Grundarfoss Waterfall

Grundarfoss is a waterfall on the northern coast of the magical Snæfellsnes peninsula. Tall and mighty, the waterfall is a must-see while travelling through the peninsula.

The Snæfellsnes peninsula is a place well worth visiting for its impressive collection of sights and natural wonders. In a relatively small radius around the town of Grundarfjörður, it is possible to see three spectacular waterfalls, Grundarfoss, Kvernáfoss, and Kirkjufellsfoss.

Visual treat

The drive through Snæfellsnes is a visual treat, as the spine of the peninsula is dominated by a tall, steep mountain ridge that trails down into flat plains around the coast. Following the peninsula out to its edge, stands the mythical and famous Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano. It featured the entrance to the center of the earth in Jules Verne’s epic sci-fi novel, Journey to the Center of the Earth. Midway on the journey, on the northern side of the peninsula, is where Grundarfoss waterfall resides.

Grundará

Grundarfoss is fed water by the small river Grundará, which snakes its way down the indomitable mountain ridge that runs the length of the peninsula. To reach the waterfall, take Road 1 north out of Reykjavík, then switch to Road 54 in the town of Borgarnes, and the drive to Grundarfjörður will take approximately two and a half hours.

15 minute hike

From there, it is quite possible to hike the trio of waterfalls around the town and enjoy the sights within a day. Grundarfoss has a small gravel road leading to it from the main road. Once reaching the mountain, a short 15-minute hike is required to get up close to the waterfall. The journey goes partly over some rocky terrain, so caution is advised.

Impressive 70 meters tall

Once there, the picture-taking fun starts. Grundarfoss stands at an impressive 70 meters tall, barrelling down off the steep cliff’s edge. The rock shelf that the waterfall falls off makes it so that the drop becomes even more dramatic. The thick stream of water carves a channel through the otherwise straight columnal walls of rock that form the backdrop of the waterfall, creating a most magnificent sight.

With the small canyon that Grundarfoss is nestled in is another stream of water that also falls off the cliff. This waterfall is unnamed and much less powerful than its bigger brother but definitely enhances the visual experience.

Short but worthwhile detour

Making the journey to Grundarfoss is a short but worthwhile detour on a wider tour of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The waterfall is tall and majestic and easily spotted from the road. However, it has remained less visited than its close neighbours of Kirkjufellsfoss and Kvernáfoss, making it ideal for taking uninterrupted pictures and for a tranquil experience.