It is rare to find a country so unbelievably gorgeous that it appears to be an online simulation. Yet that is how it felt to spend three weeks exploring Iceland — a North Atlantic island formed between 16 and 18 million years ago through volcanic activity along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. Even today, around 30 active volcanic systems continue to shape the landscape. And those volcanoes are precisely why Iceland has waterfalls. Thousands of them.
While one of the primary draws to Iceland is the world-famous Blue Lagoon — itself a byproduct of the nearby Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant — the real draw for me was the sheer number of waterfalls scattered across the island, creating a landscape of vertical rivers and dramatic natural architecture.
And the amazing thing is that you don’t necessarily have to go searching for them. Sometimes, Iceland simply puts one in front of you and dares you to keep driving.
Iceland Waterfall Road Trip Highlights
Why the Iceland Ring Road Is the Best Way to See the Waterfalls
The best way to experience Iceland’s waterfalls is to drive the Ring Road — Route 1 — a 1,332 km (828 mile) circuit around the entire island. You can travel clockwise or counterclockwise, but I chose the latter for a simple reason: the south coast offers a far higher density of sites and, in my view, some of the most dramatic waterfalls in the country.
Below is a quick reference for every waterfall covered in this guide, followed by practical visitor information for each stop.
| Waterfall | Height | Location | What Makes It Unique |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seljalandsfoss | 60 m (197 ft) | South Iceland, near Hella | Walk a path behind the curtain of water |
| Gljúfrabúi | ≈40 m (131 ft) | South Iceland, near Seljalandsfoss | Hidden canyon; wade through a stream to enter |
| Skógafoss | 60 m (197 ft) | South Iceland, near Vík | Climb 527 steps to the top; frequent double rainbows |
| Dettifoss | 44 m (144 ft) | North Iceland, near Mývatn | Most powerful waterfall in Europe by volume |
| Selfoss | 11 m (36 ft) | North Iceland, near Dettifoss | Wide basalt horseshoe cascades; 100 m across |
| Goðafoss | 12 m (39 ft) | North Iceland, near Akureyri | "Waterfall of the Gods" — tied to Iceland's conversion to Christianity (~1000 AD) |
| Hraunfossar | Low cascade | West Iceland, Borgarfjörður | Water emerges from beneath an ancient lava field across 900 meters |
| Barnafoss | Low gorge falls | West Iceland, near Hraunfossar | Turbulent volcanic gorge; strong contrast with Hraunfossar |
What to Expect at Each Waterfall Stop
| Waterfall | Crowd Level | Difficulty | Practical Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seljalandsfoss | High — right off Route 1 | Easy (paved path) | Bring full waterproofs — you will get wet behind the falls |
| Gljúfrabúi | Low — most visitors miss it | Moderate (wade + rocks) | Waterproof boots essential; the payoff is worth the effort |
| Skógafoss | Medium-High | Moderate (527 steps) | Do both levels — base and top offer completely different views |
| Dettifoss | Medium | Easy-Moderate | West bank access is easier; east bank offers closer views of the gorge |
| Selfoss | Low | Easy (10 min walk) | Combine with Dettifoss — they are 10 minutes apart on foot |
| Goðafoss | Medium | Easy (both banks) | Cross the bridge to see both perspectives; no stair climbing needed |
| Hraunfossar | Low | Easy (flat path) | Pair with Barnafoss next door; return to Reykjavík in under 2 hours |
| Barnafoss | Low | Easy (short walk) | The name translates to "Children's Falls" — legend warns of a tragic story |
Planning Your Iceland Ring Road Waterfall Trip
| Planning Detail | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Total Ring Road Distance | Approx. 1,332 km (828 miles) — Road 1 circumnavigates the island |
| Recommended Duration | 10–14 days minimum to see the major waterfalls without rushing |
| Direction Recommendation | Counterclockwise — the south coast has the highest density of sites |
| Best Season | June–August for long daylight hours (midnight sun); Sept–Oct for Northern Lights |
| What to Pack | Full waterproofs (top and bottom), waterproof boots, layers, and extra dry bags |
| Car Recommendation | 4WD recommended — essential if visiting highland or F-road routes |
| Key Southern Stops | Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Jökulsárlón |
| Key Northern Stops | Dettifoss, Selfoss, Goðafoss, Mývatn, Akureyri |
| Detour Worth Taking | Hraunfossar and Barnafoss in Borgarfjörður — approx. 2 hrs from Reykjavík |
| Booking Note | Book accommodation well in advance — the Ring Road is popular June–August |
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi: The Walk-Behind Double Feature
Starting off with the double feature of Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi near the town of Hella, you get two very different Iceland waterfall experiences within a few minutes of each other.
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is a 60-meter-tall waterfall famous for something most waterfalls don’t allow you to do: walk behind it. Located right off Route 1, it is impossible to miss. There is usually a line of people waiting to make their way behind the falling water, but it is absolutely worth the wait. As you walk along the path, the waterfall gradually shifts from something you are simply looking at to something you are actually inside of. The roar of the water surrounds you, the spray hits your face, and suddenly your perfectly good rain jacket doesn’t seem quite as waterproof as you thought it was.
Gljúfrabúi
Once you’ve made the loop at Seljalandsfoss, don’t get back in your vehicle. Walk about 10 minutes farther down the path to Gljúfrabúi. This one feels like a secret. To reach it, you have to make your way through a partially hidden canyon and into the stream flowing from the falls — stepping over rocks and getting wet before you even reach the waterfall. Once inside, the canyon opens up to reveal the falls tucked into the rock walls above you.
Both are spectacular, but Gljúfrabúi was my favorite. It feels more adventurous, the crowds are smaller, and there is something satisfying about having to work a little bit to see it. Seljalandsfoss announces itself from the highway. Gljúfrabúi makes you go looking for it.
Skógafoss: Iceland's Most Iconic Waterfall — From Two Very Different Perspectives
Another 20 miles down the road toward Vík brings you to Skógafoss — one of the most photographed and visited waterfalls in Iceland, and for good reason. Here, you have two choices.
The first is to walk straight toward the base of the falls and experience the sheer force of 60 meters of water crashing down in front of you. Standing at the bottom of a waterfall this powerful makes you feel very small — and very happy that you decided to ignore whatever the weather forecast said.
The second option is to climb the 527 steps to the top for a completely different perspective. From above, you get a sense of just how much water is pouring over the edge and how quickly the landscape changes beyond the falls. If you have the time and the knees for it, do both. On clear days, Skógafoss also produces vivid double rainbows in the mist — bring your camera.
Dettifoss and Selfoss: Europe's Most Powerful Waterfall and Its Quieter Neighbor
Dettifoss — Europe’s Most Powerful Waterfall
Dettifoss is Europe’s most powerful waterfall by volume of water discharged, averaging close to 51,000 gallons (193,000 liters) per second. It is fed by the Jökulsá á Fjöllum River, which carries meltwater and enormous amounts of glacial sediment from the Vatnajökull glacier. The result is not the postcard-perfect waterfall you might expect. The water is a murky brown, and the falls look raw, violent, and almost prehistoric. Standing near the edge, you can feel the ground tremble from the force of the water. It is mesmerizing precisely because it doesn’t feel particularly friendly.
Selfoss
A 10-minute walk from Dettifoss brings you to Selfoss — a completely different spectacle. At only about 11 meters high, it is much smaller than its neighbor, but the water spreads across a wide horseshoe-shaped formation of basalt columns. Instead of one enormous plunge, Selfoss creates a broad series of cascades stretching roughly 100 meters across the landscape. Together, Dettifoss and Selfoss make for one of the best waterfall combinations anywhere on the Ring Road. One is all brute force. The other is about shape, scale, and movement.
Goðafoss: The Waterfall of the Gods and the Story Behind the Name
As you make your way toward Akureyri, you will encounter Goðafoss — the “Waterfall of the Gods” — located right off Route 1. At approximately 12 meters high and 30 meters wide, Goðafoss isn’t the tallest or most powerful waterfall in Iceland. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in character. The falls curve across the river in a broad horseshoe shape, with multiple channels of water tumbling over the basalt formations. You can cross the bridge near the parking area and explore both sides, giving you several different perspectives without a single stair to climb.
The waterfall also carries one of Iceland’s most compelling historical stories. Around the year 1000 AD, Iceland was under pressure from the Kingdom of Norway to convert to Christianity rather than continue worshipping the Norse gods. According to historical accounts, a local pagan chieftain named Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði decided to embrace Christianity and, upon returning home, threw his wooden statues of the Norse gods — including Odin, Thor, and Freyr — into the waterfall. Hence the name Goðafoss.
Iceland has a way of mixing geology, mythology, and history together until you aren’t quite sure where one ends and the other begins.
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss: The Ring Road Detour Worth Taking
Hraunfossar — Lava Falls
If you have the time, take a detour off the Ring Road as you make your way back toward Reykjavik and visit Hraunfossar (“Lava Falls”) and Barnafoss (“Children’s Falls”) in Borgarfjörður. Hraunfossar isn’t a single towering waterfall. Instead, hundreds of small streams emerge from beneath a vast field of ancient lava and spill across roughly 900 meters into the Hvítá River. The effect is almost surreal — rather than watching water plunge from above, you are watching it seemingly appear out of the lava itself.
Barnafoss — Children’s Falls
Just a short walk upstream, the personality changes completely. Barnafoss is narrower, faster, and far more turbulent. The water rushes through a rocky volcanic gorge with considerably more attitude than its neighbor. While this pair is a bit off the main route, the detour is worthwhile. From Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, you can cut across to a lower section of Route 1 and return to Reykjavik in under two hours.
Once You Start Chasing Waterfalls in Iceland, You Cannot Stop
This is just a small handful of the waterfalls scattered along Iceland’s Ring Road, much less the rest of the island. You can drive for ten or fifteen minutes in some parts of Iceland and find yourself pulling over for yet another waterfall. Eventually, you stop being surprised. Then you see another one. And you stop anyway.
There is apparently even a word for someone who has a passion for waterfalls: cataractophile. I didn’t know that word existed before visiting Iceland. I do now. And I believe my three weeks driving around Iceland officially turned me into one.
So if you are looking for a country where you can combine dramatic landscapes, ancient geology, Norse mythology, adventure, and an unreasonable number of waterfalls — Iceland’s Ring Road should be at the top of your list. Just bring a rain jacket. And maybe a second one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Iceland's Ring Road Waterfalls
How many waterfalls does Iceland have?
Iceland has thousands of waterfalls distributed across the island — there is no single official count. The combination of heavy glacial meltwater, volcanic plateaus, and coastal cliffs creates ideal conditions for waterfalls to form virtually everywhere. In some parts of the island, you will pass multiple waterfalls within a single 10 to 15 minute drive.
Can you walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall in Iceland?
Yes. Seljalandsfoss is one of the few waterfalls in the world that allows visitors to walk completely behind the curtain of water along a paved path. The path is accessible most of the year, though it closes in winter when ice makes it dangerous. Expect to get thoroughly wet — waterproof gear from head to foot is strongly recommended, not optional.
What is Gljúfrabúi and how do you get there?
Gljúfrabúi is a hidden waterfall located just a 10-minute walk from Seljalandsfoss on Iceland’s south coast. To reach it, visitors must navigate through a narrow canyon entrance and wade through a shallow stream. It is far less visited than its neighbor and offers one of the more adventurous waterfall experiences on the Ring Road. Waterproof boots are essential.
What is the most powerful waterfall in Europe?
Dettifoss, located in northeast Iceland near Mývatn, is Europe’s most powerful waterfall by volume of water discharged. It averages approximately 51,000 gallons (193,000 liters) of water per second, fed by meltwater from the Vatnajökull glacier via the Jökulsá á Fjöllum River. The water carries heavy glacial sediment, giving it a distinctive, murky brown color and a raw, almost prehistoric appearance.
Which direction should you drive Iceland's Ring Road?
There is no wrong answer, but counterclockwise is commonly recommended for travelers whose primary interest is waterfalls and the south coast. Driving counterclockwise means you hit the densest concentration of sites — Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon — early in the journey when energy is highest. The north and east are less densely packed but offer Dettifoss, Selfoss, Goðafoss, and Mývatn.
How long does it take to drive Iceland's Ring Road?
The Ring Road (Route 1) is approximately 1,332 km (828 miles) in total length. The bare minimum to complete the circuit is about four to five days, but most travelers who want to stop at the major waterfalls, hike, and explore properly should allow 10 to 14 days. Three weeks — as described in this guide — allows for genuine exploration rather than a race.
What is the best time of year to drive the Ring Road in Iceland?
June through August offers the longest daylight hours, including the midnight sun, and the most reliably accessible roads. This is also peak season, so accommodation books up fast. September and October are excellent for combining fall colors, Northern Lights season, and slightly fewer crowds. Winter offers the best Northern Lights conditions but limits access to some highland and F-road routes.
Why is Goðafoss called the Waterfall of the Gods?
Goðafoss — which translates directly as “Waterfall of the Gods” — takes its name from a pivotal moment in Icelandic history around 1000 AD. According to historical accounts, a pagan chieftain named Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, who had been tasked with deciding Iceland’s religion under pressure from the Kingdom of Norway, chose to convert the country to Christianity. Upon returning home, he threw his wooden statues of the Norse gods — including Odin, Thor, and Freyr — into the waterfall, symbolizing the end of the old religion.
What should you pack for waterfall hiking in Iceland?
Full waterproof clothing is essential — a rain jacket alone is not enough. Waterproof trousers, waterproof boots, and a dry bag for your camera and electronics are all strongly recommended. Layering is important as temperatures can shift quickly. For Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi specifically, plan to get fully wet regardless of gear. Microspikes or traction aids are useful in winter and early spring when paths ice over.
