By Monika

Skógafoss Waterfall – a Complete Guide (+ a Hidden Gem!)

No trip to Iceland is complete without seeing at least one waterfall. Luckily, the easily accessible South Coast of Iceland has a few of them to choose from!

In this article, I’ll introduce you to one of the more famous ones, Skógafoss waterfall, but I’ll also tell you about its lesser-known neighbor, a hidden (truly hidden!) gem, Kvernufoss, that’s also worth visiting.

Keep reading to find out why!

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Where is Skógafoss waterfall?

Skógafoss waterfall is located on the South Coast of Iceland, near a village of Skógar, right on Rt. 1 (also known as the Ring Road).

How to get to Skógafoss?

By car:

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

Drive time: from Reykjavik: just over 2 hours (155 km) and from Vik: 30 minutes (34 km)

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With a tour:

However, if you don’t have a 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 Waterfall and Reynisfjara Black Beach.

Here are tour options that you may like:

• South Iceland Glaciers, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach Day Tour from Reykjavik – includes waterfalls, Reynisfjara Black Beach and a visit to the Sölheimajökull glacier.
• South Coast Waterfalls, Black Beach and Glacier Adventure Tour – see the waterfalls with an optional glacier hike
• Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik – this tour also includes a visit to Vik.

Keep in mind: most tour companies will typically skip the hidden gems like Kvernufoss of Gljufrabui (near Seljalandsfoss) in their itineraries, so if you’d like to make sure the lesser-known waterfalls are included, this tour has them all!

By bus:

It’s also possible to take a bus to Skógafoss from Reykjavik, or other towns along the south coast, like Selfoss and Hella.

• 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 Skógafoss

You can visit Skógafoss year-round.

Summer months give you the best chance of nice weather and the possibility of spotting the famous double rainbows, but they are also the busiest, so the area is likely to be crowded.

Spring and fall are more of a weather lottery, but the crowds lessen.

Wintertime provides a completely different scenery, with snow and icicles hanging off the cliffs, but comes with its own challenges like cold temperatures and tricky driving.

The area in front of the waterfall may be icy, so be extra careful, and I’d probably skip the stairs to go up as the steps may be slippery.

If you’re planning on driving to Skógafoss in the winter, make sure to check the most up to day weather forecast on the official website of Icelandic Meteorological Office and the most current road conditions on www.road.is

Skógafoss parking

The parking lot for Skógafoss is clearly marked and quite large.

During our visits, it was still free, however it has recently been improved and is now paid. The fee is 1000 ISK and can be paid via the parka.is app or online.

There are also restrooms there (included in the parking fee), which is something not to be taken for granted in Iceland! 😊

How to visit Skógafoss?

From the parking lot it only takes a couple of minutes to reach the waterfall – you can actually see it and hear it roar as soon as you get out of the car.

This mighty waterfall is about 60 m (200 ft) tall and sits on the Skóga River, a glacial river originating from Eyjafjallajökull glacier – yes, the same one that erupted in 2010 and paralyzed air traffic for weeks!

There is a legend that one of the first Viking settlers hid a chest of gold behind the crushing waters of Skógafoss and those who tried to retrieve it years later only managed to pull one small ring off of it. The golden ring is now displayed in Skógar Museum.

So is the treasure chest still there?…

Skógafoss is famous for double rainbows forming often at its base due to the amount of spray it produces. You have the best chance of seeing them on sunny days, but not only.

We were lucky to see a beautiful rainbow (not a double but still amazing!) even though by the time we got there late afternoon it wasn’t even that sunny out!

The area right in front of the waterfall is a flat gravel patch of land, which makes it wheelchair/stroller accessible.

You can get as close to the waterfall as you want but keep in mind that it’s very powerful and you will get wet just from the mist produced as the water crashes down over the cliff. Wear your waterproof clothing!

Once you’ve seen everything at the base, climb the staircase on the right side of the waterfall for equally phenomenal views.

How many steps in the staircase? I’ve read many different accounts. One thing is certain – definitely over 400! Sources list anywhere from 467 to 527…

I have climbed that staircase, and wholeheartedly recommend that you do that too, as the views are spectacular! However, I was so focused on getting to the top that I didn’t count my steps. It’s A LOT!

It’s totally worth the effort! The staircase takes you to a viewing platform on top of the falls where you can see the powerful Skógafoss from above. 

The top of Skógafoss also marks the beginning of the trail called “The Waterfall Way”.

It’s 8 km long one way and it takes you upstream of the Skóga River, past 26 different waterfalls, jaw dropping canyons and other fabulous landscapes.

At the end of the trail (marked by a wooden bridge) you can head back the same way you came or extend the hike as it continues under the name of Fimmvörðuháls Trail and ends at Thórsmörk.  

This last hiking option requires more careful planning so it should not be an “on the spot decision”. It’s a full day or a 2-day trek and you should be well prepared for it.

I have hiked a good portion of the Waterfall Way and it’s just stunning. The scenery is breathtaking, and it feels very peaceful up there, as not many people take the “staircase challenge”, so it’s far less busy than at the base.

How much time do I need at Skógafoss?

How much time you need will depend on what you plan on doing. If you’re only visiting the base of the waterfall, about 30 minutes should be sufficient.

Climbing the staircase adds solid 30 minutes to your visit, depending on your pace.

And then it’s totally up to you how much time you want to spend at the viewing platform and if you’d like to walk a part (or all!) of the Waterfall Way.

Hiking the entire length of the Waterfall Way to the bridge takes (on average) about 2-3 hours one way.

It’s an out and back trail so make sure to account for the return time in your planning. Like I stated before, you don’t have to walk the whole trail, even 30-45 minutes will take you through some amazing scenery and waterfalls galore.

Bonus! The promised hidden gem – Kvernufoss

Next to the Skógafoss parking lot there is a campsite and a little further down you’ll see the Skógar Museum, with indoor exhibits and restored buildings outside telling the history of Icelandic life.

It is also the beginning of a short, beautiful hike to another waterfall – Kvernufoss. It’s getting more and more popular, but I’d still consider it a “hidden gem” as most people only visit the famous Skógafoss when they come here.

Helpful tip: while Skógafoss parking is free, there is a 500 ISK fee to park by the Skógar Museum, even if you’re not visiting it. You can pay it via the Parka app. Good to know – there is a visitors info desk, a cafeteria and restrooms inside the museum building.

How to visit Kvernufoss?

It only takes a short hike – an easy, mostly flat 15–20-minute walk through a lush green canyon. The path is marked, and the scenery makes you feel like you’re in a fairy tale!

To learn more about this very scenic, rewarding hike, read my Kvernufoss photo guide – it’s worth it!

Helpful tip: if your trip itinerary allows it, try to plan “wet activities” like this, or visiting Seljalandsfoss or Gljúfrabúi (another potentially soaking experience) 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.

Where to stay near Skógafoss?

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

👉 Don’t forget TRAVEL INSURANCE! I don’t travel without it. Get a quote from my personal #1 choice – Travel Guard – or check more options here!

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 Iceland itineraries to see how you can fit visiting Skógafoss into your own Iceland adventure!

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