Glymur Hike in Iceland: The Second-Tallest Waterfall

One of the best things to do in Iceland is explore its waterfalls. Iceland has thousands of waterfalls, all unique in their own way. Even the small waterfalls in Iceland are stunning, and you will fall in love with each one.

Glymur is one of the most well-known waterfalls in Iceland because it is the second-tallest waterfall in the country, standing at 650 feet. Although many waterfalls in Iceland are easy to access, Glymur requires a hike, but it is fun! The Glymur hike includes rivers, caves, mountain views, and viewpoints of Glymur.

If you want to hike to Glymur, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about the Glymur hike in Iceland.

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Glymur Hike Overview

Glymur Hike Length and Difficulty

The Glymur hike is about 4.1 miles round trip with 1,200 feet of elevation. Although it is not an overly long trail, the Glymur Waterfall Trail is not easy, with two river crossings and many steep sections. But it is a fun hike!

Although you can hike Glymur as an out-and-back trail, I recommend hiking it as a loop. The steep sections require you to hold onto ropes, which can be difficult to descend, especially when the trail is busy.

Since Glymur is not too far from the city, it is a popular trail and becomes busy. I recommend arriving in the morning to avoid most crowds and have time afterward to explore other stunning nearby attractions.

Glymur Hike Parking

The parking for the Glymur hike is off Road 47, about an hour north of Reykjavík. You will see a sign for Glymur on Road 47 leading to the large parking area.

And the best part? You do not need to drive on F roads to get to Glymur! It is an easy drive with stunning views, and I recommend stopping along the way to take in the gorgeous mountains.

Best Time to Hike to Glymur

Although it is possible to hike to Glymur year-round, the best time is in the warmer months. The trail in the summer will be clear of snow, making it easier to cross the rivers and ascend the steep sections. The trail also has a log and rope on the first river crossing in the summer to help you cross it.

What to Pack for the Hike

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!

Where to Stay Near Glymur

Although Glymur has some nearby hotels, the best place to stay is in Reykjavík. The city has everything you need for your trip, including accommodations and restaurants.

Best Hotels:

Glymur Hike Guide

**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly. It is also crucial to only hike on the designated trails to avoid damaging restoration areas and fragile vegetation.

The Glymur hike is one of the most beautiful and fun hikes in the area! Because it is about an hour from Reykjavík, it is a popular trail, making it busy. I recommend arriving in the morning to avoid most crowds. Although the parking lot is large, it fills up quickly by noon. Arriving in the morning allows you to find a parking spot more easily.

Although you can hike the Glymur Waterfall Loop in either direction, I recommend following it counterclockwise. It is easier to ascend the steep sections on the right side of the loop. Also, most people hike it counterclockwise, and you will be going with the crowds instead of against them.

The Glymur hike begins at the Botnsá and Glymur Parking Area off Road 47 and has plenty of signs leading you in the correct direction. You will see a gate near the trail entrance with a map and other helpful information. The hike starts just past the gate!

The first 0.8 miles of the hike to Glymur are flat as the trail brings you to the Botnsá River. Although many people find this section of the trail boring, I found it beautiful! The views of the surrounding mountains are breathtaking, and it is a nice warm-up for what is to come later on the trail!

Just before the river, the trail travels through a beautiful cave. Once at the river, the Glymur Waterfall Trail has its first river crossing. In the summer months, the river crossing has a log and rope to help you across. When we visited, the river was pretty high, so we took off our hiking boots before crossing to help keep them dry for the rest of the hike.

Once you cross the Botnsá River, the trail begins to ascend steeply. The Glymur Waterfall Trail has several sections that are a bit sketchy as it climbs the side of the cliff, so it is not for the faint of heart. It also has some ropes to help you ascend, which we were thankful for!

Before you know it, the steep sections bring you to the viewpoints of Glymur! The trail has two distinct overlooks, and both are stunning. But I highly recommend taking in the view behind you because the views of the surrounding mountains are breathtaking! I honestly liked the views of the mountains better than the waterfall!

The last viewpoint is the best of Glymur, and you can also enjoy other beautiful views of smaller nearby waterfalls. The only downside is that Glymur is in a canyon, so the view is not as epic as other waterfalls in Iceland. But it is still beautiful!

If you only want to hike to Glymur as an out-and-back trail, you can turn around at the last viewpoint to head back to the parking lot. I recommend following the Glymur hike as a loop because descending the trail you came up is difficult, especially if the trail is busy. If you want to finish the loop, you will continue traveling up the side of Glymur to the final river crossing.

The final river crossing, unfortunately, does not have a log or anything to help you get across, so your feet will get wet, but it is all part of the fun! The river is not fast-moving, so it is relatively easy to cross. But it is freezing!! Our feet went numb as soon as we put them in it. You can take your shoes off to cross the river or keep them on.

Once you cross the river, the trail begins descending the left side of Glymur. About 0.2 miles into the descent, you have a decision to make. You can hike the short, challenging trail or the easy, longer trail. We decided to follow the easy trail because we heard from other hikes the shorter trail is difficult to follow and has some steep and sketchy areas.

As the Glymur Waterfall Trail descends, you get breathtaking views of the valley and mountains. It helps the hike go by quickly! Soon enough, the trail follows switchbacks down the cliff, and before you know it, you will be back at the parking lot.

Although Glymur is not the easiest waterfall to get to in Iceland, you will not be disappointed! The hike is really fun, and the views of the waterfall and mountains are breathtaking. You will quickly see why it is one of the best hikes in Iceland!