Skogafoss, located in southern Iceland, on the cliffs of the ancient coastline, is a waterfall of singular beauty. As the coast receded towards the sea, leaving the village of Skogar about 5 kilometers away, these ancient cliffs stood tall. Skogafoss’s distinctive feature is that it receives its waters directly from two glaciers, Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull.

The Legend of Skogafoss

If you decide to climb the 370 steps that take you to the top of Skogafoss, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the southern coast of Iceland. From here, the famous Fimmvorduhals hiking trail also begins, a very popular hiking route.

With its 60 meters in height, the waterfall unfurls an imposing veil of water that, as you approach, envelops visitors in a cloud of mist, sound, and refracted light. Due to the constant mist produced by the waterfall, it is common to see a simple or double rainbow on sunny days.

Skogafoss is often included in the Golden Circle itinerary along with Seljalandfoss and offers exceptional opportunities for photography, especially in winter when the Northern Lights illuminate the sky.

The legend surrounding Skogafoss is equally fascinating. In the Skógasafn museum, a gold ring is exhibited, said to have come from a chest that belonged to Þrasi Þórólfsson, one of the early Viking settlers in the area, who, according to legend, was a giant.

The story goes that Þrasi buried a chest full of gold in a cave behind Skogafoss before his death in the year 900 AD. Over the years, numerous attempts were made to recover the chest, and finally, the locals managed to grasp a ring that was on the side of the chest. However, the ring broke during the process, and the treasure was lost forever. Later, the ring was handed over to the local church before making its way to the museum.

How to Get to Skogafoss?

From Reykjavik, which is about a two-hour drive away (96 miles), you can head east along the Ring Road until you spot Skogafoss from the road. Turn left to access the parking area, which is approximately one kilometer from the main road.

If you’re wondering how many steps you need to climb to reach the top of Skogafoss, be aware that there are about 500, and they can sometimes be quite steep. If you have difficulty walking, you may want to avoid this ascent.

As for the best time to visit Skogafoss, if you want to enjoy the waterfall in a quieter atmosphere, we recommend arriving early in the morning or later in the day, as this is a very popular attraction, and during the peak season, you may not have the waterfall to yourself at other times. However, if you visit in late autumn, we suggest arriving after dusk to witness the majestic dance of the Northern Lights in the sky.

Finally, make sure you have enough time to explore Skogafoss. The hike to the top takes about half an hour, but you can also walk around the base of the waterfall. There is so much to see and do at Skogafoss that you will need more than 15 minutes to properly appreciate it.