Highest waterfall in Iceland. Iceland's fabulously beautiful waterfalls (33 photos)
Iceland, located in the northern part Atlantic Ocean are called "ice country". Along with geysers, fjords and volcanoes, waterfalls are the main attractions of this island nation... Frequent rainfall, large glaciers, mountainous terrain and other landscape features provide ideal conditions for some of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
Gullfoss - Golden Falls
Gullfoss waterfall - "golden waterfall" (gull - gold; foss - waterfall). Although looking at this HDR photo, he is rather frozen.
The waterfall is located on the Hvitau River, in the Haukadalur Valley, in the south of Iceland.
The depth to the place where the water falls in the valley is about 70 meters. Gullfoss itself consists of two steps - 21 meters and 11 meters high, turned towards each other at an angle of 90 °.
In 1920 and 1977, attempts were made to build a hydroelectric power station on the site of the waterfall, which would lead to the destruction of the waterfall. However, the waterfall is still under reliable protection and is considered one of the most beautiful places Iceland.
Dinyandi
Dinyandi waterfall is also known as Fiatlfoss. In reality, Dinyandi is a river of which the waterfall is a part.
In shape, Dinyandi Falls resembles a stepped pyramid and evokes associations with the structures of the South American Indians. It falls from almost 100 meters in height and is divided below into five smaller waterfalls, eventually reaching the ocean.
Seething Falls Dettifoss
This waterfall is the largest waterfall not only in Iceland, but also the most powerful in all of Europe!
This waterfall can be seen in Ridley Scott's film Prometheus, where it was shown as one of the landscapes of prehistoric Earth; it was here that life began to emerge on the planet according to the film.
Hreinfossar lava waterfall
The Hreinfossar lava waterfall is one of the most unusual, you will not see it anywhere in Europe. This is a whole series of small waterfalls formed from numerous streams (over 100) about 900 meters long.
The Hviutau River, which originates in the Lungjökull Glacier, has made its own bed along the border of the Grauhrein lava flow that has stopped there. Since the lava rock is porous, the river easily seeped into it and went underground. Under the ground, for one kilometer, the river gets out, thus forming numerous waterfalls. This is where the name of the waterfall comes from: "hraun" originates from the Icelandic word meaning "lava".
Hauyfoss
We continue to get acquainted with the waterfalls of Iceland. This waterfall is located in the south of Iceland on the Fossau River, located near the Hekla volcano.
It drops to a height of 122 meters and is the second largest waterfall in Iceland.
Selfoss waterfall
Selfoss Falls on the Jökulsau-au-Fjöllum River in Iceland, located about 30 km above the river's mouth and a few hundred meters upstream of Dettifoss Falls, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Selfoss is 11 meters high and 100 meters wide.
The Jökulsau-au-Fjöllum river originates in the Vatnajökull glacier, and therefore the water level in the river changes depending on the season, weather and volcanic activity.
Faxi Falls
12 kilometers from the Gullfoss waterfall (the first in this review) is the picturesque Faxi Falls. Both waterfalls are located on the same river, so the landscapes of the banks of which are similar.
Hjaulparfoss waterfall
It is one of several waterfalls in the south of Iceland, located in lava fields north of the Hekla stratovolcano, where the Fossau and Tjoursau rivers join.
The name of the waterfall, literally translated as "waterfall of help", comes from the name of this area. The area got its name due to the fact that here travelers found food and feed for horses, after a difficult and dangerous passage along the Sprengisandyur route.
Black Falls Svartifoss
Svartifoss Waterfall is located in the Skaftafell National Park in Iceland, which is one of the most popular local attractions.
Black waterfall. surrounded by unusual hexagonal columns of black lava, hence its name. These columns were created inside the lava flow, which cooled very slowly, which led it to crystallize.
The base of this waterfall deserves attention because of the sharp-pointed stones, since the hexagonal columns at the very beginning of the waterfall grind off faster under the powerful stream of water. These basalt columns have inspired many Icelandic architects to create magnificent masterpieces of classical architecture, most notably the Hallgrimur Church in Reykjavik and the National Theater.
Thoufafoss
The waterfall is located on the Thorsau River in the eastern lava region of Merkurhraun.
Gudafoss waterfall
This is one of the most famous waterfalls Iceland, located in the north of the island near Akureyri. The waterfall is not the highest (12 meters), but one of the most visited waterfalls in Iceland. Its width is about 30 m.
The waterfall is also known for the fact that in 999-1000. during the adoption of Christianity by the inhabitants, pagan idols were thrown into the waterfall. Hence the name of the waterfall from Isl. Goð - "God".
Oufairufoss waterfall
This two-stage waterfall is located in the Eldyau volcanic canyon in central area Iceland. Until the beginning of 1990, a natural basalt stone bridge crossed the waterfall, but it was destroyed by snowmelt in 1992-1993.
Skogafoss waterfall
It is located on the Skogau River, in the south of Iceland, located in the cliffs coastline just below the Eyjafjallajökull glacier.
Skogafoss waterfall is one of the most famous and most visited waterfalls, as well as one of the largest and most beautiful in Iceland.
Width 25 m, height of water fall 60 m. Due to the large amount of splashes formed by the waterfall, on sunny and clear days, one can observe a single, and sometimes double rainbow.
Hengifoss
Lake Lagarflout is located in the eastern part of Iceland near the town of Egilsstadir. Locals it is believed that in the depths of the lake, as in the Scottish Loch Ness, there is a creature unknown to science, which they call the Lagarflout snake.Not far from the lake is the Hengifoss waterfall, which is 118 meters high. It is one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall
This is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. This is a very picturesque waterfall and pictures of it can be found in many books and calendars.
The waterfall is located on the Seljalandsau River and rises 60 meters above the rocks.
The deep indentation behind the waterfall allows you to move freely behind it, thus observing Seljalandsfoss from all sides. It is especially recommended to visit the waterfall in the evening hours, when the lighting around the waterfall becomes more intense.
Waterfall - perhaps the most picturesque in all of Iceland. A 60-meter column of water rushing down with a noisy bubbling is an amazingly beautiful sight. Images of this place can be found everywhere - in books, travel brochures, advertising calendars, and not only in Iceland, but throughout Europe.
The peculiarity of Seljalandsfoss is that it is very easy to observe. Behind it there is a deep indentation, so that tourists can enjoy the beauty of the falling water from different angles. The waterfall is especially beautiful in the evening, when the rays of the setting sun, mixing with the greenery of rock mosses, dissolve in the falling waters. The impressions from the evening view are so vivid that they even had to equip a special camp at the foot of the hill for those who would like to stay here overnight in order not to miss the pictures of the rarest beauty.
Another popular tourist waterfall in Iceland is Gullfoss ... Translated from Icelandic, it is called "golden". Everyone can be convinced of the veracity of this name, having seen this beauty of nature on a sunny day - this is really a golden stream.
On the river Jökulsau au Fjöllum, located in the north-east of Iceland, there is a legendary Detifoss - the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Without seeing it for yourself, it is impossible to imagine the full power of a stream of water almost 100 meters wide. Being next to this masterpiece of nature, you can experience two-fold feelings - from breathtaking surprise and respect for such greatness, to the impression of the beginning of some kind of natural disaster. After all, the general height and the deafening roar created by the falling columns of water make a person die and completely discourage him.
An old legend says that many centuries ago, an unknown Viking was looking for a place to store his treasure and found a cave hidden from prying eyes by a powerful stream of water. Many years later, one boy accidentally found hidden treasures, but, unfortunately, they were bewitched. The boy managed to take away only one ring and no one else could find this treasure.
If you look into local museum, you can see with your own eyes the legendary ring hidden by an ancient Viking behind a waterfall on the Skog River. It is called that - ... Thanks to beautiful legend, he became one of business cards land of ice.
Another legendary waterfall in Iceland - ... It is located on the Skjaulfandaflyout River in the northern part of the island, and is famous not so much for its beauty and size as for its inextricable connection with Icelandic history. Around AD 1000, the heirs of the pagan Vikings converted to Christianity, and they threw their rejected idols into these seething waters. Since then, the name has gone - "the waterfall of the gods".
As already noted, waterfalls in Iceland a great many, and even despite the small size of the country, it is not always possible to see everything. Don't be limited to standard excursions and popular places, because the nature of the island is so amazing that it will be simply an unforgivable mistake to pass by many beauties. What are only such stormy streams as Joksaraurfoss , Svartifoss or Glymur ... Moreover, the latter proudly bears the title of the highest waterfall in all of Europe.
Iceland is presented as a fabulous landscape, playing in all shades white snow and sparkling clear ice... A black and white country with lava plateaus and frozen mountain spurs. However, Iceland has a lot to see besides that. At the top of the list of natural attractions in the country are the waterfalls of Iceland. These majestic and magnificent masterpieces of nature are considered the most beautiful in the world.
In the heart of Iceland, the Tieursau River flows through volcanic plateaus and landscapes, and it also has waterfalls. The name of the most beautiful inner waterfall is translated as “the fall of thieves”. According to legend, criminals were drowned here. The waters of the river fall from the black rocks into roaring whirlpools. It all looks almost unearthly, as if a computer illustration for a science fiction film. You will have to get to the waterfall from the Bourfellsstude hydroelectric power station.
The most powerful European waterfall is Dettifoss. It instantly amazes with its size and power of the rushing waters. A wild and cruel waterfall is located on the glacial river Jokulsau-au-Fjodlum, in national park in the north-east of the country, near the tranquil Lake Myvatn. The canyons along the river are often compared to the Great American Canyons. 500 cubic meters of water per second falls from a height of 44 meters. The width of Dettifoss is 100 meters. This raging monster has a milky color as the beginning of the waterfall's parent river is fed by a glacier with chalk sediments. If you take a certain angle of photography - from the west bank - you can catch in the frame and small figures of people, and even another waterfall upstream of the river.
Svartifoss is remembered for the huge basalt columns that tower over its sides. The columns can be studied up close, they look like man-made, but this is the creation of Mother Nature. Svartifoss - high waterfall, with a six-storey house, 20 meters. The name of the waterfall is translated as "fall of darkness", and these bodies of water among the black columns attract travelers from all over the world.
In Islamadnia, the two-level Gullfoss waterfall is very popular. It covers the entire width of the Khvitau River. The upper tier of the waterfall is 11 meters, and the lower one is already 21. Fog is one of the signs of a waterfall, tourists are sure to explain why it is always dim and damp here. Usually people come from Reykjavik to see Gullfoss, it is included in the golden list of attractions that are easy to see in a day. In the twentieth century, the waterfall almost disappeared due to the construction of a hydroelectric power station. There is a legend according to which the daughter of one eminent merchant was going to rush into the waterfall because of the ruin of the priest, but everything turned out well.
In the southwest of Iceland, the Hamrahardar River rolls its waters. It is decorated with a powerful beauty - Seljalandsfoss waterfall. He is tall, narrow and slender. The Seljalandsfoss waters fall from sixty meters. This waterfall is easy to see without ever leaving Iceland's main ring road. Only the most desperate climbers risk climbing the slopes along the waterfall.
One of four waterfalls on the Jokulsau-au-Fjodlum river (in the same place as Dettifoss). It is wide and stretches for 100 meters, but the height is disappointing - only 11 meters. But looking at the huge river waterfall, which is undoubtedly incredibly beautiful, is still very pleasant. Here, along the coast, hikes are organized for those who like to take pictures. If you go downstream of the river, you will find the Dettifoss waterfall.
The UNESCO heritage site is located in the south of Iceland. This is the mysterious Joksaraurfoss waterfall. It is believed that this waterfall on the Yoksarau river was created artificially, several centuries ago, in order to take water. In winter, the waterfall looks wonderful, as the lower part of it freezes, and the transparent foaming jets hit the ice blocks. The waterfall is also protected because it is located exactly in the place of a geological fault between continental plates, on the border of the European geological plate and the North American one. Joksaraufoss is located just 54 km from Reykjavik.
And again before your eyes another majestic two-stage waterfall in central Iceland. Previously, a natural stone bridge stretched across the waterfall, but in the 90s it collapsed due to an earthquake or due to the colossal amount of water masses after the snow melted. You can walk around the waterfall only on the plain, and observe it only from below.
In the south of the green plains of Iceland, the Merkjar River flows. And it so happened that one of the small hills, almost a rock, cuts the Merkjárfoss waterfall. It is calm and quiet, and solemnly carries its waters through several rapids. The banks of the waterfall are overgrown with greenery, and the waters of the river rustle almost melodiously. Merkjarfoss is a low but amazingly beautiful waterfall.
The amazing Hraunfossar waterfall is formed at the confluence of several springs. The name of the waterfall is translated from Icelandic as "lava fall". In fact, Hraunfossar is born from a lava flow and 900 springs flow from there. They flow through deep potholes and lava grooves. It is very difficult to photograph the entire waterfall, but each separate "strand" of it is worthy of attention. Northern, dull flowers bloom near the waterfall. There are a lot of them, and they are wonderful in their own way.
Hjaulparfoss is a unique double waterfall on the Hekla River. "Falling help" - this is how the name of the waterfall is romantically translated. It is connected with the story of how the first settlers came here. They were very tired, and the waterfall in their eyes was a great boon from the gods. Here people and animals could rest and recover for a long journey. They say that this waterfall has very tasty and almost healing water.
The Skjaulfandaflyout River in northern Iceland falls majestically down 12 meters in the area of Godafoss waterfall. It got its name "God's waterfall" in connection with the adoption of Christianity in the country. In the year 1000, both pagans and Christians worshiped the waterfall as an earthly manifestation of divine power. Naturally, the former performed their rituals on the quiet, while the latter did not hide. The Godafoss waterfall is so popular that there is even a crush on its banks along certain tourist routes.
Hauyfoss is the second largest waterfall in Iceland. Its dimensions are 122 meters high. A foamy, raging stream falls from the black basalt rocks, and the water at their foot also seems black. Around the waterfall there is a desert landscape, and up to four rainbows constantly keep above the water vapor. The journey to Hauyfoss should be started from the ruined Stung farm, and it will take several hours to walk. Only true connoisseurs of natural beauty can withstand the difficult pilgrimage to the south of Iceland.
The highest waterfall in Iceland is Glymur ("Shimmering"). Its height is 196 meters - higher than the pyramid of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Cheops. Glymur is multi-level, and a natural arch extends over one of the first steps. There are many caves near Glymur, through which excursions are led. Previously, you had to cross the waterfall to get to the east of the Hvalfjordur fjord, but now a modern, reliable tunnel has been laid under the fjord, and no one walks the old paths. They say it is extremely dangerous.
Wide waterfall, confusingly similar to Gullfoss. Both waterfalls are located on the same river, the landscapes of the banks of which are similar. The surrounding nature pleases: there is a lot of fog, and in the spring the fish go to spawn, overcoming the rapids of the waterfall. The waterfall is very picturesque, but the photographers lament that they cannot photograph the bottom of the Faxi in any way. There is a convenient car park and picnic or camping area next to the waterfall, while Faxi is not far from Reykjavik.
A kind of waterfall, in the center of the country, near the Laki volcano (Lakagigur). The eruption of this natural disaster once wiped out a third of Iceland's population. Fagrifoss waterfall differs from other streams in that at first its shores are quite gentle, and then abruptly break down. Therefore, travelers are not advised to walk downstairs. You can fall off a steep slope and fall into a hellish seething funnel.
The waterfalls in the west of Iceland are very picturesque. Dinyandi ("Thunderous") is a trapezoidal waterfall, the upper base of the huge "trapezium" is 30 meters, the lower one is 60. In fact, Dinyandi is connected by seven small waterfalls, the total height of which is as much as one hundred meters. Each of the seven waterfalls has a name (Hundafoss, Bæjarfoss, Hrísvaðsfoss, Strompgljúfrafoss, Göngumannafoss, Fjallfoss, Hæstajallafoss). There are stairs on the slopes of Dinyandi.
Another of the waterfalls on the northern river Jokulsau-au-Fjodlum, which originates in glaciers. With thunder and roar, the waters of the river fall here from twenty-seven meters. Previously, tourists were lured by the cable car. Many adventures could be experienced here, but in the end, due to the danger, cable car removed. From the Dettifoss waterfall, Hafragilsfoss is just two kilometers to the west. Even a short walk can be allowed.
It seems that it is not worth visiting Aldeyarfoss at all, as it is very far from the main tourist routes. But when you see the power of the glittering water masses whipping through ancient basalt columns and falling over the lava plains, you will find it worth it. Black slabs melted in fire with icy stones look dramatic. By the way, off-road competitions are often held near the Aldeyarfoss waterfall. wild nature and powerful cars against the backdrop of a waterfall - an amazing combination.
It is famous for the most beautiful natural contrasts, and all because the annual melting of glaciers is inevitable in this area. Thanks to them, there is such an abundance of waterfalls in such a remote part of the world. We have selected ten of the most stunning attractions in the Icelandic Odyssey that will take your breath away.
Hreinfossar waterfall
A row of small turquoise waterfalls. They originate from numerical streams, which in turn form from under the Lungjökull glacier in the west of Iceland.
Dingyandi waterfall
Dingyandi, also known as the Shumyashchiy waterfall. This natural wonder is unique, since it is not only like a stepped fountain, but is also located at the head of the West Icelandic fjord, a height of one hundred meters.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall
One of the biggest attractions in Iceland, it is located in the southern region of the country. The power of Seljalandsfoss can be experienced by yourself, as it is one of the few places where you can swim, as well as visit the cave that hides just behind a column of water.
Godafoss waterfall
One of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, is located in its northeastern region, in the region of M'wait. It is a wide river waterfall, with which many local legends are associated. The waterfall is also known for the fact that in 999-1000. during the adoption of Christianity by the inhabitants, pagan idols were thrown into the waterfall. Hence the name of the waterfall from Isl. Goð - "God".
Selfoss waterfall
The waterfall is located on the Jökulsau-au-Fjöllum river, and its height is 11 meters. Probably one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland, as it is home to one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe.
Glymur waterfall
Highest waterfall in Iceland (196 meters). But to visit such a beautiful miracle, you need to be a little fearless, since its location is far from the well-broken tourist routes... However, this does not mean that the goal is unattainable - no. The main thing is to get good boots, a warm jacket and patience.
Hauyfoss waterfall
Cascade Falls, which is located in the south of Iceland and is the second highest waterfall in the area. Drive vehicle to the Hauyfoss Falls is extreme, but feasible, albeit requiring a little effort.
Skogafoss waterfall
On the south coast, you will also find a 60-meter giant named Skogafoss. There is a wonderful view of the falling water both from the top and from the bottom, however, do not forget to get waterproof shoes before your trip to the powerful handsome man.
Dettifoss waterfall
Located 1 km downstream of the Selfoss Falls, it has an awe-inspiring reputation as Dettifoss Falls one of the strongest in Europe. Its width is about 100 meters and its speed is 500 cubic meters per second in full water flow. Standing at the absolute monster of nature, you will feel the earth rumble at your feet.
Gullfoss waterfall
Also known as the Golden Falls. It is unique in that its water falls at an angle, which is quite rare. The Corner Falls is also extremely popular for its numerical rainbows, which are missing except for a pot of gold. Gullfoss is located on the Hvitau River, in the Haukadalur Valley, in the south of Iceland and is a real treasure of Iceland.
