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Godafoss Waterfall (Iceland) – Visit Tips + access hike + photos

Last updated on May 1, 2020 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

The Godafoss Waterfall Iceland is one of the main stops on the Ring Road. You can access it easily between Akureyri and Myvatn. The 'waterfall of the gods’ is a very elegant horseshoe-shaped waterfall that you can approach from both sides all year round. Below is my guide to help you plan your visit.

Travel Guide Iceland : Plan your visit to Godafoss
Quick Navigation
About Godafoss Iceland
Planning Tips - Godafoss Waterfall Iceland
Waterfall of Godafoss from the West Side - official carpark
Waterfall of the Gods from - the base of the East Side
The bridge under the stars
Godafoss in Winter

Navigate back to the complete Iceland Travel Guide

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About Godafoss Iceland

Godafoss is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland and it is easily accessible next to road 1. The water from the river Skjálfandafljót drops from a height of 12 meters. What I find beautiful is the elegant 30-meter-wide horseshoe shape and the big rock separating the flow in the middle.

Iceland Godafoss waterfall at Sunset

Godafoss waterfall, Iceland

A little bit of the Godafoss History...

The Godafoss Waterfall got its name during year 999 or 1000 when Christianity was declared the official religion of Iceland. After that the local Lawspeaker threw his statues of the Norse pagan gods into the waterfall. Hence the ‘waterfall of gods’.


Planning Tips - Godafoss Waterfall Iceland

How to get to Godafoss Location

  • In North Iceland
  • Along road 1 between Aukureyri and Myvatn, 50 km from Akureyri. You really cannot miss it. The ‘town’ is called Fossholl.
  • The West side parking is before the bridge (when driving east towards Myvatn)
  • Godafoss (with GPS coordinates), is included in both eBooks to help you plan your unforgettable road trip:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

ssmall Road trip Iceland Travel Guide cover

8 Maps, 100+ locations
110+ photos
LEARN MORE

Iceland Ring Road ebook cover S

2 Maps, 30 stops, 10 detours
70+ photos
LEARN​​ MORE

Admiring the Godafoss Waterfall

  • Left side Views (east side, where the station, café and guesthouse are) – 5/10 min small trail and the option to get either to a lower or a higher viewpoint. Attention, the path to get down is short but steep 
  • Right side Views (west side) – views next to the parking, possibility to get very close but attention it is slippery.
  • Most of the tourists go to the parking on the West side.
  • At sunset on the East side I had the waterfall all to myself!
  • Next to the café there is a bridge to cross the river if you wish to leave your car on one side. From the bridge you can see a small waterfall called Geitafoss.
  • There is a nice café souvenir shop with toilets
  • It is accessible all year round – it is also breathtaking in Winter covered in snow and ice (see at the end of the article)
  • And Check out my complete article with detailed suggestions and tips on what to wear and pack for Iceland to stay warm and comfortable

Where to stay near Godafoss

Right by the waterfall path, next to the petrol station, you can find the Fossholl Guesthouse. I found it really practical and enjoyed the food and combination with camping - Check out prices and availability

Godafoss Accommodation - North Iceland Accommodation

Godafoss Accommodation


Waterfall of Godafoss from the West bank

On the West side, you can park right next to the Godafoss waterfall. This is where the official parking is.

From this side, you get a better view of the flow separation in 3 sections.
I think if you have a little bit of time, you should visit both side of the waterfall.

Godafoss waterfall from West Bank

From this side, you can continue driving to Aldeyjarfoss, an off the path waterfall on the same river which requires some dirt road and 4WD driving.


Waterfall of the Gods from the East bank

Godafoss hike on top of the East shore

On the East side (where the café and station are), there is a short trail to reach the waterfall.
You have to park near the café and continue on foot (less than 10min). 

It is not a paved trail, but it is not difficult either.
And you reach this view of Godafoss:

Godafoss waterfall from top of East Bank

The sun was not in the right position late afternoon, but it was great once the sun had set with the remaining colors behind the waterfall.

Sunset Godarfoss waterfall East bank

Hike down to water level

At the end of the trail, there is a small path to climb down and admire the stunning waterfall from its base. It is not easy with big rocks, but it is only 12 m high…

Godafoss waterfall from east bank 2
Godafoss waterfall from east bank

I was alone waiting for sunset and could sometimes spot people getting very close on the other side which gave me this shot with nice silhouettes, one of my favorite pictures from my trip through Iceland:

Iceland Godafoss waterfall at Sunset

And from this location, have a look at the basalt formations:

Basalt Godafoss Iceland

The bridge under the stars

As I was staying at the guesthouse near the falls, I went out to take some photos of the stars. Sadly, the station next to the bridge was too bright and I decided it was not reasonable for me to walk the trail to the waterfall in the dark as I was very tired. The second picture was taken from the bridge with Geitafoss.

Bridge Godafoss, Iceland
Geitafoss waterfall under the stars

Godafoss in Winter

Godafoss is also accessible in Winter.
In my opinion it is even more beautiful with the ice and snow.
You can see pictures and video in my article about Godafoss in Winter.

Godafoss in Winter

Godafoss in Winter


Want to see more of Iceland's beauty?

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TROLLASKAGI PENINSULA

NEXT LOCATION: 

ALDEYJARFOSS WATERFALL

Tourism Iceland Travel Guide

Its shape is very elegant, don’t you think?

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Comments

  1. Matt says

    November 28, 2014 at 3:56 AM

    Really great looking waterfall. Those rocks on the center looks like a good place rest and observe the water fall.

    Reply

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