The powerful Skogafoss waterfall (Iceland) – Tips + Photos

Not far from the iconic Seljalandsfoss, the Skogafoss waterfall Iceland is also really well known. Walking up close a powerful 60m high curtain of water is an experience you should not miss. Below is my guide to help you plan your visit to Skogafoss: how to get there, exploring, hiking...

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Why visit the Skogafoss waterfall Iceland?

Skógafoss (which signifies the Forest fall) is a waterfall on the Skógá river over a former sea cliff.

It was not my favorite but it does have something special and it is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland and a top stop on the Ring Road for the following reasons:

• It is very easy to get to (at the Skogar village not far from the Ring Road)
• You can go very close and see it from many angles
• It is powerful and the sound makes the experience with a surround sound
• This classically-shaped rectangular waterfall drops 60m
• It is 25m in width
• The fields around the town of Skógar are filled with purple lupine during June
• It is still flowing in winter
• It produces rainbows on rainy days

And very few less attractive points

• Its shape is not original compared to other waterfalls like Hraunfossar
• It is one of the most touristic spot on the South Coast (of course, with such an easy access). However it is still Iceland so the volume of tourists is nothing in comparison to sites like the Eiffel Tower. I recommend to add it when planning your Iceland road Trip itinerary

• Located on the South Coast of Iceland (see my Region Guide)
• Skogafoss waterfall directions : The waterfall is visible from the Ring road and the parking a just 1km from Road number 1.
• It is 28km east of Seljalandsfoss.
• Seljalandsfoss to Skogafoss =3àmin
• Reykjavik to Skogafoss = around 2h
• It is West of Vik - Skogafoss to Vik = 30min
• On the map below you can see the location of Skogafoss on the Ring Road, on the South Coast:

How to get to the Skogafoss Waterfall - day trip

• you can book a day trip from Reykjavik that covers the first half of the South Coast, including Seljalandsfoss - Check out program and book

How to get to Skogafoss - self drive

• or you can just drive on the Ring Road from Reykjavik towwards to East - and plan a stop at the waterfall - check out my guide about Driving in Iceland (I used Route 1 car rental and loved it - Check out their car and prices)
• Skogafoss with its GPS coordinates is included in my eBooks to help you easily plan your unforgettable road trip:

The nearby village is skogar.

• If you want to stay really close to the waterfall (walking distance) - check out the Skogafoss hotel or check out the Skogar hotel
• If you don't mind staying a little bit west (5 min drive), the Garage Guesthouse is in a stunning location - check out photos and prices

From the parking it is an easy flat walk to the foot of the waterfall.
Or, as you can see in the picture below, you can walk on the side to a viewing platform

I waited there for an hour with my foreground hoping for a rainbow to appear but nothing. But I do not complain, there are worse places to wait 

Skógafoss FAQs

Is there a treasure behind Godafoss?

A legend in the local folklore says that great treasures await the one that goes behind the waterfall... Who knows? lol

Best time to visit Skogafoss

If possible you should visit early or late to avoid the crowds.
It is facing South and slightly West, so light would be better later in the day

Can you camp near Skogafoss?

Yes but no free camping at the waterfall. There is a camping area where you can stay for a small fee.

How long to spend at Skogafoss?

• You can stay just 15min admiring it from the front
• Or plan 1h30 to explore the base and hike up and down
• Longer if you want to keep walking along the Skoga river

What does Skogafoss mean?

In Icelandic Foss mean waterfall. So it is the waterfall of the Skoga river.
The village is Skogar. So it is sometimes referred to as the Skogar waterfall.

Skógafoss falls from up close

No picture can translate the power of it…
Sadly I do not have a wide angle so I was not able to take a picture of the whole fall even closer.

The sun never got out and I don't have a picture of the waterfall with a rainbow but I purchased this one from another photographer:

At Skogafoss you can also do some hiking.
You can climb the 500 steps to the viewing platform. 

From the walk up the stairs you can enjoy nice views of the side (but be very careful if not staying on the path)

And now the view form the Platform at the top:

And once at the top you can keep walking along the Skoga river and see more than 20 more waterfalls.
You can continue along the river for as long as you want. I goes between the glacier and all the way to the Central Highlands.
It is one of the most popular hike in Iceland: Fimmvorduhals which is 22km - open only in Summer

From the top of the Skogafoss hike, you can also hike further on the trail that goes all the way to Landmannalaugar through Thormosk. At the beginning you follow the river with more rapids and waterfalls. Here is a serie of photos from this trail from another blogger.

Skogafoss Waterfall Winter

Begin close to the Ring Road, the Skogafoss falls can also be accessed in Winter. 
Considering the high volume of the waterfall it does not freeze and the scenery become really magical.

Check out my dedicate article to find how to visit Iceland in Winter.

Want to see more of Iceland's beauty?

Note: If you don't want to book everything yourself, consider booking a Self-Drive Tour Package (see my article to help you choose)

What do you think of it? Special or too classic?