Skógafoss
Skógafoss is one of Iceland's largest and most visited waterfalls, dropping 60 metres over a 25-metre wide curtain of water on the South Coast near the village of Skógar. The sheer volume of spray it produces means that on clear days, single and double rainbows are almost guaranteed, making it one of the most photogenic spots in the country.
A 60-Metre Waterfall on Iceland's South Coast with a Viking Legend Beneath It
Skógafoss sits where the Skógá river, fed by meltwater from the Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers, reaches the edge of the old sea cliffs and drops sharply to the coastal plain below. The shoreline has retreated roughly 5 kilometres south since those cliffs were formed, but the waterfall remains one of the most powerful on the South Coast. The name translates as Forest Waterfall, a reference to a time when this part of Iceland was more heavily wooded. The cliff face is visible from the Ring Road, and the car park is just a short walk from the base of the falls. Free parking is available and the waterfall can be visited at any time of year.
According to Icelandic legend, the area's first Viking settler, Þrasi Þórólfsson, buried a chest of gold behind the waterfall. The story goes that a local boy later found the treasure but could only grab the ring handle on the side of the chest before it vanished back into the falls. That ring is said to be preserved in the nearby Skogar Folk Museum. The waterfall has also appeared in film productions including Thor: The Dark World and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and featured in Justin Bieber's 2015 music video that helped bring widespread international attention to Iceland's South Coast.
A metal staircase of around 400 steps climbs the cliff to the right of the waterfall, leading to an observation platform at the top with views out over the falls and toward the coast. From there, a trail continues east along the river, passing dozens more waterfalls in the first few kilometres on a route known as the Waterfall Way. Further on, the trail connects to the Fimmvorduhals pass between the two glaciers, eventually leading to Thorsmork valley. For those doing the South Coast by car, Skógafoss is roughly 30 kilometres east of Seljalandsfoss and 40 kilometres west of Vik, making it a natural midpoint on the route. Arrive early morning or in the evening to avoid the largest crowds.
