Skógafoss

What it's like here

One of Iceland's largest and most photographed waterfalls, 60 m high and 25 m wide, on the Skógá river right off the Ring Road. Its broad, even face gives it the look of a solid wall of water rather than a narrow plunge, and it marks a former coastline — the sea reached this cliff line before post-glacial land rise pushed it back roughly 5 km.
The scale is immediate from the car park: a single flat approach and then the full 60-metre drop in front of you, spray reaching visitors well before they're close. On sunny days the mist throws near-constant rainbows across the base. A steep staircase beside the falls climbs to a platform at the top, from which the Skóga Trail — nicknamed the Waterfall Way — continues upstream past some 26 further waterfalls. Local legend holds that a Viking named Þrasi hid a treasure chest behind the falls around 900 AD.

Highlights

The 60 m waterfall itself, 25 m across
The staircase to the top viewing platform
Rainbows in the spray on sunny days
The Skóga Trail (Waterfall Way) continuing upriver past around 26 more falls
Nesting seabirds, including fulmars, on the surrounding cliffs in summer
Winter visits, when the falls take on an icy character

Good to know

Entry to the waterfall is free. A parking fee was introduced in May 2025, currently 1,000 ISK (about $7.50), paid through the Parka app; the car park itself is open 24/7 but overnight stays there are not permitted
The car park was substantially enlarged and upgraded in 2025–2026, along with the trail and stairs to the viewpoint
About 150–156 km from Reykjavík, roughly a 2-hour drive southeast on Route 1
Most visitors spend 30 minutes to an hour at the base; allow 2–3 hours if you climb to the top and walk part of the trail above
Unlike Seljalandsfoss nearby, you cannot walk behind Skógafoss
Toilets are available near the car park for a small fee
Sunrise and late evening are the quietest times; tour buses cluster around midday