Skógafoss

Marvel at the beauty of one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls.

South Iceland
Lupines in front of the Skógafoss waterfall in springtime
A rainbow over the Skógafoss waterfall on a sunny day
Lupines in front of the Skógafoss waterfall in springtime
A rainbow over the Skógafoss waterfall on a sunny day
Best time to visit
All year
Open
Every day
Parking
Free
Charging station
No

Soak up unforgettable views of Skógafoss waterfall, Iceland

At 60 meters (197 feet) tall and 25 meters (82 feet) wide you’ll be instantly impressed by the size of Skógafoss. The waterfall is striking year-round. But if you’re here on a day when the sun’s shining on the cascade you could see rainbows in the spray – magical! 

During your visit, you can hike up to a platform overlooking the falls below. Just make sure to bring your camera – you’ll definitely want to capture the stunning view.  

There’s more to this waterfall than meets the eye. This breathtaking curtain of water also features in age-old folklore. According to a Norse legend, Þrasi Þórólfsson – the first Viking in Iceland –  threw a chest of treasure into the river. 

It’s said that over the years many people tried and failed to fish the wooden chest out of the waterfall. Until, one day, someone climbed into the cascade. But they could only grasp the handle on the side of the chest. And because the wood was so rotten, the handle broke off and the treasure plummeted to the bottom of the falls, never to be found. 

For a while, the ring-shaped handle was on the door of the nearby church, Skógakirkja. Nowadays, if you visit Skógar Museum, you can see the ring the locals claim came from the chest for yourself. The museum is also worth exploring if you’d like to learn more about the culture of the area. 

You might also be surprised to learn that the cliffs Skógafoss flows over, were part of Iceland’s coastline during the last Ice Age. Since then, melting ice caused the country’s landmass to rise. This drop in sea level means that you’ll now find the waterfall 5 kilometers (3 miles) inland.

Other attractions near Skógafoss

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Elephant Rock cliff in the Westman Islands

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The village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur on a sunny day

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The Seljalandsfoss waterfall covered in icicles

Seljalandsfoss

Walk behind a powerful plume of fresh glacier water at this wonderful waterfall.

30 km (19 mi)

View
Vik Church with Reynisdrangar sea stacks in the distance

Vík í Mýrdal

Discover Iceland’s wild south coast from this charming village.

34 km (21 mi)

View
Elephant Rock cliff in the Westman Islands

Westman Islands

Get up close to puffins and learn about the fiery history of this volcanic island group.

58 km (36 mi)

View
The village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur on a sunny day

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

This picture-perfect village is surrounded by some of South Iceland’s most iconic attractions.

107 km (66 mi)

View

FAQs about Skógafoss