The 10 most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland

Iceland has always been a mysterious and fascinating place that never disappoints any traveler, even a solo traveler. Even for environmentalists, Iceland is a travel destination that leaves them amazed by nature's creations. Extreme geological contrasts, dramatic climate changes, severe cold and volcanically active areas make Iceland a perfect year-round travel destination.

Iceland is home to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, with numerous glaciers and spectacular geography combining to create some of the most alluring and bizarre waterfalls on the planet. Each waterfall has its own unique characteristics, and each one dazzles visitors with its unique shape, size, sound and surrounding natural features.

No trip to Iceland is complete without visiting several incredible waterfalls. Here are 10 of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland:

Dettifoss

Dettifoss was featured in the opening scene of the 2012 film Prometheus, its black rocks and dramatic scenery making it represent an unfamiliar landscape.

Dettifoss is located in the northeast of Iceland, near Lake Myvatn in J?kulsárgljúfur National Park. It is located on the Fj?llum Glacier (Fj?llum) and flows into the J?kulsárgljúfur Canyon. Its source is Vatnaj?kull. ice fields. Dettifoss is about 100 meters wide, 44 meters high, and has an average water flow of 193 cubic meters per second. It is considered the most powerful and turbulent waterfall in Europe after the Rhine Falls.

Dettifoss is located north of Iceland's Ring Road. There are two routes connecting to Dettifoss. However, even with a four-wheel drive vehicle, traversing these areas is difficult in winter.

North of Dettifoss you can find the incredible ?sbyrgi Gorge. The canyon is shaped like a giant horseshoe and is surrounded by verdant vegetation. Its shape is so perfect and dramatic that it was originally thought to have been created by the stamping hoof of the eight-legged horse of the ancient Norse god Odin.

Go?afoss Waterfall

Go?afoss Waterfall is located in the northeastern region of Iceland, on the Skjálfandafljót, the fourth largest river in Iceland. It is about 30 meters wide and has a height of about 12 meters. m, is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country. Legend has it that after the local residents embraced Christianity in 1000 AD, they threw all the statues of gods they had worshiped into the abyss of the waterfall. This was a sign of religious devotion at the time, and the waterfall was named the Falls of the Gods.

This waterfall is often visited on day trips to northern Iceland, especially to Akureyri. It is easily accessible by those renting a car and is a highlight on many self-drive routes.

Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is located on the Seljalands River on the southern coast of Iceland, about 30 kilometers west of Skoghar. The waterfall falls from a steep cliff. It pours down from the top with a vertical height of 60 meters. It is adjacent to Iceland's Ring Road No. 1 in the south and has convenient transportation. Due to its proximity to the ring road and its impressive natural features, it is one of the most famous and popular waterfalls in Iceland, majestic and picturesque.

Seljalandsfoss is relatively narrow, but it falls from a tall cliff that once marked the country's coastline. Seljalandsfoss is fed by meltwater from the glaciers of the famous Eyjafjallajokull volcano. This powerful waterfall cascades into a beautiful meadow. However, behind the falls, a trail at the base of the cliff is the main draw, where you can enjoy a truly unique view of the falls. Please note, be careful when you walk behind Seljalandsfoss as the path is slippery.

Seljalandsfoss is often included on the Golden Circle route and if you visit Seljalandsfoss in the summer you will see many different wildflowers blooming around the waterfall. It is also a perfect spot for a picnic as the surroundings are both beautiful and peaceful.

During the winter months, the trail behind the falls is closed due to the risk of falling ice. So, please be careful and stay safe when visiting waterfalls in winter. In addition, when going to Iceland in winter, you must be careful of strong winds. You can't even stand on a windy day in Iceland. Beautiful waterfalls require beautiful weather to go there.

Skógafoss

Skógafoss is one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, with a width of 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters. This huge waterfall is located on the Skóga River, and visitors will find this waterfall just off the ring road. Skógafoss is included in many self-driving tours and travel routes, and almost all south coast tours will go to Skógafoss.

Due to the large amount of mist produced by the waterfall, at least one rainbow will appear when the sun emerges from behind the clouds.

The ground below the falls is so flat that visitors can walk right up to the wall of water, and although this will get you soaking wet, few can resist the allure of Skógafoss. A steep staircase leads to a viewing platform above the falls, where many nesting seabirds can be spotted along the way. The river below Skógafoss is a favorite spot for fishermen in the summer due to its abundance of salmon.

People often visit the nearby Skógafoss after visiting Seljalandsfoss. Both fall from the cliff at the same height, compared to the more famous Seljalandsfoss. , Skógafoss is actually bigger. Next to it is the less famous but still stunning waterfall Gljúfrabúi.

Hengifoss

Hengifoss is one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland and one of the most famous landmarks in East Iceland. It is located in Hengifossá, East Iceland, within the Vatnaj?kull National Park, facing the Hallormssta?arskógur forest and Lagarfljót Lake right next to the waterfall. This is a beautiful waterfall, about 128.5 meters high, making it the third highest waterfall in Iceland.

Hengefirth Falls is striking primarily because of the striking red clay and black basalt layers beautifully arranged on the cliff face, which provide a beautiful backdrop for the cascading waterfalls. During the Tertiary Period (approximately 5-6 million years ago), volcanic ash settled on the ground in the Hengi Falls area, eventually turning into clay- and iron-rich soil. When the next volcano erupted, the iron reacted with oxygen to form the red layer seen in the rock. Repeat this cycle a few times and you'll have a wall of black volcanic rock with red lines representing past eruptions, like a lava calendar.

Gullfoss

Gullfoss is one of the most iconic and popular waterfalls in Iceland, located in the Hvítá River Gorge in southwest Iceland. For those who rent a car or take a Golden Circle tour, Gullfoss can be reached from the Icelandic capital in two hours.

The water in the Hvítá River flows down from the Langj?kull glacier and then pours down in two stages from a height of 32 meters, a dramatic display of the raw power of nature. Some people believe that Gullfoss should actually be considered two separate waterfalls. The first waterfall is shorter at 11 meters, while the second waterfall is 21 meters. The canyon walls on both sides of the waterfall are 70 meters high, leading down into the Gullfossgjúfur Grand Canyon.

In the summer, about 140 cubic meters of water rushes down the waterfall every second. With such an abundant amount of water, if tourists get too close, don’t be surprised if they get wet by the powerful spray of the waterfall.

Dynjandifoss

Deep in Iceland’s remote Westfjords, you’ll find the beautiful Dynjandifoss waterfall. Dynjandi means "thunder-like" and is the largest waterfall in the Westfjords. It is truly called the "Jewel of the Westfjords".

The waterfall is about 100 meters long and falls in a trapezoid shape. The top is 30 meters wide and the bottom is up to 60 meters wide. It looks like a beautiful bridal veil. Those who want to admire Dinjandi Falls from the top can hike the nearly 200 meters of cliff. There are 6 other waterfalls below Dinjandi Falls: hɑstahjallafoss, Strompgljúfrafoss (Strompur), G?ngumannafoss, Hrísva?sfoss-Kvíslarfoss, Hundafoss and bɑjarfoss (Sjóarfoss). You will pass these waterfalls on the way to the largest waterfall. It is a scenic route.

Háifoss

Háifoss, or "High Falls", is a waterfall located in the Fossárdalur Valley in southern Iceland, located in the deepest part of the ?jórsárdalur Valley. With a height of 122 meters, Haversfoss Falls is the fourth highest waterfall in Iceland.

Another waterfall, Grannifoss, is located next to Hayfors Falls. It is lower than Hayfors Falls and has less water. People call it "Granni", which means "neighbor". ". Both waterfalls can be seen from the viewing area on the south side of the falls, close enough to be photographed in one frame.

In Icelandic folklore, Seafors is home to a troll who fishes trout from the waterfalls and threatens anyone who comes near them.

Hekla volcano, located near Seavers Falls, is one of the most notorious and explosive volcanoes in the country. It has erupted more than 20 times in recent years, earning it the title of "Gates to Hell" "The nickname.

Morsárfoss

Morsárfoss is the highest waterfall in Iceland, reaching a height of 228 meters.

In fact, there are several waterfalls in the area, sometimes called the Meursault Falls.

For many years, Glymur has been the tallest waterfall in Iceland (198 meters high). However, in 2007, the Morsárj?kull glacier began to melt and these new waterfalls formed and became visible. Over the years, it has been difficult to measure the exact height of the falls, as part of the falls has been covered in ice and chunks of ice have continued to fall from the edge of the glacier, making approaching the falls itself dangerous. Initially, it was estimated to be no less than 240 meters, but is now measured at 228 meters, although this figure may change.

Meursault Falls is an impressive waterfall, falling from a high cliff, surrounded by many other waterfalls cascading from rocky walls, with glacial ice on top and bottom.

However, Meursault Falls is difficult to reach or even see from close range. To get close to Meursault Falls, you need to hike through a moving glacier, which means you need professional equipment such as crampons, ice axes, and safety harnesses, as well as a guide who is familiar with the area. Do not go alone.

But you can enjoy the beautiful view of the waterfall from the peak of Kristínartindar. They are 6 kilometers away from the waterfall, and a telescope can provide a better view.

?f?rufoss Waterfall

?f?rufoss Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. It is located in the highlands, so not many people can get close to it, so you are likely to find Explore this beauty on your own.

The name "?f?rufoss" means "impassable waterfall". Among the many waterfalls in Iceland, ?f?rufoss Waterfall is undoubtedly the most spectacular waterfall in the Icelandic highlands. The ?f?rufoss waterfall is located on the Nyr?ri-?f?ra river in the Eldgjá Canyon (Fire Canyon), in the west of Vatnaj?kull National Park.

?f?rufoss is a multi-layered waterfall, about 40 meters high, pouring down from the canyon, beautiful. Before the 1990s, there used to be a natural bridge (stone arch) across the waterfall, but unfortunately it collapsed due to earthquakes and natural erosion.

To reach the ?f?rufoss waterfall you need to walk along the Eldgjá Grand Canyon (a 40 km long volcanic fissure and the longest one in Iceland) to the waterfall. There are walking trails around the waterfall and you can easily to spend a few hours there.

Iceland is colorful and stunning, and trust me, you won’t leave without countless memories and adventures. So, take advantage of it and visit these beautiful waterfalls.

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