8 Beautiful South Iceland Waterfalls

If you are visiting Iceland, you are most likely exploring south Iceland because it is home to many famous attractions, including iconic waterfalls. Iceland has around 10,000 waterfalls, so they are everywhere you look! If you see a sign with foss on it, it is most likely a waterfall, and you should follow it. South Iceland waterfalls are some of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland and need to be on your bucket list! Many of the waterfalls in south Iceland are not too far from Reykjavik, so if you stay in the city, you can easily take day trips to experience these beautiful waterfalls! This guide has everything you need about the beautiful south Iceland waterfalls!

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8 Beautiful South Iceland Waterfalls

**Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Háifoss

Háifoss is the fourth tallest waterfall in Iceland, measuring 400 feet tall, and is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in south Iceland. The drive to Háifoss is on an F road, and it can be relentless, with parts of it having some large rocks. My advice: take it slow. The 4.6 miles on this road may seem like it will never end, but I promise it will! And your reward: a breathtaking waterfall. In my opinion, Háifoss is the most beautiful waterfall in south Iceland!

The best part about this spot is your position to Háifoss. The viewpoint is on the cliff opposite Háifoss, so the view is incredible! You also have the chance to hike to the bottom of the waterfall. Surprisingly, there aren’t many people who drive here, so you are likely to enjoy it without the crowds.

If you want to avoid driving on the F road, you can still hike to the bottom of the waterfall. The hike begins in Stong and is about 6 miles, following the river upstream until it arrives at Háifoss.

Glymur

Why not follow up the fourth tallest waterfall with the second tallest waterfall?! Glymur is the second tallest waterfall in Iceland behind Morsi, measuring 643 feet tall. You have to work to get to this waterfall, but I promise it is worth the 5 miles round trip hike. And the trail is fun! The trail travels through a cave, up steep inclines, and crosses two rivers. The first river crossing has a rope and a log to help you cross, but the second can be difficult. The second river crossing is above Glymur and requires you to walk through the river without any help. Your feet will get wet, so I recommend packing different shoes to cross the river. Otherwise, you will be hiking the rest of the trail with wet feet as we did! Once you get to the Glymur viewpoint, you can experience the beauty of the waterfall and the views overlooking the valley!

Because Glymur is among the tallest waterfalls in Iceland, it is a popular spot. I recommend arriving early in the morning to begin the hike to avoid most crowds. It is a lot easier to hike to Glymur with fewer people because the river crossings and steep inclines can have a line of people waiting when many people are on the trail.

view from a cliff at glymur - Photo by Alex Iby - best waterfalls in Iceland

more beautiful waterfalls near Reykjavik

Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is a beautiful 200-foot waterfall you probably have seen because it is the iconic south Iceland waterfall you can walk behind! The trail to walk behind Seljalandsfoss is easy, but make sure to bring a raincoat because you will get soaked! If you cannot hike behind the waterfall, you can enjoy the stunning views from the viewing area near the parking lot.

One of the best parts about Seljalandsfoss is it doesn’t require driving on any F roads. It is easy to get to, which makes it a popular area. I recommend visiting Seljalandsfoss early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid most crowds!

Gljufrabui

Just past Seljalandsfoss is a semi-hidden waterfall! Gljúfrabúi is a 131-foot waterfall hidden behind a cliff and is easy to miss! The coolest part about Gljúfrabúi is you can walk right up to it behind the cliff via a 1.2-mile trail from Seljalandsfoss! Because of its proximity to Seljalandsfoss, it has become more and more popular.

Skógafoss

Not too far past Seljalandsfoss on the Ring Road is another iconic south Iceland waterfall, Skógafoss. It is just as tall as Seljalandsfoss but is 82 feet wide, so it is a powerful waterfall. Similar to Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss is right off the Ring Road, so it usually has crowds.

You can enjoy the views of Skógafoss from the bottom of the falls or on the side of it. There are about 530 steep steps to get to the top, but the effort is worth it for the views! You will fall in love with Skógafoss, no matter how you decide to experience it!

Also, if you visit Skógafoss on a sunny day, you can see beautiful rainbows surrounding the waterfall!

Gullfoss

Gullfoss is an iconic waterfall in south Iceland located on the Hvítá River, fed by the second-largest glacier in Iceland, Langjökull. Gullfoss is easily accessible off of the Ring Road near the Great Geysir, so the area is usually busy. The waterfall cascades down in two sections, one 36 feet high and the other 69 feet high, into a 1.6-mile long canyon. It is the largest volume falls in Europe, so it is incredibly powerful!

Gullfoss in Icelandic means “Golden Waterfall”. Because the water is glacier-fed, it carries sediments, giving the water a golden color on a sunny day. You can also see thousands of rainbows on a sunny day! You can get up close and personal to this beautiful waterfall by following a path from the parking lot that brings you alongside it.

the best south iceland attractions

Bruarfoss

Not all of the waterfalls in south Iceland have to be big to be beautiful, and Bruarfoss is a perfect example! Because it is glacier-fed and multiple streams are converging into a deep crevice in one place, the water takes on a bright blue color. And yes, the water is that blue!

The path to Bruarfoss is difficult to follow at first but becomes easier as you travel on it longer. Once you get to the river, there is a bridge overlooking Bruarfoss to enjoy the beautiful views.

Because Bruarfoss is difficult to find, and the parking lot is small, it can be very peaceful here. It’s a nice change of pace being away from the crowds that gather at most of the other south Iceland waterfalls!

Öxarárfoss

And last but certainly not least, we have another stunning south Iceland waterfall! Öxarárfoss isn’t as well-known as the other waterfalls on this list, but it does not lack beauty. I like to think of it as a hidden gem, but it is becoming increasingly popular because it was a film location in Game of Thrones.

Öxarárfoss is a 44-foot waterfall in Þingvellir National Park in south Iceland and drops over the Almannagjá gorge. Although it is not as tall as other waterfalls, it is incredibly picturesque! And the best part? It is a short and easy walk from the parking lot to the falls, so make sure to add this stunning south Iceland waterfall to your bucket list.

What to Pack When Visiting the South Iceland Waterfalls

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!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

Are you ready to pack your bags and explore these beautiful waterfalls in south Iceland?! These waterfalls are only a few beautiful attractions in Iceland that you can add to your 7-day or 5-day road trip itinerary. This guide has everything you need to know about the best south Iceland waterfalls you need to add to your bucket list!