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Urridafoss waterfall (Iceland) – tips + photos

Last updated on March 14, 2023 by Claire / this article contains affiliate links (Info)

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 all my photos + tips, here are my favorites to plan your Summer Iceland trip:

car rental

My favorite platform to rent a car in Iceland: Discovercars

hotel

My favorite places to stay around Iceland:

  • Reykjavik, the capital, of course:  Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel 
  • Vik to explore the South Coast: Hotel Vik i Myrdal
  • Lake Myvatn, in the north: Hotel Laxa
  • Borgarnes, between Snaefellsnes and Silver Circle: Hotel Hamar
bus

My favorite bus tour from Reykjavik (Summer): Amazing Snaefellsnes Peninsula

boat

My favorite activity around Iceland (Summer): Whale watching from Husavik (best) or Reykjavik or Akureyri

tips key

My favorite platform to book travel-packages in Iceland: guidetoiceland

Photos and Guide to plan your visit to Urridafoss - Iceland

Table Of Contents
Why visit the Urridafoss waterfall in Iceland?
Planning tips and Map - Urridafoss Iceland
Waterfall of Urridafoss in Pictures
Urridafoss in Winter

// In this article, no ads, no sponsored posts. Just some affiliate links.
If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).


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.

Iceland Urridafoss waterfall

Waterfall Urridafoss, Iceland

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:
Waterfall Urridafoss Iceland Map

Waterfall Urridafoss in Iceland - Map

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 road trip in Iceland

Iceland road trip travel guide cover small
  • 8 maps to plan your itinerary easily
  • 100+ pre-selected locations 
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 130+ original photos to get inspired
  • GPS coordinates for easy navigation

LEARN MORE

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?

directly see the best deals on my favorite platform

How to rent a car in Iceland 2

or see my 36 practical tips to choose the best car to rent for the roads in Iceland (Summer or Winter) and find the best deals

+ read tips
See available cars + Deals

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 tips:

  • Reykjavik - capital city - see best rated accommodations or see 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 - to explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula - see best rated accommodations

More tips in my article about Where to stay in Iceland


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...

Urridafoss waterfall Iceland, photo 1

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.

Urridafoss waterfall Iceland, photo 2

Sometimes, you can spot a small rainbow over the rapids!

Urridafoss waterfall Iceland, photo 3

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!

Urridafoss waterfall Iceland, photo 4

I don't drink coffee

But I like other drinks and foods!
Do you enjoy the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising...

Claire ZigZag
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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.

Urridafoss Winter Iceland Canva

Plan your trip to Iceland in Summer:

tips key
  • My itineraries : 5 days, 1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks
  • Where to stay in Iceland
  • Where to stay in Reykjavik: best hotels
  • 36 tips to rent a car in Iceland
  • Guide to driving in Iceland
  • How to plan a road trip in Iceland

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 road trip in Iceland

Iceland road trip travel guide cover small
  • 8 maps to plan your itinerary easily
  • 100+ pre-selected locations 
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 130+ original photos to get inspired
  • GPS coordinates for easy navigation

LEARN MORE

And keep track of your own trip!

Iceland road trip Journal

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