Kvernufoss Waterfall

Kvernufoss: The hidden treasure of Icelandic nature

Kvernufoss is one of those Icelandic waterfalls that captivates with its wild beauty while remaining hidden from the eyes of the tourist crowds. This magnificent, 30-metre high waterfall falls into a narrow canyon, where you will be surrounded by impressive natural scenery and a peaceful atmosphere.

Kvernufoss truly feels like a hidden treasure, where there are no crowds of tourists waiting for you, but only nature and its beauty, even though it is only a few minutes away from the famous Skógafoss, a popular tourist destination. And yet, you can get here beyond the waterfall itself.

Road to Kvernufoss Waterfall

The path to Kvernufoss is not difficult and the whole hike will take you about 15-20 minutes one way. After parking at the Skógar Museum, you’ll head into a picturesque canyon that draws you into the silence of nature with every step. Leave your car in front of the museum – don’t park closer to the waterfall. Parking in front of the museum is free, while the other parking lot already costs 1000 ISK, and they are only a 1-minute walk apart.

As soon as you cross the meadow from the parking lot, you will find yourself in a canyon where sheep and rocks are waiting for you.

You walk along the river on a path that is slip-resistant, and with each step the view of the gorge opens up more and more.

After a few meters you will finally see the waterfall itself. It will dazzle you with its calmness and the colours created by the sun’s penetrating rays.

Kvernufoss Waterfall and its beauty

In summer, you will be greeted by a landscape covered with greenery and flowers. As winter sets in, you’ll see the greenery recede and white dominates the scenery. Freezing weather coats the rocks with a layer of ice, turning the waterfall into a magnificent cascade of ice formations that glisten in the sunlight. As the water drops from the waterfall, it turns into ice crystals and showers all the rocks in the area.

Ice is all around you, but in a completely different form than in other places. If you decide to walk up to the waterfall, you walk on small balls of ice, which on the black rocks make their texture even more pronounced. We felt like we were in a completely different world. We’ve never seen anything like it anywhere, in Iceland or anywhere else.

Be sure to go behind the waterfall

One of the reasons why Kvernufoss has become a popular spot among photographers and adventurers is the opportunity to get really close to it and even walk behind the waterfall. However, from October to May you have to be careful – the surface is slightly slippery, so you’d better stick to the surrounding rocks. Keep your head on a swivel too, as there may be icicles hanging above you, which, although beautiful, can also be dangerous.

When you find yourself behind the waterfall, you will feel as if time has stopped. This unique view of the rushing water from the opposite side is fascinating and provides an unusual perspective. In particular, the view of the valley and the sun finding its way to the waterfall are spectacular.

You won’t want to leave – we were so impressed by the place that we spent almost two hours enjoying the views. We fell in love with the place and hope it continues to retain its beauty. We even got a glimpse of a rainbow, which was just the icing on the cake.

How to get to Kvernufoss

Kvernufoss is just a 5-minute drive from Skógafoss. It is about 150 kilometres from Reykjavík if you take the main Ring Road southwards. From Reynisfjara Beach, famous for its black sands and rock formations, it takes about 30 minutes to drive west to Kvernufoss.

From the parking lot, the route is quite easy and can be mastered even by less experienced hikers. You walk the whole time on flat ground. However, count on staying significantly longer than at the neighbouring Skógafoss. And although Kvernufoss isn’t the only waterfall you can get behind, it definitely offers the best views. From Seljalandsfoss you can see the road and the car park, not nature.