Skogafoss

Skogafoss is one of the first major landmarks travellers encounter when driving east along Iceland's south coast. Visible directly from Route 1, the waterfall drops 60 metres over a sheer cliff face that once marked the coastline before the sea retreated roughly five kilometres to the south. The river Skoga, fed by meltwater from Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers, pours over the edge in a single, unbroken curtain 25 metres wide.

At the Base

The base of the waterfall is flat and easily accessible. A short gravel path leads from the car park straight to the falls, making it one of the most approachable major waterfalls in Iceland. You can walk right up to the wall of spray — though you will get thoroughly soaked if you do. The force of the water generates a constant cloud of fine mist, and on sunny days this mist produces vivid rainbows that arc across the face of the cliff. A double rainbow is not uncommon.

The Staircase to the Top

A metal staircase with 527 steps climbs the hillside to the right of the waterfall, leading to a viewing platform at the top of the cliff. The climb is straightforward but steady, and the reward is a perspective few expect. From the top you look directly down over the edge of the falls, across the flat coastal plain, and out to the black sand shore where the Atlantic meets the land. On clear days the Westman Islands are visible on the horizon.

Viking Legend

The folklore of Skogafoss centres on Thrasi Thorolfsson, a Viking-age settler who is said to have hidden a chest of gold beneath the waterfall. The story held that one side of the chest was once visible through the cascade. Around the year 1600, three men tried to pull it free but managed only to grasp a ring from its handle before the chest disappeared into the depths. That ring survived. It was used for centuries as a door ring on the local church at Skogar and is now displayed at the Skogar Museum, a short walk east of the falls.

Gateway to Fimmvorduhals

The top of the staircase marks the beginning of the Fimmvorduhals trail, one of Iceland's finest day hikes. The route follows the Skoga river upstream through a gorge lined with roughly 25 smaller waterfalls, each with its own character. The full trail crosses the highland pass between Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers and descends into the Thorsmork valley — a distance of about 25 kilometres. The hike is only possible in summer when the snow has cleared from the pass, typically late June through August.

Practical Information

Skogafoss is located 155 kilometres east of Reykjavik along Route 1, roughly a two-hour drive. The car park sits directly beside the waterfall and has toilets, a campsite, and a small cafe. There is no entrance fee and no opening hours — the falls are accessible around the clock. Most visitors spend one to two hours here, which allows time to take in the base, climb the staircase, and enjoy the views from the top. The Skogar Museum next door is well worth a visit if you have an extra hour.