Visit the Skogafoss waterfall Iceland: Photos, Info, Tips (Skógafoss)

Not far from the iconic Seljalandsfoss, the Skogafoss waterfall is also well known in Iceland. Walking up close a powerful 60m high curtain of water is an experience you should not miss while visiting Iceland.

Photos and Guide to plan your visit to Skogafoss waterfall - Iceland

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INFO & PLANNING TIPS - SKOGAFOSS WATERFALL

Skógafoss (with 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
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

TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS - Skogafoss Waterfall

How to get to Skogafoss Waterfall

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.
GPS: 63°31'44.4"N 19°30'47.0"W
It is a 2 hour drive from Reykjavik

Visiting Skogafoss

There is a flat walk to the base of the falls, and you can walk as close as you dare (don’t forget to protect your camera)
There are also stairs on the right side. to get to the top. From the info I found it is roughly 500 steps and you need to be reasonably fit. Apparently there is also a rock in the shape of a troll face.
There is a cafe and toilets at the site. Camping is allowed. Hotel Skogafoss is next to the parking.
On sunny days, with enough mist you can see a rainbow accross the waterfall
A hiking path start at the top of the Skogafoss waterfall and floows the river with many rapids and more waterfalls. All the comments I have read recommend hiking part of it

Skógafoss waterfall from the distance

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 :-)

If you want to see the waterfall with a rainbow check out the amazing photos from Guide to Iceland or an example from the National Geographic Photo contest

Skógafoss waterfall Iceland view from afar 1

Skogafoss waterfall Iceland view from afar 2

Skógafoss waterfall 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.

Skogafoss waterfall Iceland from up close 1

Skogafoss waterfall Iceland from up close 2

More to see at Skogafoss Waterfall

I did not have time to walk up the path. But some of my co travelers said it was nice.

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.