By Monika

Kvernufoss – an Easy Hike to a Hidden Waterfall Near Skógafoss.

Kvernufoss is a beautiful waterfall located in Southern Iceland, right by its famous neighbor – Skógafoss.

It is often skipped by tourists, as not everyone knows it exists (we didn’t the first time we visited Iceland!) and tours typically don’t include it in their itineraries.

We visited it during our road trip the second time around, when I was looking for more off-the-beaten-track places. And Kvernufoss didn’t disappoint!

In this guide I’ll tell you all about this amazing hidden gem and the scenic hike that leads to it.

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Is Kvernufoss worth visiting?

I’ll answer this question right now – ABSOLUTELY!

Besides its beauty and the peaceful, magical short hiking trail that leads to it, it is another waterfall in South Iceland that you can walk behind! Yes, the famous Seljalandsfoss isn’t the only one giving you that experience!

How to get to Kvernufoss?

Kvernufoss trailhead is located near Skógafoss, at the Skógar Museum, and it’s easily accessible from the Ring Road.

By car:

The best way to reach this natural wonder is by car. It’s an easy and very picturesque drive on the Ring Road from either direction.

Drive times: distance from Reykjavik: 155 km (about a 2-hour drive) and distance from Vik: 35 km (about 30-minute drive)

➡️ Need a rental car? Book from two of the top local Icelandic rental car companies – Blue Car Rental or Lava Car Rental – with an instant 5% discount. No promo code needed!

With a tour:

However, if you don’t have a rental car or just don’t feel like driving, you can join a tour, which will also take you to a few other beautiful sites, like Seljalandsfoss and Reynisfjara Black Beach.

Keep in mind: most tour companies will typically skip hidden gems like Kvernufoss of Gljúfrabúi (near Seljalandsfoss) in their itineraries, so if you’d like to make sure the lesser-known waterfalls are included, here are the guided tours that do have them in their plan:

• From Reykjavik: Explore the Waterfalls of the South Coast – this tour has them all!
• South Coast Hidden Gems and Caves of Hella Day Tour – even more off-the-beaten-path locations!
• South Coast of Iceland: Hidden Gems & Lava Show Tour – your choice of hidden gems!

• Private tour to the South Coast of Iceland – this affordable private tour includes not only Kvernufoss (plus other waterfalls), but also a black beach and a glacier!

By bus:

It’s also possible to take a bus to Skógafoss/Kvernufoss from Reykjavik, or other towns along the south coast, like Selfoss and Hella. It is not the most convenient way to visit the waterfalls, but it is an option.

The bus will bring you to the Skógar Campsite, which is right next to Skógafoss. From there you’ll have a 20-minute walk to Skógar Museum where the trail to Kvernufoss begins.

• Highland Bus – Skógar Adventure – has stops in Reykjavik and other south coast towns and will also bring you to the Skógar Campsite. The cost is about $64 one way.

Important: read the notice about a longer stop on the way back to Reykjavik!

• Strætó bus from Reykjavik – you can take bus line #52 to Hvolsvöllur, where you’ll change to bus line #51, which will bring you to Skógar. You don’t pre-book trips online, you just show up at the bus stop and buy your ticket onboard, using credit/debit card or cash.

Important: just like with the bus above, note the 5-hour wait to change buses in Hvolsvöllur.

Best time to visit Kvernufoss:

You can visit Kvernufoss year-round.

Summer months give you the best chance of nice weather, but they are also the busiest, so the area is likely to be more crowded than if other seasons, although still not nearly as packed as Skógafoss. A lot of people still don’t visit Kvernufoss because they simply don’t know it exists!

Spring and fall are more of a lottery when it comes to the weather, but the crowds definitely lessen.

Winter months provide a completely different scenery and most likely no crowds but come with their own set of challenges like cold temperatures and potentially tricky driving conditions.

If you’re visiting on your own in the winter, please check the official Icelandic Meteorological Office website for the most up to date weather forecast and www.road.is for current road conditions and potential closures.

The path to Kvernufoss may be covered in snow or ice so you should only attempt this hike in the winter if you have a proper hiking gear, incluging good hiking shoes, crampons and trekking poles.

The hike to Kvernufoss

The trail starts at the Skógar Museum.

There is plenty of parking there and inside the museum building you have a small gift shop, a cafeteria (Freya Café), restrooms, and a visitors’ info desk in case you have any questions.

Please note: There is a parking fee of 750 ISK, which you can pay via the Parka.is app or online.

At the start of the short hike that leads you to Kvernufos, you’ll be walking through a pasture on private property, so please be respectful. Then just follow the trail along the Kverna river.

The trail is well marked, easy to find and the scenery is just magical! It makes you feel like you’re in a fairytale… The entire hike is easy, mostly flat, and just packed with stunning views as you walk.

After about 15 – 20 minutes of following the walking path through Kvernugil Gorge you’ll reach Kvernufoss. Similar to Seljalandsfoss, there is a cave behind the water.

Even though it’s a smaller waterfall, the water comes down with mighty enough power. There is a good chance you’ll get wet from the mist as you approach, so wearing a rain jacket and even waterproof pants is highly recommended! Protect your phones and cameras, too, and watch your step as you get closer – it gets slippery.

It’s an out and back trail, so once you’ve had your fill of the amazing views you can just head back the same way you came.

Helpful tip: if your trip itinerary allows it, try to plan “wet activities” like this, or visiting Skógafoss or Seljalandsfoss towards the end of your day. That way if you inadvertently get wet, you won’t have to spend the rest of your day trip in wet clothes. Alternatively, bring a change of clothes and keep it in the car in case you need it.

How much time do you need for a visit to Kvernufoss?

At the very least you should allow an hour to spend here – 20 minute walk each way and at least 20 minutes to spend at the waterfall.

If you have the time, visit the Skógar Museum. It has inside historical exhibits, outdoor buildings, like a schoolhouse and a church you can visit, and a separate building showcasing history of transportation in Iceland.

Then you can move your car to the Skógafoss parking lot, located 1.7 km away (about a 5-minute drive) and if you haven’t done it yet – visit this majestic beauty.

It’s much busier and can get crowded, but it is a must see!

And just a short drive away, back on the main road towards Reykjavik, you can see two more incredible waterfalls of South Iceland – Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi.

Where to stay near Kvernufoss?

The closest accommodation is the Skógar Campsite, however if you’re not up for camping, there are other options in the immediate waterfall area. Only 30 minutes away, Vik is also an excellent base for visiting both Kvernufoss and Skógafoss.

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Nearby attractions:

• Solheimajökull Glacier
• Seljaladnsfoss and Gljúfrabúi waterfalls
• Seljavallalaug Geothermal Swimming Pool
• Vik (the southernmost village in Iceland)
• Dyrhólaey Cliffs (you can see the puffins here in the summer!)
• Yoda Cave
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Check out my 10-day Iceland itinerary to see how you can fit this beautiful hike into your travel plan!

🛜 Stay connected during your trip with an eSIM like Airalo, Saily or Sim Local!

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