The waterfall of Urridafoss, Iceland, is often overlooked as people rush to reach the more famous Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss.
And yet, this is the waterfall with the highest volume in Iceland!
It is very difficult to photograph, but great to experience with the surround sound it creates.
Below is my guide to plan your visit with map, tips and photos.
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Iceland:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Iceland: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Whale Watching
Fun activity: Swimming in Silfra Fissure
My favorite places to stay:
- Reykjavik: see best rated hotels – e.g. Vintage Boutique Hotel
- Lake Myvatn: see best rated hotels – e.g. Hotel Laxa
- Vik area: see best rated hotels – e.g. Hotel Vik i Myrdal
Why visit the Urridafoss waterfall in Iceland?
At Urridafoss, the river Thjorsa, which is the longest in Iceland, with 230 km, falls over 6 meters in height.
So clearly, it is not the most impressive waterfall in Iceland in terms of size…
However, it is one of the most voluminous waterfall in Iceland:
It flows with a quantity is 360m3 in a second!!!
And its power is more than 100MW.
Plus, here you won’t see any crowds.
Discover more waterfalls, on my list of 21 waterfalls in Iceland which includes a video!
About salmons
Its name means waterfall of salmon.
It is a popular river in Summer for salmon fishing as they make their way upstream.
More photos after the planning tips.
Planning tips and Map – Urridafoss Iceland
Where is Urridafoss located? Map
- Between Reykjavik and the South Coast
- Urridafoss can be reach on road 33 (Urridafossvegur) just a few minutes South of Road 1 between the towns of Sellfoss and Hella.
- The road gets to the Pjorsa estuary
- If you are driving towards the East and pass the bridge over the Thjorsa river, then you went too far
- Below is a map to help you get oriented:
All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates, map of region and planning tips) in my travel guide eBook to help you easily plan your Iceland road trip (for 5 days, 7 days, 10 days, 14 days…)
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
- 8 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 100+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 130+ original photos to help you choose
How to get to Urridafoss
- You need your own car to visit this location
- No group tours
- The crossroad well indicated.
- The access road is in good condition – and it is a very short drive!
Need to rent a car in Iceland?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Visit tips
- The carpark is a very short drive from Road 1
- The waterfall is very close to the parking
- There is a nice path to see Urridafoss from different angles
- There are also benches and picnic tables
- No other facilities – no bathroom
- Only 1 side is accessible
- The closed town is Selfoss – see best rated accommodations
Where to stay in Iceland?
My favorites:
- Reykjavik, capital city: see best rated accommodations – or my article on where to stay
- Selfoss, between Golden Circle and South Coast: see best rated accommodations
- Vik, near waterfalls and glaciers: see best rated accommodations
- Höfn, gateway to the East fjords: see best rated accommodations
- Egilsstadir, between fjords and North Iceland: see best rated accommodations
- Reykjahlid, for the wonders of Lake Myvatn: see best rated accommodations
- Akureyri, capital of the North: see best rated accommodations
- Grundarfjordur, on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula: see best rated accommodations
Waterfall of Urridafoss in Pictures
Below are a few shots of Urridafoss from the side and from the platform, which gives you a more direct view.
As you see, it is very wide, and I was not able to photograph it properly.
I was not able either to convey the volume of water that goes through it.
They are more rapids than a waterfall…
The River is rather large.
The color of the water can be a lot bluer than on my pictures as the water flows from the Hofsjökli, Vatnajökull and Tungnafellsjökull glaciers.
Sometimes, you can spot a small rainbow over the rapids!
I recommend you just sit down and listen to the power of the water.
Yes, it is not as spectacular as other waterfall but it is such a peaceful place!
I don’t drink coffee 
But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…
Urridafoss in Winter
In the Winter, the waterfall can freeze and the depth of the ice can reach up to 20 meter.
And in the Spring, the river breaks free from the ice barriers and icebergs fall into the river. People recommend seeing this event from the canyons of Thjorsa South of Urridafoss.
Plan your trip to Iceland this Summer:
Want to see more of the best Iceland has to offer?
- 45 Most beautiful landscapes in Iceland in pictures – read article
- The best stops on the Ring Road – read article
- The best locations off the beaten path around Iceland – read article
- 21 Most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland – read article
- Top 5 places to see around Myvatn – read article
- 5 best Lava Fields in Iceland – read article
- The 5 most beautiful black sand beaches in Iceland – read article
Planning a trip to Iceland?
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
- 8 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 100+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 130+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
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