South IcelandIconic falls
Skogafoss Waterfall
60m drop. Climb the 527 stairs for a top view; mind the wind at the base.
Best for
Big spray + rainbow chances
Waterfalls
Waterfalls of Iceland: Complete Guide to 30+ Falls
A curated starting list of iconic falls, easy stops, and hike-in favorites—organized by region.
Updated February 1, 2026By the Iceland.org Travel Team
Tip
Bring a rain shell
Wind can turn spray into sideways rain—even on sunny days.
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South IcelandWalk-behind
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
65m drop. The path behind can be icy or closed in winter.
Best for
Unique angle (when open)
South IcelandShort hike
Kvernufoss Waterfall
30m hidden gem. Bring waterproof layers—spray reaches the trail.
Best for
Quieter alternative near Skogafoss
West IcelandHike
Glymur Waterfall
198m, second-tallest in Iceland. Seasonal trail; check river crossings.
Best for
Epic views in summer
West IcelandLava-waterfalls
Hraunfossar Waterfall
Springs from lava field. Pairs with nearby Barnafoss.
Best for
Gentle walks + scenic viewpoints
West IcelandRapids
Barnafoss Waterfall
Children's Falls. Stay behind railings—fast water and slippery edges.
Best for
Glacial-blue currents
North IcelandPowerhouse
Dettifoss Waterfall
Europe's most powerful. 45m drop, 100m wide. Bring eye protection.
Best for
Raw force
North IcelandScenic falls
Godafoss Waterfall
Waterfall of the Gods. 12m high, 30m wide. Great at golden hour.
Best for
Easy access + great photos
WestfjordsTiered cascade
Dynjandi Waterfall
100m bridal-veil cascade. Easy hike; 6 smaller falls on the way.
Best for
Cathedral-like waterfall
EastfjordsHike
Hengifoss Waterfall
128m, third-tallest in Iceland. Stop at Litlanesfoss on the way.
Best for
Layered basalt + red clay bands
EastfjordsBasalt falls
Litlanesfoss Waterfall
30m, stunning basalt columns. On the Hengifoss trail.
Best for
Column views
South IcelandGolden Circle
Gullfoss Waterfall
32m total drop in two stages. Iceland's most famous waterfall on the Golden Circle.
Best for
Two-stage cascade into a canyon
South IcelandBasalt falls
Svartifoss Waterfall
20m in Skaftafell. Inspired Hallgrímskirkja. 1.5 km uphill hike.
Best for
Unique basalt column backdrop
South IcelandCanyon falls
Háifoss Waterfall
122m plunge into a dramatic canyon. 4x4 recommended.
Best for
Third-tallest in Iceland
South IcelandHidden falls
Gljúfrafoss Waterfall
40m. Wade through water to enter the cave. 500m from Seljalandsfoss.
Best for
Hidden inside a canyon
North IcelandBasalt falls
Aldeyjarfoss Waterfall
20m. Stunning basalt frames. Highland F-road access.
Best for
Basalt columns + glacial water
North IcelandWide cascade
Selfoss Waterfall
11m wide horseshoe. 1 km upstream from Dettifoss.
Best for
Serene horseshoe shape
South IcelandMulti-stream
Fagrifoss Waterfall
80m multi-stream. Near Laki craters. F-road access.
Best for
Remote highland beauty
South IcelandWide falls
Faxi Waterfall
7m wide falls with visible salmon ladder. Near Golden Circle.
Best for
Salmon ladder viewing
South IcelandRoadside
Foss á Síðu Waterfall
30m. Wind can blow the water upward. Visible from Ring Road.
Best for
Wind-blown water spectacle
South IcelandOasis
Gjáin Waterfall
Hidden oasis of small waterfalls. Game of Thrones location.
Best for
Multiple cascades in Eden-like setting
South IcelandGorge falls
Gljúfursárfoss Waterfall
15m in moss-covered canyon near Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Best for
Peaceful hidden gorge
South IcelandWindow falls
Gluggafoss Waterfall
44m. Water flows through 'windows' in the cliff. Near Hvolsvöllur.
Best for
Unique hole-in-rock formations
EastfjordsMist falls
Gufufoss Waterfall
40m. Steam-like spray on road into Seyðisfjörður.
Best for
Dramatic road-side view
North IcelandCanyon falls
Hafragilsfoss Waterfall
27m. Third in the Dettifoss trio. Less crowded.
Best for
Dramatic canyon downstream of Dettifoss
South IcelandDistant view
Morsárfoss Waterfall
227m. Revealed by retreating glacier in 2007. Viewable from distance only.
Best for
Iceland's tallest waterfall
South IcelandCanyon falls
Ófærufoss Waterfall
40m two-tier. Natural bridge collapsed 1993. Highland F-road access.
Best for
Eldgjá volcanic canyon setting
South IcelandWide falls
Þjófafoss Waterfall
5m on Iceland's longest river. Dramatic historical site.
Best for
Mount Búrfell backdrop
South IcelandVolume falls
Urriðafoss Waterfall
6m. May be reduced by planned hydroelectric project. Visit while you can.
Best for
Highest volume in Iceland
West IcelandCharming falls
Álafoss Waterfall
15m near Mosfellsbær. Adjacent to famous Álafoss wool factory.
Best for
Scenic valley near wool factory
South IcelandTwin falls
Systrafoss Waterfall
25m twin streams at Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Easy village trail.
Best for
Medieval convent history
West IcelandRapids
Barnafossar Waterfall
Series of rapids next to Hraunfossar. Dark children's legend.
Best for
Powerful glacial rapids
EastfjordsWalk-behind
Fardagafoss Waterfall
25m. 2 km hike near Egilsstaðir. Cave behind the falls.
Best for
Walk behind falls + treasure legend
South IcelandHidden gem
Onno-Óltifoss Waterfall
12m in Skaftá river area. Basalt formations. Remote.
Best for
Off-the-beaten-path basalt
Planning help
Waterfall FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Pair waterfalls with a region
Use the region pages to build a route around these stops.