Glymur Waterfall

A Waterfall Earned, Not Given

Glymur is not a roadside attraction. There is no viewing platform, no car park with a clear sightline, and no way to see the falls without walking for at least an hour through increasingly dramatic terrain. This is what makes it one of the most rewarding natural sights in western Iceland.

The waterfall plunges 198 metres into the narrow Botnsdalur canyon, fed by the Botnsá river that flows from the lake Hvalvatn above. Until 2011, when the retreating Vatnajokull glacier revealed the 240-metre Morsarfoss, Glymur held the title of Iceland's tallest waterfall. It remains the tallest that hikers can actually reach on foot.

The Trail

The hike starts at the Botnsá car park at the end of a gravel road off Route 47 in Hvalfjordur. From the parking area, the trail climbs gently through birch woodland before reaching Thvottahellir — a natural cave that the path passes directly through. The cave is short, roughly 10 metres, and you may need a headlamp or phone light to navigate the uneven floor.

Beyond the cave, the first river crossing awaits. Each summer, a log bridge with a steel guide rope is placed across the Botnsá river. The log is narrow and can be slippery, but the rope provides enough stability for careful crossings. Once across, the trail steepens significantly as it climbs the northern wall of the canyon.

The ascent is the most demanding section. The path gains elevation quickly through a series of switchbacks on loose gravel and rock, with increasingly dramatic views into the canyon below. There are no barriers or railings — you are walking along the edge of a steep gorge with the sound of the waterfall growing louder.

The Viewpoint

The main viewpoint sits roughly level with the middle of the falls, looking across the canyon at the full 198-metre cascade. On a clear day, the spray catches the light and the sheer scale of the drop is breathtaking. This is where most hikers stop, rest, and turn back.

Those who continue can follow the trail to the top of the waterfall, where the Botnsá river pours over the cliff edge. The upper river crossing here has no bridge. The water is typically knee-deep in summer but varies with rainfall. Cross with care — the riverbed is rocky and the current is real.

The Loop Return

Hikers who complete the upper crossing can return along the southern rim of the canyon, creating a loop. This side offers different perspectives of the falls and the fjord below. The descent on the south side is steep and less maintained than the northern approach, so take your time on loose ground.

Getting There

From Reykjavik, drive north on Route 1 toward Borgarnes. Before the Hvalfjordur tunnel, turn right onto Route 47, which follows the old road around the fjord. After approximately 12 kilometres, a signed gravel road leads to the Botnsá parking area. The total drive is about 65 kilometres and takes just over an hour. There are no facilities at the trailhead — no toilets, no water, no shop. Come prepared.