Kerid Crater
28. October 2024
Golden Circle
29. October 2024
Skógafoss: Rainbow waterfall
Skógafoss is one of the jewels of the south coast. It is no surprise that Skógafoss is a must-see for nearly every tourist heading south. Standing 60 metres high, its waters cascade directly into the wide river below, creating a powerful roar and an undeniable energy that can be felt from a distance. On sunny days, you’ll often see a rainbow forming right in the middle of the waterfall, adding to the magic of the scene.
Majestic Skógafoss
Access to Skógafoss is excellent – the car park is right next to the waterfall, so it’s almost within reach, and the short walk from the car to the foot of the waterfall is easy. You can even see the waterfall from the car park.
We visited the waterfall in mid-October, right at the start of the Icelandic winter. At this time, the waterfall, surrounded by ice and snow, creates an almost fairytale-like sight. In addition, all the rocks around it are covered in ice, which only enhances the waterfall’s magical appeal.
The best view of the waterfall is in the middle, where the river widens out. However, you won’t get far in normal hiking shoes unless you’re okay with taking water in. To truly reach the best spots, where you can see not only the waterfall but also the rainbow, it’s best to wear high rubber boots.
Magical Rainbows
Skógafoss is famous for its rainbows, making it one of the most photogenic places in Iceland. We also got a glimpse of a rainbow, albeit a fainter one. Still, it was worth it. It felt like the rainbow was rising out of a waterfall and letting itself be carried away by the strong current of the water.
And then we even got a vertical rainbow. We’ve never seen anything like it .
Ascent to the viewpoint
Skógafoss offers a unique view not only from below, but also from above. Following a staircase of more than 500 steps, you will reach a platform from where you can enjoy the view of the falling water and the surrounding landscape.
From the viewpoint, you can continue hiking along the trail known as Fimmvörðuháls. This trail is one of the most beautiful treks in Iceland and passes through a beautiful valley with more than twenty waterfalls. All the way to the magical Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, the hike takes you through varied mountain scenery. However, the path is not very safe in winter as it is quite slippery.
How to get to Skógafoss?
Located approximately 2 hours drive from Reykjavík, this majestic waterfall can be reached by following the Ring Road southwards. We came here from the previous waterfall, Seljalandsfoss, which took us about 40 minutes including a break to see the Icelandic ponies.
Don’t miss the neighbouring Kvernufoss Waterfall. For us, it is the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland, and what’s even better is that many tourists have no idea about it.
