I joked with other group members about whether our guide had been serious when he said Iceland has a million waterfalls.

As we reached the end of Berufjörður, we continued straight onto Route 939 (the Öxi Pass), rather than turning to continue on the Ring Road. Things quickly became even more dramatic, somehow, as we rapidly climbed up the mountain.

Just a few minutes after we entered the Öxi Pass, we were high above Berufjörður, surrounded by mossy, terraced cliffs.

Flowing between these cliffs is a small stream of water, which at points throughout the Öxi Pass produces waterfalls, including Hænubrekkufoss and Folaldafoss.

HEADS UP: Don’t attempt to drive the Öxi Pass in the winter, as the conditions can be dangerous (you’re driving up a mountain! and it’s Iceland!). My group took the pass in early November, and it was already quite snowy up in the high sections.

7. Hengifoss (+ Litlanesfoss)

Of all the waterfalls on this list, Hengifoss requires the most physical effort to be appreciated. While you can see Hengifoss from ground level, sort of, you’ll need to undertake a short but rather steep hike to get anywhere near it.

It’s worth it, though! Not only will you get great views of Hengifoss, another waterfall (Litlanesfoss), and the canyon they’ve formed, but you’ll also earn yourself sweeping views of Lagarfljót, a long and narrow lake. (Keep an eye out for the Lagarfljót worm, which is sort of Iceland’s version of the Loch Ness monster.)

The hike to Hengifoss begins at a parking lot near the end of Lagarfljót. The trail is about 2 kilometers long, or 1.2 miles. That’s not bad — though it is fairly steep in parts (total elevation gain of 1,410 feet, according to my Apple Watch).

As you climb, you’ll encounter several brief detours that give you better canyon views. Be sure to veer off on these detours for the best photo opportunities, as well as the best view of Litlanesfoss — an incredible waterfall about halfway up the trail.

You can expect to reach Hengifoss in 40 to 60 minutes. It took me about 50 minutes, which included plenty of photo breaks.

Read more about hiking to Hengifoss here.

8. Godafoss

It’s impossible to choose a favorite waterfall on this list, but if absolutely forced to try, I miiiiiiight say Godafoss.

At just about 40 feet, Godafoss is considerably shorter than many of the waterfalls on this list. But what it lacks in height, Godafoss makes up for in width, spanning an impressive 100 feet.

As water pours over Godafoss, it continues flowing down the beautifully blue Skjálfandafljót river. Not far downstream is another, smaller waterfall, Geitafoss.

9. Hraunfossar

Hraunfossar, or “Lava Falls,” is actually a series of small waterfalls flowing out of a lava field into the Hvítá river.

Make sure to explore all the walking paths along Hraunfossar, which offer unique views on the falls.

The paths also lead to another waterfall upriver from Hraunfossar: Barnafoss (Children’s Falls). According to legend, one Christmas, when most of a family was at church, two children stayed home and walked to Barnafoss. Tragically, they fell off a stone arch that used to cross the river over the falls. Their mother then had the arch destroyed to prevent any other children from meeting a similar fate.

10. Kirkjufellsfoss

This is one destination that really isn’t about the waterfall at all.

Kirkjufellsfoss is located near Kirkjufell, which is arguably Iceland’s most famous mountain (and, allegedly, its most photographed). It’s a uniquely shaped peak on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and can be reached on a day trip from Reykjavík.

You can see Kirkjufell from lots of places, but the most popular is beside the waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss.

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