Discover the waterfall of Skogafoss in Winter. It remains accessible on the Iceland South Coast.
The 60m drop of water does not freeze and the view is enchanting with the surrounding snow.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with tips, map 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 waterfall of Skogafoss in Winter
The waterfall of Skogafoss is another easy stop on the South Coast, even on Winter.
Not long after Seljalandsfoss, you can head to the ancient sea cliff again to admire the giant 60m high shower curtain.
And it is worth stopping, since it looks like this:
This is one of my favorite waterfalls in Iceland. And I loved it as much in Winter as I did in Summer (see it in Summer here).
Here are a few facts and reasons why:
- It is very easy to access, close to Road 1, next to the village of Skogar
- The water is from the Skogar river and it flows over a former sea cliff
- It drops over 60m (197ft) in height, and it is 25m wide (82ft)
- It has a beautiful classic rectangular shape and the drop is unobstructed
- With a little bit of sun at the right time, you may see a rainbow in front of it
- The sound as you get close is majestic
However it is a very touristic spot, so you won’t enjoy it alone… it is one of the most famous waterfalls to visit in Winter.
Video – Virtual tour
Below is a short video of Skogafoss in Winter to give you an idea of what your visit could look like:
Typical Iceland scenery in Winter! See all my favorites.
Planning Tips & Map – Skogafoss Iceland in Winter
How to get to Skogafoss in Iceland – Map
- Located on the South Coast of Iceland (see my article on the region)
- East of Seljalandsfoss and West of Vik – easy to add to your Winter road trip (see my article to help you plan it)
- Under 2km from Road 1 (you will see it from the main road)
- Seljalandsfoss to Skogafoss = 30min
- Vik to Skogafoss = 30min
- Reykjavik to Skogafoss = 2h
- On the map below, you can see where it is located:
Skogafoss is included in my Winter road trip guide, with practical maps and tips to help you plan your itinerary:
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
- 6 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 75+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Winter tips to make the most of your time
- 115+ original photos to help you choose
Accessibility in Winter
- The road and carpark are cleared to allow access
- Of course road closure can always happen due to snow and wind – check out the status on road.is
- As it is a very touristic spot, they clear the marked walking paths – but it can always get icy, so carry spikes (see options) that you can add on your shoes at any time
- The staircase is mostly metal and allows the snow to go through. However snow can cover it partially and sections may be a little bit more difficult – it is a steep staircase! If you have doubts, I don’t recommend it. The views is much better from below, in my opinion. You can see pictures from the top at the end of this article.
- Another note: do not go up if you have vertigo. The viewing platform is a metal grid for the snow to go through, therefore you can see the drop below.
- If you don’t want to drive, you can book a day trip from Reykjavik doing the first half of the South Coast (see options) – or join a multi-day tour that includes the waterfall (see options).
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
- Restaurant and hotels at the village of Skogar near the waterfall
- Toilets at the site
- Plan 30min to enjoy to lower path and get close to the waterfall
- or plan 1h if you are doing both the bottom and the top.
Where to stay near Skogafoss
The village right by the waterfall is Skogar.
- If you want to stay within walking distance of the waterfall – check out the Skogafoss hotel or check out the Skogar hotel
- If you don’t mind staying a little bit further – drive west (5 min drive), the Garage Guesthouse is in a stunning location – check out photos and prices
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
Skogafoss Winter accessibility – road & carpark
As I said, Skogafoss is easy to access in Winter (unless there is a huge snowstorm…).
It is clearly indicated from Road 1.
The access road is normally cleared all the way to the carpark, as you can see in the pictures below.
There is a large carpark very close to the waterfall. Be careful as it might be a little slippery on foot.
From there you can take the path to the bottom of the waterfall or start climbing the stairs.
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!
Bottom view of Skogafoss in the snow
Personally, I prefer Skogafoss from the bottom.
The contrast of the white flow of water against the black rock is stunning.
You can get very close at the bottom of the waterfall.
But be ready: you will get wet and your camera will too. Make sure to protect it!
Does Skogafoss Freezes?
The flow of water is very impressive.
Skogafoss has such a high volume that it does not freeze in Winter.
One of the top Winter attractions in Iceland!
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…
Staircase up the cliff
The other option to admire to power of Skogafoss is to climb on the side to see the drop from above.
It starts with around 30 high and wide stairs.
And it continues with over 350 stairs made of metal. The path is narrower so it is not easy to cross path with people going down.
But the stairs are lower. So it is easier to climb.
At the top you will find the viewing platform above the drop.
As you can see, you can see through it. I had to hold my hand below my eyes so as not to feel light-headed because of vertigo.
Skogafoss waterfall in Winter – view from above
And this is the view from the top.
I must admit that I was disappointed. But maybe it was because I was suffering for vertigo and did not enjoy it fully.
However I did enjoy the beautiful pyramid-shaped mountain in the background.
In my opinion, you just don’t appreciate the power of the waterfall from above, the way you do from the bottom.
The river Skoga flows from the North. In Summer you can hike for several days all the way to the Central Highlands.
And as you look down, you can see it flowing towards the sea…
FAQs about Skogafoss
- Can you walk behind Skogafoss?
No, you can’t. - How much time to you need at Skogafoss?
30min for just the bottom, 1h if you also climb the stairs. - Was does Skogafoss means?
Forest Falls. - Is Skogafoss part of the Golden Circle?
No, it is not. It is along the South Coast. The waterfall on the Golden Circle is Gullfoss.
Want to see more of Iceland in Winter:
- Iceland Winter itinerary suggestions – read article
- Best things to do in Iceland in Winter – read article
- 35 pictures of Iceland in Winter – read article
- Things to do in Reykjavik in Winter – read article
- Iceland Ice Cave Tours and tips – read article
- Tips for visiting Iceland in Winter – read article
- Planning an Iceland Winter Road Trip – read article
- Driving in Iceland in Winter – read article
Planning a trip to Iceland in Winter
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
- 6 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 75+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Winter tips to make the most of your time
- 115+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
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Jokulsarlon in Winter – Lagoon and Diamond Beach
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